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4.5(179 reviews)

Monte Cristo Campground

Angeles Forest Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550, United States

Plain-text version · Los Angeles (plain text)

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About This Campsite

Monte Cristo Campground

Monte Cristo Campground is a picturesque site nestled in the Los Angeles Forest, offering an ideal escape from the busy city life. Despite lacking an official address or known city designation, it serves as a convenient getaway just a short drive from Los Angeles.

Key Features

  • No official address or city title recorded.
  • Convenient access from Los Angeles, approximately 25 minutes by car.
  • A small creek meanders through the campsite. While it can run low, during springtime it adds a calming presence and can even provide some relief from the heat.
  • The campground boasts 19 campsites, providing access to basic amenities like vault toilets and trash bins.
  • Parking options accommodate up to four vehicles at certain sites, with a $12 parking fee and an extra $5 for additional vehicles.

Tips for a Comfortable Stay

  • Arrive early during weekends, as the campground can get crowded given its proximity to the city.
  • Be prepared for some vehicle noise during the day due to its location near a road.
  • If looking for quieter sites, it’s advised to choose those on the east side, towards the south end of the camp.
  • No cell service is available in the area (noted for T-Mobile users), allowing for a true retreat from digital distractions.
  • Safety considerations: The area is known as bear and cougar territory; campers should take appropriate precautions.
  • Pack necessary supplies, as the nearest town is about 25 minutes away.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, Monte Cristo Campground offers a commendable mix of ease of access and natural charm. The sound of the creek, the generous shade provided by trees, and the distant proximity to urban life make it a comfortable choice for campers. However, campers should be informed of the potential for noise and safety concerns, and plan accordingly. For those seeking a quick nature respite from Los Angeles, this campground, with its rustic charm, may just be what you’re looking for.

Photos

Photos provided by Google

Reviews

Reviews provided by Google

Marisela Vega

09/06/2024

We stumbled upon this campsite during a spontaneous trip after discovering that the road to Crystal Lake was closed due to a fire. Heading into the Los Angeles Forest, we found this site at the perfect moment. Only two spots were available, and we were lucky to snag one with plenty of trees and shade—unlike the other spot that lacked cover. We stayed at group site 6A/6B, which had ample parking for up to four vehicles and flat ground for several tents. The site also featured a convenient water spigot and a nearby outhouse. A small creek runs through the campsite, but the water level was low during our visit. Parking costs $12, with an additional $5 fee for extra cars, and the ranger makes rounds in the morning to check for payments. The site is close to the road, so you'll hear cars and motorcycles during the day, which some may find disruptive. To drown out the noise, many campers played music at their sites. At night, traffic noise lessens but is still noticeable. Overall, it was a great experience for a spontaneous trip, and we’ll definitely be returning!

Jeffrey Cobb

05/06/2024

Can be crowded or full sometimes especially during the weekend. Most likely because it's the closest campground if you're coming from the Los Angeles area. Currently piped running water isn't working. Creek runs right down the middle in the spring so you have access to "water" of some sort. Bathrooms are usually okay. I've never had a problem with neighbors in nearby spurs. Your results may vary.

Andrew “Drew” Duzan

07/17/2023

My bf and I stayed here for 3 days. It has water and bathrooms (vaulted toilets) but don't expect to have cell service...(we have TMobile) There's a creek that runs through the campsite which offers some reprieve from the heat, also it's very clean water. We saw some snakes, it's also bear and cougar county...so...we went in late May of 2023, only a few other ppl were there. I believe the site has 19 spots. It's about 25 min from town, which is nice if you need supplies. I really liked this campground, although, there aren't any trails within the site. It's one of those where u camp, and then drive somewhere nearby to explore for the day.

Matthew Henderson

10/13/2020

On the pro side: it is probably the closest campground you can get to from the city of Los Angeles (maybe 25-minute drive). I was there in October when the creek was completely dry (which was a con) but it runs right through the middle of the camp and I’m sure in Spring it has a lovely sound. It has the standard vault (no water) toilets and trash bins. There is a decent amount of shade. On the con side: most of the campsites are among the smallest I’ve seen. Some of the sites would not have enough room for more than a small tent. If the campground were entirely full, depending on the site you get, your neighbors might be 20-feet away. Given there are 19 campsites, even one obnoxious or loud group could ruin it for the entire camp. It’s that small. Also too, the entire campground is about 20 feet immediately beneath the main road and vehicle noise is very prominent. I would recommend trying to get a site that is on the east side of the camp, and more towards the south end. It can be a nice quick getaway, but it’s not tranquil, quiet, or secluded.

Danny

06/25/2024

Enjoyed this site for years, not anymore. We (the entire campground) had all of our things stolen and looted by a crack head who had a huge knife (that she also stole from other campers) , the night prior we had a family with a whole litter of kids that were up until 3 a.m running around and screaming and they were SOOOOO unnecessarily loud all night , last night there was some punks with dirt bikes that were going absolutely wild on them at 5-6 a.m all around the campground. They seriously need an attendant, absolutely ridiculous.