How much does camping cost at Middle Lion Campground?

Camping fees at Middle Lion Campground range from $30-$32/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Middle Lion Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Middle Lion Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Middle Lion Campground before I book?

Yes! Middle Lion Campground has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Middle Lion Campground?

Middle Lion Campground is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Middle Lion Campground?

Middle Lion Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Middle Lion Campground have?

Middle Lion Campground has 8 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Middle Lion Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Middle Lion Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Middle Lion Campground?

Middle Lion Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Middle Lion Campground?

Popular activities at Middle Lion Campground include Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Middle Lion Campground

3.94

83 reviews

Top 13%Fall

C-Report Card

Quick Facts

3,250 ft

Price

$30 - $32/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on CampOne Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

3,250 ft

Price

$30 - $32/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on CampOne Official Website

Get Directions

Middle Lion Campground

$30.00 - $32.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $30.00 (+$2.00 weekend) (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

805 434 1996customerservice@pmcparks.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Middle Lion Campground

34.5494, -119.1662

Nearby places

Ojai (15 miles south along Highway 33)

Weather at Middle Lion Campground

Best Time to Camp at Middle Lion Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the most comfortable weather and the campground's best scenery — daytime highs typically run in the 60s–70s°F with crisp nights in the mid 30s–50s°F — making long hikes and creekside evenings most enjoyable. Cottonwoods along the creek put on golden color, wildlife is active as temperatures cool, and trail conditions are usually stable after the summer heat, so hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing are at their peak. Crowds are generally lower than summer (aside from holiday weekends Peak months: October, November, April, May Avoid: August, September

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 13% in US

Fall called the best season with comfortable temps and excellent scenery.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Middle Lion Campground

Middle Lion Campground sits in the Los Padres National Forest foothills near Ojai, where a creek runs through a small cluster of sites managed by CampOne. The setting draws hikers and bikers seeking a nature-rich base camp, with cottonwoods lining the water and trails branching into the surrounding hills. Reviewers praise the creek and peaceful atmosphere but note the rough access road and basic facilities.

Middle Lion Campground accommodates tent campers and small RVs (up to 20 feet). The sites are primitive, offering a basic, natural camping experience. No group sites, glamping, or cabin accommodations are available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the most comfortable weather and the campground's best scenery — daytime highs typically run in the 60s–70s°F with crisp nights in the mid 30s–50s°F — making long hikes and creekside evenings most enjoyable. Cottonwoods along the creek put on golden color, wildlife is active as temperatures cool, and trail conditions are usually stable after the summer heat, so hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing are at their peak. Crowds are generally lower than summer (aside from holiday weekends Peak months: October, November, April, May Avoid: August, September

Elevation3250 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a canyon at 3,250 feet, where chaparral-covered slopes rise on all sides and cottonwoods line the creek banks. The stream runs through the center of the camp, providing the main draw for swimming and creek access. In spring, wildflowers cover the hillsides. Fall brings golden cottonwood leaves and active wildlife as temperatures cool. The Sespe Wilderness and trails to Rose Valley Falls and the Piedra Blanca formations start nearby.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 nights during a visit.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online at Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityNo information explicitly provided about accessibility features.

Site SizeSites are small, with limited flat areas for pitching tents. Some sites are noted to be uneven or located on inclines.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site. Sites 1 and 2 are the most private, while others, especially in the middle, are closer together and lack privacy.

Total Campsites8 campsites

Recommended SitesSite #2 is particularly private with creek access and shade. Site #3 also has direct creek access but can be sloped. Site #4 is described as poorly designed and located in the middle of a dirt road.

Best CampsitesSites 1 and 2 offer the most privacy. Site 3 also gets mentions for creek access and shade. Reviewers suggest avoiding the middle sites, particularly site 4, which are closer together and lack privacy.

Need help booking Middle Lion Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

There is no drinking water at this site, so bring your own water. There is a vault toilet in the campground.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Middle Lion Campground offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The Lion Canyon Trail starts directly from the campground, leading to spectacular views and wilderness areas. A nearby creek provides opportunities for wading and exploring. A variety of other trails, such as the Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail and Rose Valley Falls Trail, are within a short driving distance. Seasonal activities, like snow play in winter, are accessible in higher elevations nearby.

Biking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Middle Lion Campground

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From Booking Sources

3.9

83 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Middle Lion Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground has a mixed reputation, with an average sentiment of 3.81 out of 5 for its overall camping experience. Visitors frequently praise its quiet, remote location, scenic surroundings, and creek access. However, concerns about rough road conditions, campsite size, and lack of water or cell service are commonly mentioned.

Review Summaries

Based on 83 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 83 reviews.

Site #2Loved
Site #2 and #3 are most praised for privacy and creek access, while site #4 is criticized for being located in the middle of a road.
Site #7Issues noted
Site #7 is noted for its lack of flat areas.

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include the beautiful creek running through the campground, proximity to hiking trails, peaceful atmosphere, and nature-rich environment. 'The creek is amazing,' wrote one reviewer,...

Based on 83 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include the roughness of the road leading to the site, lack of potable water, uneven campsites, and maintenance issues with the vault toilet. Some reviewers also reported...

Based on 83 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring plenty of drinking water and plan for no cell service. Firewood should be acquired beforehand, as none is available on-site. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended due to rough road...

Based on 83 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are the most recommended seasons due to milder weather and vibrant natural surroundings. Winter camping is possible but can be extremely cold, with some reviewers noting frozen water...

Based on 83 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The creek that runs right by the site is beautiful.' - Amy KCkid 2. 'The road was very bad though getting there. You need a high-clearance car.' - R. Joshua Adams 3. 'Bring your own water..(and...

Based on 83 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews addressing accessibility for disabilities.

Based on 83 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but no specific reviews address pet-related experiences.

Based on 83 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Middle Lion Campground

$30.00 - $32.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $30.00 (+$2.00 weekend) (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

805 434 1996customerservice@pmcparks.com

Go if

You want a quiet, nature-focused base camp near Ojai and can handle a bumpy drive and vault toilets.

Skip if

You need drinking water on-site, spacious site separation, or well-maintained restroom facilities.

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Campgrounds

Middle Lion Campground

C-

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 8% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 60 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A-.Things to do
Grade B+.Scenery
Grade B.Crowds & noise

Watch-outs

Grade F.Getting there
Grade F.Safety
Grade F.Campsites

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how California grades overall