Mount Baldy, California provides access to several established campgrounds within Angeles National Forest and San Bernardino National Forest. The area features a mix of developed sites like Manker Campground, located directly in Mount Baldy, and Crystal Lake Recreation Area Campground in nearby Azusa. Campground options range from tent-only sites to facilities that accommodate RVs and even cabins. Table Mountain Campground in Wrightwood and Coldbrook Campground offer additional developed camping opportunities within driving distance of Mount Baldy, with most sites providing basic amenities such as toilets, trash disposal, and drinking water.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the Mount Baldy region. Most campgrounds operate from spring through fall, with many closing during winter months due to snow and cold temperatures at higher elevations. Manker Campground typically operates from May to October, while Crystal Lake Recreation Area remains open from late April through December. Several campgrounds prohibit fires due to high fire danger in the Angeles National Forest, particularly during dry summer months. Visitors should check current fire restrictions before planning their trip. A visitor noted, "Crystal Lake never disappoints on the spectacular views. It's not dispersed but definitely slightly more rustic than people plan for. The number of people who come up in winter and are shocked that the piped ground water is frozen are well, 'special.'"
Campers report that the mixed-use campgrounds near Mount Baldy provide good access to hiking trails and outdoor recreation. Table Mountain Campground receives particularly high ratings, with amenities including picnic tables, drinking water, and toilets. Many campgrounds in the area are situated at higher elevations, offering cooler temperatures during hot summer months. The proximity to Los Angeles makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations, with some visitors noting they can become crowded during summer holidays. One camper described Crystal Lake as "a great close getaway" that offers "numerous hiking trails with amazing views and a high chance of solitude" during off-peak times. Most developed campgrounds in the region require an Adventure Pass for parking, and reservations are recommended for weekend camping during the peak summer season.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$76 - $88 / night
"Our experience at Bonelli Bluffs Campground was mostly positive, but there were a couple of aspects that could be improved."
"The views around the outskirts of B loop are just lovely, the staff has been so friendly and helpful (we’re RV newbies and had a ton of questions) the store was stocked with all of the little things we"
"We’ve done Crystal Lake probably 6 dozen times or more in our time in California and it never disappoints on the spectacular views."
"Whenever I need to get away from LALA Land, I head up here. I grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, so , sometimes , I need to kick back and recharge."
$30 - $500 / night
"If you have a chance after - drive the whole Angeles crest highway! Worth the trouble. You are also located close to the PCT, take a hike!"
"We got a campsite that was on the outside of the loop. We were in Cherokee loop in campsite #87."
"We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5! Luckily a friend got to the campground before us though, as he snagged the last of the 20 or so sites there."
"Coldbrooke is a excellent campground that is relatively close to the city. The camp host was super helpful in explaining the fire restrictions and overall questions."
$20 / night
"Close by Hobit trails clear and inviting trails .rivers and in the winter snow....lots of campsites.... seen deer..rabbits and a multitude of squirrels. ..."
"Top of mt Baldy road.. almost as far as you can drive. Not many sites, about 20. One giant loop. No reservations needed."
$35 - $45 / night
"Easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground. Very quiet and interspersed with long time stayers and temporary campers. I stayed in my van and had my cat and dog with me."
"It's definitely not that far away from the city roughly a 7-10 minute drive up the mountain very chill environment awesome staff very home like feel you're literally a box throw away from the creek if"
$12 / night
"Beautiful trails near by, next to a stream, gorgeous views, and of course that mountain air! Trees are perfect for hammocks."
"It is set back from the road a little giving you a quieter experience away from the 2. This would be a good first car camping spot for families with young children."
$45 - $350 / night
"Silverwood Lake was just that. Lush green mountains in the back drop that surrounded every view you turned to take in. "You need to recharge your batteries!""
"ATV with ice cream and firewood comes around right before dark. Campsites are a bit crowded for my liking. Access to the Silverwood Lake recreation area is a great benefit."
$15 - $20 / night
"I had a positive impression of this small campground, located just 5-7 miles away from the 215 highway, amidst natural surroundings."
"The fresh stream is just a short distance away, just a few steps away and you can immerse yourself in nature right across the road."
$150 - $375 / night
"they have several different kinds of cabins Little ones and then really big ones just suit your family size they have full hookups you can also purchase cable TV if you wish you can park right on the lake"
TravelerI went with my family for my birthday. My daughters loved the campground. Easy walk to the lake. My wife enjoy the luxury of having a nearby bathroom/ shower with warm water. It’s a good choice for families
RangerThe Views are fantastic sites are rugged but very cool locations, This is mainly a Hike in CG most of the time and better have some serious clearance to get there even when the road is open in summer, BUT very worth it!
TravelerCamping at the beach in LA! Large country campground that has sites designed for motorhomes and sites designed for travel trailers and fifth wheels. It asphalt campsites, but you’re at the BEACH! My only complaints are the electrical was not working properly, (I had to connect to 30A instead of 50A), and people don’t pick up after themselves.
Scoutfirst, as a drop in you can‘t stay more then two nights even if they have room!
second, annually pool maintenance in spring break! without information when checking in, and it’s not a cheap one and i chose it for the pool! no information no discount, had to beg to at least get a poolchair, so much gras to chill no chairs!
third the showers are only dripping and i was the only one showering! again, not a cheap place!
and fourth, WIFI does never connect, really for a campground with this price, every cheap one has better WIFI and some people need it as internationals!
GuideAwesome area great service good vibes but I will say that there are to many city people who come to drink and not follow the rules of the campground
TravelerThis is my first time solo camping and this was a great starter! It’s really quiet all day long and every where you look is absolutely beautiful. I drove up here in my Honda civic and I saw some truck but this is a super narrow road and my car barely fit.-.
During cold times you might need to be ready to shovel the road. There’s not enough snow for chains but I saw a Jeep wrangler in front of me get stuck.
Dog friendly as well, there’s a lot of open space.
There’s my rant
ScoutThisThis RV Park is downright dangerous to camp at and is an absolute trash dump. The electrical supplies are not safe to plug into they have reverse polarity and if you plug into them it's going to blow all your appliances your air conditioner and all your Outlets. We sustained thousands of dollars worth of damage to our RV before an electrician told us what the problem was reverse polarity is when the wiring is incorrect and it can cause dangerous surges that can destroy your unit. There are stray animals running around the park everywhere there are old broken down RVs old broken down cars it's full of drug addicts the shower facilities are disgusting this place is nothing like the website you cannot afford to stay here for even one night.
ScoutSome nights very windy, but it’s extremely beautiful out here. It’s a great time.
GuideBeautiful, quiet site with plenty of space but it is VERY windy with trash flying everywhere. It also seems to function as an illegal dumping site for couches, appliances …
Practice shooters at night and early am nearby are also not the most reassuring and the main reason for our decision to skip staying over the weekend.
Mount Baldy sits at 10,064 feet elevation, making it one of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains. Camping near Mount Baldy, California provides access to pine forests, hiking trails, and mountain streams at elevations ranging from 4,000-7,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F while winter brings snow and freezing conditions, often closing many facilities from November through April.
Hiking from campsites: Table Mountain Campground offers direct access to hiking trails with excellent views. "There are a couple of trails right from the campground too. Also there is a lodge open right next to the campground if you wanted to eat out for a lunch or dinner!" according to Amy B. from Table Mountain Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Forest G. from Crystal Lake Recreation Area reports, "ANIMALS SEEN: Black bear, deer (wandered through our site), red foxes, Stellar's Jays, woodpeckers, other birds." Bring binoculars for wildlife spotting, particularly in early morning.
Water activities: Bonelli Bluffs provides multiple water recreation options. Jessica P. notes, "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more."
Creek exploration: Many campgrounds feature small streams or creeks for cooling off in hot weather. At Coldbrook Campground, campers enjoy setting up near the water. "We had a campsite next to the creek and it was beautiful to see and listen to," writes Alexis S.
High elevation cooling: Buckhorn Campground sits at over 6,000 feet, providing relief from summer heat. Campers appreciate the temperature difference from the Los Angeles basin. One visitor notes, "Beautiful campground. A little over 6000 feet up in the pine trees... A stream runs through the campground in the spring."
Quick access from urban areas: Many campers value the short drive time from Los Angeles. "We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5!" writes Forest G. about Coldbrook Campground, making it ideal for weekend getaways.
Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking solitude, midweek camping offers less crowded conditions. Michelle W. at Manker Campground shares, "I went on a Wednesday afternoon in May and got my pick of sites. There were only 4-6 other campers each night so it was very quiet."
Stream sounds for sleeping: Creek-side sites provide natural white noise. At Coldbrook Campground, Trisha P. comments, "This is right up hwy 39, which is a quick getaway for us to do a 1 night trip. We absolutely love this place."
Fire restrictions: Many Angeles National Forest campgrounds prohibit fires during high fire danger periods. Coldbrook Campground visitor Craig M. warns, "No flame of any sort allowed including gas stoves."
Limited cell service: Most Mount Baldy area campgrounds have no cellular coverage. Michelle W. reports from Manker Campground, "No AT&T service. Only one car per campsite."
Weekend crowding: First-come campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. Lauralyn J. from Buckhorn Campground advises, "The campground fills quickly for the weekend. It's a first come/first serve so get there early."
Bear presence: Bears frequent certain campgrounds, requiring proper food storage. Kat M. warns, "We have camped here a few times. Had an encounter with a bear both times. Lost our marshmellows."
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility maintenance differs across campgrounds. Lizzie B. notes about Coldbrook, "Toilets were clean, site was clean for the most part," while others report less favorable conditions at busier locations.
Kid-friendly activities: Bonita Ranch Campground offers easy access to water play. Jonathan G. shares, "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."
Insect protection: Bug spray is essential at most Mount Baldy area campgrounds. Katarina A. from Crystal Lake Recreation Area notes, "There are beautiful views of the mountains. Has bathrooms (no flush). Lots of Mosquitoes and bugs. Well worth it."
Camping with pets: Many campgrounds welcome dogs but have specific rules. Heather L. reports about Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground, "This is probably our favorite place to go considering we end up hear almost every other weekend year around... Dog friendly and the cafe isn't cheap but I swear has the nicest people and the best cocoa."
Adventure passes: Most developed campgrounds in Angeles National Forest require an Adventure Pass for parking. Mercy M. reports, "It was $17 per night, and was an easy & beautiful drive up the mountain."
Size limitations: Large RVs face access challenges on mountain roads. At Buckhorn Campground, Lauralyn J. cautions, "Good for small RVs. Over 24 foot not recommended."
Full hookup options: Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area offers complete RV services. Bower notes, "We stayed in campsite 108 (which had full hookups) and did not feel that the campsites were too close to one another."
Electric service: Several campgrounds near Mount Baldy offer electric hookups. Dennis B. from Bonelli Bluffs writes, "A little pricey but very nice facility. All hookups 30/50 amp. Cable TV. There's a pool."
Level sites: Finding level parking can be challenging in mountain campgrounds. Aostara K. appreciated at Bonelli Bluffs, "Our rental spot has 3 trees, a picnic table, a firepit, level parking(!) and full hookups."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds located at Mount Baldy?
Mount Baldy offers several campgrounds in the surrounding area. Manker Campground is located directly on Mount Baldy, providing convenient access to trails. For those seeking alternatives, Little Jimmy Trail Campground is situated above Crystal Lake, approximately 2 miles off Angeles Crest Highway. Other nearby options include Coldbrook Campground in San Gabriel Canyon and Table Mountain Campground near Wrightwood. Most campgrounds in the Mount Baldy area are situated at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet, offering cooler temperatures during summer months and occasionally snowy conditions in winter.
Do I need reservations for camping at Mount Baldy?
Reservation requirements vary among Mount Baldy area campgrounds. Table Mountain Campground requires reservations, which is recommended especially during peak summer weekends and holidays. In contrast, San Bernardino National Forest Green Valley Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, making it a good option for last-minute trips. Manker Campground typically doesn't take reservations, functioning on a first-come basis. During high season (late spring through early fall), arriving early on Thursdays or Fridays is advisable to secure a spot at non-reservable campgrounds. Always check current reservation policies before your trip as they may change seasonally.
Are there cabins for rent at Mount Baldy?
Mount Baldy itself has limited cabin rental options, but there are alternatives in the surrounding areas. Bonelli Bluffs offers cabin-style accommodations, though it's important to note they lack playground amenities for children. Serrano provides lakeside accommodations with friendly staff, though these are primarily camping sites rather than traditional cabins. For true cabin experiences, look to private rentals in Mount Baldy Village, Wrightwood, or Big Bear Lake which offer various cabin styles from rustic to luxury. These areas provide convenient access to Mount Baldy while offering more comfortable lodging options than traditional camping.
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