Horse Flats Campground sits at an elevation in the Angeles National Forest, providing a popular escape for campers within driving distance of Los Angeles. The area features large bouldering rocks that attract climbers from across Southern California. Temperatures at this higher elevation can drop significantly at night, sometimes reaching 54°F even when daytime temperatures reach 79°F.
What to do
Bouldering and climbing: Horse Flats attracts many climbers for its rock formations. As one camper noted, "Nice place to stay for climbing - there is mostly bouldering in the area, with some trad stuff. Plenty of sites!" at Horse Flats Campground.
Hiking to historic locations: Trek along the Pacific Crest Trail to find interesting destinations. As Anthony K. reports about Mount Pacifico Campground, it offers "great views 360 degrees once you're on top. a 7 mile hike north on the Pacific Crest Trail from mill creek fire station. fire rings with multiple spots."
Creek exploration: Follow flowing water when available at nearby canyon areas. One visitor to Bear Canyon Campground shared, "Follow the creek (which is GORGEOUS with waterfalls and shade in the spring) and go all the way to the end. Trail tends to get iffy at points, but you kinda get to know the flow of it if it disappears into rocks or the creek."
What campers like
Seasonal camping flexibility: The higher elevation makes summer camping more comfortable. According to Les R., "It's an hours drive from LA and because the campground is at elevation it stays cooler during the hot months."
Privacy and space: Sites tend to be spread apart, offering more separation than many Southern California campgrounds. Justin B. notes about Horse Flats, "I love the campground itself. The whole area is beautiful. Easy escape out of LA. It was pretty much empty during the week. Love that it is first come first serve."
Year-round accessibility: Some nearby horse campgrounds near Rosamond, California remain open throughout different seasons. William K. commented about Borax Bill Substation, "My family would camp here once a year for 4-5 days. It is dispersed camping, so there are no hookups or designated sites. It is primarily for off road enthusiasts, however, we just came out here to enjoy the desert and go for walks."
What you should know
Insect preparations: Multiple campers report significant mosquito activity. According to Luissimo M., "Bring lots of mosquito repellent. You will need it."
Water planning: No drinking water is available at many sites. Josh F. noted, "Bring some bug spray if you're bugged by bugs. Other than that there was plenty of space for plenty of campers."
Limited ranger oversight: Enforcement of quiet hours can be inconsistent. One camper observed increased noise levels during evening hours at popular sites.
Fire safety importance: When fires are allowed, be extremely careful. A visitor to Tapo Canyon Park advised, "Clean and quiet despite the peacocks. They can be rather loud when startled. I swear they could hear my morning alarm and squawked their disapproval."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds in the region offer dedicated children's areas. Bri B. notes that Tapo Canyon has "a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can observe local wildlife, but supervision is necessary. One camper mentioned, "Mountain lions were spotted while there."
Archery activities: Some locations provide unique recreational options for children. A visitor commented, "The archery range is one of the best in California. There is a members area and the original range is open to the public on Saturdays from 9-1, with a nominal $5 fee."
Weather preparation: Temperature swings can be significant. Les R. shared from 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 from RVers
Digital disconnection: Cell service is limited or nonexistent in many locations. A visitor to Valencia Travel Village shared, "Wifi worked fine for us. For video calls during work we used our hotspot just to be safe, but otherwise their wifi was reliable and worked just fine. AT&T service worked great."
Tent sites versus RV spaces: Many locations clearly favor one type of camping. robherr explained, "The campsites are designed for RVs. I have camped here in a tent and there is no way to drive a stake into the ground. The sites are fairly large and well spread out for an RV lot."
Amenities vary significantly: Campgrounds near Rosamond range from primitive to fully-equipped. Brett L. observed about dispersed camping, "As you drive in you pass a ranger station. $10 gets you water to fill up your tanks and a pass to use their dump station."
