Lightning Point Group Campground
15 mi south · USDA Forest Service
Lightning Point Campground sits at an elevation of 6,100 feet, about 25 miles southeast of Palmdale and roughly 35 miles north of the San Fernando Valley.
Outdoors
Camping near Palmdale
Campgrounds and camping areas near Palmdale on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
26campgrounds and camping areas
15 mito the closest
15within 30 miles
October–Maybest months
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Closest picks
Bandido Group Campground
17 mi south · USDA Forest Service
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.
Map of all 26 places
Map of 26 places loads as you scroll.
Within 30 miles (15)
Lightning Point Group Campground
Lightning Point Campground sits at an elevation of 6,100 feet, about 25 miles southeast of Palmdale and roughly 35 miles north of the San Fernando Valley.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Bandido Group Campground
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.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Coulter Group Campground
Nestled within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Coulter Group Campground offers a secluded forest setting ideal for family reunions, youth groups, scout troops, and other organized gatherings.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
Meadow Group Campground
Meadow Group Campground is located off State Highway 2 between the Manzanita Loop of the Chilao Campground and the Chilao Ranger Station, 26 miles north of the 210 Freeway in La Canada, California.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Sycamore Flat Campground
Sycamore Flat Campground is a small, developed campground located in the Big Rock Creek Recreation Area of the Angeles National Forest.
- Birding
- Camping
- Photography
- Scenic Drive
- Water Access
Southfork Campground
At a Glance: 4,500-foot elevation 21 sites RV's up to 16' No water Vault toilets Campsites are first-come, first-served What to Expect South Fork Campground on the backside of the San Gabriel Mountains is a hidden gem in the Mojave Desert.
- Camping
- Picnicking
Deer Group Camp
Deer Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake is open, however, campsites are no longer available for reservation on Recreation.gov. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Jackson Flats
Jackson Flats is a group camping facility located next to beautiful Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, which holds numerous nature programs, hikes and activities on Saturdays during the summer.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
Coldbrook Campground
Coldbrook Campground offers 22 shaded campsites* at the intersection of Coldbrook and Soldier Creeks that are open year round.
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
Mountain Oak
Escape to Mountain Oak Campground in the Angeles National Forest for a restful, refreshing getaway from city life.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
Lake Campground
Lake Campground offers an excellent escape from the city, just a short drive northeast of the Los Angeles metro area.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
Peavine Campground
Just northwest of the Los Angeles metro area, Peavine provides a scenic and relaxing destination for camping, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
30 to 75 miles (11)
El Mirage OHV Area
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Jawbone Canyon OHV Area
The Jawbone Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area provides a wide variety of riding opportunities including cross country play, trail riding, and advanced technical hill climbing opportunities.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
Prado Dam
This San Bernardino County Parks managed area is an oasis within one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California. Riverside County and the City of Corona also provide recreation facilities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Juniper Flats
Juniper Flats covers 101,272 acres of mixed public and private lands. Located between the Mojave Desert and the forests of the San Bernardino Mountains, Juniper Flats hosts a unique mixture of plants from both environments.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
Dove Springs OHV Area
From cross-country play in the sandy bowl to steep hill climbs, the Dove Springs OHV area offers over 5,000 acres of open-use public land for you to enjoy.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Bright Star Wilderness
Bright Star Canyon encloses Kelso Creek and leaves Sequoia National Forest to cross the southern portion of the Bureau of Land Management's Bright Star Wilderness.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Black Mountain Wilderness
Black Mountain stands at 3,941 feet, a mesa rising above an expanse of desolate, ancient lava flows. The mountain lies in the northwest corner of the Wilderness, and from the summit, the area drops in elevation to 2,080 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wilderness
Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness
The Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 33,610 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Golden Valley Wilderness
The Lava Mountains span the northwestern portion of Golden Valley Wilderness, cresting to almost 5,000 feet on Dome Mountain.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Palmdale. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Palmdale
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Top 10 Fun Things to do in Palmdale
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Palmdale, California.
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More outdoors near Palmdale
Questions
Where is the closest place for camping near Palmdale?
Lightning Point Group Campground (USDA Forest Service), about 15 miles south of Palmdale as the crow flies. Next are Bandido Group Campground (17 mi) and Streamside Campground (18 mi).
When is the best time for camping near Palmdale?
Based on Palmdale’s average highs, October–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Can I reserve a campsite near Palmdale?
11 of the 26 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.