Monte Cristo Campground
Monte Cristo Campground is a small, developed campground located off the Angeles Forest Highway (County Road N3) in the Angeles National Forest and is part of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Positioned at about 3,600 feet elevation, it’s one of the closer forest camping options to the Los Angeles area, offering scenic mountain and high-desert views. The campground includes 19 first-come, first-serve campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs up to approximately 30 feet, with a few larger double sites available.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · tent only in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
15 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 02 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 03 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 05 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 06 | Partial | No / – | 16 / – | Yes |
| 08 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 09 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 10 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 12 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 13 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | 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.
12 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
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Monte Cristo Campground recently underwent a complete renovation. All campsites in the campground were totally revamped during the renovation. There are now 19 individual camp sites with sites #6 and #7 as double sites. |
Monte Cristo campground offers developed campground facilities including 17 individual campsites,2 double sites, picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, piped potable water and RV access up to ~ 30'. Cell phone coverage is generally poor or nonexistent. Fire restrictions may be in effect depending on conditions, so it’s suggested to check current Forest Service alerts before arrival.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year-round |
| Forest | Angeles National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations not accepted. |
| Fees | Monte Cristo Campground recently underwent a complete renovation. All campsites in the campground were totally revamped during the renovation. There are now 19 individual camp sites with sites #6 and #7 as double sites. |
| Rules | Fees are due within 30 minutes upon occupying the camp site. Occupancy is on a first come, first served basis. Campsites must be occupied the first 24 hours. Reserving or holding of campsites is not allowed. 8 people, 2 vehicles maximum per campsite. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm - 6:00 am. Check out/Change of day time is 11:00 am. Pets must be confined or on a leash. See current fire restrictions. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 34.3413° N, 118.1095° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Monte Cristo Campground is open year-round, with a nightly fee of $20 and a check out time of 11 am.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
45 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 ↗ | 14.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | El Monte RV ↗ | 23.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 34.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Angeles Forest - Monte Cristo Campground Review
Worth a stop
Hidden Springs Picnic Area & Switzer Picnic Area – Short drives offer scenic streamside areas, hike options, and seasonal swimming spots. Chilao Campground & Visitor Center – A larger developed campground with trail networks and interpretive displays, about 18 miles away. Angeles Forest Highway Scenic Route – Great for scenic driving, photography, and exploring adjacent trailheads.
- 2.4 miHidden Springs Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 2.8 miStrawberry Colby Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 3.7 miPct Pony Park Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 3.8 mi
- 10.8 miFisherman's Point Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 1 miMonte Cristo Trail2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.2 miFall Creek Trail3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3 miAlder Creek ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miBarley Flat Trail3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.6 miColby Canyon ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.7 miStrawberry Peak ↗6.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.8 miStrawberry Colby 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
- 6.4 miSan Gabriel Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 35,738 acres
- 8.5 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
Monte Cristo lies in the backside foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and transitions between high desert and mountain ecosystems. The area includes sycamore trees and a mixed woodland/shrub habitat, with a creek that seasonally flows through the campground. It has expansive mountain vistas and rugged ridges characteristic of the San Gabriel range. It has a high-desert climate with warmer and drier conditions than the higher elevation forest sites. There are also wildlife viewing opportunities typical of the region.
Recreation
Monte Cristo is positioned for a variety of outdoor activities like hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing. The campground can serve as a base for nearby hikes including routes toward Granite Mountain, Rabbit Peak, Round Top, and Iron Mountain along forest roads and fire roads. Forest roads and local trails give hikers access to ridge climbs and panoramic overlooks of the San Gabriel front range. The Angeles Forest Highway itself is a scenic route with multiple pullouts, overlooks, and access points for exploring the forest by vehicle. Nearby destinations like Hidden Springs Picnic Area and Switzer Picnic Area are popular for day hikes and water features.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Monte Cristo Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Monte Cristo Campground?
Monte Cristo Campground recently underwent a complete renovation. All campsites in the campground were totally revamped during the renovation. There are now 19 individual camp sites with sites #6 and #7 as double sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Monte Cristo Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Monte Cristo Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year-round.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Monte Cristo Campground have?
20 sites, including 19 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Monte Cristo Campground?
Monte Cristo Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Monte Cristo Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Monte Cristo Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Monte Cristo Campground?
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. Fees are due within 30 minutes upon occupying the camp site.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Monte Cristo Campground?
Monte Cristo is positioned for a variety of outdoor activities like hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Monte Cristo Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lightning Point Group Campground (4.7 mi), Mt. Pacifico Campground (5.2 mi, first-come), and Messenger Flats Campground (5.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby