177 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Acton, California and the surrounding Angeles National Forest area feature both developed campgrounds and primitive camping options. The campground landscape includes family-friendly established sites like Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon with full hookups and cabin accommodations, as well as more rustic options such as Chilao Campground and Monte Cristo Campground in the nearby mountains. Many sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying amenities and accessibility throughout the region. The area serves as a convenient base for exploring greater Los Angeles while still providing natural surroundings and mountain views.
Seasonal considerations impact campground operations in the region, particularly at higher elevation sites. Several campgrounds in the Angeles National Forest, including Buckhorn Campground and Chilao Campground, operate only from April through November due to winter conditions. Year-round campground options like Monte Cristo Campground and Soledad Canyon RV Resort provide alternatives during colder months. Road conditions vary significantly, with some campgrounds requiring navigation on narrow mountain roads. As one camper noted, "Surrounded by mountains, which is nice. Staff is happy and helpful."
Developed campgrounds near Acton provide varying experiences depending on location and amenities. Visitor feedback highlights both positives and challenges at local camping facilities. The mountainous terrain creates scenic camping opportunities, but several reviewers mention maintenance concerns at some properties. Some campgrounds feature swimming pools, recreation areas, and organized activities, while others offer more basic facilities with picnic tables and fire rings. RV-focused properties like Californian RV Resort and LA RV Resort at Acton Camp provide dedicated services for larger vehicles. Several visitors appreciate the location's balance of rural character with proximity to urban amenities. One review noted, "The campground is in a beautiful valley outside of LA - Acton is known as a 'horse town' to many in LA and the moniker is well earned which adds to the nice mix of relative proximity to the city with rural surroundings."
"Not a lot going on here in Acton. Surrounded my mountains, which is nice. Staff is happy and helpful."
"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."
"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 Availability"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 Availability"Or one right next to you if you don't have one. The water does not taste too good, but it serves for washing. A bear was on our stuff the first night. I whistled and it ran away."
"It’s Close to Hidden Springs and Switzer falls, surrounding area is very beautiful. I’ll be back!"
from $12 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $55 - $132 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to freeway small grocery and great coffee shop close."
"Gated park high on a hill; like driving the hills of SF with a trailer. Lots of pull thrus. Well kept and landscaped. Front desk helpful and friendly."
"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 Availability"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"This side is on a first come first serve basis and does require you to self pay at the entrance where you find information on the board. Make sure to read everything it has lots of good information."
"Easy campground to get to and close by. First come first serve sites. Does get crowded in summer season. Went there this weekend and very few people."
from $12 - $24 / night
Check Availability
TravelerBe 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.
LegendGeneral: 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!
ScoutGreat hikes all around and close to beaches and city. Good sites were 26, 7, 49.
Scoutproperty 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
TravelerI 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.
RangerReally 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.
ScoutFirst stayed around 25-30. Maybe flies season? Crazy amount of bugs. Moved to down the hill much better. Clean bathroom. Quiet at night.
GuideStopped here overnight from San Diego traveling up to Northern California. Nice little spot past the craziness of LA.
It’s just off the highway which makes it an easy stop. I was one of four people there
GuideVery relaxing in Hollywood themed RV Park. Owner is very helpful and will help you park your RV and setup. Dog park and full hookups. $90 per night.
Camping spots near Acton, California sit at elevations between 3,000-6,000 feet within Angeles National Forest's diverse terrain. Winter snow often closes higher-elevation campgrounds while sites at lower elevations remain accessible year-round. A creek runs through Monte Cristo Campground during wetter seasons, though campers report it's frequently dry by mid-spring.
Bouldering at Horse Flats: Access multiple climbing routes a short hike from the campground. "There is bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff. Plenty of sites!" notes one visitor to Horse Flats Campground.
Hiking to waterfalls: Explore trails near camp, including Switzer Falls. "It's Close to Hidden Springs and Switzer falls, surrounding area is very beautiful," reports a camper who stayed at Monte Cristo Campground.
Mountain trails near Crystal Lake: Access well-maintained hiking paths directly from campsites. "There are several hiking trails here that are well used and well maintained. This is a great campground near the city," writes a camper at Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for native animals throughout the Angeles Forest campgrounds. "ANIMALS SEEN: Black bear, deer (wandered through our site), red foxes, Stellar's Jays, woodpeckers, other birds," reports one Crystal Lake visitor.
Cooler mountain temperatures: Higher elevation sites provide relief from summer heat. "It was nice and cool a good break from the heat," notes a Crystal Lake camper about their August visit.
Stream access at lower campgrounds: Some sites feature seasonal water features. "There's a small creek that runs through the campground," explains a camper at Monte Cristo Campground.
Varied campsite layouts: Find secluded or group-friendly options. "Lots of spots were hidden by rocks and or large brush," notes a visitor to Chilao Campground.
Night sky viewing: Clear mountain air provides excellent stargazing. "Moon lit the entire mountain up," describes a Horse Flats camper who enjoyed "sleeping with a completely open tent and viewing the night sky."
Uncrowded weekday camping: Weekdays offer significantly quieter experiences. "It was pretty much empty during the week," reports another Horse Flats visitor.
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Most sites offer only basic amenities. "Bathrooms were a little gross, but hey, its camping," notes one camper at Chilao, while another mentioned "Clean vault toilets and facilities" at the same location.
Wildlife encounters: Bears and other wildlife require proper food storage. "A bear was on our stuff the first night. I whistled and it ran away," reports a Monte Cristo camper. Another notes seeing a bear "casually walking into the grounds."
No cell service: Most forest campgrounds lack connectivity. "No cell service here. T-Mobile customer," explains a Monte Cristo visitor. Another camper mentions "No service. I pulled a 26 TT."
Seasonal water limitations: Water access varies throughout the year. "Water is available but do know it is not portable so don't drink it," advises a visitor to Little pine campground.
Railroad noise at valley locations: Lower elevation sites experience train disturbances. "There's about 4 trains a night that will come by with horns blowing," warns a camper at LA RV Resort at Action Camp.
Buckhorn for group sites: Secure adjacent sites for larger gatherings. "If you want to do group camping there's plenty of it there. 9-10-11 are the best ones with shade together, they have a campfire circle big enough for 10+," recommends a Buckhorn Campground visitor.
Crystal Lake store access: Utilize the on-site café for forgotten items. "A cafe/store for all the things you forgot or for a ice cream treat on a hot day!" notes a Crystal Lake camper.
Bug protection essential: Bring insect repellent, especially for summer months. "Bring some bug spray if you're bugged by bugs," advises a Horse Flats visitor, while another warns, "Lots of Mosquitoes and bugs."
Black widow awareness: Inspect campsite furnishings carefully. "Be careful because there are black widows everywhere! Especially under the tables of the campsites. Be especially careful if you're traveling with kids," warns a Monte Cristo camper.
Site selection at Monte Cristo: Choose accessible spots for larger vehicles. "If your hauling anything longer then 20 ft. Try for site 11," advises an RVer who visited with a 26-foot travel trailer.
Size restrictions at higher campgrounds: High-elevation sites have limited access. "Good for small RVs. Over 24 foot not recommended," notes a Buckhorn camper.
Seasonal road conditions: Plan access routes carefully in winter months. "I came in from the La side of the mountains and found it's easier to go in from Palmdale with a rv or tt," shares a Monte Cristo camper who stayed for over a week.
Level site challenges: Look for flatter areas within your campsite. "Only problem was it's on a slope. Not perfectly flat. There is a clearing about 30 feet out but feels far from the firepit," notes a Little Pine camper about site #13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV parks or resorts available in Acton, California?
Yes, Acton has several RV park options. Californian RV Resort offers extended stays with monthly rental options. Another option is LA RV Resort at Action Camp, though visitor experiences have been mixed regarding maintenance and amenities like WiFi. For those with a Thousand Trails membership, their Soledad Canyon location provides recently remodeled facilities (as of 2019) and is approximately 45 minutes from Hollywood, making it convenient for exploring Los Angeles while staying in a more rural setting.
What amenities are available at Acton campgrounds?
Amenities at Acton area campgrounds vary widely. Little Jimmy Trail Campground offers a more rustic experience with approximately 7 first-come, first-served sites featuring fire rings and vault toilets, though it requires a 2-mile hike to access. For more developed facilities, Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area provides spacious camping areas with fenced sections that include picnic tables and pergolas, making it suitable for families. Some campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities like water and toilets, while others might have additional features depending on the specific location.
Where can I find camping spots in Acton, CA?
Acton offers several camping options in and around the area. Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon is a large campground surrounded by mountains with helpful staff, making it ideal for those wanting to explore the greater LA area while staying in a rural setting. For those seeking a more natural experience, Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake offers approximately 90 dry camping sites with water spigots available in some areas. The campground is typically less crowded during weekdays, with more visitors on weekends.
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