4.41201 reviewsPrice
$12 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
84 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$12 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
84 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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In La Canada, CA, at the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Hwy. (State Rt. 2), take Rt. 2 east 25.6 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.1 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear left for Little Pine Loop or right, continuing another 0.6 miles to Manzanita Loop on the left.
Hikers chasing the Silver Moccasin Trail or mountain bikers wanting high-elevation terrain close to the city. Little Pines sites, especially #16 and #17, offer shade and some separation from neighbors. Fall is the sweet spot: crowds thin, temps stay comfortable, and the trails ar
Hauling water for the whole trip is a dealbreaker, since there's none on-site and resupply means a 45-minute drive back to La Cañada. Also worth knowing: a portion of reviewers describe social dynamics at this campground that made them feel unwelcome, particularly campers outside
Reference information about Chilao Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p> </p><center><img src="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd490451.png" /></center><p><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/angeles/recreation/camping-cabins"><strong>General Camping Info</strong></a>: Find helpful guidance and tips for an enjoyable trip to the forest!</p><p><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices"><strong>Know Fire & Other Restrictions Before You Go!</strong></a>: These conditions can affect your entire trip. For example, <em>Extreme</em> and <em>Critical</em> fire use restrictions mean no campfires and no portable cooking systems/stoves. Bring cold food and no S'mores. </p><p><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/bears"><strong>Be Bear Aware!</strong></a>: Bear safety is critical, for the safety of your group and/or you, as well as our bears. Help keep bears wild by following these tips. </p><p><strong>Overview of Site: </strong></p><p>Chilao Campground sits at an elevation of 5,300 feet, giving campers majestic panoramas of nearby Vetter Lookout and Big Tujunga Canyon. The campground offers two different loops for tent camping: Little Pines and Manzanita. Each loop offers 40+ sites for camping. Manzanita is used for overflow during winter months. Little Pines is open year-roud dependent on winter and/or road conditions. Wildlife is very active in this area and campers should ensure they secure their food when site is unattended.</p><p><strong>Campground Loop Status:</strong> Little Pines Loop and Manzanita Loop are both open.</p><p><strong>Amenities: </strong>84 campsites spread out over 2 loops. Picnic tables. Vault toilets. Dumpsters. No Water.</p><p><strong>Hiking: </strong>Access to the Silver Moccassin Trail </p><p><strong>RVs: </strong>Maximum RV length is 18' - No hookups.</p>
The elevation is 5,500 ft. The campground, 0.25 miles from the San Gabriel Wilderness, is composed of two loops - Little Pine and Manzanita. Little Pine loops through a stand of Coulter pine - biiiig pine cones. Where the pines thin out, large Manzanita bushes take over. Although the camp sites among the Manzanita have little shade, they do have privacy and vistas of the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains. The Vetter fire tower can also be seen from some camp sites in the Manzanita Loop. Manzanita has more double sites then the other loop, although Little Pine's double sites have longer parking aprons. Angeles National Forest 26 The Chilao Visitor Center is located 1.5 miles north of the campground. It offers exhibits and information about the area, campfire programs, and excellent bird watching opportunities - 10 species of the woodpecker alone.
Open April 1 through November 15 (weather permitting)
The parking aprons are paved.
In La Canada, CA, at the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Hwy. (State Rt. 2), take Rt. 2 east 25.6 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.1 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear left for Little Pine Loop or right, continueing another 0.6 miles to Manzanita Loop on the left. NOTE: State Rt. 2, Angeles Crest Hwy., is a scenic mountain road with views far beyond San Gabriel Mountains.
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Fall brings mild days around 60-75°F and crisp nights in the 35-45°F range. Trails are clearest and crowds thin after summer. Late fall can overlap with hunting seasons and fire danger, so check forest notices before heading out. Summer hits 80°F during the day and drops to the low 40s at night. Winter can bring snow and road closures. Seasonal yellow jackets and flies show up in warmer months, especially late summer.
Spring listed among best seasons for weather and trail access; pleasant conditions and views.
Chilao Campground, located in the Angeles National Forest, offers basic amenities spread across its 84 campsites divided into the Little Pines and Manzanita loops. Each site includes a picnic table and access to vault toilets. There is no potable water available, so visitors must bring their own. The Little Pines loop is open year-round, while Manzanita is open seasonally to accommodate overflow during the winter months. Dumpsters are available for waste disposal, and the campground is first-come, first-served.
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