Messenger Flats Campground
Open year-round, first-come first-served. No reservations accepted. Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required, or $5/night camping fee. No potable water available. Campfires permitted in fire rings with valid California campfire permit when fire restrictions allow.
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.…
Fire Danger Level Elevated to "High"
Effective June 12, 2026, fire danger levels have increased to “HIGH” at the Angeles National Forest, which includes the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Visit our Newsroom Webpage to read the full press release.
About
Messenger Flats Campground sits at 5,500 feet along the Santa Clara Divide Road in the western portion of Angeles National Forest. This lightly-used campground offers 10 sites with picnic tables and fire rings, two vault toilets, and two horse corrals for equestrians. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses just outside the campground entrance, making it a convenient base camp for PCT section hikers or day hikes. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Camping requires an Adventure Pass, America the Beautiful Pass, or $5 per night fee. Day use also requires a pass or $5 per vehicle. There is no potable water at the campground, so visitors must bring all water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and extinguishing campfires. The drive in follows a scenic but winding route: from Interstate 210, take Angeles Crest Highway north for 9 miles, turn left onto Angeles Forest Highway for 12 miles to Mill Creek Summit, then left on Santa Clara Divide Road for 9 miles to the campground.
Directions
From Interstate 210 in La Canada, exit at Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) and drive north for 9 miles. Turn left onto Angeles Forest Highway (County Road N3) and drive about 12 miles to Mill Creek Summit. Turn left on Santa Clara Divide Road and continue 9 miles to the campground.
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 | $5 |
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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