Campo Alto Campground, Maricopa, CA

Campo Alto Campground is located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 27 min south of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 8,269 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $30.00 to $150.00. Activities include biking.

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34.83118, -119.20637
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(805) 434-1996 (Information)
(877) 444-6777 (Reservations)
$30 - $150

Campsite Reviews (35)

4.5 out of 5

5 star		63%
4 star		29%
3 star		6%
2 star		0%
1 star		3%

@CynthiaC501694 · Camped on Sep 27, 2024 at Campsite #7

This is a great spot close to LA. It was a gorgeous area and I loved the site. Few things we learned from personal experience and from others: -Apparently, after Sept, you will see guys with rifles walking through the camp because of hunting, so be aware! -We went end of Sept and the bugs were borderline maddening. We then learned from someone else that the summer is AWFUL with the bugs. -On that note, the bathrooms were standard vault toilets but because of the bugs, the bathrooms were filled with these little flies. I would be peeing and having flies flying up to me from the hole, it was horrific. So, that super sucked. -All the sites were very well spaced out! Even those semi close to each other were still pretty far apart. -Very high elevationI think overall, I would most def come back, it was pretty serene but seems I will only be coming back in September specifically.

@MicheleF520251 · Camped on Aug 30, 2024 at Campsite #2

Had a really great time camping up here for Labor Day weekend! Nice campground with well spaced campsites and some great nature to enjoy. No firewood for purchase on site, but lots of downed logs/branches you can collect.

@ValeanP9CCB016 · Camped on Aug 23, 2024 at Campsite #GS2

It was a great and beautiful experience. Temps did drop to about 40 but next time will be more prepared. But overall very clean and enjoyed how our group 2 campsite was nestled all the way in the back.

@RobertoF713C8A · Camped on Jul 26, 2024 at Campsite #1

Hidden Gem, this place definitely did not disappoint. Each camp ground spot is a perfect size and a perfect distance from each other so you have enough privacy per site. High in elevation so very rarely hot there and even if so there are trees for shade on basically all the spots. Only downside I did not like was the 1 tent per spot rule when each spot could easily fit 3 large tents or even more.

@HectorR4BDE938 · Camped on May 24, 2024 at Campsite #GS2

Plan on camping after Memorial Day, it was waay to cold due to the altitude of the mountain , there is no water around it so bring plenty of water, Beautiful views , our trip was Memorial Day weekend 2024.

@TerrenceF751F7 · Camped on Oct 20, 2023 at Campsite #10

Campo Alto is a wonderful spacious high elevation campground in the northwest Los Padres National Forest.

@MeaganBDA5A4D1 · Camped on Jul 28, 2023 at Campsite #10

Spacious campsites and spread out from other sites. Good walking around in campsite and down to the old ski lodge. Friendly people and locals. There was a LOT of small flies, maybe due to the site closer to the bathrooms, but flies went away after dusk.

@BryanS1499558 · Camped on Jun 3, 2023 at Campsite #8

Wonderful getaway, from the hectic pace of the city. There is no water here, so prepare ahead. This location has little to no cell phone connectivity. Our family stayed in site number 8 and enjoyed the Juniper Pine trees and the plentiful ladybugs. The sites seem to provide adequate distance from eat other, with a large area for the kids to play.

@JaimeA1945615 · Camped on Oct 28, 2022 at Campsite #8

Great campsite! Great place to disconnect and really be present to enjoy nature and see a part of California rarely seen. Dry camping so bring power bank or generator if needed ,and no running water. No internet or phone service so keep that in mind and not over crowded.

@MatthewT486519 · Camped on Oct 14, 2022 at Campsite #14

Nice and spacious. Peaceful, not a lot of bugs in October. No trash or running water though.

@MandyG8784565 · Camped on Aug 26, 2022 at Campsite #3

I loved this campground! A note for rvs and trailers - site 3 is NOT accessible for rvs and trailers. Since the site parameters have been set, the national forest service has put in posts to block off the parking from the campsites. The posts block sites 1-4. You could park an rv or trailer on the road, parallel to the camp sites, but I wouldn't recommend #3 because the table and the fire pit are far off the road. We ended up taking site #5 which is, at this point, fcfs only and is so beautiful. Additionally, the road between sites 8 and 9 is baaaaaaad. We hated driving the trailer over that section when we had to figure out how to turn around. There are easy turn around spots at sites 9/10 and around the group camp parking, but the road goes from bad to worse as you go down the hill towards the group sites. The forest is beautiful and easy to walk around from all the sites. Off behind sites 1-5, 7, 11, 15, and 17, there is a beautiful view. I think site 17 probably has the best view from the site, but the whole ridge is impressive. Overall the campground is quiet, peaceful, beautiful, and cooler than LA or the SJV. We had an amazing weekend. Last but not least, we had no cell service (ATT) and it took longer to get to this campground than google or apple maps estimated. The road is windy, visibility is limited around turns, and drop offs are significant. The drive from I5 took at least 30 mins longer than we predicted.

@RobertS9225788 · Camped on Aug 26, 2021 at Campsite #GS2

I didn't know this campground existed. Sunsets a perfect here and the group sites are very nice. Just make sure you have made plans to haul your trash out. Camp host came by the check the toilets daily. I will be back.

@RobertS664 · Camped on Aug 26, 2021 at Campsite #GS2

@SherryF477 · Camped on Aug 12, 2021 at Campsite #13

Our group luvs Campo Alto. Even better now that they installed New Vault Toilets in Group area, and midway down the sites. Fred Rye is an awesome camp host. U can tell he cares about the campground and those enjoying it. It is so peaceful. Very quiet this trip. U never know, but non of us wanted to leave back to triple digit Temps. Sunsets never disappoint and just luv the upgrades to the two group sites. Very nice. Now just trim some of the branches hanging over the road for the bigger rigs and fill the pot holes on the only road in and out. But not complaining. Just a suggestion. Won't keep a lot of us from returning. Thank you for the upgrades. And thank you for an excellent camp host..Fred! Sherry Foley :)

@SherryF7363052 · Camped on Aug 12, 2021 at Campsite #13

@MichaelL540355 · Camped on Jul 25, 2021 at Campsite #11

Great help from campground attendant....friendly FS staff.....beautiful and quiet space.....will be back

@MICHAELL497 · Camped on Jul 25, 2021 at Campsite #11

Great help from campground attendant....friendly FS staff.....beautiful and quiet space.....will be back

@CoryR545 · Camped on Jul 23, 2021 at Campsite #6

The drive up/down can be intense if other people are driving at the same time. The roads are very narrow. That being said, it's not a highly populated area so you probably won't have that issue. The temperatures, even in summer, were perfectly fine. Most camp sites have quite a bid of shade. Make sure you have a canopy of some type for shade during summer months, the temperatures are fine but the sun bearing directly down on you gets warm. The sites vary quite a bit. Some are close to each other, some are pretty far. If I were to go again, I'd probably try to grab site 16 or 17 based on shade, views, and isolation. The pit toilets have quite a few flies in them. Be prepared for that. The sites are gorgeous and the campground is very silent. The downside of that is... If your group is loud? Literally everyone can hear you. Very popular spot for bikes/motorcycles, we saw quite a few while we were there. Very dog friendly other than the old, dead pine needles off the paths. Bring shoes for your dog if you intend to go explore. Saw plenty of woodpeckers, squirrels, butterflies. Flies were semi common, saw a couple of bees/hornets but they were very rare. Overall, I'd go again. I'm not sure what type of group this campsite is ideal for seeing as there aren't many hiking trails, no water for activities. If you aren't biking/riding, and if your group isn't looking for quiet and serene, go elsewhere. This isn't the site to come get drunk and laugh loudly at.

@CoryR9237379 · Camped on Jul 23, 2021 at Campsite #6

@KristinB130134 · Camped on Jul 16, 2021 at Campsite #GS2

We loved our campsite! It's really beautiful up there. I did have a few last minute questions prior to our arrival, but unfortunately that the only means of communication is through email. Other than that, we loved it and plan to come back again soon.

@KRISTINB777 · Camped on Jul 16, 2021 at Campsite #GS2

@MichaelD841 · Camped on Jun 11, 2021 at Campsite #10

Great escape from LA and the heat. At over 8000', this is definitely a warm-weatger retreat. Sites are generally spread out so others don't affect your stay, but we had a couple large groups up until midnight halfway across the campground making noise. No camp host or FS ranger (except for a bathroom maintenance person) the two days we were there, so plan ahead with firewood. No cell service (Verizon) at the campground, but if necessary, can go back down the hill about 1/2 mile to get good enough reception to make a phone call or text. Definitely recommend this off-the-beaten-path campground!

@MichaelD829846 · Camped on Jun 11, 2021 at Campsite #10

@TimS7118881 · Camped on May 28, 2021 at Campsite #14

Quiet campground with huge sites. Camp host is friendly and helpful, bathrooms are kept clean. There is no garbage service, however, so keep that in mind.

@TimS689 · Camped on May 28, 2021 at Campsite #14

Quiet campground with huge sites. Camp host is friendly and helpful, bathrooms are kept clean. There is no garbage service, however, so keep that in mind.

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