Best Tent Camping near Monterey Park, CA
Angeles National Forest provides numerous walk-in tent campsites within a short drive of Monterey Park, California. Millard Trail Campground offers six tent-only sites accessible via a 100-yard hike from the parking area, while Mount Lowe Trail Campground and Valley Forge Trail Camp provide more secluded backcountry tent camping experiences. Gould Mesa Trail Campground, located in Flintridge, features approximately ten tent sites along a creek with fire rings available for tent campers. These primitive tent camping areas typically require an Adventure Pass for parking and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Most tent-only sites in this region have minimal amenities but include essential features for backcountry camping. Bear boxes are provided at many locations including Millard Trail Camp, where each of the six sites has food storage containers to protect supplies from wildlife. Vault toilets are common, though running water is rarely available, requiring campers to either bring their own or filter from nearby creeks when flowing. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with some campgrounds permitting fires in designated rings while others prohibit them entirely. Sites are typically set on natural surfaces with minimal grading, and many require short to moderate hikes from parking areas.
Tent campers who visited Millard Trail Campground noted that while day hikers frequently pass through the area, the campground becomes quiet and peaceful after the gates lock at night. According to reviews, weekday camping typically offers more solitude with "usually not more than one or two campers" present. At Gould Mesa, visitors reported that "the creek is usually running, so bring something to treat the water." Valley Forge Trail Camp has been described as "an easy 3.5 mile hike in, but a tough hike out of the canyon," making it suitable for beginning backpackers seeking primitive tent camping near Monterey Park. Most sites offer ample shade and access to hiking trails, with seasonal creek flows enhancing the camping experience during spring months.