Tent campsites near Taft, California range from high-elevation sites with minimal facilities to established campgrounds with basic services. Camping elevations span from 5,000 to 9,000 feet, offering contrasting temperature conditions compared to Taft's valley heat. Summer temperatures at higher elevation sites can be 15-20 degrees cooler than in Taft, while strong winds frequently affect ridgeline camping areas, particularly during spring months.
What to do
Stargazing at night skies: Chula Vista Campground at Mt. Pinos attracts astronomy enthusiasts year-round. "A permit is required to park in the parking lot and also if you enter the lot at night it is important to be respectful and do so with your headlights dimmed due to the area being a very popular place for stargazing," notes reviewer Kelsee V.
Hike to mountain summits: The trails from Reyes Peak Campground access Reyes Peak with views extending to Channel Islands on clear days. "Love the proximity to Santa Barbra. And a fun place to check out with amazing views of the islands," says Jon S., who recommends bringing "sun shades or protection" due to limited shade.
Wildlife observation: Small game animal sightings are common at higher elevation sites, especially during early morning and evening hours. "Lots of animals in the night. You will come across some small game animals so be aware of that. If you are a hunter this is a good place to hunt," reports Jessica P. about Cherry Creek Campground.
What campers like
Cooler temperatures: Pine Mountain Campground sits at higher elevation, providing relief from summer valley heat. "Lovely small campground high up in the Sespe Wildnerness. Pine Forest. 7 sites," writes Andy H., noting that "Midweek in August had no problem finding one of the open, first come first serve sites."
Privacy between sites: Many tent sites offer good separation from other campers. "The sites were clean and decently spread out, with fire rings and picnic benches," reports Jeremiah F. about Chula Vista Campground, adding that "It can get pretty windy up here so make sure your tent is staked down well."
Panoramic viewpoints: Miranda Pine Campground sits atop a mountain ridge with exceptional vistas. "Set atop a mountain, Miranda Pine campground gives sweeping views all the way to the ocean," writes Dani P., who adds that "Sunset and Sunrise views are incredible."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds require driving on dirt roads of varying quality. "The dirt road to get to camp is about 10 miles. The road is bumpy but In good condition overall, we made it on a stock height 2wd truck," reports Antonio C. about the route to Miranda Pine Campground.
Wind exposure: High-elevation sites can experience strong winds. "Went on a Saturday night in the spring, and it was incredibly windy all day/night. Like... too windy to cook, hang out, relax," warns Danielle M. about Miranda Pine.
Seasonal closures: Higher elevation campgrounds close during winter months. Reyes Peak Campground typically operates from April to November, while Pine Mountain Campground is open from May to November.
Water availability: Most campgrounds lack potable water. "No real services up here so its especially important to pack out all your trash and follow Leave No Trace ethics," notes Dani P. about Miranda Pine Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Select sites with good facilities: San Emigdio Campground offers reliable restrooms and accessible trails. "Toilets and sink were clean. The information desk and the rangers were kind and nice," reports KB, adding, "It's my first car camping."
Wildlife awareness: Children should be supervised due to wildlife presence. "Beware of rattlesnakes. Lots of cool trails within 15 min walk of camp sight," notes Stephanie L. about San Emigdio Campground.
Choose sites with room for play: Some campgrounds feature natural features kids enjoy. Antonio C. mentions that certain sites at Bates Canyon Campground have "a nice trail that leads to the creek" though it "unfortunately wasn't flowing right next to camp but it was just upstream."
Bring toilet paper: Vault toilets at established campgrounds often lack supplies. "The bathrooms sometimes don't have TP," warns John B. about Chula Vista Campground.
Tips for RVers
Size restrictions: Most forest campgrounds have limited space for large rigs. Pine Mountain Campground can accommodate smaller RVs but isn't big-rig friendly.
Road access challenges: High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many campgrounds. "Wayy off the main road on a non-maintained dirt road, only 4x4 accessible," warns Hunter H. about Bates Canyon, while Richard H. notes, "There was a rough 2 mile dirt road to get to the campsite. My van isn't 4x4 so I didn't want to risk getting stuck in the mud."
Limited hookups: None of the tent campgrounds near Taft offer electrical, water, or sewer hookups for RVs.
