Cienaga Campground

Closed — Permanently closed since 2002 after a flood destroyed the access road. The area is no longer maintained as a campground and does not function as a usable camping area.

About

Cienaga Campground is a former Angeles National Forest campground located in the remote Fish Canyon area of the Sierra Pelona Mountains. The campground permanently closed after a devastating 2002 flood washed out Forest Road 6N32, the only vehicle access to the site. What was once a developed campground with facilities has been reclaimed by nature over the past two decades. Today, the overgrown site is reached only by hiking approximately 3 miles up Fish Canyon from the Templin Highway trailhead, following what remains of the old access road. While a few of the original campsites are still identifiable, the bathrooms have been destroyed and the area has become heavily vegetated. The site does not function as a usable campground or even a trail camp for backpackers heading deeper into Fish Canyon. The area sits in a rugged, arid canyon at approximately 2,400 feet elevation. Hikers continuing past the former campground can access the scenic Fish Canyon Narrows or venture further into the Angeles backcountry toward Atmore Meadows. While the campground itself is closed, the surrounding area remains popular with backpackers and day hikers exploring this remote corner of the Angeles National Forest.

Directions

Drive 27 miles south of Alpine on US Highway 191 past Hannagan Meadow Resort to a sign that points the way to KP Cienega. Turn east (left) onto the access road and drive 1.3 miles to the campground.

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