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    Chilao Campground

    4.0 (79 reviews)

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    Alice H.

    After two other campgrounds were closed this weekend and we were driving around for hours, a ranger recommended Chilao to us and we spontaneously drove out to the campground. We're so glad to have found this amazing spot. There are so many campsites, and they're not super close to each other which is great. It's only $12 per night which includes one vehicle. Just make sure to bring cash so you can drop off payment at one of the deposit boxes (and bring a pen!). Our campsite was spacious and had nice flat areas to put our tent. It included a picnic table and a campfire. Unfortunately the fire hazard was extreme, so we couldn't make a fire, but it was still a great experience. The bathroom was a couple minutes walk away, which isn't bad. The views can be great depending on which site you choose. Some are definitely better than others! Of course, this is LA, so you'll have to be a little cautious about possible bears and mountain lions. Be prepared to hear footsteps of critters at night! There is also a big visitor center that was closed due to a power outage, but apparently the staff are very helpful and you can buy adventure passes in there.

    Dave C.

    Quick overnighter here to escape the LA heat and this place did not disappoint. Lucky for me, there were no loud groups or music playing- just the serenity of nature and a wonderful sunset. There is a current fire restriction in place so that definitely shortens the night. Otherwise, I like how the sights are spaced out and have some trees and rocks interspersed. Vault toilets and Silver Moccasin Trailhead nearby, this spot is a win.

    Wood we collected from the area.
    Rodney F.

    Spent some time over the last few days up in Chilao. We camped at the Manzanita side of the grounds. Heading up Angeles Crest from the La Cañada side you will need to detour to Angeles Forrest Highway then Big Tujunga Cyn Rd, then back onto Angeles Crest. This was due to a huge rock slide that occurred back in February. There are detour signs that direct you on how to get around and it should be cleared up "Mid-June". Upon arriving on Saturday afternoon the campsites were pretty full but we lucked out on a site we really liked in Manzanita (site 37). Reading reviews we were a bit nervous about the vault toilets but they were clean as can be expected, stocked with toilet paper and didn't smell so you really can't ask for more than that. We were able to pull water from several of the faucets throughout the campground (site 41 has great pressure). Speaking to the nature center they said that the water issue had been resolved and should be on for most if not all of the campground. The campgrounds are kept clean as it seems most people practice the "leave no trace" principles. When it comes for wood, we didn't see anywhere to purchase locally but there's plenty if you drive around the area and look for it (bring a small hatchet or ax to get those bigger pieces to fit your fire pit). Overall we really enjoyed our stay and will definitely be back. Note: gets windy in the morning so be sure to plan for this when picking a campground. Update: Angeles Crest Highway is now plan closed from Mt. Wilson/Red Box Road to Upper Tujunga Cyn Rd UNTIL SEPTEMBER. See my pictures for assistance mapping around the closure.

    Jim A.

    A little more wild than the other camp grounds. Far away from the city where that chances of seeing graffiti or less. This campground is near the crest so you have access to many trails and routes. Even horse flat. Hilyer is a great route. Pacifico is another gem from chilao. It does get cold and windy sometimes so check your weather.

    Andrew P.

    Duration: 3 nights Campsite: 21, Lone Pine Loop I have a feeling it might be unique to this time of year when it's dry and hot, but my girlfriend and I had an insane yellow jacket/wasp problem. We made turkey patties on a small propane grill the first night and our entire site was swarmed with three to four dozen yellow jackets within about an hour. From then on, yellow jackets were almost constantly buzzing around our campsite during daylight hours up to and including the day we left. The number of yellow jackets waned from day to day, but only because we refused to cook at our own campsite anymore. Because the campground was so sparsely populated, we would quickly cook food at another site far from ours then eat in the car or on the go. The yellow jackets were prevalent all over Angeles National Forest as far as we could tell, and they was difficult to escape especially during mealtimes. Other than that, the campground wasn't terrible. There weren't super great hikes (on bike or on foot) in the surrounding area, but they were pretty much what you'd expect. The campsites themselves were spacious and we had no problem finding shade. The campground was very empty during the week and filled up nicely on the weekend. The lack of running water was a bummer and the bathrooms were disgusting, but it was comforting knowing the Chilao Fire Station was just down the road. My girlfriend has AT&T and I have Verizon and neither of us had any cell coverage at all, so plan accordingly. Minus the yellow jackets, it wasn't an awful experience and the price and availability were really good.

    What a typical site looks like
    Heather R.

    We did a brief 2-day camp this weekend and really enjoyed it. We found 2 campgrounds connected to each other for our big party, we were initially worried about the "first-come first-served" policy, so we got there early Friday morning and found what we needed. The other campsites were far enough away that you felt you had some privacy, though some neighbors got a bit rowdy at night. The bathrooms were not as bad as I imagined with vault toilets, though by Sunday they were out of toilet paper (luckily we brought our own). Overall I recommend for a mellow break from the craziness of this world right now.

    Dennisa C.

    It's a great place to escape from the city of Los Angeles. It's a good way to relax, read books and not bother about your phone about notifications because there is no service anyway. Haha We will definitely come back.

    Mike S.

    We came here a couple of weeks ago for an overnight stay. This is a great place for a quick getaway. There are many campsites to choose from. The top fills out quickly, but there are many good spots if you take the time to drive around. Some campsites have better water pressure than others and the restroom is not the best, but I've seen worse. Park services drive by often and the vibe here is chill. The only part I didn't care for was driving back in the afternoon. There are many motorcycles, high performance cars, and cyclists trying to share the same road. It can get a little tight making turns.

    This sign is where u will find the envelope with the rearview window tag and site post. Well off to the left of it.
    Diana C.

    Chilao has two loops. Manzanita and Little Pines. There are roughly 83 spots total. Almost a 50/50 split, but I believe Manzanita has a few more. Great for small tents. A few good for larger ones. This review is for Little Pines. The best sites for LARGE tents (our is a 17x13) is 22, 2,1, 3 and/or 4, 35 and 33. In that order. (in our opinion). We were at pad 1. Payment -- Bring a pen. On the Kiosk at the front of the Little Pines loop you will find an envelope with the window tag and post marker tag. Take that with you to your site, put some of your stuff there so no one else will take it. Go back to the kiosk and write down your pad number and put your $12 (per night) fee in the envelope and stick it in the lock box. Exact change. No one there to give you change. We checked in at 5 pm on 10/10 and we paid for 2 days, and check out was 11 am Monday morning. They usually have a clip on the site post marker, but bring one just in case and hang the tag on your review mirror. Water ---There are faucets throughout the loops. But on 10/10 - 10/12 the water was off due to a leak. Bathrooms --- A few port-a-potties. Nasty! Spiders, Flies, gnats, mosquitos. Keep the toilet seat down so they aren't in the port a potties and keep the door closed so that they die in there instead of keeping the door open and allowing new and olds one to go in and out. Toilet paper --- provided and well stocked. Bugs --- Bring an arsenal of bug killer. Ants, flies, gnats, yellowjackets mosquitos, beetles, and a few I've never seen before and have no Idea what they were. You are at war with this buggers and they see you as a walking buffet. Neighbors --- Most neighbors play their music until about sundown, then they turn it off. Rangers --- They come around often, day and night. They do enforce the rules. Which is great to know, especially if you have bothersome neighbors. Animals --- There are bears and wildcats. We just didn't see any. There are no bear lock boxes, but is suggested that you lock your food in your car or up in a tree. Keep any food that have strong smells out of your tent. Fire Rings -- These are provided, one per site. Tables --- One Wooden table per site pad. Local Store -- NONE! There is Newcombs Restaurant and Bar (motorcycle hangout) just a little down the road, but it is strictly those two things. They do not sell anything you'd need for camping. Please bring whatever water, Ice, Dry Ice, Bug Spray, etc with you, or get it in La Canada on your way in. It is roughly 23 1/2 miles from the edge of La Canada/Flintridge to Chilao Campgrounds. That's one way. Garbage Receptacles --- There are a few garbage bins that are kept shut, please brings bags that tie shut so garbage isn't strewn everywhere. The DRIVE -- Luckily they graded this road rather well, so the inclines are not steep. Even a 2002 Ford Taurus with 100k miles on it had no problem handlings the roads. Just make sure your radiator is in good working conditions because it can get very hot up there, for you and your car/truck. Gas Stations --- NONE. Gas up at La Canada/Flintridge. There are NO gas stations anywhere on this mountain. Motorcyclists -- This road is a cyclists dream. You have to be a special breed of super human to ride a motorcycle down and up that road as fast as some do. To you, my hats are off and I bow to you!! But, some may not be veterans at riding and tend to take some of those curves wide. Please remember to stay more to the right of the road just in case one of those newbies shoots around that corner. Police Officers --- YES they do patrol those roads. YES, they will pull you over. YES, they loveeee motorcyclists! So don't speed, for everyone's safety. Please. Turn - outs --- You will see MANY of these up the mountain. They aren't just for site seeing. Although they are great for this. They are also for you to pull over so that faster traffic behind you can pass you. You do NOT want to be the source of a massive back up on that mountain because you are too afraid to drive the speed limit. This irritates everyone, so pull over and allow others to pass. ROADWORK --- As of 10/12/2015 they are paving the roads a little below Chilao up towards Buckhorn. So there is loose gravel on that part of the road. You will need to follow a LEAD TRUCK in order to go up and down that section. HUNTERS --- Deer season opened Saturday, October 10, 2015. At first I saw a few guys in camo gear off to the side of the road with rifles. Deliverance started to play in the back of my head. Only after we settled into our site and the guys next to us had a table covered in weapons were we told it was the first day of hunting seaon. Thank GOD, I thought a revolution was being staged at first. So be mindful that there are hunters out there when you take your hikes. Overall, we loved it. Contact me with questions.

    K B.

    I stayed at the Little Pines loop , spot #35. We arrived Friday morning and the first spots that have lots of trees and some grass were already occupied so that was a bummer. We picked spot 35 because it was somewhat open, had some trees , close to trash bin. We had a good time . The spot was pretty private but we didn't get a neighbor right next to us so I'm not sure how would it feel if we had a neighbor . I liked the fire ring and the picnic table. I brought my own fire grate for cooking. We brought 3 bundles of firewood and we run out in a day . I cooked everything over the campfire. Bring your firewood or you'll have to drive to Chilao Picnic area to gather more wood. Our spot was very sunny and hot during the day. It was too warm because there is not enough trees. I can't imagine frying in some other , open spots that had no trees. The only really good spots are first 4 spots when you drive into Little Pines ( lots of trees and grass). We had dirt and that created a lot of dust. My dog was brown and grey instead of brown and white . The temperature at night dropped to about 42 degrees. We didn't encounter any wildlife except for lizards . I liked Chilao but unless I can secure any of the first few spots I'll probably won't come back to this campground. Also, zero water ... you must bring your water. The closest water source is at the Chilao Picnic area .

    Our 4th of July campsite-beautiful view
    Michelle A.

    If you come prepared this place rules. My friends and I hit here for the 4th of July weekend. We chose this campsite located in Angeles National Forest because it is not a far trip from LA. We drove from Highland Park/Glendale and it took about 45min. A good portion of the drive is heading into the mountains so it gets scenic/highly elevated fast. Admission is very reasonable and the first come first served policy doesn't present a challenge. Ample space for everyone! This brings up the climate. Don't be misled by the "forest" in the name. This land is dry and dusty. Welcome to the desert. Wipe clean those notions of a campsite where you are surrounded by the woodland glory of trees towering around you creating a shady situation. On the contrary. This area like a big sandy oven. Nothing wrong with this, but bear this in mind. Luckily, there's not much of a bear risk, just snakes and coyotes. We saw 2 live snakes along with a 3ft rattlesnake skin. Good for reptile enthusiasts! Check out my photo of our tent... That's quite a gorgeous overlook view. The drive up to the campsite is breathtaking but watch out for motorcyclists/the occasional cyclist. Share the road and all that jazz. My 2 accomplices handled things very nicely. I am not an experienced camper. If you are a newbie like me, come prepared and know you will not have shower accommodations and your toilet will be a glorified porta-potty with intense waves of flies that flock in intermittently throughout the afternoon. There is a spigot where you can wash things off, but that's about it. Very relaxed campsite, we did not have a problem staking out a praiseworthy view with a nice bit of privacy. We built an admirable campfire which was This was on a holiday weekend too. If you need to escape the heat for a bit and need a break from camping, head to Newcomb's Ranch Bar and Grill right outside of the campsite. We drove, but it can definitely be walked to. Good eats and a nice, rustic ambiance. Bring lots of water and some supply of shade. Our tent was not enough to block out the scorching heat. Obviously sunblock, sunglasses and bug spray. Mother Nature is unforgiving here on a clear, sunny day. All in all, if you come in knowing what you signed up for, this place can be a blast and a pleasant break from the city.

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    It's a super underdeveloped place but beautiful location if you take all your own stuff you're good.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Chilao Campground

    Does anyone know if it's open right now considering the government shut down with its funds? I'm planning to go over in the weekend. Also, any snow?

    I was there last Sunday It was snowing but it was closed

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    Review Highlights - Chilao Campground

    The Manzanita Loop looks like a great place to camp, with different microclimates along its steep twists and turns.

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    Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness

    Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness

    3.0(2 reviews)
    25.7 km

    This is not a campground. it turns out people have been coming here to camp, but it's just a dirt…read morelocked in the middle of the desert.

    Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness contains 26,839 acres of pristine California land reaching from the…read moremountains to the desert. I found out about it by accident while on the hunt for wildflowers; I entered the Wilderness from the west, via the Burkhart Trail next to Buckhorn Campground in the Angeles National Forest. This wilderness is home to several trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail and Islip Saddle, and offers some of the most stunning land I've ever seen. Please check your GPS before heading off into the wilderness; the directions on Yelp may not be 100% accurate. An actual paper map will be more accurate in this area; there is no service or signal. I parked in the Burkhart Trail parking lot and entered from there. Take your charged phone (you may still be able to call or text 911 in case of emergency),map and compass, snacks, water, and anything necessary to survive completely on your own. Look out for falling trees; this area burned not too long ago but seems to be recovering beautifully. You will be rewarded for your efforts by views of unspoiled lands, wildflowers, pine trees, waterfalls and wildlife. Absolutely stunning. Protect your wilderness by leaving no trace; pack it in and pack it out https://lnt.org/ Let someone know when you are going; folks have been lost in the area. Stay safe and enjoy this spectacular experience.

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    Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness
    Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness
    Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness - This is not a campground

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    This is not a campground

    Apple Tree Campground - Set up areas

    Apple Tree Campground

    4.3(7 reviews)
    35.2 km

    Well maintained campground and one of the cleanest I've been to in the area! The campground host…read morefrom Mountain High saved the day when we forgot a lighter and made sure we had everything we needed to have a good time. We definitely had a great time and recommend staying if you're nearby and looking for a clean, quaint campground with a lot of space. Only thing to note is the sites are not directly accessible by car, you will need to walk just a few steps off pavement.

    Kinda cool that you can review campsites on Yelp, too. Anyway, here's my review of this site I…read morevisited just recently: I initially planned on visiting Table Mountain campground, just 5 minutes away, but that place was packed out the wazoo. Couldn't grab a spot. So I came here as a backup. It was 11pm or so, but my party was able to snag a spot out of 6/8 occupied sites. We grabbed an empty table and some real estate at the top of the hill. The site is used for sledding when the snow comes in for the winter, so the grade is quite noticeable. Cars must be parked at the bottom of the hill, so if you have a lot of things, be prepared for some tiring back-and-forth from the bottom to the top and back again. Since our tents were set at the very top, we had the privilege of getting some extra steps in. Each campsite here is within 50 feet of another. You are within eyesight and earshot of your neighbors - this is a bit of a downside, as I prefer camping in peace and away from other people, to get away from the city. Bring earplugs if you can spare the space. We were granted the opportunity to listen to a large family rev up their trucks throughout the first night. It went on from 11pm-3am. That would have been ideal if my definition of camping was setting up my tent in the middle of a monster truck rally. But alas, it's not. Sites also come with a grill and a fire-ring, very nice for cooking if you wish to do so. I think firewood is sold at a few stores nearby, but you can scavenge for extra around the grounds, too. The two bathrooms at the bottom of hill were a predicament. It wasn't entirely clean (which most camp potties aren't already) but you are galactically screwed if the door gets left open. Flies will swarm the two toilets and make it virtually impossible to do your business. One or two flies won't deter me from popping my squat, but I'm telling you: I instead chose to dig a hole way uphill, park myself behind a tree out of sight, and did my thing out there. It was that bad. The black plague would have been proud. On the topic of bugs: BRING BUG SPRAY. And citronella candles. And keep your tent doors closed at all times. The bugs here go crazy. Seal your foods, especially any sweets, and make sure to keep your cooking materials off the ground to avoid ants. Other than that, there was plentiful shade and the trees are swept by a decent breeze that visits every so often. It made up for the sweltering heat that had been bogging down LA for weeks. When our louder neighbors would leave to hang out at the nearby lake, it was serene and awfully peaceful. Plus, since the campground is situated between two bigger hills, the sun doesn't linger around too much during the day. While it gets the job done, this site is a sub-par escape from the city and serves only as a mediocre, last minute find; my advice would be to reserve a much nicer, cleaner, and quieter campsite months in advance. Do your research, pack smartly, and have fun.

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    Apple Tree Campground - Snow play

    Snow play

    Apple Tree Campground - Snow

    Snow

    Apple Tree Campground - Gets busy

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    Gets busy

    Crystal Lake Camp Ground - Picnic table and tent

    Crystal Lake Camp Ground

    4.1(62 reviews)
    15.8 km

    This campsite cost $20 per night and has toilets that drop into the ground and a spigot for water…read more You'll need to bring everything else for your comfort and truck out your trash. It's about 45 minutes from the bottom of the hill off Sierra Madre Ave and San Gabriel Canyon rd. No cellphone service a mile from that intersection going north into the canyon. If you're going in two or more cars you should bring walkie talkies and that'll be useful when you look for a campsite if it's packed or all sites are taken. Drive around separately to locate a site for yourself. Some sites allow for single car usage and others allowed for three or more cars. The car that pays for the campsite doesn't need to buy the adventure pass but those additional cars do and it's $5 per day. As soon as you find a site. Park your vehicle there and trek over to the ranger station and tell them the Loop your on and the campsite # your at and pay the fee. They'll give you a piece of paper you attach to your site number so when the ranger comes by to verify they'll know you paid. They have trails to Crystal lake and around the campsite. Bring plenty of drinkable water especially during the summer months. Most campsites have shade but some do not. There are roughly 125 campsites in all. You can just go there for the day but you'll still need an adventure pass to park in the parking lot. The actual lake as of summer 2025 is low and not safe to swim in but you can fish and you'll need a fishing license to do that. You don't need a 4x4 vehicle to go up to the campsite as the roads are all paved. Come and check this campground out in your next adventure to your local mountains!

    Crystal Lake campground bathrooms need help! Let me emphasize this...the bathrooms here need…read moreserious help. I love camping and I understand that the idea of maintaining a toilet may be difficult in a forest environment, but these facilities need either regular maintenance or should just be shut down. The smell is horrific, and the amount of flies in the bathroom feasting on the poop that is drenched along the rim and bowl of the toilets says to me that these spaces haven't been cleaned in months. I really enjoyed Crystal Lake itself and the grounds, but I highly recommend that people plan an alternative solution for bathroom needs. In my opinion it is required that you bring your own toiletries and I feel the best solution is to bring your own portable toilet tent. I noticed others had made this choice and if I had known, my 3 day trip would have been better. On one night, in the women's bathroom, someone decided to poop on the floor. I imagine pooping in the toilet was too gross for them. The level of abhorrence that person must have felt is truly undeniable.

    Photos
    Crystal Lake Camp Ground - Blue jay and forest

    Blue jay and forest

    Crystal Lake Camp Ground - Camp set up

    Camp set up

    Crystal Lake Camp Ground - I'm prepared to cook

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    I'm prepared to cook

    Pyramid Lake Recreation Area/Los Alamos Campground

    Pyramid Lake Recreation Area/Los Alamos Campground

    3.3(237 reviews)
    81.3 km

    Campground Host Tammy STORMED onto our group campground, (where there were 2 adults and 5 kids),…read moreSCREAMING that we needed to move our truck. She did not say who she was or "hello"- she came in yelling while we were gathered around a picnic table having a great time as a family. When we calmly asked where the rules stated we could not park our camper topped truck on our site, she continued to yell disrespectfully but also said it was not written anywhere but we "better move it." We calmly replied that we were all set up, and if she could show us in writing to move it, we would immediately, but if not, we were respectfully declining. She screamed that she was sending the Sheriff. We told her that was no problem and asked that he please bring the rules when he arrived. The Sheriff arrived later and was very kind and professional. He greeted us and the kids and had a calm discussion. However, he said the rule was not in writing and it was Tammy's rule. So, we did not move the truck. The next morning, as we we were all ready to go to the lake, Tammy and the lake host stormed into our camp again- yelling that we had been evicted- we could not stay our 2nd night, and were also banned from the lake. Yes- they told 5 children on Labor Day Weekend, that they had to go home and were banned from the lake. We paid $130/night to have a large site and set up our truck. This was a TERRIBLE experience on a trip we were all so excited about taking. Honestly, the worst part was how Tammy treated us.

    Although I've passed Pyramid Lake dozens of times in my life, this was my first time at Pyramid…read moreLake. It is huge with plenty of parking! It looked as if there was only one loading dock, though, but big enough for maybe 3 boats at a time to get in the water or got out of. There are spots at Pyramid Lake only accessible through boat. There were many places that someone could anchor their boat and fish or be alone. There were a few bathrooms we counted, including a bathroom in the middle of the lake. No toilet seat covers, but there was toilet paper, just BRING hand sanitizer! The water to me didn't look very see-through or clean, but there wasn't any visible algae. Pyramid Lake is a wonderful place to take out your boat and go fishing or just relax and tan. The breeze was nice, and there were plenty of shady areas.

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    Pyramid Lake Recreation Area/Los Alamos Campground
    Pyramid Lake Recreation Area/Los Alamos Campground
    Pyramid Lake Recreation Area/Los Alamos Campground

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    Chilao Campground - campgrounds - Updated May 2026

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