Open

Open seasonally, typically late spring through fall depending on snow conditions. 54 sites are reservable through Recreation.gov; 18 sites are first-come, first-served. Reservations operate on a 6-month rolling basis.

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

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.…

Turkey Flats Road Access Closure

Public access to Turkey Flats and nearby trails will temporarily be unavailable as active construction and repairs are underway along Black Mountain Road (29S10). The closure begins from Navajo Road (29S02.1), to the intersection at "Five-Points", and continues onto Black Mountain Road.Construction…

San Carpoforo Beach Prohibition of Overnight Camping and Campfires

Prohibits overnight camping and building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire on San Carpoforo Beach, which includes all National Forest lands west of Highway 1 to the mean high tide line of the Pacific Ocean in Section 16, Township 25 South, Range 6…

Gifford Fire Closure Order

Gifford Fire Closure Order 05-07-53-26-04 supersedes Order 05-07-53-25-21 executed on April 7, 2026.

Occupancy and Use Forest Order

Camping stay limits within Los Padres National Forest.

Santa Barbara Front Country Fire Use Restrictions

Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the Fire Use Restriction Area which is the front country of Santa Barbara. Reference the description of the area and the attached map for details.Over the past…

Sespe Condor Sanctuary Closure

The Los Padres National Forest will prohibit entry by the public to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary to support ongoing Condor recovery efforts. This special closure order supports the overall survivorship and sustained population increase of the California Condor species.

Special Closure - SBRD Storm Damage Recovery

Closure of developed recreation sites, roads, and trails in the Santa Barbara Ranger District impacted by storm damage and some roads restricted to non-motorized use.

Monterey Ranger District Storm Damage Closure

Due to recent storm damage, recreating in the following areas on Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest is prohibited:Rocky Creek Trail (NFS 4E04)Reliz Canyon Road (NFS road 19S08.2)Additionally, using a motorized vehicle on the following National Forest System roads is…

Roadside Camping Prohibited: Nacimiento-Fergusson Road

For public safety, camping is not allowed within 300 feet of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (Forest Road No. 22S01), from its intersection with State Highway 1 then east for 12 miles. See attached map for details. This Order is effective from September 6, 2025, through September 5, 2027.

Special Closure - SLRD Lake Fire Post-Burn Public Safety

Closure of developed recreation sites and roads on the Santa Lucia Ranger District impacted by the Lake fire.

Dry Canyon Area, Roads and Trails, and Wilderness Closure

Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Dry Canyon Area, Roads, Trails and Wilderness Closure

Road Use Restriction - Sycamore Cyn Rd to Pfeiffer Beach

Prohibits being on Sycamore Canyon Road (Forest Road No. 19S05), except within a motor vehicle from its intersection with State Highway 1 then continuing west for approximately two and a half miles to its terminus at Pfeiffer Beach Day Use Area, as shown on the attached map.

West Cuesta Fire Use Restrictions

Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the West Cuesta Fire Use Restriction Area. Reference the description of the area and attached map for details. NOTE: Persons with a valid CA Campfire Permit may…

About

Perched at 7,300 feet in the Pinos Mountains of Los Padres National Forest, McGill Campground offers a forested escape just over an hour's drive from Los Angeles. The campground features 73 sites nestled among Jeffrey and ponderosa pines, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. Two group sites accommodate larger parties of 60 to 80 people. The campground provides vault toilets but no potable water, so campers must bring their own supply. There are no showers, hookups, or dump stations. Cell service is limited throughout most of the campground. Bears are present in the area, so proper food storage is essential. McGill Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding trails. The McGill Trail offers 3.7 miles of hiking and biking, while the nearby Mount Pinos Trail and Exploration Trail provide additional options for outdoor recreation. The elevation provides relief from summer heat and delivers impressive views of the valleys below.

Directions

From I-5, take the Frazier Park exit onto Frazier Mountain Park Road and head west approximately 6 miles. Continue onto Mount Pinos Highway; the campground is approximately 5 miles up on the north side.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $30 - $32

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (661) 245-3731

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile Yes

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