Sycamore Flat Campground

4.45

54 reviews

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Quick Facts

4,200 ft

Price

$5 - $30/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Angeles National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,200 ft

Price

$5 - $30/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Angeles National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Sycamore Flat Campground

$5.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Adventure Pass Required $5/day or $30/year. Interagency Passes are also accepted.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.45

Recommended

Based on 54 reviews

49 Google reviews

"The campground receives mixed reviews, with positive feedback highlighting the quiet, remote nature of the site, proximity to the creek, and affordability. However, concerns about maintenance, litter, and limited amenities are repeatedly expressed."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

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Sycamore Flat Campground

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Driving directionsFrom Wrightwood, CA, take State Rt. 2 west 2.4 miles to Palmdale/Jackson Lake sign (County Rt. N4/Pines Hwy). Turn right onto Rt. N4 and go 11.5 miles to Sycamore Flats sign (Forest Rt. 4N11). Turn left onto Rt. 4N11 and go 1.9 miles to campground sign. Turn left into campground.

"The parking aprons are dirt."

Nearby supplies

Adventure Pass is available nearby at 4 Points Liquor Store.

Best Time to Camp at Sycamore Flat Campground

Experience the dramatic seasonal shifts of the high desert at 4,200 feet, where each season paints the landscape in different hues. Winter transforms the campground into a crisp wonderland, occasionally dusted with snow and punctuated by refreshing rains that awaken the desert flora. As summer arrives, the desert reveals its fierce side with temperatures soaring above 90°F, making early morning hikes and afternoon siestas essential. Spring emerges as nature's grand opening, with wildflowers dotting the landscape and perfect camping temperatures, while fall delivers golden days and cool nights ideal for campfire gatherings. Seasoned visitors know that spring and fall offer the sweet spot for camping, when the desert is at its most hospitable and beautiful.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Summer can be hot; some sites have better shade per reviews but heat and fire restrictions matter.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Seasonal notes: fall offers pleasant conditions and scenic color shifts (inferred from seasonal description).

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Spring likely pleasant with mild temps and desert hues, though specific spring notes are limited.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round; winter is 'crisp' and occasionally limiting (storms/snow) but accessible.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round.
Current Alerts: "Extreme" and "Critical" fire use restrictions are in effect. Bring cold food and avoid campfires.

About Sycamore Flat Campground

Tucked away in the rugged beauty of Angeles National Forest, Sycamore Flat Campground offers an authentic desert camping experience for those seeking solitude and simplicity. This rustic retreat features 11 well-spaced sites, each equipped with sturdy picnic tables and 10 sites offering grills for outdoor cooking under starlit skies. While the campground maintains a wilderness character with vault toilets and no potable water (so bring your own!), its prime location directly across from the babbling waters of Big Rock Creek provides a natural soundtrack to your desert adventure. This self-maintained gem attracts adventurous campers who appreciate the raw beauty of the high desert landscape.

Sycamore Flat Campground is a basic, undeveloped site for primitive camping. It has 11 combined sites for use, but it does not cater to RVs, groups, or cabins.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal shifts of the high desert at 4,200 feet, where each season paints the landscape in different hues. Winter transforms the campground into a crisp wonderland, occasionally dusted with snow and punctuated by refreshing rains that awaken the desert flora. As summer arrives, the desert reveals its fierce side with temperatures soaring above 90°F, making early morning hikes and afternoon siestas essential. Spring emerges as nature's grand opening, with wildflowers dotting the landscape and perfect camping temperatures, while fall delivers golden days and cool nights ideal for campfire gatherings. Seasoned visitors know that spring and fall offer the sweet spot for camping, when the desert is at its most hospitable and beautiful.

ElevationPerched at 4,200 feet above sea level, this high desert campground offers cooler temperatures than the valleys below and clearer air that makes stargazing spectacular. The elevation creates a unique microclimate where desert meets mountain, supporting a diverse ecosystem that changes with the seasons.

Natural Features and SceneryAncient sycamores stretch their pale, mottled branches skyward while hardy junipers dot the landscape with their evergreen presence, creating a stunning contrast against the golden desert terrain. The campground's open design offers sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness, though the sparse vegetation means you'll be camping under big skies with your neighbors in view. Just steps away, Big Rock Creek provides a refreshing oasis where the sound of flowing water mingles with the whisper of desert winds. The minimal shade requires strategic parking to catch what the trees offer, but the unobstructed views of sunrise and sunset more than compensate for the exposure.

Geological RegionSet within the diverse tapestry of Angeles National Forest, this 4,200-foot desert oasis showcases the unique transition zone where the Mojave Desert meets the San Gabriel Mountains. The landscape tells an ancient story through its weathered rocks and resilient vegetation, with junipers and sycamores standing as sentinels in this high desert environment. Big Rock Creek has carved its path through the terrain over millennia, creating a riparian corridor that attracts wildlife and provides a vital water source in this arid landscape. This geological crossroads offers campers a front-row seat to observe how water, wind, and time have sculpted the dramatic desert scenery.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Open 24 hours/day

Check-out

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Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 consecutive days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

No group camping sites or accommodations are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThere is no privacy between camp sites or the access road.

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in AvailabilityNo reservations; walk-up availability only.

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityWheelchair-friendly toilets are not available, and the site is not explicitly described as accessible for individuals with disabilities.

Site SizeThe campground offers standard-sized parking aprons made of dirt, with longer aprons having no shade due to limited tree coverage.

PrivacyThere is little to no privacy between campsites or from the access road. The limited shade and lack of barriers between sites contribute to an open, less secluded atmosphere.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended SitesSites with longer parking aprons have less shade, making them less ideal in summer.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers limited recreational opportunities, emphasizing scenery viewing and picnicking. Activities such as hiking are not officially provided on-site, but the creek across the road adds some exploratory options.

Wildlife viewingAccording to user reviews, wildlife sightings (birds, marmots, and small lizards) are minimal. The campground offers a quiet and remote environment that some visitors find conducive to enjoying the natural surroundings.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential fire hazards due to extreme restrictions. Be bear aware and follow safety protocols to keep bears wild.

Active Alerts"Extreme" and "Critical" fire use restrictions are in effect. Bring cold food and avoid campfires.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyExtreme restrictions on fire use; no campfires or portable cooking systems/stoves allowed during certain conditions.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are null

Emergency ServicesHighway dept, fire and ambulance dept come by twice a day. Motorcycle sheriff patrols the area.

Trash & RecyclingPack-in, pack-out policy is enforced. There are no designated trash or recycling facilities; users are expected to carry out all waste.

Water FeaturesIt is located across from Big Rock Creek, which is accessible for hiking.

Camp Hostnull

Weather at Sycamore Flat Campground

Reviews

4.5

54 reviews

Recommended

Sycamore Flat Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground receives mixed reviews, with positive feedback highlighting the quiet, remote nature of the site, proximity to the creek, and affordability. However, concerns about maintenance, litter, and limited amenities are repeatedly expressed.

Review Summaries

Based on 54 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors appreciate the natural desert landscape, nearby creek for exploration, and affordability, as the site requires only an Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year). Many reviewers noted the peace and...

Based on 54 reviews

Common Concerns

Common concerns include lack of maintenance, littering by other campers, no potable water, and limited shade at many sites. Some reviewers found the bathrooms to be basic, and noise from the...

Based on 54 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring plenty of water, as there is no potable water on-site. Ensure a California Campfire Permit during fire season if using a camp stove. Pack out all trash to maintain the site's cleanliness....

Based on 54 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer visits were noted to have better shade coverage in certain spots. During fire season, restrictions like no campfires or portable stoves can limit cooking options. Winter conditions may make it...

Based on 54 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Sycamore Flat campground is an awesome place for anyone near the Antelope Valley..." - ordinaryevery day prepper. "Fire rings are well thought out, but trees do overhang some sites, so watch those...

Based on 54 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No detailed site-by-site reviews are available; however, visitors mention that shade availability varies by site. Sites with longer parking aprons generally have less shade due to limited tree...

Based on 54 reviews