Mt. Pinos Campground
Mount Pinos or in the Native American Chumash language, "Iwihinmu," was considered to be the center of the world, the point where everything was in balance. At 7,800 feet, the campground, bursting with views of mountains and valleys, is an ideal base for several biking and hiking trails. The dark and clear night skies make this a picture-perfect stargazing setting.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
19 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 02 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 03 | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 04 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 07 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 08 | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 09 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Back-in | 21 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This seasonal campground is open daily, May through November. There are 19 single campsites that include picnic tables and fire rings. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings. RVs over 22 ft. and trailers are not recommended. There are two vault toilets. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water (drinking water) or electricity onsite. There is also no dump station.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Reservations need to be made 8 or more days in advance. |
| Fees | Single sites with one vehicle included is $30.00 per night. Additional vehicle charge is $10.00 per night per extra vehicle. Interagency Senior and Acess Passes provide pass holders with 50% off of camping fees - not valid for day use or extra vehicle parking fee. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take I-5 north to Frazier Mountain Park Road exit. Go west on Frazier Mountain Park Road for 7 miles to the intersection of Lockwood Valley Rd. Keep right and proceed on Cuddy Valley Road. Continue 5 miles to the "Y" in the road and veer left. Proceed 7 more miles past the first snow and second snow gate past McGill Campground.
| Coordinates | 34.8137° N, 119.1022° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Ojai Valley Surplus ↗ | 26.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 34.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Mt Pinos Campground Tour & Info Los Padres National Forest
Worth a stop
Hiking trails, biking, fishing and swimming are all within 30 minutes of the campground. Restaurants, gas and shopping are within 15 miles at Pine Mountain Club or 19 miles in Frazier Park. Lake of the Woods and Frazier Park are about 10 miles to the east. Lockwood Valley and Cuddy Valley are located at the base of Mt. Pinos.
- 1.4 miChula Vista Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 2.7 miEast Tumamait Trailhead - 21W03 ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miMcGill3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miExploration Trail ↗0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miTumamait ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 3.1 miPleito Creek OHV #1113.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 3.5 miSalt Creek OHV #1124.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.7 miCherry Creek OHV #1132.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.4 miChula Vista Trailhead ↗Los Padres National Forest
- 2.7 miEast Tumamait Trailhead - 21W03 ↗Los Padres 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
Chumash Wilderness begins about 2.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 2.3 miChumash Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 37,793 acres
- 6 miSespe Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 219,209 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
Natural features
Along with views of the Lockwood Valley and Frazier Mountain, Mt. Pinos Campground is best appreciated by camping enthusiasts who prefer being nestled within the shaded enclave of Jeffery pines that dominate the scenery.
Recreation
Ride your bicycle to the top of Mount Pinos or hike the Mount Pinos Trail, McGill exploration trail, or enjoy the views of the valleys below from your campsite. Mount Pinos is considered to be one of the best star gazing locations in California due to its dark skies, extremely low light pollution and frequently clear skies. It is a favorite place for amateur astronomers. On a clear day, you can see the entire San Joaquin Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges.
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 Mt. Pinos Campground?
Sites at Mt. Pinos Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Mt. Pinos Campground?
Single sites with one vehicle included is $30.00 per night. Additional vehicle charge is $10.00 per night per extra vehicle. Interagency Senior and Acess Passes provide pass holders with 50% off of camping fees - not valid for day use or extra vehicle parking fee.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Mt. Pinos Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Mt. Pinos Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Mt. Pinos Campground have?
19 sites, including 19 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Mt. Pinos Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 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 there showers or a dump station at Mt. Pinos Campground?
There is also no dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Mt. Pinos Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mt. Pinos Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mt. Pinos Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Mt. Pinos Campground?
Ride your bicycle to the top of Mount Pinos or hike the Mount Pinos Trail, McGill exploration trail, or enjoy the views of the valleys below from your campsite. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Mt. Pinos Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mcgill Campground And Group Campground (0.3 mi), Campo Alto Campground (5.9 mi), and Chuchupate Campground (6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby