Chino Hills State Park Campground
William S.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Mar. 7, 2023

Limited park experience due to closures

Camping at Chino Hills State Park takes place at the Rolling M. Ranch campgrounds, located deep within the park. From there the assigned spots offer parking, spots to pitch a tent (though not specific tent patches), a picnic table, old school charcoal grill, and a fire pit. Additionally there are many trails throughout the winding hills.

However, on the weekend I stayed there, the park was caught in a paradox: due to rain and a desire to protect the blooming poppies, all trails were closed, and in addition, no wood nor charcoal fires were allowed. 

While this greatly limited my ability to enjoy the entire park, the website did make me aware of these restrictions, so I knew what I was getting in to, and looked forward to some peaceful beginning-of-week camping.

And it was mostly quiet, except when people arrived mid-day and ignored the trail ban, presumably to see the poppies. They had no problem parking in the otherwise-empty camping spots (parking for day use is down the hill), or in my extra car spots, or indeed, walking through my camp site.

But after they left I got to enjoy some solitude, do a little birdwatching, and at night was treated to owls and coyotes calling. I'm looking forward to giving this park another shot when it's fully "open" and when the poppy hikers aren't there.

SiteSD11
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Chino Hills State Park Campground by William S., March 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Chino Hills State Park Campground by William S., March 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Chino Hills State Park Campground by William S., March 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Chino Hills State Park Campground by William S., March 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Chino Hills State Park Campground by William S., March 7, 2023