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Best Tent Camping near Phelan, CA

1,086 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Phelan, California provide access to both established and dispersed sites in the surrounding Angeles National Forest. Notable options include Manker Campground with developed tent sites and Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites offering more primitive camping experiences. The region features both lower-elevation desert camping and higher alpine forest settings within reasonable driving distance.

Most tent sites in the area require varying degrees of preparation for primitive conditions. Stockton Flats demands high-clearance 4x4 vehicles to access, with no toilets, drinking water or other amenities available at the sites. Meanwhile, established campgrounds like Manker and Little Jimmy Trail offer basic facilities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Several campgrounds implement seasonal closures, with Manker typically operating from May to October. Fire restrictions apply throughout much of the area, particularly during dry summer and fall months when wildfire danger increases.

The Angeles National Forest tent sites provide diverse camping experiences based on elevation and terrain. Lower sites near El Mirage Dry Lake offer wide-open desert vistas while higher-elevation forest campgrounds provide shade and cooler temperatures. Jackson Flats features designated tent sites with direct access to the Pacific Crest Trail and nearby mountain hiking opportunities. A visitor noted, "The San Gabriel Mountains are often overlooked even by lifelong area residents. Because of its large size and tall summits over 10,000 feet high, the range offers tremendous diversity, encompassing granite peaks with stunning views, lush alpine forests, and lovely stream-fed canyons." Many campgrounds experience limited or no cellular service, allowing for a more disconnected wilderness experience.

Best Tent Sites Near Phelan, California (68)

    1. Manker Campground

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

    $20 / 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. Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8

    4 Reviews
    Wrightwood, CA
    9 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."

    3. Little Jimmy Trail Campground

    7 Reviews
    Valyermo, CA
    19 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"

    4. Appletree Campground — Angeles National Forest

    1 Review
    Wrightwood, CA
    12 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 ."

    5. El Mirage Dry Lake

    2 Reviews
    Adelanto, CA
    13 miles
    Website

    "Note that it does get windy at night so if you camp outside be prepared to be pelted by small rocks and sand all night. Reservations available at recreation.gov"

    6. Peavine Campground — Angeles National Forest

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

    $20 / night

    7. Jackson Flats

    2 Reviews
    Valyermo, CA
    17 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."

    8. Angeles National Forest Big Rock Campground

    1 Review
    Valyermo, CA
    15 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. Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground

    5 Reviews
    Arkabutla Lake, MS
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 515-7525

    $10 - $119 / night

    "Easy access to the hot springs and no services to speak of. Basically a patch of dirt you can occupy for $10 a night. Loved it."

    "Super fun place to visit with the hot springs trail. Went in January with snowfall, hardly any campers and nature all around! Two nights are perfect."

    10. Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Cedar Glen, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 867-2009

    "After years of venturing into and around Lake Arrowhead (often a mere stop on my way to Big Bear/Fawnskin) I finally started exploring off the beaten path by accident last year and holy cow!"

    "Green valley lake campground is an awesome place for a fun getaway. We wanted to get away for the Fourth of July but waited too long to book in Big Bear."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Phelan, CA

1086 Reviews of 68 Phelan Campgrounds

  • Tony C.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • N
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Heart Bar Campground

    Best off hwy 38

    By far this has got to be the best and largest campground on the 38. First reason is the pricing. At only $21 per night for a single site, this is the best priced campground in the area excluding free yellow post sites. With this price however you get the basics. No showers, no rv dump station, just water from the pipe, toilets, picnic tables, fire ring, and a bear box. can’t complain about that though.

    second reason; there are many many sites to choose from. this camp ground has several loops that each contain roughly 20 campsites, sometimes more. on any given day you should be able to drive up, though a reservation is definitely still recommended.

    3rd; the location. Topography-wise this camp sits right over a small meadow that boarders the San Gorgonio wilderness. it sits higher above the highway and displaces sound nicely. this spot is excellent for wildlife viewing and entry to the wilderness for hiking and exploring. The campground is also littered with tall standing pines and even some massive junipers, providing ample shade. You can’t help but feel like your are elsewhere like the Eastern Sierra with the dry desert winds the blow in and chill on the mountains and the smell of the sage brush. This campground is only about 20 min out from big bear lake as well, and does have cell reception (unfortunately).

    Highly recommend sites 32, 37, 47, 58, or 24 & 49 which are both double sites. This was due to their more isolated positioning to other spots, shade, flat ground, and proximity to bathrooms and the beautiful little meadow where deer graze in the evenings. happy trails.

  • 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.

Guide to Phelan

Tent camping near Phelan, California ranges from high-desert sites around 3,000 feet to alpine settings reaching 10,000 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains. The area experiences significant temperature variations with summer highs often exceeding 90°F and winter conditions bringing snow to higher-elevation campgrounds. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect from May through November due to extreme fire danger conditions in this drought-prone region.

What to do

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Jackson Flats Campground provides direct access to the PCT. "It had flush toilets, water spigots, picnic tables, and fire pits as well as large campsites seemingly fitting for big groups... The trail runs right alongside the campground, and there's lot of beautiful views of nearby mountains," notes camper Alexa S.

Mountain summit climbs: From Little Jimmy Trail Campground, experienced hikers can tackle several peaks. "There's numerous hiking trails that run nearby the campsite... a 1.2 mike haunt up to a little peak (Mt Islip)," writes Jennifer D. Another camper adds, "Getting to Windy Gap usually requires spikes or crampons and axe, but it's well worth the effort."

Off-roading adventures: The El Mirage Dry Lake area offers extensive terrain for OHV enthusiasts. "If you're into dirt bike riding there is a wide field of view. If you are into Rockets this is a great place because in some areas there's no vegetation whatsoever," explains robherr. Be prepared for desert conditions as "it can be windy at night so if you camp outside be prepared to be pelted by small rocks and sand all night."

What campers like

Natural springs: Water sources remain precious in this dry region. Brian T. notes about Little Jimmy Trail Campground: "There's also year-round running water at Little Jimmy Springs... It's not overly windy, because it's protected by a bunch of trees."

Solitude at higher elevations: Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites offers more remote camping. "Deep in nature, beautiful area, no cost and you can almost always find a spot, even on a Saturday in summer," says Nathaniel C., though he cautions, "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)."

Hot springs access: Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground provides a unique experience. "The hike to the springs is pretty rough but also worth it when you get there," reports For Y. Another camper adds, "I had never been before, but I had a few friends bring me and it was the most amazing time! The hike down is super chill and the hot springs at the end are so worth the hike back up after!!!"

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires careful planning. Joe R. warns about Stockton Flats: "The turn is not marked well, in fact the coordinates are a little bit off. 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."

Facility maintenance concerns: Manker Campground facilities receive mixed reviews. "Although the restroom are very dirty but overall it was a great stay!" reports Ella Z. Another camper notes, "Bathrooms were clean and supplied with TP... No AT&T service. Only one car per campsite."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Phelan, CA?

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

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

TheDyrt.com has all 68 tent camping locations near Phelan, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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