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Mt. Pinos Campground in California
Hard to BookNational Forest

Mt. Pinos Campground

Los Padres National Forest, California

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As of October 2026, Mt. Pinos Campground is a campground in Los Padres National Forest, California with 15 campsites. Mt. Pinos Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Mt. Pinos Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Mt. Pinos Campground is located at 34.8137° N, 119.1022° W.
people allowed on each site
6

Mt. Pinos Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Campsites at Mt. Pinos Campground

  • Standard 15

What an RV fits

  • 20–24 ft4 sites
  • 25–29 ft7 sites
  • 30–34 ft1 site
  • 35–39 ft2 sites
  • 40–44 ft1 site

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water
  • dump station

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, photography, stargazing.

All sites at Mt. Pinos Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the Loop 1 loop.

SiteTypeSleepsMax RV
03Standard637 ft
04Standard640 ft
05Standard625 ft
06Standard628 ft
07Standard624 ft
08Standard626 ft
09Standard625 ft
11Standard625 ft
12Standard633 ft
13Standard627 ft
14Standard624 ft
15Standard636 ft
16Standard622 ft
18Standard622 ft
19Standard629 ft

About Mt. Pinos Campground

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Rules and notices at Mt. Pinos Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Mt. Pinos Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

In order to contact our offices, please use the email: customerservice@pmcparks.com or view our website: CampOne.Com for answers to frequently asked questions.

Camping fee includes 1 vehicle and 1 tent, trailer or RV site. $10 fee for each extra vehicle.

No drinking water is available.

Pets are allowed.

No public showers in the region.

Quiet hours are 10 p.m. - 8 a.m.

This facility is 'Pack it in. Pack it out.'

Fireworks are prohibited at all times.

The nearest stores and gas are 19 miles in Frazier Park.

Some cell service can be found in the campground.

Mt Pinos Campground is at 7,800 elevation. Even in the summer the nights can be cold.

The road through the campground is narrow in places and it is not recommended for trailers or vehicles over 22' in length.

Very limited parking inside the facility for extra vehicles.

Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating.

2 night minimum stay on weekends.

3 night minimum stay on holidays.

Click here for more information on Los Padres National Forest

Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Mt. Pinos Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Mt. Pinos Campground?

Mt. Pinos Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Mt. Pinos Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Mt. Pinos Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Mt. Pinos Campground have?

Mt. Pinos Campground has 15 campsites.

More campgrounds in Los Padres National Forest

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All 31 Los Padres National Forest campgrounds

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