Mcgill Campground And Group Campground

About

McGill Campground is a forested retreat in the Pinos Mountains of Los Padres National Forest, about an hour's drive from the Los Angeles area. At 7,400 feet elevation, the campground sits in a mixed conifer forest of Jeffrey pine and ponderosa pine with terrific views of the valleys below. The 73 campsites are well-spaced throughout the forest, with 54 sites available through the Recreation.gov reservation system and 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. Two group sites accommodate up to 60 and 80 people respectively. The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the Mount Pinos area. The McGill Trail offers 3.7 miles of hiking and mountain biking, while the Mount Pinos Trail leads to the 8,831-foot summit. The accessible Exploration Trail provides options for visitors with mobility limitations. Nearby, the Jacinto Reyes National Scenic Byway features breathtaking cliffs, rock formations, and riparian areas. Be prepared for high-elevation camping conditions. No potable water is available, so campers must bring an adequate supply. Cold nights are common even in summer. Bear-resistant food storage and snake awareness are recommended. The campground is operated by Parks Management Company under permit from the Forest Service.

Directions

From Los Angeles: Take I-5 north past the Gorman exit to Frazier Mountain Park Road exit. Go west on Frazier Mountain Park Road for 7 miles to the intersection of Lockwood Valley Rd. Keep right and proceed on Cuddy Valley Road. Continue 5 miles to the Y in the road and veer left. Proceed 5 more miles past the first snow gate to the second snow gate. McGill Campground entrance is on the right side of the road.