Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop
Little Pines Loop is one of two camping loops within Chilao Campground, located just northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. It is accessed via the Angeles Crest Highway, a scenic byway that winds through oak woodlands, chaparral, high desert terrain, and pine forests. Situated in the high country of the Angeles National Forest within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Little Pines Loop offers cooler mountain temperatures, panoramic views of surrounding peaks and ridges, and diverse forest habitats. Camping is available for a nightly fee per site.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 43 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 41 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
43 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 02 | None | No / – | 8 / 3 | Yes |
| 03 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 3 | Yes |
| 04 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 3 | Yes |
| 05 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 3 | Yes |
| 06 | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 07 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 08 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 3 | Yes |
| 09 | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
9 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 41 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Little Pines Loop has 43 campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring/grill. Amenities include potable water via multiple spigots, three vault toilets, bear-proof dumpsters, and large parking spurs. RVs up to 40 feet in length are allowed.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Angeles National Forest |
| Booking | Campsites are first-come, first-served. Reserving or holding of sites is not allowed. |
| Fees | $12 fee covers one vehicle (8 people per site) per night, $5 for extra vehicle. 50% off discounts given for Senior or Accessible America the Beautiful Pass holders. (Adventure Pass not accepted in-lieu of camping fee.) |
| Rules | See current fire restrictions. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Los Angeles, travel north on Interstate 210 and exit onto Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2). Continue for approximately 25.6 miles. Look for the Chilao Overnight Campground sign on the left, turn in, and follow posted signs to Little Pines Loop.
| Coordinates | 34.3204° N, 118.0123° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
50 mi from the campground · 200 acres · 0% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 12.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Giant RV ↗ | 26.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Chilao Campground (Little Pines/Manzanita) Located in the Angeles National Forest, CA.
Worth a stop
The Chilao Visitor Center is located approximately 1.5 miles east of the campground and features interpretive exhibits, short trails, seasonal programs, and a birdwatching deck.
- 0.5 miChilao Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 0.6 miDevil's Canyon (Hwy 2) Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.7 miCharlton Flats Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 2.3 miThree Points Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.9 miWest Fork Fishing Access Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 10.4 mi
Show all 7Hide
- 11.2 miFisherman's Point Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 0.6 miIndian Trail0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miCreekside0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miDevils Canyon2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.6 miNational Forest Hiking Trail0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miBee Tree Interpretive0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miMt. Hillyer1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miDevil's Canyon Trailhead ↗Angeles National Forest
- 2.3 miThree Points Trailhead ↗Angeles National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Angeles National Forest.
- inAngeles National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 706,719 acres
- 0.7 miSan Gabriel Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 35,738 acres
- 3.9 miPleasant View Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 26,839 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Little Pines Loop sits at an elevation of approximately 5,300 feet within the rugged San Gabriel Mountains, part of the Transverse Ranges. The landscape is characterized by a mix of coulter pines, manzanita shrubs, scrub oak, and chaparral covering steep mountain slopes. This high-elevation environment supports diverse wildlife, including birds, deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep, black bears, and bobcats. The campground is located less than one mile from the San Gabriel Wilderness, a designated wilderness area encompassing over 36,000 acres within the Angeles National Forest. The wilderness preserves its natural character across extremely rugged terrain, with elevations ranging from approximately 1,600 to over 8,200 feet. Vegetation transitions from dense chaparral at lower elevations to pine- and fir-covered slopes at higher elevations, offering significant biodiversity, seasonal temperature variation, wildflowers, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Recreation
Little Pines Loop provides convenient access to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Nearby trails include the Silver Moccasin National Recreation Trail, which connects to sections of the Pacific Crest Trail. The Angeles Crest Highway offers scenic overlooks and access to additional trailheads. Birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and stargazing are popular activities due to the campground’s elevation and minimal light pollution.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop?
Sites at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop are reservable on Recreation.gov. Campsites are first-come, first-served. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop?
$12 fee covers one vehicle (8 people per site) per night, $5 for extra vehicle. 50% off discounts given for Senior or Accessible America the Beautiful Pass holders. (Adventure Pass not accepted in-lieu of camping fee.)
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop have?
44 sites, including 43 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop?
The longest site here provides 41 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop?
Yes, pets are allowed at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. See current fire restrictions.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop?
Little Pines Loop provides convenient access to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Chilao Campground - Little Pines Loop is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Coulter Group Campground (0.4 mi), Meadow Group Campground (0.4 mi), and Horse Flats Campground (1.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby