1 campground with availability next weekend
The Angeles National Forest offers several primitive tent camping areas near La Cañada Flintridge, California, many requiring short to moderate hikes to access. Trail campgrounds like Millard, Mount Lowe, and Gould Mesa provide backcountry camping experiences within close proximity to urban areas. These established tent sites serve as gateways to the San Gabriel Mountains, with most positioned along creek beds or offering mountain views.
Most tent campgrounds in this region feature basic amenities with fire pits and picnic tables at some locations, though amenities vary significantly between sites. Bear boxes for food storage are provided at several campgrounds to prevent wildlife encounters. Nearly all locations are free to camp but lack potable water, requiring hikers to filter water from nearby streams or pack in their own supply. According to one visitor, "If you have a filter there is no need to hike in water" at Gould Mesa, where a running creek provides a water source. Toilets are available at some campgrounds, including Millard and Mount Lowe, though many backcountry sites have no facilities.
Tent campers should be prepared for varying levels of privacy and solitude at these locations. A recent review noted that Millard Trail Camp "is not a campground if you want to get away from people because there is a lot of people passing by looking at you." Many sites are positioned along popular day hiking routes, making weekdays preferable for those seeking quieter experiences. The tent campgrounds follow seasonal patterns, with spring offering flowing creeks and wildflowers, while summer brings warmer temperatures and higher visitor numbers. Most sites are shaded by canyon trees, providing relief from the sun. Trail camps like Bear Canyon offer more seclusion but require longer hikes to access, with some campers reporting the trails can be difficult to follow at points.
"Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there. Once there, there's a parking lot that fits about 20 cars."
"When you can’t do a 2h hike before setting camp, but you also don’t want to camp close to your car, Millard campground is perfect. The parking lot is just behind the corner out of view."
"They had fire pits and public toilets and food storage for bears."
"This is a nice hike-in campground with about ten sites available and a privy. Lots of hikers up here on the weekend ( and weekdays too)."
"No water, fountain is capped now"
"There's no water right now but that could change after first rain or snow. Stayed here last week & it's still great."
"Took some friends for their first ever backpacking trip, great intro to the “experience.” Trail camp is in the canyon so it’s an easy 3.5 mile hike in, but a tough hike out of the canyon."
"Picnic tables and fire rings made food preparing especially easy. It has so much charm!"
from $5 / night
"This is a backpackers campground. First come first serve, picnic tables and fire rings included. I think there is only about 8-10 sites. Nice creek flows though the campground."
"This is a hike in campground that has stoves and a creek running through. The sites are nicely spaced and there is plenty of shade. Perfect little backpacking trip."
"You can only access this campground by backpacking in. There's about 12 campsites with picnic benches and fire rings. There's a creek that runs through. it's beautiful and feels completely isolated."
"Hoegee’s is 2 miles hike from Chantry Flats by way of the Lower Winter Creek Trail. The site is named for Hoegee’s resort which stood just upstream."
"Crossing the tiny bridge at the west end of Switzer Picinic area(park up top during the weekdays, adds half a mile), you’ll see Switzer Trail Camp."
"But otherwise a great spot to spend a few summer days away from anyone not hale enough to trek in a few miles."
"Very peaceful spot for a long weekend. 5 days was a little much unless you have a car to visit around and did I say it was gated too."
Available next weekend
from $50 / night
"Perfect stopping point for backpacking. Went here in May and we were the only 2 here. Plenty of water flowing and tree cover from the sun."
"No water facet but there is a toilet. I have woke in the morning to deer on several occasions. I will come back here."
"Lots of greenery and flowing water in the winter season with wildlife all along the trail and campground."
ScoutSite is clean, many activities on weekends They also add 1000lb or catfish and trout weekly depending on season. Members were friendly. Downside is wifi when the campsite is 75+ full and only about a dozen paved spots. Major are gravel and dirt.
TravelerNice spot with great hiking. Limited facilities. No hookups. $1 for 2 minute shower (tokens).
TravelerI went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
TravelerI was lucky to find this place. It’s well run, comfortable, friendly. Nice spots.
GuideStopped here on a Friday night after spending the day in Simi Valley. It was a ghost town, with only one other campsite occupied that showed no movement or activity at all. The train isn’t running in the overnight hours, so that’s a plus, but the vibe at the lower campsite is making it tough to sleep nonetheless. Two stars for a clean bathroom.
TravelerVery windy and need high clearance vehicles
TravelerYou definitely need high clearance vehicles or you will not make it here
GuideSite 49 is a large drive-in site with plenty of room. It accommodates up to two vehicles and has a picnic table and fire ring. There’s communal water nearby, and we’re conveniently close to the restrooms, which have flush toilets. There are no electrical hookups, so plan to be self-contained for power. One of my favorite things about this particular site is the shade. We have several trees around us, which makes a huge difference during the day. At the end of September it’s around 85° and sunny. It’s a little windy today, but sitting here in the shade is incredibly comfortable. And then there is the view. 🌄 That may be the best part of Site 49. The mountains are right in front of us, and the view is just beautiful. Morning coffee with three beagles stretched out in front of me and those mountains in the background? I'm not complaining. The campground itself has been very quiet during our stay, with relatively few other campers around. The camp host has been friendly and helpful, and the whole place has a peaceful, uncrowded feel. It’s also pet friendly, which obviously matters when your camping crew includes three beagles. 🐶🐶🐶 They have been loving the sunshine, shade and all the new things there are to sniff. A few things to know: this is a non-electric site, the driveway is gravel, and this isn't a fancy resort-style campground. If you're looking for hookups and manicured RV pads, this probably isn't it. But if you want space, quiet, shade, flush toilets, water nearby and a mountain view that looks like that for $45 a night? I’ll take it. Site 49 is going on my “come back here” list. 🌄💜
RangerJust far enough from the highway to have almost no noise. Nice loops into small valleys. Good spacing of sites, clean enough restrooms. Not very busy on a September Saturday. Some bugs, but I don't think they bite.
Nestled in the scenic Angeles National Forest, La Cañada Flintridge offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near La Cañada Flintridge, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near La Cañada Flintridge, CA is Millard Trail Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near La Cañada Flintridge, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 56 tent camping locations near La Cañada Flintridge, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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