Rachel M.
Traveler
TravelerNorth Shore Campground - Lake Arrowhead
DogWood Ca
Beautiful, well maintenance, great experience. So clean.
Camping near Pearblossom, CA
191 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Angeles National Forest surrounds Pearblossom, California, providing multiple established campgrounds within an hour's drive. Buckhorn Campground, Horse Flats Campground, and Chilao Campground offer developed sites with varying amenities, all situated between 5,000-6,500 feet elevation in the San Gabriel Mountains. These campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few locations like Soledad Canyon RV and Camping Resort also offering cabin options. Most sites feature fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, though amenities vary significantly between primitive forest service campgrounds and more developed private facilities.
The camping season typically runs from April through November at most mountain campgrounds, with several closing during winter months due to snow and freezing conditions. Road access can be challenging on forest service roads, particularly for larger vehicles. "The drive to the campsite is pretty rough but doable. It's very close to a good stream of water," noted one camper about Southfork Campground. Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly during weekdays, though several accept reservations. Adventure Passes are required for parking and camping at most Angeles National Forest sites, while developed campgrounds charge additional nightly fees ranging from $12-25 per night.
Campers consistently mention the contrast between mountain tranquility and proximity to urban areas as a major draw. The higher elevation campgrounds provide relief from summer heat with temperatures often 15-20 degrees cooler than the valley floor. Several visitors highlight stargazing opportunities at more remote sites. "Just 1 1/2 hours from LA and you'd never know you were anywhere near the city. It's the perfect getaway, birds singing, and the scenery makes you feel like you're in Tahoe," according to one review of Buckhorn Campground. Weekend crowding remains a common complaint at more accessible sites, with several reviewers noting that early arrival is essential, particularly during summer months and holidays. Most campgrounds have seasonal water restrictions, and campers are advised to bring their own drinking water during dry periods.
Best Campgrounds near Pearblossom (191)
1. Buckhorn Campground
"Beautiful trails near by, next to a stream, gorgeous views, and of course that mountain air! Trees are perfect for hammocks."
"It is set back from the road a little giving you a quieter experience away from the 2. This would be a good first car camping spot for families with young children."
from $20 / night
Check Availability2. Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground
"We’ve done Crystal Lake probably 6 dozen times or more in our time in California and it never disappoints on the spectacular views."
"Whenever I need to get away from LALA Land, I head up here. I grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, so , sometimes , I need to kick back and recharge."
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. Table Mountain Campground
"If you have a chance after - drive the whole Angeles crest highway! Worth the trouble. You are also located close to the PCT, take a hike!"
"We got a campsite that was on the outside of the loop. We were in Cherokee loop in campsite #87."
from $30 - $500 / night
Check Availability4. Chilao Campground
"Campground We had been driving around the campground loops for more than an hour, and had just about given up, when we say the sign for overflow camping near the exit of the Chilao campground loop"
"Great spot to get away from the big city being only a 45min drive from the Downtown, couldn’t ask for more"
from $20 / night
Check Availability5. Coldbrook Campground
"We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5! Luckily a friend got to the campground before us though, as he snagged the last of the 20 or so sites there."
"Coldbrooke is a excellent campground that is relatively close to the city. The camp host was super helpful in explaining the fire restrictions and overall questions."
6. Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon
"It's a very hot campground close to a road and train. Sites are big. Tons of things to do for adults and children."
"Surrounded my mountains, which is nice. Staff is happy and helpful."
7. Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground
"OKAY... seriously this one of the best campgrounds near Los Angeles. My ultimate go to spot for an overnight camping trip."
"We were told that the water pumps were off but actually managed to camp right next to the one that was working. The bathrooms were super clean too!"
8. Saddleback Butte State Park Campground
"Really close to the California Poppy preserve. Good times, clear skies."
"I'm quite certain the hiking here is very nice, but I wouldn't know as I was traveling with my dog and unfortunately the California State Park system hates dogs and doesn't allow them on trails. "
from $100 / night
Check Availability9. Southfork Campground
"The drive to the campsite is pretty rough but doable. It’s very close to a good stream of of water. There are fire pits in some spots just get there early to get a good spot."
"First come first serve, short drive from OC making it a nice option for a spontaneous getaway. Sites are pretty close to each other and you can hear some road noise from the 38."
10. Horse Flats Campground
"This past week had record high temperatures for all of Southern California, so I can’t say how representative our experience was compared to typically late fall trips in other years."
"It's an hours drive from LA and because the campground is at elevation it stays cooler during the hot months."
from $12 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr from Los Angeles, CA
- 1 hr 33 min from Oxnard, CA
- 1 hr 41 min from Bakersfield, CA
- 2 hrs 21 min from San Diego, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Pearblossom, CA
287 Photos of 191 Pearblossom Campgrounds
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Angeles National Forest Deer Flats Group Campground
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Recent Reviews near Pearblossom, CA
886 Reviews of 191 Pearblossom Campgrounds
Pamela A.
GuideColdbrook Campground
Awesome place, reasonable price
We have been to this campground quite a few times in the last couple of years and I really love it, personally because it’s really close to home. I also love that it’s first come first serve, which allows us to spontaneously go and enjoy without having to make reservations. I also like the fact that all the campsites have a fire pit and a picnic table, which were very recently replaced so they look very new. They installed metal storage boxes for saving your food overnight, this is super helpful. I love the creek even though the water is freezing cold but it’s truly a favorite. This place is wonderful and even though right now there is no water access until further notice, as long as you know you need to take lots of water for cooking and cleaning up you are good.
Trash M.GuideMesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
GREAT Time 👍👍👍👍👍
Campground,restrooms area very clean. Lots of paths to ride or hike. Lot of friendly rangers and staff. The lake is Very easy to use your boat and jet skis. Nice ramps and docks. I live in LA I was going to Perris Lake a crap hole, this place a lot nicer and just as close as driving to Perris. COME HERE YOU'LL LOVE IT.
Gary L.
ScoutNorth Shore Campground Lake Arrowhead
Not so bad
Booked this last minute on Rec.Gov and didn't do a lot of background research. Took me a while going around to find my site, there are private roads within the campsite. Also the entrance of the site is a City sized hospital which threw me off.
Next day the nice and quiet little campsite was awaken by the roaring sounds of motorbikes. I found out the site was next to a trail hike which is also next to a moto-dirt bike trail.
Not so bad overall since all I needed was to sit in front of my little campfire in the quiet evening listening to crickets and howls.
Coming from Long Beach, the traffic wasn't so bad compare to going to San Bernardino area.
johnathonTravelerManker Campground
Relatively BA good for climbers and repealing check out San Antonio fall about 85ft drop/climb
Be sure to come early. Great location for families and small groups. Peaceful close to a city within 40min small town with church ect 15 minutes away.
Lee D.
LegendDockweiler Beach RV Park
Beachfront camping but you'd better like the sound of jet planes!
General: Two sections: RV camping and dry camping
Site Quality: If you have a larger RV and/or need hookups, you will be in a parking space with ZERO privacy between spaces (it is literally a parking space!). If you have a small RV or van conversion (smaller than 19 feet), there is dry camping. Concrete driveway; minimal privacy but a direct view of the beach. You must have a bed, dinette, sink, and small water supply to be in these spots. A concrete picnic table is included in each site.
Bath/Shower: Six-digit codes (that change regularly) needed to enter (and a different one for each bathroom). One all-in-one with a sink, toilet, urinal, and diaper changing station. The other has two shower stalls, two toilets, and one sink. The shower in the one closest to the dry camping area left much to be desired. I couldn’t get the ADA-accessible shower to work, and the other one had a push-button flow that took some time to get warm and had to be repeatedly pushed to complete the shower. Hooks and bench are outside the shower stall, compromising privacy. My biggest disappointment, however, was that there were NO electrical outlets. I took a chance and walked to the other end of the campground (by the entrance and full hookup sites) where I discovered the bathroom was much nicer. Not only did it have electrical outlets, but it looked like the showers were much nicer.
Activities/Amenities: You are right on the beach! There is a paved path for walking, running, or bicycling. Laundry was temporarily out of order when we were there.
There are very limited options for camping in this area, and the price was $55/night for dry camping. You are in the direct flight path of LAX, so have earplugs at the ready if the sound of jet planes overhead is not your thing!
Keaton V.ScoutA Unique Mountain Retreat
Great Place to Stay
property is gorgeous, owner was very nice. hot running showers + fire pits (extra fee). all campsites looked well maintained, all included picnic table. very quiet, would rent again
- KKaty K.Traveler
Chilao Campground
Gorgeous Site but Noisy Neighbors
I stayed at Little Pines. This spot has some beautiful sites. Some are semi-secluded with stunning views. Some have a lot of shade, some have little. Silver Moccasin Trail is on-site and a great hike. Notorious for bears but I didn’t see any.
I camped with a bear canister and bear country precaution anyway. A few sets of vault toilets and dumpsters so no site is too far from one. But no sinks. There is running water here but it’s non-potable.
It’s a beautiful spot but I had a group of about 10-15 people in diesel trucks roll in at 10pm on a Friday and blare Banda music for 3 days. From about 8am-10:30pm-ish. Unrelenting. Even with earplugs I could feel the bass of the tubas. Ruined the entire trip. So be aware that like any campground, loud jerks can spoil it for everyone.
I noticed a lot of people coming in until about 10pm on Friday and there were still spots. This wasn’t a holiday weekend but it was a pretty weekend in June. I got there at 6pm and got a great spot.
The Manzanita area is very pretty but sites are smaller and it’s more of an Oak Woodland with Manzanita and lots of boulders. Far fewer pines and cedars so not a lot of shade. In the fall this might be a nice option but in summer it may be a little hot.
Little Pines is pretty accessible for wheelchairs. The road has some pot holes but it’s paved and the grade isn’t terrible. Several spots would be very accessible to anyone with mobility devices or wheelchairs as you can park and get right to the campsite beside the car, on level ground. Restrooms are ADA-accessible.
WARNING: Watch out for the purple plant everywhere! Behaves like poison oak. Keep pets (and yourself) away. Included pics.
Vinny D.
RangerEast Mojave Camp
Good spot right off the interstate
Really good spot but very windy. I stopped here for a few to dry my RTT out from this morning in N. California from the rain.
Guide to Pearblossom
Angeles National Forest campgrounds near Pearblossom sit at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet, providing summer temperatures typically 15-25 degrees cooler than nearby desert areas. The campgrounds in this region experience significant seasonal changes, with most facilities closing from late November through April due to snow conditions. Campers should note that cell service is virtually non-existent throughout the mountain camping areas within a 30-mile radius of Pearblossom.
What to do
Bouldering at Horse Flats Campground: Horse Flats is popular with rock climbers seeking various bouldering challenges. "There is mostly bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff. Plenty of sites!" according to Kathleen L., who visited Horse Flats Campground.
Explore scenic trails: Several campgrounds connect to hiking opportunities. At Table Mountain Campground, "There are a couple of trails right from the campground too. Also there is a lodge open right next to the campground if you wanted to eat out for a lunch or dinner!" notes Amy B.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We saw wild ducks too and some other desert critters," reports one camper at Southfork Campground, while another visitor at Crystal Lake observed: "Animals seen: Black bear, deer (wandered through our site), red foxes, Stellar's Jays, woodpeckers, other birds."
Night sky watching: The elevation and distance from city lights make this area excellent for stargazing. At Saddleback Butte, campers mention "Evenings here are SPECTACULAR. The sky lights up with endless stars and you can see the milky way very clearly. Also, you can watch shooting stars ALL NIGHT. Absolutely magical."
What campers like
Temperature relief: The high elevation provides comfortable camping even during summer heat. "Amazingly quiet space, so tranquil and an absolute perfect temperature in August during the day and night," notes one camper at Buckhorn Campground.
Proximity to wilderness: Campers appreciate the quick transition from urban areas to natural settings. At Chilao Campground, a visitor shared: "Great primitive campgrounds. Need sturdy vehicle to get there. Quiet area with very little traffic. Stayed on a Sunday night and we were the only ones in the camp. Fantastic hiking up a nearby creek."
Site privacy: Many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. At Chilao, "each camp sites is pretty well secluded from others, high desert, shrubs and some trees, was able to hang my hammock at site," notes Josh K., while at Table Mountain, "Most of these sites would be hard to get an RV in, and some of the sites are pretty sloped for big tents, but seems like a great place to get away!"
Water features: Several campgrounds feature seasonal streams. At Coldbrook Campground, one visitor mentions: "We had a campsite next to the creek and it was beautiful to see and listen to... you can hear the running stream while you sleep."
What you should know
Insect preparedness: Multiple campgrounds report significant insect activity. "There are beautiful views of the mountains. Has bathrooms (no flush). Lots of Mosquitoes and bugs. Well worth it," writes Katarina A. about Crystal Lake. Another camper at Horse Flats advises, "Bring some bug spray if you're bugged by bugs."
Weekend crowding: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly, especially at popular locations. At Buckhorn Campground, "Easy to get to, but fills up VERY fast. Open spaces for large group camping. Fire pits at every campground and easy to walk to hiking trail," reports Amy D.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigating mountain roads that can be challenging. At Southfork Campground, "The drive to the campsite is pretty rough but doable. It's very close to a good stream of water."
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings can be dramatic between day and night. One camper at Horse Flats noted camping in October: "The temperature was warm during the day, but we definitely brought layers and adequate sleeping gear for the night. Even though it was 79 degrees in the day, temperature got down to 54 at night."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Look for campgrounds with amenities suited to younger campers. At Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground, "There are lots of spacious camping sites, clean bathrooms, running water, numerous of shade trees, and a cafe/store for all the things you forgot or for a ice cream treat on a hot day!" writes Chris B.
Easy trail access: Several campgrounds feature beginner-friendly hiking options. A visitor to Saddleback Butte State Park notes: "You can hike the Dowen Nature Trail or the Little Butte Trail. Both are easy walks with flat/wide trails. Great for kids and elderly (wheelchair accessible)!"
First-timer friendly locations: For families new to camping, certain sites offer better experiences. A reviewer mentioned Buckhorn Campground "would be a good first car camping spot for families with young children." Another camper noted it is "lovely and a well designed campground."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. "Lots of space between campsites. Babbling brook to lull you to sleep at night. Very quiet after 10:00 pm. Great for families," reports Vickie C. about Buckhorn.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many mountain campgrounds have limitations for larger vehicles. At Buckhorn Campground, a visitor notes: "Great for small RVs. Over 24 foot not recommended."
Site terrain challenges: Campground layouts aren't always RV-friendly. At Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon, "This is a good location to explore LA and greater LA area, 45 min to Hollywood sign. Park is a large TT resort with recently remolded lodge in 2019. Great place to stay if you are a TT member road to resort is windy and narrow but easily manageable with larger RVs."
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have better facilities for those with mobility needs. "This is one of the best handicap accessible shower and restroom areas we've seen. The larger pool had a roll in area but I do not know if they had a wheelchair that would allow you to actually use it or if you needed your own," shares one RVer at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon.
Plan for dust and dirt: Desert and mountain conditions can create challenges. "The sites are dirt so be prepared to get lots of fine dessert dirt in the camper," reports Elizabeth C. about Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Pearblossom, CA?
What camping is available near Pearblossom, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Pearblossom, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 191 campgrounds and RV parks near Pearblossom, CA and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Pearblossom, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Pearblossom, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pearblossom, CA is Buckhorn Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pearblossom, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pearblossom, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Pearblossom, CA.
What parks are near Pearblossom, CA?
What parks are near Pearblossom, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Pearblossom, CA that allow camping, notably Angeles National Forest and Mojave River Dam.
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