Best Tent Camping near Mount Baldy, CA

Tent campers visiting Mount Baldy, California have several options in Angeles National Forest, where established sites and backcountry tent camping areas provide diverse experiences. Manker Campground, located at the end of Mount Baldy Road, offers approximately 20 tent sites in a forested setting near major trailheads. Little Jimmy Trail Campground provides a more primitive backcountry tent camping experience, accessible only by a 2-mile hike from Islip Saddle on Angeles Crest Highway.

Most tent campgrounds in the area have minimal amenities, with facilities varying significantly between locations. Manker Campground provides drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets, though visitors report bathrooms can become unsanitary during busy weekends. Bear activity is common throughout the region, making proper food storage essential for tent campers. The forest service maintains several primitive sites, including Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites, which require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles for access. Sites typically close during winter months, with many campgrounds operating from May through October, though exact dates vary based on snow conditions and elevation.

The tent camping experience offers a genuine connection to the San Gabriel Mountains environment. Many sites provide direct access to hiking trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail. According to one visitor, "The San Gabriel Mountains are often overlooked even by lifelong area residents" despite offering "tremendous diversity, encompassing granite peaks with stunning views and lush alpine forests." Tent campers should prepare for significant temperature variations, with pleasant spring and early summer conditions but potentially extreme heat in August and September. Wildlife encounters add to the backcountry tent camping experience, with another camper noting, "This has included bears sniffing out tent in the middle of the night and coyotes coming through." Weekday visits generally provide more solitude, as weekend crowds can significantly impact the camping experience, particularly at more accessible tent campgrounds.

Best Tent Sites Near Mount Baldy, California (67)

    1. Manker Campground

    13 Reviews
    Mount Baldy, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (626) 335-1251

    $12 / night

    "Although the restroom are very dirty but overall it was a great stay!"

    "Tucked away at the top of a precarious winding mountain road. It is very basic, simple and beautiful."

    2. Little Jimmy Trail Campground

    7 Reviews
    Valyermo, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (626) 335-1251

    "This campsite is located in California and is one of my favorites."

    "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) Lots of sites ( I’ve never seen more than a couple occupied"

    3. Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8

    4 Reviews
    Wrightwood, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 382-2851

    "Great for campers that meet 2 criteria 1) You have a Jeep, Truck it similar vehicle that can go off-road. 2) You enjoy dispersed camping (no water/restrooms etc) If both are yes, this place is amazing"

    "Trail was fun (definitely needed 4x4) and the sites around has good shade and good size open spots. Best to get there early as possible to secure a spot."

    4. Jackson Flats

    2 Reviews
    Valyermo, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 249-3526

    $180 - $230 / night

    "Campground review This group campground can be accessed by walk-in or motor vehicle. It's a short hike from the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center."

    "It had flush toilets, water spigots, picnic tables, and fire pits as well as large campsites seemingly fitting for big groups. When we got there there were a lot of families."

    5. Appletree Campground — Angeles National Forest

    1 Review
    Wrightwood, CA
    11 miles
    +1 (760) 316-7828

    $20 / night

    "Lower campsites are nice but kinda close to the road so you get the road noise . Not a bad place to go for an overnight trip ."

    6. Glenn Trail Camp Campground

    4 Reviews
    Duarte, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    $5 / night

    "Access to this campground is so easy, whether it's by car or by bike."

    "This hike-in/bike-in campground is located 6 1/2 miles behind a locked gate. The small campground is equipped with stream for water (must be treated), and vault potties."

    8. Angeles National Forest Big Rock Campground

    1 Review
    Valyermo, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 269-2808

    "There is a nice size creek that runs adjacent to the campsites, which appears to run only during snow melt. It was dry one of the times we camped there, the other time it was flowing very good."

    9. China Camp State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    San Rafael, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 456-0766

    $35 - $175 / night

    "The campground was not busy and this allowed me to pick a spot hidden away from others. There are restrooms and a place to get water, but when I was there the showers were closed.  "

    "This walk-in campground is part of China Camp State Park. Only 33 tent-only sites! Wheeled totes can be borrowed to haul your gear up some little hills to your campsite under oak and bay trees."

    10. Peavine Campground — Angeles National Forest

    1 Review
    Wrightwood, CA
    11 miles
    +1 (760) 316-7828

    $20 / night

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Tent Camping Reviews near Mount Baldy, CA

1195 Reviews of 67 Mount Baldy Campgrounds


  • Tony  C.
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Little Jimmy Trail Campground

    Local gem of a campsite

    This campsite is located in California and is one of my favorites. Located above Crystal Lake you’ll find Little Jimmy, it’s a backcountry hike-in only campground nestled just 2 miles off the Angeles Crest Highway. It has around 7 first-come, first-served sites with fire rings, vault toilets (which are currently not in service), and vintage backcountry ovens. After parking at Islip Saddle, cross the highway and begin hiking for 2 miles up the switchbacks until you reach Little Jimmy Campground on your right. Popular with Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, this scenic spot offers a chance to get away from established campgrounds and live amongst the Coulter Pines and Big Doug Firs. Campers turned hikers have easy access to hop on the legendary Pacific Crest Trail which runs through the camp. There is no fee to camp here other than an Adventure pass for your parking. In the summertime, bears can be common visitors so make sure and secure your food in provided bear boxes or bring your own bear canisters. As always, make sure you follow the "Leave No Trace" principles and pack everything in and out!

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2018

    Buckhorn Campground

    Most beautiful campground in the Angeles National Forest!

    We've wanted to camp here for so long, but we've never been able to get a spot. We finally did this weekend, and it fully lived up to our expectations. Because this campground is set within a ravine that has a stream during the rainier months, so the landscape feels very different than the other nearby campgrounds - very green with tall trees. The campsites have plenty of space between neighbors, so we felt we had privacy and weren't disturbed by any noise from other sites. Each site has a picnic table, firepit, and bear box for food storage. There is a water spigot at the campground, but the ranger advised that it's not potable.

    There's day parking at the end of the campground for the trailhead to Cooper Canyon Falls. In the summer the "waterfall" is barely a trickle, but the hike still has a nice stream and is worth doing.

  • j
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Millard Trail Campground

    Great campground for hiking/biking

    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. There's about 100 yd hike to the campsites. There's a road that leads to the campsite but it's been blocked off. Only the campsite managers use that road so it's not accessible by RV, just tents. A campsite manager stays in a little trailer overnight so if there's any problems there's somebody there you can go to and ask for help. There's about six campsites and their first come first serve, no reservations. I went during the week and was the only one camping. This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking. There's not a lot of privacy because there's always lots of people passing by who are hiking and biking. You can stay overnight which I did and everything was fine but there's not a lot of privacy. The next day as I was leaving there was another guy sitting up his tent. I bet on the weekends they can fill up pretty fast. It's in Bear country so they provide food storage for each campsite also trash containers too. Each side has a picnic bench and a fire pit. The fire ban has been lifted so you can have a fire. Each fire pit had wood left at it so you didn't have to go searching for campfirewood. Bathrooms included male and female toilets but no showers or water. There's a creek that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty. I saw two to three cabins along the outskirts of the campground that I assume were for rentals. There was one family at one of the cabins the night I stayed. About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that. Overall a good campsite four stars. Would have been five stars if they had showers and running water. I didn't see any bears although there was an animal outside my tent at one point in the night I could hear him nosing around. So it's important to keep all of your food and anything with any kind of smell in the bear boxes

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Pine Knot Campground

    Nice Campground Close to Town

    This campground is located pretty much in town right off Summit Blvd, on a side street right next to Snow Summit. We stayed here a couple nights with our pop-up camper in site #17. Cost was $34 a night. We pulled in a little later than planned, around 7:30, there were about 10 other sites occupied with a few more reserved. There are 48 sites throughout the campground. All primitive sites. Generators are allowed, but must stay on paved areas, and not run during quiet hours, 10:00 PM- 6:00 AM. Sites have a picnic table, fire ring, grill and bear box provided. There are 4 bathroom houses around the campground with flush toilets and sinks, they were pretty clean and well kept. Potable water was available. We did hear the coyotes at night and even had one or two come through our site. Campfires are allowed at this campground as of Oct. 9, 2025. We had great T-Mobile and AT&T cell service. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful.

  • Michael A.
    Jul. 6, 2020

    San Bernardino National Forest Crab Flats Campground

    5 Miles Dirt Road Off Highway YES

    Slow going on the dirt road but boy is it worth it. There are a couple of water spigots. Pack your trash out when you leave. Do not need 4WD to get there but it’s sure fun on all the truck trails if you do! Lots of trees and shade, 26 sites that are usually pretty full on the weekends. Vault toilets. Fire rings, bear boxes and picnic tables provide the basics. The drive out to the lake is also worth it if kids want to play in the water. Kayak and small boat rentals, fishing with stocked waters. All in all a great way to spend a weekend in the mountains.

  • Kate W.
    Sep. 26, 2019

    Dry Lake Backpacking Campground

    Memorable and COLD

    We camped here on our way to summiting San G (as we lovingly call it).  Although it was May and the weather was beautiful at sea level, it was cold up here!  There was snow on the ground but the air was the coldest I've ever felt.  

    We got to the camping area and it's tucked in the woods so there's lots of nooks and crannies even though it's a primitive open group camping area.  It's right next to a dry lake - go figure - and there are lots of areas to go explore beyond the trail that leads to the top.  

    The ranger was there to spend a few nights and said that the night before hit negative digits!  We thought we were prepared with our "all weather" bags and backpacking tent, but I promise you I have never been so cold in my life.  I laid there awake the entire night, and couldn't move a muscle or freezing air would seep in.  The ranger said it only got down to 7 degrees.  When light finally hit we heated some water and went to sit on the frosty ground in the open field/lake and when the sun finally hit us it was like life-changing.  

    FYI it's leave no trace and don't attract bears

  • K
    Jan. 5, 2022

    Oakwilde Trail Campground

    Half Sunk, Overgrown

    The camp site looks like it was buried in mud from a flood a few years ago. There’s been no maintenance to this camp. The cook stoves are covered, half of the one picnic table was underground. But still, it’s a beautiful and remote spot. The river was running when I was there in January and it was just gorgeous. Looks like there’s really only one usable flat spot to set up a tent. But you can’t have a fire or anything. I didn’t camp just hiked in and checked it out. Dunno if I would try camping here.

  • Kayla H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2019

    Sawtooth Canyon Campground

    Desolate, Beautiful rock formations, great hiking

    This campsite is on BLM land, you can stay up to 14 days. There a wide variety of campsites from single to group sites. Restrooms available. Some sites have shaded structures, picnic tables and fire rings. Popular spot for rock climbers, giant rock formations jet out from the ground. Great hiking and awesome spot in spring for some beautiful wild flowers. Would definitely go back in spring or fall months when not too hot.

  • Tony  C.
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Great local campsite

    I recently moved to WA from Los Angeles so this review is legit 😁 This was and still continues to be one of my favorite campsite close to Los Angeles, I have plenty of fond memories with close friends at this site. It’s completely exposed all the way to the top, a well worth 3 mile uphill hike to three different camp sites. My favorite is the middle site where you get a clear view of the city, beautiful views at night. They say there’s no water but there is, there’s a spout located by the restroom close to the museum, you’ll have to treat it before using (but don’t take my word for it, they tend to shut it off so take plenty of water for your time there and check it out if you need more) If you continue past the middle campsite to the upper site, you’ll have plenty of space for tents and hammocks just no view due to the trees on the edge. If you continue on that trail for another 3 miles i believe, you’ll get to idlehour campground. It’s a small site right next to a creek, you can continue on to Mt Lowe campground and inspiration point. Back to Henninger, plenty of trees for hammocks and sometimes they have firewood collected. At the museum you can buy soda cans so take some change. Hauling a 24 pack of cold Modelos in my pack was not fun at all, but boy did they taste good at the top hahaha. Bugs can get annoying so carry some bug spray, hang your food and PACK IT OUT!!! Leave no trace behind.


Guide to Mount Baldy

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mount Baldy, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mount Baldy, CA is Manker Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 13 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Mount Baldy, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 67 tent camping locations near Mount Baldy, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.