Tent camping near Mount Baldy offers access to diverse terrain within Angeles National Forest at elevations reaching 10,064 feet. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with winter bringing heavy snowfall above 6,000 feet and summer daytime temperatures often exceeding 85°F in lower elevations. Most camping options operate seasonally, with limited facilities requiring campers to be self-sufficient.
What to do
Hiking from campgrounds: Little Jimmy Trail Campground provides direct access to multiple peaks. One camper reports, "A short 1.2 mile hike up to a little peak (Mt Islip)" makes it ideal for day hikes without breaking camp.
Wildlife viewing: Peavine Campground offers opportunities to see local fauna in their natural habitat. According to a visitor, the area has "abundant wildlife coming through camp," though they note this has included "bears sniffing out tent in the middle of the night & coyotes coming through."
Mountain biking: Multiple trail networks accessible from China Camp State Park Campground offer technical terrain for cyclists. A reviewer mentions, "This park is extremely popular with mountain bikers. There are definitely better mountain biking trails in Marin but keep in mind that the bar is very high for mountain biking in Marin."
Fishing opportunities: Several streams near Glenn Trail Camp Campground provide fishing options. A camper notes the area is "native to good trout fishin'" though you should "check for fire restrictions" as rules change seasonally.
What campers like
Off-grid experience: Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites offer genuine dispersed camping. One visitor explains it's "great for campers that meet 2 criteria: 1) You have a Jeep, Truck or similar vehicle that can go off-road. 2) You enjoy dispersed camping (no water/restrooms etc)."
Moderate accessibility: Many campgrounds provide middle-ground experiences between frontcountry and backcountry camping. One camper at Little Jimmy Trail Campground shared, "2 ways up here. Hike in, via the PCT, an easy couple miles, to Little Jimmy campground. Or hike up Little Jimmy road, which is a wider dirt road (no vehicles)."
Weekday solitude: Visiting during off-peak times dramatically improves the experience. A reviewer at Manker Campground noted, "I went on a Wednesday afternoon in May and got my pick of sites. There were only 4-6 other campers each night so it was very quiet."
Natural water sources: Many campsites offer access to seasonal water. One camper at Glenn Trail Camp Campground mentioned, "The small campground is equipped with stream for water (must be treated), and vault potties."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Rules vary significantly by location and season. A reviewer from Angeles National Forest Deer Flats Group Campground noted their site had "spacious sites, enough for groups and numerous tents" but confirmed fires were prohibited.
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed sites require specialized transportation. A camper at Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites warned, "The turn is not marked well... If you miss the turn like we did you have to go 5 miles or more to get a turnabout big enough to turn around."
Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies widely. At Manker Campground, a visitor observed, "Bathrooms were clean and supplied with TP" while another noted that "the caretaker was so nice! Although the restroom are very dirty."
Year-round options: Several lower-elevation sites remain open during winter. A camper at China Camp State Park Campground shared, "You can camp here year round, and I've been here in the winter, spring and summer."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Some sites offer perfect introductions to backpacking. A camper at Glenn Trail Camp Campground recalled, "I have been wanting to take my girlfriend backpacking for quite some time but wanted an easy trail to start her off with, and this was it - an easy paved 6 1/2 miles in to camp all the way along a creek."
Campground wildlife education: Animal sightings provide learning opportunities. At China Camp State Park Campground, a visitor experienced "all the wildlife (birds, owls, deer, rabbits, raccoons)" but warned "the raccoons here are AGGRESSIVE! They won't attack you, but they will walk right up to your camp and try to steal your food."
Short hikes from camp: Many sites offer kid-friendly trails. At Appletree Campground, a camper noted the main downside is that "it's kind of a hike getting equipment up to the upper camping areas" but "lower campsites are nice" for families with younger children.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most sites near Mount Baldy have severe limitations for larger vehicles. At Manker Campground, a reviewer noted it's "small tent and motorhome campground with firepits, water spickets, bathrooms" but cautioned about limited space and that "only one car per campsite" is allowed.
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges for RVs. A camper attempting to reach Stockton Flats warned, "We decided not to go to the site because it looked like a one lane road and too tight for our 35 ft bumper pull."
Seasonal planning: Winter weather makes most sites inaccessible for RVs. A visitor to Stockton Flats reported in May 2023 that "the trail was closed" with "no idea when it will be open" highlighting the importance of checking current conditions.
