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Camping near San Marino, CA

167 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Camping opportunities near San Marino, California range from developed campgrounds to primitive hike-in sites, primarily within Angeles National Forest. The area features both trail campgrounds like Millard Trail Campground and Mount Lowe Trail Campground for tent camping, as well as more developed options like Bonelli Bluffs that accommodate RVs with hookups. Most tent and RV sites are within 10-20 miles of San Marino, with several trail camps accessible only by hiking distances of 1-8 miles from trailheads. Angeles National Forest provides the majority of camping options, with campgrounds at varying elevations offering different experiences and views.

    Fire restrictions frequently impact camping in this region, especially during dry summer months when fire danger increases. Many trail campgrounds have vault toilets but no running water, requiring visitors to pack in their own supplies. "It's vault toilets and BYO water, but as long as you're expecting that it's all good," noted one Millard Trail camper. The Angeles National Forest campgrounds typically operate from April through November, though some trail camps remain open year-round. Higher elevation sites offer cooler temperatures during summer months, while winter brings occasional snow to upper elevations. Vehicle access to roadside campgrounds often requires navigating winding mountain roads, and overnight parking at trailheads may have restrictions.

    Campgrounds near San Marino are particularly known for their scenic views of the Los Angeles basin. Several visitors highlight the dramatic city views as a major attraction, especially from locations like former Henninger Flat. A visitor commented, "Beautiful hike in campground. The views of the city is amazing!" Trail camps like Idlehour offer more seclusion but require longer hikes to access. Privacy varies significantly between locations - roadside campgrounds and popular trail camps like Millard can become crowded with day hikers, while more remote sites provide greater solitude. Many campgrounds feature fire pits and picnic tables, though amenities are generally basic. Bear boxes are provided at some locations for food storage, as wildlife encounters are common throughout the region.

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    Best Campgrounds near San Marino (167)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Bonelli Bluffs

      4.4(42)18mi from San MarinoRVs, Tents

      "Our experience at Bonelli Bluffs Campground was mostly positive, but there were a couple of aspects that could be improved."

      "The views around the outskirts of B loop are just lovely, the staff has been so friendly and helpful (we’re RV newbies and had a ton of questions) the store was stocked with all of the little things we"

      from $76 - $88 / night

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      2. Chilao Campground

      4.3(19)15mi from San MarinoRVs, Tents

      "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

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      3. Millard Trail Campground

      3.7(9)7mi from San MarinoTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "When you can’t do a 2h hike before setting camp, but you also don’t want to camp close to your car, Millard campground is perfect. The parking lot is just behind the corner out of view."

      "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."

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      4. Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

      3.3(8)8mi from San Marino

      "Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that."

      "This is just a few parking lots that overlook the valley and gives a view of the city skyline in the distance."

      5. Gould Mesa Trail Campground

      4.3(6)8mi from San MarinoTents

      "You can hear cars driving off in the distance but still overall quiet.

      • Close to LA. This is about a 15 minute drive then 30 minute hike from my house.

      * The stream is great."

      "Very beautiful now that the canyon vegetation has grown back in and there are plenty of trails in the area for miles of hiking. Lots of wildlife. Fire rings in camp sites but check for fire permits."

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      6. Mount Lowe Trail Campground

      4.0(6)7mi from San MarinoTents

      "We went in May this year so not much people around. Brand new toilet is nice as well. There was some flowing water still."

      "There's a stream nearby the Mount Lowe Summit Trail, also. Plenty of great sites to choose from."

      7. Spruce Grove Trail Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO FIRE

      4.3(6)8mi from San MarinoTents

      "Close to the camp that's up there"

      "Beyond the falls, the trail takes on a greater feeling of wilderness immersion."

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      8. Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground

      4.5(12)15mi from San MarinoRVs, Tents

      "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!"

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      9. Valley Forge Trail Camp hike in. no drive

      4.2(6)9mi from San MarinoTents

      "Trail camp is in the canyon so it’s an easy 3.5 mile hike in, but a tough hike out of the canyon."

      "Forage your way through the Valley Forge Trail, for an intimate night in the wilderness at one of its remote camps."

      from $5 / night

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      10. Hoegees Trail Camp Campground

      4.6(5)8mi from San MarinoTents

      "Hoegee’s is 2 miles hike from Chantry Flats by way of the Lower Winter Creek Trail. The site is named for Hoegee’s resort which stood just upstream."

      "If you take the Upper Winter Creek Trail it's an easier hike but not as pretty as the Lower one. Campsite is very nice with enough sites for about 20 campers with a privy but no running water."

    View all 167 campgrounds

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    Recent Camping Photos near San Marino, CA

    286 Photos of 167 San Marino Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near San Marino, CA

    1050 Reviews of 167 San Marino Campgrounds

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 29, 2026

      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.

    • Kaitlin S.
      Jun. 25, 2026

      Chilao Campground

      Manzanita

      First stayed around 25-30. Maybe flies season? Crazy amount of bugs. Moved to down the hill much better. Clean bathroom. Quiet at night.

    • Benjamin T.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 25, 2026

      Oak Flat Campground

      Quiet escape north of LA

      Stopped 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

    • jThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 23, 2026

      Hollywood RV Park

      Great place to stay

      Very 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.

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 22, 2026

      Dockweiler Beach RV Park

      Unreachable, unfriendly and uncompliant personell

      Called them around 5 times over several times on different days. They only allow a minimum of 2 nights stay. They had no spaces available 2 nights in a row. But there were multiple spots avaible on our nights. So i told them i didnt mind moving the RV, but they didnt want to cooperate on that and rather leave the spots open.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 20, 2026

      Rim of the World Byway (near 15 fwy south) Dispersed

      Great spot for a quick overnighter

      The entrance is opposite of lone pine canyon rd . At night the train goes by . We saw a dead drop pickup in the morning. We woke to a car and motorcycle parked nearby- a lady and heavily tattooed guy were out walking around. They dug out 3 black bags from some brush and took off. So that was exciting.

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 20, 2026

      Antfarm LA

      Never got response to reservation

      I never had the chance to stay at this site. We’re so disappointed as it seems amazing. My reservation request expired and I never heard from them.

      The reviews in Hipcamp are all so positive but none are newer than Aug 2025. So I wonder if they’re just not booking anymore. Seems strange based on the effusive praise of the host. Hope they’re ok.

      Wanted to leave this review so others are aware that they should have a plan B if they attempt to book this site.

    • Grant M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 20, 2026

      Dockweiler Beach RV Park

      Incredible location, but is what it is.

      When you book a beachfront site in the flight path of LAX, you know there’s some things, and they do indeed have those things, but on the beach and close to the action. Great trail system, easier access in and out than I’d hoped, price less insane than I feared. Loud, crowded, and urban.

    • A
      Jun. 18, 2026

      Hollywood RV Park

      Surprising camping

      The host is so kind, helped us to park our RV, showed us all around. Beautiful art pieces and history in this camp.

    Guide to San Marino

    The Angeles National Forest provides most of the camping opportunities near San Marino, California, with a mix of established campgrounds and rustic trail camps within 15-25 miles of the city. Campground options include tent-only sites at places like Mount Lowe Trail Camp and Millard Trail Camp, which require short hikes to access, as well as more developed facilities at Chilao Campground that accommodate both tent and RV campers. Some locations offer primitive dispersed camping opportunities along Angeles Crest Highway, while others like Bonelli Bluffs provide full hookup sites for RVs, creating a diverse range of experiences from urban-adjacent to deep forest settings.

    Access to many campgrounds varies seasonally, with several sites operating only from April to November due to winter conditions in the Angeles National Forest. Most trail camps require hiking between a quarter mile to several miles from parking areas, limiting gear options but providing more secluded experiences. "This is a beautiful campground up in the hills above Altadena with a great view of the valley below. Lots of greenery and flowing water in the winter season with wildlife all along the trail," noted one visitor about Idlehour Trail Camp. Fire restrictions change throughout the year, with complete bans often implemented during high fire danger periods. Cell service is typically unreliable in canyon areas, and many sites have no potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies.

    Trail camps near San Marino attract hikers seeking proximity to natural features and urban views. Several visitors mentioned the striking contrast of wilderness camping with city lights visible in the distance. During weekdays, many trail camps remain relatively empty, while weekends bring more day hikers and overnight campers. "It was eerily quiet at night. We were the only ones there and can hear our own heartbeats laying there," described one camper at Mount Lowe. Water availability presents a common concern, as many creeks run seasonally and campground water sources may be unreliable. Privacy varies significantly between locations, with some trail camps positioned directly along popular hiking routes. Angeles National Forest campgrounds typically provide fire rings and picnic tables at established sites, though facilities are minimal at more remote locations.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near San Marino, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, San Marino, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 167 campgrounds and RV parks near San Marino, CA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near San Marino, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Marino, CA is Bonelli Bluffs with a 4.4-star rating from 42 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near San Marino, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near San Marino, CA.

    What parks are near San Marino, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near San Marino, CA that allow camping, notably Angeles National Forest and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

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