Bear Campground
Open — Open year-round, 24 hours daily. 4x4 high-clearance vehicle highly recommended. Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required in addition to camping fee.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Mt. Baldy Trail Closure
Due to inclement weather, snow, and ice, Mt. Baldy area trails are temporarily closed to the public. The closure is effective April 10, 2026, at 8 pm, through April 20th, 2026. See map and details of the closure below.
Fire Danger Level Downgraded to "Moderate"
Effective January 23, 2025, the Angeles National Forest fire danger level and associated restrictions are moving to MODERATE. Visitors to the forest, including recreational cabin owners and concessionaires, are advised of the following updates: All stoves and campfires require a valid California…
Eaton Fire Area Closure
In effort to protect the public and to facilitate natural recovery of the resources affected by the Eaton Fire, this closure extends the Eaton Fire Area Closure through December 31, 2027.The following roads and trails remain closed:RoadsMount Wilson Toll Road (below Mt Wilson Trail) Mount Wilson…
Forest Order No. 05-01-25-13, Camping Equipment Prohibition
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. This Order is effective from August 15, 2025, through August 1, 2027.Possessing personal…
Office & Visitor Center Updates - Need Info or Passes?
The information below provides updates to existing information on our webpage about Angeles National Forest offices and visitor centers. Check this alert regularly. Hours and pass availability may change with limited or no notice.When one office is closed, please contact another forest…
Williamson Rock Area and Trail Closure
Hikers and equestrians along the Pacific Crest Trail may be affected by a temporary closure of the Williamson Rock area of the Angeles National Forest. This closure (Forest Order No. 05-01-24-04), in effect through December 31, 2026, is for the protection of natural resources, specifically the…
Planning to Camp? (Stay Limits/Dispersed Camping Restrictions) til Dec. 15, 2026
The following is prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument from Dec. 16, 2022, through Dec. 15, 2026: 1. Camping outside of a Forest Service developed campground for > 7 consecutive days in a calendar year. 2. Camping outside of a Forest Service…
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 11 at 12:28AM PDT until April 13 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
* WHAT...Wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to 6 inches above 6000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Eastern San Gabriel Mountains, Interstate 5 Corridor, and Western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor. * WHEN...From 3 AM Sunday to 11 AM PDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will be around 7000 feet through Sunday morning, then lowering to 6000 feet Sunday afternoon and 4500 to 5000 feet late Sunday night into Monday morning. No accumulating snow is expected on the Grapevine over Interstate 5 but there could be a mix of rain and snow there Monday morning.
About
Bear Campground sits in a remote location on Sawmill Mountain within Angeles National Forest's Los Angeles Gateway District. This extremely primitive campground offers 7 individual campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Recent upgrades funded by the Great American Outdoors Act have enhanced the campground with new fire rings, bear-proof storage lockers, information boards, improved parking delineation, and drainage features. The campground is situated in an area with very little to no shade and sees light usage overall, though it becomes particularly popular during hunting season. The location is accessible via Sawmill Mountain-Liebre Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 7N23), and a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended due to the primitive road conditions. The campground is open to OHV road riding, adding to its appeal for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Visitors must practice pack-in, pack-out principles as there are no toilets or trash facilities on-site. No potable water is available, so campers must bring sufficient water for all needs including cooking, cleaning, drinking, and extinguishing campfires. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on leash at all times. An Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required in addition to the overnight camping fee.
Directions
From Interstate 5 in Castaic, turn northeast on Lake Hughes Road and drive 27 miles to the town of Lake Hughes. Turn left on Pine Canyon Road and drive to Sawmill Mountain (northwest) on Sawmill Mountain-Liebre Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 7N23) and drive about 10 miles to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $12 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (818) 899-1900 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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