Chilao Campground
Angeles NF (Angeles Crest Hwy) · near La Canada Flintridge · Los Angeles / SoCal
Camping
At a glance
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Elevation
- 5500
- Campsites
- ~84 (tent + RV <=18 ft)
- Season
- Seasonal ~April 1-Nov 15 (weather/road dependent)
- Fee
- ~$20/night
Permits and booking
- Reservation required
- No
- How to reserve
- First-come, first-served only - rarely full midweek. NO potable water, no cell service. Access from the WEST/La Canada side only - SR-2 is indefinitely closed east of Newcomb's Ranch; don't route in from Wrightwood.
What is here
- Setting
- mountain
- Amenities
- Cool pine forest an hour from the city · Vault toilets & bear boxes · Visitor center & dark skies · Silver Moccasin/PCT trail access
- Best for
- The best-accessible San Gabriel high-country campground
- Features
- 5,500-ft pine forest near LA · First-come, first-served · Dark skies & PCT access · The go-to now that Buckhorn is cut off
Worth knowing
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Good for a first timer
- Yes
Camping detail
- Camp type
- developed
- Intl tip
- Access from the WEST (La Canada) side only - Angeles Crest (SR-2) is closed east of Newcomb's Ranch. It's first-come, first-served with no potable water and no cell service, so arrive self-sufficient. Bring all your water.
The guide
Chilao is the San Gabriel high-country pick - cool pine forest at 5,500 feet just an hour from the city, with a visitor center,…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Chilao Campground — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 34.3258, -118.014