Valyermo camping areas sit at elevations between 3,000-4,000 feet in the high desert transition zone of the Angeles National Forest. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while winter nights often drop below freezing. Most campgrounds in this area have vault toilets but limited water sources, with several requiring campers to pack in their own drinking water.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: Little Pine Campground offers access to hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. According to a visitor, "Pretty rad! I got to poop wherever I wanted" - showing the primitive, open nature of the surrounding wilderness areas.
Fishing opportunities: Camp Williams Resort provides creek-side camping with easy access to fishing spots. A camper noted, "Good place to relax by the river," mentioning the convenience of having "Port o pities, and restroom, showers, store and even restaurant."
Photography spots: The mountain landscapes near Bonita Ranch Campground provide excellent opportunities for nature photography. "The creek running behind the camp is great to explore, and a waterfall is a short hike away. We also lucked out finding berries in August," shared one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best opportunity to spot local wildlife. A camper at Millard Trail Campground reported, "I saw two to three cabins along the outskirts of the campground... I didn't see any bears although there was an animal outside my tent at one point in the night."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Little Pine Campground offers sites with excellent views and some privacy. A camper mentioned, "I've stayed here before and love the view it offers. Site #13 feels more secluded than other sites on the campground."
Creek access: Many visitors appreciate how close some campgrounds are to running water. At Bonita Ranch, a reviewer said, "This place is awesome full hookups lots to do trails and not to mention right on top of the creek."
Fire features: Campgrounds in the area typically include fire pits for cooking and warmth. A Little Pine visitor noted, "Fire pit came in handy with a cooking grate and parking spaces are large enough for a small RV."
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping in Valyermo, California and surrounding areas, Bonelli Bluffs offers yurt accommodations with modern amenities. A visitor mentioned, "There's a pool. A tent area. Some spaces monumentally better than others."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most Valyermo area campgrounds operate year-round but with limited amenities in winter. For Little Pine Campground, one camper noted, "Easy campground to get to and close by. First come first serve sites. Does get crowded in summer season."
Wildlife precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage. At Millard Trail Campground, "It's in Bear country so they provide food storage for each campsite also trash containers too."
Fire restrictions: Check current fire regulations before your trip. A visitor at Millard reported, "The fire ban has been lifted so you can have a fire. Each fire pit had wood left at it so you didn't have to go searching for campfire wood."
Water availability: Many campgrounds have limited or no potable water. A Little Pine Campground camper advised, "Water is available but do know it is not portable so don't drink it."
Privacy expectations: Some campgrounds offer little separation between sites. At Millard, one camper observed, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Day trip opportunities: Plan day excursions to local attractions. From Camp Williams Resort, a camper shared, "Love this little campsite close to home! Clean. Organized and just felt safe....so close to home and the rustic feel of it was just enjoyable for our family."
Kid-friendly trails: Look for shorter hikes suitable for children. At Millard Trail Camp, a visitor noted, "Lots of trails all around with a nice hike of about 1/2 mile up to Millard Falls that is easy for kids and grown ups."
Timing considerations: Weekdays are less crowded for family camping. A Millard camper advised, "Don't go during week ends cause families bring their kids to camp."
Safety precautions: Secure valuables when leaving your campsite. A Millard visitor warned, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your RV site carefully based on your specific needs. At Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon, one RVer suggested, "Stay in the back side of the park as a rail line runs in front of the front side of the park."
Hookup availability: Check what utilities are available at each site. A Soledad Canyon visitor mentioned, "Full hook ups were available to us no problems with that. We had to change our reservation last minute and the staff was good about it."
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. A Fairplex RV Park camper cautioned, "Spaces are very tight. Good for 1 nite only stay... not much room to maneuver a lg. rv. in."
Accessibility information: For those with mobility concerns, one Soledad Canyon visitor shared, "This is one of the best handicap accessible shower and restroom areas we've seen. The larger pool had a roll in area."
