4.24272 reviewsPrice
$5 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
21 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$5 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
21 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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110 N. Wabash Avenue, Glendora, CA 91741
Fall weekday hikers aiming for the 10,069-foot Mt. Baldy summit loop will get the most out of this place. Crowds thin after summer, the trail starts steps from camp, and sites like #14 offer decent separation. Bring a sleeping bag rated for the 30s.
Weekend visits draw noisy groups, vault toilets get grimy between ranger checks, and there are no hookups, no showers, and RVs top out at 16 feet. Rocky uneven ground (avoid sites 8 and 11) makes tent setup a real chore without leveling gear.
Reference information about Manker Flat Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p><strong>Temportarily closed for public safety due to the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices/?aid=88825">Vista Fire</a>. </strong></p><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>Elevation: 6,000-feet in elevation</p><p>Amenities: </p><ul><li>21 campsites</li><li>First-come-first-served</li><li>Water available for use at outdoor faucet/pipe, but turned off for the season due to the potential for freezing temperatures</li><li>Vault toilets</li><li>RV's to 16'- No hook-ups</li><li>Treat stream water before using, if available</li></ul><p>Fees: Camping - $12 per night per site, $5 for extra vehicle. Day-use - $5 per vehicle. <br /><br />Adventure Pass will be honored for day-use.<br /><br />Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required for vehicles parked outside the campground. </p><p>Individuals who are camping, but parked outside of the campground due to the gate being closed- Display your camping pay stub on your dashboard in lieu of the Adventure or America the Beautiful Pass.</p><h3>What to Expect</h3><p>Camp high in the clouds at Manker Flat Campground. This campground sits at 6,000-feet and offers 21 campsites open year-round. However, piped-water is turned off for the season with freezing temperatures. Each site comes with a spacious spot for all your family camping needs and includes a picnic table, fire ring, and vault toilets. It's located within a short drive to historic Mt. Baldy Schoolhouse and Visitor Center where visitors can discover the land's Native American roots.</p><p>Close by, hikers have several options to begin their day's adventure including, Mt. Baldy Bowl trailhead. This trailhead can be combined with another major route, Devil's Backbone, to reach the summit (10,069') to form an impressive 11.3-mile loop hike. For the more casual hiker, a 1.4 mile round trip to the 75-foot San Antonio Falls is available. </p><p>Bears are very active in this area, so it is recommended that all campers use provided bear boxes, personal bear canisters, or seal all food as to eliminate scent. </p>
The elevation is 6,200 ft. The campground is a single loop on a level place or flat next to Big Butch Wash in a stand of Incense cedar, Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines and oak. Camp sites are well separated providing fair privacy. Ground is very rocky and could pose a problem for pitching a tent at some sites. Area is cris- crossed with a bunch of trails and attracts hikers from all around. A day trip could include Mt. Baldy Village and Forest Service visitor center in the old school house. Visit the snack bar next to the campground. It is the original lodge that serviced the adjacent "Movie Slope." It used to be THE place to ski. In fact, climb the slope for a bit and you'll see the old rope tow engine. The lodge, or snack bar, is a comfortable place to commiserate, have a hamburger, and drink its "famous" smoothie.
Open Memorial Day weekend through mid-November
The parking aprons are paved.
In Claremont, CA, at the intersection of Foothill Blvd and Mills Ave, take Mills Ave north 2.1 miles to an intersection (Mt. Baldy Rd). Turn right onto Mt. Baldy Rd and go 9.8 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear left, staying on Mt. Baldy Rd. and go 2.3 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground. NOTE: Last 2.3 miles are steep with switchbacks.
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Fall offers the best balance: daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F, nights dropping into the 30s and 40s. Trails stay in prime condition, and crowds thin after summer. Weekdays are quiet; weekends see moderate use. Summer brings warmth and heavier traffic on weekends. Winter often limits access with snow and ice, turning the campground into a frozen, rarely-visited retreat. Spring delivers cool air and solitude before the crowds return.
Fall cited as best balance: mild days, cool nights, thinner crowds and prime trail conditions.
Manker Flats Campground offers 21 campsites situated at an elevation of 6,000 feet, providing basic amenities tailored for tent campers and small RVs. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and access to vault toilets. While potable water is generally available via outdoor faucets, it is turned off during freezing temperatures. There are no electrical or sewer hook-ups, and RVs are limited to a maximum length of 16 feet. Trash disposal facilities are available on-site, but reports from campers indicate issues with overflowing bins and lack of maintenance. The campground does not provide showers, and the ground can be rocky, making pitching a tent challenging at some locations. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis year-round, although vehicle access is limited during winter.
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Pulled from per-site mentions in 272 reviews.
Site #14 is noted for its privacy, though its proximity to neighboring sites can lead to disputes.
Several users mention that site #22 lacks privacy as it is situated along the restroom path.
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