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Buckhorn Campground's forested setting provides pet-friendly camping for dog owners visiting Juniper Hills, with over 38 campsites nestled at 6,300 feet elevation in the Angeles National Forest. Dogs are permitted on leash in all camping areas, including tent and RV sites. Crystal Lake Recreation Area Campground also welcomes pets and uniquely offers cabin accommodations in addition to standard campsites. Each campground provides basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water, though pet owners should bring their own waste bags as dedicated pet waste stations are limited. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times, supervised, and properly cleaned up after. The campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, so arriving early is essential to secure a site with adequate space for camping with pets.
Burkhart Trail at Buckhorn Campground offers excellent pet-friendly hiking with stream access, making it popular for dogs that enjoy water. The trail system provides multiple difficulty levels, with some paths leading to seasonal waterfalls approximately 2.5 miles from the campground. Pet owners should be prepared for varying weather conditions, as temperatures can drop into the 40s at night even during late spring and summer months. Wildlife encounters are possible, so keeping dogs leashed is essential for their safety and the protection of native animals. While the campgrounds themselves don't offer dedicated dog play areas, the surrounding forest provides ample opportunity for pet exploration. Several campers note that although the sites can get crowded and noisy on weekends, weekday camping provides a quieter experience for those with noise-sensitive pets. Dogs particularly enjoy the creek running through Buckhorn when water is flowing in spring months.
"Beautiful trails near by, next to a stream, gorgeous views, and of course that mountain air! Trees are perfect for hammocks."
"It is set back from the road a little giving you a quieter experience away from the 2. This would be a good first car camping spot for families with young children."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"We’ve done Crystal Lake probably 6 dozen times or more in our time in California and it never disappoints on the spectacular views."
"This is probably our favorite place to go considering we end up hear almost every other weekend year around. Camp cost and parking cost isn’t cheap but the views are great."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Campground We had been driving around the campground loops for more than an hour, and had just about given up, when we say the sign for overflow camping near the exit of the Chilao campground loop"
"I’m no stranger to bugs being around I’m an avid camper but they seem Immune to repellants. Giant horse flys we’re in the area along with a lot of bees and gnats."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"If you have a chance after - drive the whole Angeles crest highway! Worth the trouble. You are also located close to the PCT, take a hike!"
"We got a campsite that was on the outside of the loop. We were in Cherokee loop in campsite #87."
from $30 - $500 / night
Check Availability"Nice spot if you don’t want to drive far. Fantastic views. Get there early to get a spot with shade...we arrived in the late afternoon and the only spots had zero shade. It was so hot!!"
"OKAY... seriously this one of the best campgrounds near Los Angeles. My ultimate go to spot for an overnight camping trip."
"This trip we stayed down near the welcome center instead of Lot N and the experience didn’t even seem like the same RV Park. No loud music, no barking dog, less dust, and dirt."
"My only gripe about this section is I think there is either a dog breeder or humane society to the east. Sometimes all of the dogs just go crazy!"
"This past week had record high temperatures for all of Southern California, so I can’t say how representative our experience was compared to typically late fall trips in other years."
"It's an hours drive from LA and because the campground is at elevation it stays cooler during the hot months."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Or one right next to you if you don't have one. The water does not taste too good, but it serves for washing. A bear was on our stuff the first night. I whistled and it ran away."
"It’s Close to Hidden Springs and Switzer falls, surrounding area is very beautiful. I’ll be back!"
from $12 / night
Check Availability"This campsite is located in California and is one of my favorites."
"I hiked in while doing the Pacific crest trail from the south. great campground with bear lockers and many sites, also nearby spots along the pct. a short walk from little jimmy spring, where you can get"
"This side is on a first come first serve basis and does require you to self pay at the entrance where you find information on the board. Make sure to read everything it has lots of good information."
"Easy campground to get to and close by. First come first serve sites. Does get crowded in summer season. Went there this weekend and very few people."
from $12 - $24 / night
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ScoutClose to town but no cell signal, this place is amazing! Large camping area and I’ve never felt crowded ! Quarter showers and laundry, and a dog park! Lots of deer in the area and Great Lake to fish at! They also offer some hook ups for the rv campers
GuideFirst of all, staff was amazing. We were originally supposed to arrive on a Tuesday and we’re not able to make it. Staff shifted our reservation instead of us eating the missed night cost. Also super accommodating allowing us to extend a day longer last minute. Park is tight quarters with 200 spots. Two laundry rooms/bathrooms with showers on site, plus a cute little dog park! We stayed for three nights. Every “road” in the park is themed with California or Hollywood themed decorations and murals. We were parked right next to a Mister Roger’s mural across from the laundry/bathrooms. My only complaint in the noise level at times which is not from the park itself. Helicopters would fly over randomly, sometimes at night and it could be annoying when trying to sleep. Otherwise, absolute GEM of a place!
GuideSuper friendly staff, super clean, 2 dog parks, offers really good wifi & cable. Can pick the oranges out of the tree
GuideRV Park full of residence and full timers. Will accommodate one or more nights. Good place to recharge and do laundry. Everything looks mostly clean and the pool was nice too. Small dog park with real grass.
TravelerI’ve been here for a couple days and nobody’s mess with us. There’s other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans. I’m in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV. There’s a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them.There’s no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please. It’s not tent friendly. I don’t believe.
ScoutAnaheim RV Resort is close to Disney and is on the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) bus route. They have full hook up sites and room for large rigs - back-in and pull through. They are very pet friendly and even have a dog walking/feeding service (for an extra fee). There is a small pool and hot tub. The restrooms/showers and newly remodeled and very nice! Sites are all level and fairly large. We've stayed here 4 times and will be back again!
LegendA little gem hiding out in Lytle Creek! Easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground. Very quiet and interspersed with long time stayers and temporary campers. I stayed in my van and had my cat and dog with me. Campfire wood was easily available and had its own picnic table. Beautiful scenery and we even got a dusting of snow! I stayed two nights while in town for work and it was perfect.
GuidePros: Large campsites
Clean-ish toilets
Lake within walking distance
Cons: Right near highway, noisy
Lots of flies during the day
tent sites are very flat
Last minute trip and decided to check out Lake Campground. There are 8 sites placed on this hilly area, with a vault toilet in the center of the campground. It is located right next to the highway, so it can be pretty noisy during the day as its a popular route for motorcyclists. The campground itself was fairly clean, and all the sites were very large and spaced well away from each other. The sites weren't very flat, so options to set your tent up were very limited. Some sites had some shade, others almost none. There were tons of flies, very active during the daytime, but went away during the evening. The vault toilets were the cleanest I'd seen (For vault toilets) and the staff came through the campgrounds several times a day.
Jackson Lake is a short walk from the campgrounds. It has a nice day use picnic area with coal grills, picnic benches, and four vault toilets (in pretty poor condition). The lake was pretty small and had a stagnant smell to it. Lots of people were fishing, and a few people waded into the waters. I saw people in rafts / kayaks later in the day. The area was covered in fleas so careful with pets.
RangerSprawling lush green hills? Can’t beat Chino Hills State Park.
The campground itself feels very close together and wide open compared to the space of the park. Gets loud at night if there are too many groups camping.
No cell service. Super clean bathrooms and showers.
PET OWNERS BEWARE: Our dog munched on a frog at this campsite and started foaming at the mouth. We rinsed her mouth out with water and she turned out fine, but a smaller dog or a swallowed frog and she could have died from toxicity.
Angeles National Forest offers pet-friendly camping 6,000-6,300 feet above Juniper Hills, with 9-10 degree temperature drops from valley floors. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through November, with vault toilets and limited water access requiring campers to bring their own supplies.
Hiking with dogs on the Pacific Crest Trail: Little Jimmy Trail Campground provides direct access to the PCT for day hikes with your dog. "A short hike from mount baden Powell, mount Williamson & mount islip," notes Anthony K., making it perfect for peak-bagging adventures with canine companions.
Bouldering trips: Dogs can accompany you while bouldering at Horse Flats Campground. "Nice place to stay for climbing - there is mostly bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff," says Kathleen L. The campground's proximity to climbing routes means you can keep your pet near camp while climbing.
Winter snow camping: For adventurous winter campers, the higher elevation sites sometimes remain accessible. "Fantastic in the snowy season. Getting to Windy Gap usually requires spikes or crampons and axe, but it's well worth the effort," Brian T. mentions about Little Jimmy, which also features "year-round running water at Little Jimmy Springs."
Quiet weekday stays: Monte Cristo Campground offers more tranquil midweek camping. "Stayed here for a week and half and it was quiet. No water at sites but they have water. No service," notes Jamie, highlighting the peaceful environment perfect for noise-sensitive dogs.
Tree cover for shade: Table Mountain Campground provides good tree coverage for hot days. "Overall the sites are spread out pretty well. We did see a few that were closer together but they had good tree coverage," Troy L. explains, which is important for keeping pets cool during summer months.
Bear lockers for food storage: Several campgrounds provide bear lockers, essential when camping with dogs and their food. "Bear lockers and back country ovens. One of my favorite places," Ian C. mentions about Little Jimmy Campground, adding an extra layer of security for storing pet food away from wildlife.
Limited water availability: Many campgrounds require bringing your own drinking water. "Water is available but do know it is not portable so don't drink it," Jessica P. cautions about Little Pine Campground, making it essential to pack extra water for both you and your pets.
Parking restrictions: Adventure Passes are required for overnight parking at most Angeles National Forest campgrounds. "There is no fee to camp here other than an Adventure pass for your parking," Tony C. notes about Little Jimmy Trail Campground.
Seasonal closures: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Juniper Hills close during winter months. Monte Cristo Campground is open year-round but cautions about wildlife: "Be careful because there are black widows everywhere! Especially under the tables of the campsites," warns Joshua P., important information for dog owners.
Best sites for groups with dogs: Chilao Campground works well for families with pets. "There are easy hiking trails all over & good trees for hanging my hammock. The campsites are very spacious and clean (bathrooms were clean too!)," Melinda M. shares, noting its proximity to Pasadena—"less than an hour" away.
Dog-friendly lake alternatives: When Crystal Lake is crowded, families with dogs can explore nearby options. "Camp crystal puddle...is very crowded on the weekends. However, if you drive further towards the back of the site you can find nice, secluded sites," recommends Ginger V., offering an alternative to busier areas.
First-time pet camping: Table Mountain provides an accessible introduction to camping with pets. "There are bathroom stalls and running water but is not drinkable. Has an elevated bear safe with a pit and picnic table," explains Adrian R., adding there are "good amount of trees to also hang hammocks if need be."
Best small RV sites: Monte Cristo accommodates smaller trailers and RVs. "I pulled a 26 TT. I came in from the LA side of the mountains and found it's easier to go in from Palmdale with a rv or tt. If your hauling anything longer then 20 ft. Try for site 11," advises Jamie, providing specific guidance for RV owners with dogs.
Length restrictions: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Juniper Hills have RV size limitations. "Good for small RVs. Over 24 foot not recommended," Lauralyn J. cautions about Buckhorn Campground, important for planning with larger vehicles and pets.
Limited hookups: No full-hookup sites exist in the Angeles Forest campgrounds that allow dogs. When water is available, it's often non-potable. Most sites feature standard amenities like "fire pits at every campground" as Amy D. describes, so come prepared with water for both vehicle and pet needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Juniper Hills, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Juniper Hills, CA is Buckhorn Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Juniper Hills, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 134 dog-friendly camping locations near Juniper Hills, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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