166 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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
Check Availability"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"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Close to the camp that's up there"
"Beyond the falls, the trail takes on a greater feeling of wilderness immersion."
"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!"
"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
Check Availability"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."
ScoutAs a heads up, they accept only factory van conversions with black and gray water tanks. So no self conversions. As a facility, it seems very nice, my RVing friend has been coming in here for years and absolutely loves it
ScoutI do recommend. Beautiful, peaceful place. Good folks. It’s right near Magic Mountain theme park and many useful stores nearby: Home Depot, Walmart, Target, genetic stores, movie theaters. I’ll camp here again.
ScoutFirst time and I love it, this place is beautiful, you camp and you get to go to the lake. Best camp site 10,11,26,27
ScoutLove this place so much that our family canceled reservations at two other places to spend a few extra nights. The views are fantastic, the bathroom and showers are so clean, and the delicious seafood restaurant a walk down the hill is just a bonus. Staff were kind and helpful at check-in. It's a great base camp to explore the LA area. We tent camped here 20 years ago and when we came back this time with our RV it was even better than we remembered.
TravelerWell-kept campground with minimal amenities, but the breathtaking views more than make up for it. Very quiet, less than half the sites were occupied during our stay. Only real drawback was it was quite breezy, but it was perfectly manageable with proper planning.
The nearby lodge was a neat addition, and there’s a very cool disc golf course next door.
Site 49 was flat and spacious, with a spectacular view of the sunset.
Scoutdon’t try to reach out to this park via phone with any questions, they won’t answer you. they won’t even answer the phone when their own reservation agents are calling them. gates close strictly at 10 so if you’re camping here make sure to show up by then. showed up at 9:58 after leaving a music festival early to make sure i made it on time, and their staff was immensely rude to me about not making it on time. the morning staff is incredibly nice, apologizing for the problems and giving me advice. the night staff though has a problem and they take it out on their visitors. for how rude they were to me, somehow the campsite across from me showed up at 11pm, so seems like they pick and choose who to give problems. avoid camping here. campsites are very close together and nothing special.
GuideWe 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.
ScoutThe place is simple, well maintained and extremely clean. There’s back in sites that accommodate smaller 20ft campers and bigger 30ft campers, with there being some pull through sites that are big enough for RV’s, however no camping with tents allowed. Would recommend against bringing in campers with damage or DIY repairs as they “have to maintain sightly appearance”. Overall great for the price. Extremely clean bathrooms with free showers with a pool and jacuzzi plus a short walk to the beach. Only about a 45 min drive to LA with no traffic. The only bad is the constant noise from the port that doesn’t go away at night.
GuideCampground,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.
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 166 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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