CM Campgrounds MapFederal campground finder

BANDIDO GROUP CAMPGROUND

Pearblossom, California · USDA Forest Service

RVTentHookupsShowers
BANDIDO GROUP CAMPGROUND — official Recreation.gov photo

Photo: Recreation.gov

About

Located along Santa Clara Divide Road in the Angeles National Forest, Bandido Group Campground sits among fragrant Jeffrey pines in the upper montane zone of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. At approximately 5,840 feet in elevation, the campground offers a cool mountain reprieve with convenient access to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and scenic drives. Designed primarily for organized and equestrian groups, Bandido provides a peaceful base camp for exploring the surrounding mountains while remaining within easy driving distance of the Los Angeles Basin. Water is not available at the campground; visitors must bring enough water for drinking, extinguishing campfires, cooking, cleaning, and caring for livestock for the duration of their stay.Bandido Group Campground offers five reservable campsites designed to accommodate organized groups and equestrian users. Each campsite includes picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, food storage lockers, and horse corrals. There are no utility hookups, showers, or water available within the campground. Visitors are responsible for bringing all water needed for drinking, cooking, extinguishing campfires, cleaning, and caring for livestock during their stay.Bandido Group Campground is surrounded by a mixed conifer forest of Jeffrey pine, Coulter pine, and incense cedar with chaparral-covered slopes characteristic of the San Gabriel Mountains. The area's higher elevation provides cooler temperatures than nearby valleys, making it a comfortable escape during the warmer months. Wildlife commonly seen in the area includes mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, gray squirrels, Steller's jays, acorn woodpeckers, hawks, and a variety of other mountain birds. Spring and early summer bring colorful displays of native wildflowers, while autumn offers crisp mountain air and seasonal color.Nearby attractions include the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, the scenic Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2), and several nearby hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and picnic areas. The Chilao Visitor Center, located just west of the campground along the Angeles Crest Highway, is open on weekends and offers exhibits, maps, visitor information, and interpretive programs by advance request.Bandido serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains. Nearby trails and Forest Service roads provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, trail running, wildlife viewing, nature

Directions

From the Los Angeles Basin : Take Interstate 210 to State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) in La Cañada Flintridge. Travel north on State Route 2 for approximately 28.5 miles to Three Points. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 3N17 (Santa Clara Divide Road) and continue approximately 2 miles to the Bandido Group Campground entrance. From the Antelope Valley : From Palmdale, take State Route 14 south to the Angeles Forest Highway exit. Travel south on the Angeles Forest Highway to Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road and turn left. Continue approximately 9 miles to State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) and turn left toward Three Points. Travel approximately 10 miles to Forest Service Road 3N17 (Santa Clara Divide Road). Turn left and continue approximately 2 miles to the Bandido Group Campground entrance. Use the combination you obtained when confirming your reservation to open the gate. Visitors should use the driving directions provided in their reservation confirmation. Third-party navigation apps, including Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze, may provide inaccurate routing.

Location

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap.

Details

State
California
City / area
Pearblossom
Agency
USDA Forest Service
Parent area
Angeles National Forest
Campsites
5
Reservable
Yes
Typical price
$24–$120 / night
Rating
3.47 / 5 (15 reviews on Recreation.gov)
Equipment
Tent, RV, Trailer

Reserve on Recreation.gov

Nearby campgrounds