Best Tent Camping near Orange, CA
Several tent campgrounds are located near Orange, California, concentrated in the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains within a 30-mile radius. Hoegees Trail Camp offers primitive tent-only sites with picnic tables and fire rings, accessible via a 2-mile hike from Chantry Flats. Other notable options include Glenn Trail Camp Campground with creekside tent sites and Valley Forge Trail Camp, both providing free primitive tent camping accessible only by hiking trails through the San Gabriel mountain range.
Most tent-only sites around Orange require hiking in with your gear, creating a true backcountry experience. The majority of walk-in tent sites feature fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets but lack potable water. A visitor commented, "The campground was not busy and this allowed me to pick a spot hidden away from others." Campers must filter or treat water from nearby streams, with sites generally available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at these primitive tent campgrounds, with many requiring fire permits that can be obtained from nearby ranger stations or visitor centers.
Wildlife encounters are common at tent campgrounds near Orange, particularly at sites nestled in wooded areas. A recent review noted, "There are many hiking opportunities and chances to see wildlife (deer, wild turkey, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and birds)." Tent campers should practice proper food storage to prevent wildlife encounters, especially with raccoons, which multiple reviewers described as aggressive at certain campgrounds. Many tent-only sites offer shade from oak and bay trees, providing relief during summer months when temperatures can rise significantly. Trail access is abundant, with most tent campgrounds serving as convenient basecamps for day hiking or extended backpacking trips through the surrounding mountain terrain.
