Bear Campground strips camping down to the essentials: seven sites, fire rings, picnic tables, and nothing else. This is primitive camping with a capital P — no water, no toilets, no trash service, and rough enough access that you'll want 4WD to get here comfortably.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Primitive
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 7
- 💵Fee per Night
- $12
- 📋Reservations
- First-Come, First-Served
- 📍GPS
- 34.71297, -118.63145
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
The Camp
Recent improvements through Great American Outdoors Act funding have upgraded the basics without changing the character. Each of the seven sites now has a bear-proof storage locker alongside the standard picnic table and fire ring. New railings mark parking spots more clearly, and improved drainage should help during wet weather. The campground remains extremely primitive — you're on your own for water, waste disposal, and trash.
What to Know
First-come, first-served means no reservations and no guarantees, especially during peak seasons. The 4WD recommendation isn't just Angeles Forest being cautious; the access road can be genuinely challenging for low-clearance vehicles. Come prepared with everything you need, including water for drinking, cooking, and cleanup. Pack out all trash. The new bear lockers are there for a reason — use them for any scented items, not just food.
With only seven sites, Bear fills quickly on weekends. Midweek visits offer better odds of snagging a spot, plus the kind of solitude that makes primitive camping worth the extra effort.