Recreation area

McGill Group Campground

California — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Escape from the city to the rustic and beautiful McGill Campground. The campground, bursting with views of mountains and valleys, is an ideal base for several biking and hiking trails. A dense stand of Jeffrey pine and ponderosa shade the campground and each site is nicely spaced. A perk of camping at McGill is the chance to see hummingbirds. They happen to love the area. McGill Group Sites Campground sits in a mixed conifer forest in the Pinos Mountains, at an altitude of 7,500 feet. Campground temperatures are typically 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the Los Angeles Basin, just over an hour's drive from the campground. The area is in the northeastern part of Los Padres National Forest, which boasts 1,257 miles of maintained trails. Much of the forest is primitive and has 10 congressionally designated wilderness areas. The McGill Campground is near the Chumash Wilderness area that offers beautiful trails for hiking. There are two group campsites. Group Campsite #1 is $120 per night for up to 80 people and 10 vehicles. Group Campsite #2 is $100 per night up to 60 people and 10 vehicles.  No drinking water or electric hookups are available. Campsites have picnic tables and grills, and vault toilets are onsite. All group sites at McGill Group Sites Campground can accommodate 10 cars. Campground is mangaged by the Parks Management Company for the Forest Service. www.campone.com.

Getting there

From I-5, take Frazier Park exit (Frazier Mountain Park Road), go west approximately 6 miles. The road name changes to Cuddy Valley Road. Continue on it up Mt. Pinos. The road name changes to Mt. Pinos Highway. McGill Campground is approximately 5 miles further on the north side of road.

Activities

  • HIKING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more California camping

McGill Group Campground doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby California campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.