Angeles National Forest Camping
Image from The Dyrt Camper Crystal N.
The Angeles National Forest has over 50 campgrounds operated by the National Forest Service not including numerous backcountry campsites, private campgrounds, and RV resorts that surround the recreation areas. Just remember, all Angeles National Forest camping visitors must display a National Forest Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass in your car, while parked at any developed or dispersed campsites.
Malibu Creek Campground Malibu Creek State Park
Miles from Downtown L.A.: 36 Number of Sites: 63Searching for some great camping nearby? Malibu Creek is a great option for the beginner camper, or the camper who wants to escape the city, but doesnt have the time for a long drive. However, dont let the amenities and close proximity to Los Angeles fool you – Malibu Creek still has a lot of wilderness to explore. There are over 15 miles of trails that run along Malibu Creek, which are popular among runners, hikers, and mountain bikers. The park also caters to rock climbers with over 100 bolted sport climbs.
Each campground includes a picnic table and fire pit. On-premise, there are also showers and drinking water. Despite the remote feeling of Malibu Creek camp, its very close to LA, which means sites can book well in advance during the busy summer season which typically runs from March to October. Sites are $45/night.
Local Scoop: If youre looking for a bit of classic television history youll find it in Malibu Creek State Park. Follow a well-graded fire road for 2.5 miles to reach the site where the popular television show M*A*S*H was filmed. There you will find informational signs as well as some leftover set dressing and props. On your way back from the M*A*S*H site, stop by the rock pool to cool off and partake in some cliff diving.
New Angeles National Forest Supervisor Reports For Duty
Release Date: Oct 22, 2018
ARCADIA, Calif. Today Jerry Perez officially reported to the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, where he will serve as the new Forest Supervisor, replacing Jeff Vail, who accepted the position of deputy director for Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources in the Forest Services Washington Office.
“I am excited to be here and meet the Angeles National Forest employees, volunteers, and partners,” stated Supervisor Perez. “What this forest means to the communities of greater Los Angeles that rely on it for recreation, water, and so many other resources is an enormous responsibility and one I look forward to embracing and advancing in the months and years ahead.”
Jerry served as the BLM State Director for California from January 2016 until now. Previously he served as the State Director for BLM in Oregon and Washington and as the Deputy Regional Forester of the U.S. Forest Service’s Intermountain Region. His previous positions with the Forest Service include Forest Supervisor of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky, Deputy Forest Supervisor of the Stanislaus National Forest in California, and National Litigation Coordinator in Washington, D.C. He has served as a Brookings Institution Fellow in the U.S. Senate and with the Peace Corps in Ghana. Jerry started his natural resources career in the Student Conservation Association.
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Death Valley National Park
210 miles
The largest national park in the continental U.S., Death Valley National Park encompasses a wide variety of landscapes.
From seemingly endless salt flats and huge sand dunes to snowcapped mountain peaks, barren badlands, hidden canyons and even volcanic craters, Death Valleys scenery is nothing short of spectacular.
If youre looking for a national park near Los Angeles to really escape the crowds, theres no better place than this.
There are only a couple of developed areas in this massive parkStovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek. Besides a number of campgrounds, the rest of this park is basically desert wilderness. Its a hikers paradise.
While many visitors simply drive through the park and pay a quick visit to places like Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, I recommend stretching your visit to two or three days.
Theres plenty to discover here. Major Death Valley highlights include the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the views from Dantes View and Zabriskie Point, Golden Canyon and Artists Drive.
Additionally, Death Valley is also an official International Dark Sky Park. The night sky is breathtaking hereyet another reason to spend a couple of nights. Its one of the top national parks in Southern California, located only about 4 hours east of Los Angeles.
Sequoia And Kings Canyon National Parks
205 240 miles
Some of the most popular national parks around Los Angeles, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are two separate parks that are administered together by the National Park Service. These twin parks lie side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 4 hours by car from L.A.
In terms of natural variety, few parks can match what Sequoia and Kings Canyon have to offer. In Sequoia National Park, you can see General Sherman, the largest living tree on the planet.
This massive tree grows in the appropriately called Giant Forest, which is home to no fewer than five of the worlds ten biggest trees.
Additionally, Sequoia is home to Mount Whitney, which with its height of 14,505 feet is the highest mountain in the continental U.S.
In Kings Canyon National Park, you can also hike among towering trees, specifically at Cedar Grove and Grant Grove, which is home to General Grant, the worlds second-largest tree.
Additionally, this park comprises one of Americas deepest canyonsKings Canyon is more than a mile deep.
The magnificent Generals Highway connects Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This is one of Americas most spectacular national park roads and an absolute must-do on a Los Angeles national parks road trip.
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Find Convenient Camping In Californias Angeles National Forest
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The Angeles National Forest encompasses much of the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains just 30 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. With over 557 miles of hiking trailsincluding 176 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, a wide selection of campgrounds, mountain bike trails, and high alpine lakes loaded with trout, the Angeles National Forest offers a lovely reprieve from the crowded streets of L.A.
Before heading into the Angeles National Forest, make sure you purchase a National Forest Adventure Pass. This pass is required to park at trailheads and recreation sites in Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests. You can order a pass online in advance or pick one up at many convenience stores across southern California. The America the Beautiful Pass is also good in Angeles National Forest.
Key Los Alamos Campground Regulations
Check Angeles National Forest – Los Alamos Campground for any campground updates.
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Leo Carrillo State Park Campground
Miles from Downtown: 54 Number of Sites: 138Situated across PCH from Leo Carrillo State Beach, this campground is a beach-lovers paradise. Within walking distance, visitors can choose from myriad activities, including surfing, fishing, relaxing on the beach, or exploring the many tide pools and caves. The campground also backs up to the Santa Monica Mountains, which offer many options for hiking and mountain biking.
Its worth making reservations for your Leo Carrillo camping spot far in advance as sites tend to book up. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table, and there are showers and flush toilets on premise. In addition, there is a small general store in the campground that stocks everything from sunscreen to firewood to ice cream. Sites are $45/night.
Local Scoop: Get up early and take the Nicholas Flat Trail from camp and watch the sunrise from the ridge. The trail is a moderately difficult 5.8 miles out and back with 1800 feet of elevation gain. However, the views of the ocean and surrounding mountains make the effort worth it.
Hike Jones Peak On The Bailey Canyon Trail
Dont let the shorter distance fool you the hike to Jones Peak from the Bailey Canyon Trail is a tough one. The climb up through Bailey Canyon features steep canyon walls, sweeping views, and a well-maintained trail with many switchbacks. Along the way, there are ruins of a cabin in a lush gully, and then after some more switchbacks, you get to Jones Peak at 3375 feet. The peak offers panoramic views from Mt Wilson to Catalina. Overall its a solid hike with a little bit of everything.
Sierra Madre, CA – 6.5 miles, Hard
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Hike Mt Baldy On The Bear Canyon Trail
Everyone hikes Mt Baldy from Manker Flats, but have you done it on the Bear Canyon Trail? Also known as Old Mt Baldy Trail, this hike leaves from Mt Baldy Village on its way to the summit. Unlike the main hike up Mt Baldy , the Bear Canyon Trail is usually not as crowded. Thats because its harder. It climbs 5740 feet in 6 miles. There are sections that are very steep. Itd doable with a decent level of fitness. This hike is a good choice for those who have hiked Mt Baldy from Manker Flats and now want to do it again, without all the hub-bub.
Mt Baldy, CA – 13 miles, Very Hard
Los Padres National Forest
2hrs by car, dog friendly Los Padres National Forest is close enough for an overnight or weekend trip while still feeling like its thousands of miles from any city. Hike switchback trails weaving through hills and valleys, and stop for a swim at one of the Forests many swimming holes . If youre up for a short backpacking trip, trek the 18 miles to Willett Hot Springs for a relaxing soak. Reservations are first-come, first-served and youll need an Adventure Pass to enter Los Padres, so make sure to pick one up from a nearby gas station or sports shop. Consult Los Padres National Forest for information on camping availability.
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Manker Flats Campground Angeles National Forest Camping
Miles from Downtown: 50 Number of Sites: 21Sitting at 6,000 feet, the Manker Flats Campground makes for a cool and comfortable summer get-away. Situated at the base of the 10,064-foot Mount Baldy, the highest point in the San Gabriel Mountains and in Los Angeles County, this campground is a great basecamp for some challenging hikes. One of the most popular is the 11.3-mile loop to the summit of Mount Baldy, which offers amazing 360-degree views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. There are also a handful of other challenging trails near the campground, including the 12.3-mile Bear Canyon Trail , which is one of the most strenuous climbs in the San Gabriels. The 7.2-mile Ice Canyon Trail to Ice House Saddle is shorter, but a fantastic hike as well.
These sites are first come, first served. Amenities include piped water, flush toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Sites are $20/night.
Local Scoop: If you arent looking for a challenging hike, but would still like to get out and explore a bit around your campsite, check out the 1.4-mile San Antonio Falls trail. The trail begins right across the street from the campground and will bring you to a 75-foot, multi-tier waterfall, where you can relax and soak in the scenery.
Hike Ontario Peak And Bighorn Peak
If you want a great Angeles National Forest mountain hike without the crowds, hike Ontario Peak and Bighorn Peak. The hike begins on the popular Icehouse Canyon trail but soon moves off to the much less traveled Ontario Peak Trail, where you might see more bighorn sheep than people. The Ontario Peak Trail roughly follows a ridge line, offering great views culminating in the rock nest summit of Ontario Peak. Theres also a short spur trip to Bighorn Peak, because, why not? This is a tough hike but worth the effortone of my favorites.
Mt Baldy, CA – 14.7 miles, Hard
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Best National Parks Near Los Angeles California
Contents
Situated on the coast of Southern California, Los Angeles makes for a great base for national park road trips. California is, after all, the state with most national parks in Americanine to be exact. No fewer than seven of them are pretty easily accessible from L.A.
The following national parks are within easy driving distance from the city. If the notoriously congested traffic cooperates, you should be able to get to these awesome California national parks near L.A. in 5 hours or less.
A couple of these parks can be visited on a day trip, while the rest requires at least one overnight to make to most of your visit.
Additionally, you can also combine someif not allin one epic road trip to the Southern California national parks near Los Angeles.
Los Alamos Group Campsites
Los Alamos Campground has 3 group campsites. Each campsite can accommodate up to 40 people and 10 vehicles. There are water hook-ups at the sites. Check-in time is 2:00 PM, check-out at noon.Fees: 1 to 25 people $85 per night 26 to 40 people $125 per nightReservations: Los Alamos Group Campsite Reservations
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Book Your California Cabins Glamping Tents Tree Houses And More And Get Outdoors
Southern California is one of the most popular vacation destinations. With year-round good weather and California attractions including Joshua Tree National Park, Los Angeles, and San Diego, its easy to understand why people flock to Southern California. Los Angeles and San Diego may be two of the main places people go, but there are many more popular outdoor destinations around the city. SoCal camping sites range from national park camping trips, national forest getaways, beach vacations, lake camps, and more! If youre searching for weekend getaways from Los Angeles, consider going glamping. There are so many amazing places for luxury camping near Los Angeles, youll have no problem finding somewhere to go. Los Angeles camping trips could be to the beach or to the mountains, where you choose youre sure to have a great time. One of our favorite places to go glamping near Los Angeles is the Angeles National Forest. Just minutes from the city, in the San Gabriel Mountains, Angeles National Forest is a great place for hiking, cycling, and camping. Check out Glamping Hubs Los Angeles national forest getaways and book yours today!
Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite
Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.
Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.
This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
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Joshua Tree National Park
130 miles
One of my personal favorite U.S. national parks, Joshua Tree is one of the closest national parks to Los Angeles. Merely 2.5 hours after leaving the city behind, youll be immersed in some of Americas greatest desert scenery.
In Joshua Tree National Park, piles of boulders and stacks of rocks dominate a landscaped dotted with iconic Joshua trees.
Barren hills make up the backdrop while blue skies create a vibrant contrast with the browns of the Southern Californian deserts.
Although a visit to Joshua Tree is possible as a day trip from Los Angeles, I really recommend spending a night or two in the park. The Jumbo Rocks Campground is one of my all-time favorite national park campgrounds.
This is one of the best places for stargazing in the country, while popular daytime activities in Joshua Tree range from desert hikes to road cycling and rock climbing.
Echo Mountain Hike On The Sam Merrill Trail
The Echo Mountain hike packs a lot of bang for the buck. Youll hike up the Sam Merrill Trail, which follows the old Mt Lowe railway route up to Echo Mountain, where you can see the old ruins of the Echo Mountain mountain resort. USA Today included the Echo Mountain hike as one of the 10 Great North American Hikes and Sunset Magazine called it one of the top 45 hikes in the west. The hike is easy to follow, has an interesting history, offers great views, is a good workout, and is close to LA. Overall its a win.
Altadena, CA – 5.6 miles, Hard
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