Camping near Sierra Madre offers diverse experiences from rustic walk-in sites to luxury glamping accommodations. Located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,000-3,000 feet, the area experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. Winter camping often brings crisp nights with temperatures dropping into the 40s while summer daytime highs regularly exceed 90°F.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: A 20-minute hike from Millard Trail Campground leads to scenic falls. "There is a toilet on-site which also serves the day-hikers. It is not maintained well, and often smells bad," notes one camper who recommends bringing hand sanitizer.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife spotting opportunities at Little Pine Campground. "Love this place. Makes you feel like your on top of the world. This place is about 1 hour from Glendale," reports a visitor who spotted several species during their stay.
Water recreation: At Bonelli Bluffs, campers can enjoy multiple water activities. One camper mentioned, "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."
What campers like
Creek-side serenity: Many campers appreciate the natural water features. A West Fork Trail Campground visitor noted, "Perfect stopping point for backpacking. Went here in May and we were the only 2 here. Plenty of water flowing and tree cover from the sun."
Proximity to urban areas: Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon offers close access to Los Angeles. "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," says a frequent visitor.
Fire pits and cooking amenities: Most sites include fire pits with cooking grates. "Each fire pit had wood left at it so you didn't have to go searching for campfirewood," mentioned a visitor to Millard Trail Camp, noting the convenience for meal preparation.
What you should know
Bear safety precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "It's in Bear country so they provide food storage for each campsite also trash containers too," warns a Millard camper who heard animals outside their tent at night.
Car security concerns: Malibu Creek State Park and similar areas have reported break-ins. "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," advises a camper.
Seasonal water availability: Creek levels fluctuate dramatically by season. "I go in March/April so the stream has plenty of water to drink," explains a West Fork camper, indicating drier conditions occur later in summer.
Limited privacy: Many glamping close to Sierra Madre, California involves sharing space with day-users. "This campground is not a campground if you want to get away from people because there is a lot of people passing by looking at you," explains one camper about the trailhead locations.
Tips for camping with families
Weekday visits: For glamping near Sierra Madre with children, consider midweek stays. "We went during the week and was the only one camping. This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking," notes a Millard visitor, suggesting more solitude on weekdays.
Look for shaded sites: Summer heat requires shade. "There isn't much shade on the actual campgrounds, but a few sites do have partial shade," advises a camper who visited Camp Williams Resort during hot weather.
Pack games and activities: Limited organized recreation means bringing your own entertainment. "Between hiking and biking, we were busy for the time we were there. As a bonus, there is a Ralph's just up the street, so you'll never be far from anything you'd need," shares a family that stayed at Malibu Creek State Park.
Tips from RVers
Call ahead for site sizes: Many campgrounds have limited large rig accommodation. "We chose Bonelli for our shakedown trip in our new trailer (first time RVers). SO quiet. Numerous residents, but spots are mostly keep up nicely. Our rental spot has 3 trees, a picnic table, a firepit, level parking(!) and full hookups."
Be prepared for tight quarters: RV sites often have minimal spacing. "Awesome for RVs but maybe not the best for tent camping. After experiencing both amenities this place is more or less for RVs and 4/10 as for they do have the tent camping on the steep incline and not too many sites."
Advance reservations essential: Popular glamping sites near Sierra Madre book quickly. "On my adventure I always come here to have a picnic and fish. I brought my horses one time and it was amazing the best time of my life," shares a Bonelli Bluffs visitor who recommends booking months ahead for summer weekends.
