Chuchupate Campground
Nestled near the Tejon Pass, your escape from the city to this remote and beautiful high desert hide-away awaits. This perfectly primitive-style campground is a favorite "retreat from the heat." Conveniently located, Chuchupate Campground is just minutes from Los Angeles. Ditch the cell phone and the laptop, and leave the grind behind. Following a serpentine ascent to Chuchupate, you will take in views of the Lockwood Valley; through the pines you can glimpse Frazier Mountain and the Tehachapi Mountains.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 29 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 26 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
29 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 02 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 03 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 04 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 07 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 08 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 09 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 26 | 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 | 26 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This seasonal campground is open daily May through November. There are 29 single and spaciously situated campsites ideal for tent camping, and RVs under 24 ft. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings. Pets are allowed. You should plan to be completely self-sustained for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water or electricity onsite. There is no dump station. This is a "dry" campground with six vault toilets. The road through the campground is narrow in places and long trailers are not advised due to obstructions and difficult angles into the campsites.
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 days in advance. |
| Fees | $30/night for camping, $10 per extra vehicle per night. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Los Angeles: Take I-5 north past the Gorman exit to Frazier Mountain Park Road exit. Go west on Frazier Mountain Park Road for 7 miles to the intersection of Lockwood Valley Road. Turn left and proceed 3 miles to Frazier Mountain Road (FS 8N04). Proceed 3 miles past the Chuchupate Ranger Station.
| Coordinates | 34.7858° N, 119.0019° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
49 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
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Ojai Valley Surplus ↗ | 26.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 35.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Tour & Info Chuchupate Campground Los Padres National Forest Frazier Park
Worth a stop
Trails, beautiful views, biking, hiking, off-road vehicle riding all within minutes. There is a small market, deli and pizza parlor at the intersection of Lockwood Valley Road and Cuddy Valley Road. Frazier Park located nearby offers several other dining options.
- 1.2 miFrazier Mountain Trailhead - 20W03 ↗Trailhead
- 7.4 miChula Vista Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.3 miYellowbar Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 14.6 miTincup Picnic Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 1.1 miWest Frazier Tie OHV #1191.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 1.2 miWest Frazier Mine OHV #118 ↗7.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 1.7 miWhata OHV #1312.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.4 miArrastra OHV #1212.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3.5 miCold Springs OHV #1163 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3.8 miTecuya Timber Sale OHV #1151.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.2 miFrazier Mountain Trailhead - 20W03 ↗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
Sespe Wilderness begins about 3.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.4 miSespe Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 219,209 acres
- 7.9 miChumash Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 37,793 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
Chuchupate is the Chumash name for California rock parsnip or celery weed, a yellow-flowered plant that grows amidst the scrub-oak and manzanita here. During the late spring, the hillside is accented by wildflowers including Matilija poppies, Indian paintbrush and lupines. The campground is sufficiently shaded by hearty pinyon pines.
Recreation
Hikers who want a bit of a challenge can make a day trip from Chuchupate Campground up the Frazier Mountain Trail with some panoramic views of Lockwood Valley and the high desert. The lower portion of the hike is almost entirely exposed and can be hot during the summer, but the upper half is pleasantly shaded. The Dark Sky element at Chuchupate makes it a favorite for star gazing. This campground also offers access to miles of OHV recreation.
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 Chuchupate Campground?
Sites at Chuchupate 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 Chuchupate Campground?
$30/night for camping, $10 per extra vehicle per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Chuchupate Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Chuchupate Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Chuchupate Campground have?
29 sites, including 29 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Chuchupate Campground?
The longest site here provides 26 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 Chuchupate Campground?
There is no dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Chuchupate Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Chuchupate Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Chuchupate 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.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Chuchupate Campground?
Hikers who want a bit of a challenge can make a day trip from Chuchupate Campground up the Frazier Mountain Trail with some panoramic views of Lockwood Valley and the high desert. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Chuchupate Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mcgill Campground And Group Campground (5.8 mi), Mt. Pinos Campground (6 mi), and Kings Campground (6.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby