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Camping opportunities around Sierra Madre, California are primarily focused on backcountry trail camps in Angeles National Forest, with several hike-in options accessible within a short drive of the city. The Chilao Campground and Crystal Lake Recreation Area offer established camping with basic amenities, while several primitive backcountry options like Hoegees Trail Camp, Spruce Grove, and Valley Forge provide more remote experiences. Most trail camps require a 2-5 mile hike to access and feature basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables but limited or no facilities. Both tent camping and limited RV sites are available, though many campgrounds cannot accommodate larger vehicles.
The camping season in this region typically runs from April through November, with several sites closing during winter months. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, particularly in backcountry areas. According to one visitor, "The Big Santa Anita Canyon Loop on Mount Wilson offers dog friendly free camping immersed in thick mountain woods with babbling creeks and numerous waterfalls." Water sources at backcountry sites are typically seasonal streams that require treatment before consumption. Visitors should verify current conditions as several areas, including Spruce Grove Trail Campground, have been temporarily closed due to wildfire damage. Most established campgrounds require an Adventure Pass for parking, and hikers should be prepared for elevation changes on access trails.
Backcountry trail camps receive consistently high ratings for their solitude and natural settings. Hoegees Trail Camp offers approximately 15 campsites with tables and fire rings, while Valley Forge provides six more remote sites. Many campers mention the flowing creeks as highlights of these locations. A review noted that Spruce Grove has "sites nicely spaced and there is plenty of shade. Perfect little backpacking trip." Wildlife sightings are common, and visitors should follow proper food storage practices as bears are present in some areas. Cell service is unreliable or nonexistent at most backcountry sites, though some camps have emergency call boxes. The proximity to Los Angeles makes these locations popular weekend destinations despite their relatively primitive conditions.
"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"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"We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5! Luckily a friend got to the campground before us though, as he snagged the last of the 20 or so sites there."
"Coldbrooke is a excellent campground that is relatively close to the city. The camp host was super helpful in explaining the fire restrictions and overall questions."
"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"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!"
"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."
"Close to the camp that's up there"
"Beyond the falls, the trail takes on a greater feeling of wilderness immersion."
"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."
TravelerI went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
TravelerI was lucky to find this place. It’s well run, comfortable, friendly. Nice spots.
TravelerWell maintained, nice folks, pleasant to talk with. I stayed there 2 months, and enjoyed it.
TravelerThey speak so highly of Dockweiler RV Park, but they forget to say that it has no WiFi, and poor cell phone reception as well. I reserved a space, they made me pay in advance for the whole 3 weeks. They helped me park the camper… avd they never said anything about no wifi. I feel the rv site has been misrepresented. “Oh, well, wifi works in the office, but not even 5 spaces away”. I live alone in my RV. No wifi means I’m sitting here alone in a dead RV. Lonely. Everyone has wifi, yet they don’t mention they don’t , nor even cell phone reception, usually. I get only 1 bar
GuideStopped here on a Friday night after spending the day in Simi Valley. It was a ghost town, with only one other campsite occupied that showed no movement or activity at all. The train isn’t running in the overnight hours, so that’s a plus, but the vibe at the lower campsite is making it tough to sleep nonetheless. Two stars for a clean bathroom.
TravelerWell maintained small campground. Fact that you are downtown Long Beach with lots of food and attractions close is a major selling point. But campground itself has pool, hottub and small store on site. Campers/RV are pretty close parked but each spot comes with table and some lounging space.
TravelerI found the staff to be off putting, unpleasant, even contrary.
ScoutI found the campground to be very friendly kid friendly and pet friendly. The spots were spacious and some had privacy others were out in the open. The rangers were very friendly and helpful, they helped me set up my tent when they saw I was having trouble. There are trails to explore. A great last minute getaway from the city and not to far, the bathroom was clean and modern with hot showers and toilets.
TravelerVery windy and need high clearance vehicles
Camping spots near Sierra Madre, California sit primarily in Angeles National Forest at elevations between 3,000 and 8,000 feet. The forest contains over 700,000 acres of terrain with Mediterranean climate patterns—hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Camping facilities range from primitive trail camps accessible only by hiking to developed campgrounds with basic amenities at higher elevations where temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees cooler than in surrounding valleys.
Hiking to waterfalls: From Coldbrook Campground, access the nearby Coldbrook Campground Overlook Trail. "The little gnats seemed to crawl into my clothing and wiggle/possibly bite which was a nuisance but I didn't have any bug spray with me. My mistake that hopefully you won't repeat," notes Lizzie B., recommending to download trail maps before arrival as cell service is unavailable once you're on the mountain.
Water activities: Bonelli Bluffs offers multiple water recreation options. "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more," reports Jessica P. The site includes designated water activity zones with fishing areas separate from other water sports.
Mountain biking: Trails near Millard Trail Campground provide both beginner and intermediate routes. "Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there," shares one camper who notes the area is "heavily used for day camping and hiking" with "several trails to take for hiking and biking."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning hours at Buckhorn Campground offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities. "Beautiful campground. A little over 6000 feet up in the pine trees," writes Lauralyn J. Forest G. reports diverse wildlife sightings: "ANIMALS SEEN: Black bear, deer (wandered through our site), red foxes, Stellar's Jays, woodpeckers, other birds."
Seasonal stream access: Camping near flowing water remains a highlight at Coldbrook Campground. "We had a campsite next to the creek and it was beautiful to see and listen to... you can hear the running stream while you sleep," reports Alexis S. The campground features multiple sites alongside the stream that runs strongest during spring and early summer.
Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking solitude, midweek stays offer the best experience. "I went during the week and was the only one camping. This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking," notes a camper at Millard Trail Camp. Similarly at Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground, one camper advises: "Will I go again? Sure. Mainly because its a quick escape. Will I go again on a weekend? NO!! Locals go up there to party."
Spacious, private sites: Many Angeles Forest campgrounds offer well-designed layouts. At Chilao Campground, Melinda M. appreciates that "the campsites are very spacious and clean" with "easy hiking trails all over & good trees for hanging my hammock." Similarly, at Valley Forge Trail Camp: "Campgrounds are spread out well giving each site plenty of space," shares CodyRay C., adding there are "picnic tables and fire rings made food preparing especially easy."
Proximity to Los Angeles: The accessibility from urban centers makes these camping locations convenient. "This is probably our favorite place to go considering we end up hear almost every other weekend year around," writes Salem L. about Crystal Lake. Another camper notes, "Great spot to get away from the big city being only a 45min drive from the Downtown, couldn't ask for more."
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations before planning campfires. At Mount Lowe Trail Campground, campers note, "Check on camp fires permitted (last time I was there ABSOLUTELY NO FIRES ALLOWED)." Fire rules change frequently based on seasonal conditions and fire danger levels.
Car break-ins: Vehicle security issues exist at some locations. At Millard Trail Camp, one camper warns: "Make sure to leave your car doors unlocked, and nothing of value inside. You'd rather have someone root through your car and walk away empty handed than have a window broken and items stolen. I've had my car broken into once, and have seen broken glass in the parking lot every time I've stayed here."
Campground closures: Several backcountry sites remain temporarily closed. Valley Forge Trail Camp has had access issues: "Drove all the way to the turn in to find the road was closed," reports one frustrated camper. Always check current forest service alerts before departure.
Water availability: Natural water sources require treatment. At Valley Forge Trail Camp, campers note they "filtered water from the 'river' - seemed like a creek to me." Similarly, at Spruce Grove: "There's no running water but the creek is usually running so come prepared with your own water and something to treat the creek water with."
Weekend crowds: Popular sites fill quickly during peak periods. "We had been driving around the campground loops for more than an hour, and had just about given up," writes one Chilao camper, who eventually found overflow camping. Another advises: "Crowded in the weekend... People also just come here to hike so they might not be camping."
Best first-time backpacking sites: Valley Forge Trail Camp offers an excellent introduction to backpacking. "Took some friends for their first ever backpacking trip, great intro to the 'experience.' Trail camp is in the canyon so it's an easy 3.5 mile hike in, but a tough hike out of the canyon," notes Kelly B. The camp includes six sites with grills and pit toilets.
Scout-friendly locations: Some campsites accommodate larger youth groups. At Spruce Grove Trail Campground, a leader reports: "Great spot with beautiful hikes! We were there with a larger group for a scout trip and it was great. Lots of room for our tents."
Short hikes with rewards: Families appreciate trails with achievable destinations. "There's a great little creek that runs through the campground. Standard pit toilets. Friendly people," writes one camper about Coldbrook. Another mentions: "A nice hike of about 1/2 mile up to Millard Falls that is easy for kids and grown ups."
Hammock camping options: Trees at several sites support hammock setups. "There are easy hiking trails all over & good trees for hanging my hammock. The campsites are very spacious and clean," shares Melinda M. about Chilao Campground. Salem L. confirms: "Camp cost and parking cost isn't cheap but the views are great."
Site selection strategy: At Buckhorn Campground, RV length limitations apply. "Good for small RVs. Over 24 foot not recommended," advises Lauralyn J. The campground sits at over 6,000 feet elevation with sites nestled among pine trees, requiring careful navigation.
Full hookup options: Bonelli Bluffs provides comprehensive RV facilities. "A little pricey but very nice facility. All hookups 30/50 amp. Cable TV. There's a pool," reports Dennis B. Sites vary significantly in quality: "Some spaces monumentally better than others. Occasionally they run a special."
Tent vs. RV areas: Some campgrounds separate different camping styles. "Awesome for RVs but maybe not the best for tent camping," reports Sara H. about Bonelli Bluffs, explaining: "They do have the tent camping on the steep incline and not too many sites but for RVs couldn't be happier."
Drive-in accessibility: Many Angeles Forest campgrounds have challenging access roads. Regarding Crystal Lake, Charlie C. advises: "Such a close spot and beautiful escape from LA, that's also probably the most negative part of the review. Being so close to LA means lots of in and out traffic and it shows." Consider vehicle clearance when planning your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sierra Madre, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sierra Madre, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 177 campgrounds and RV parks near Sierra Madre, CA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sierra Madre, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sierra Madre, CA is Bonelli Bluffs with a 4.4-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sierra Madre, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Sierra Madre, CA.
What parks are near Sierra Madre, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Sierra Madre, CA that allow camping, notably Angeles National Forest and Mojave River Dam.
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