Bandido Group Campground

Overview

Located along Santa Clara Divide Road in the Angeles National Forest, Bandido Group Campground sits among fragrant Jeffrey pines in the upper montane zone of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. At approximately 5,840 feet in elevation, the campground offers a cool mountain reprieve with convenient access to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and scenic drives. Designed primarily for organized and equestrian groups, Bandido provides a peaceful base camp for exploring the surrounding mountains while remaining within easy driving distance of the Los Angeles Basin. Water is not available at the campground; visitors must bring enough water for drinking, extinguishing campfires, cooking, cleaning, and caring for livestock for the duration of their stay.

Recreation

Bandido serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains. Nearby trails and Forest Service roads provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, trail running, wildlife viewing, nature photography, and scenic driving. The nearby Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail offers access to one of the nation's premier long-distance trails, while the Angeles Crest Highway provides convenient access to numerous trailheads, scenic overlooks, and other recreational opportunities. Because water is not available at the campground, visitors should plan accordingly and bring sufficient water for riders and horses.

Facilities

Bandido Group Campground offers five reservable campsites designed to accommodate organized groups and equestrian users. Each campsite includes picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, food storage lockers, and horse corrals. There are no utility hookups, showers, or water available within the campground. Visitors are responsible for bringing all water needed for drinking, cooking, extinguishing campfires, cleaning, and caring for livestock during their stay.

Natural Features

Bandido Group Campground is surrounded by a mixed conifer forest of Jeffrey pine, Coulter pine, and incense cedar with chaparral-covered slopes characteristic of the San Gabriel Mountains. The area's higher elevation provides cooler temperatures than nearby valleys, making it a comfortable escape during the warmer months. Wildlife commonly seen in the area includes mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, gray squirrels, Steller's jays, acorn woodpeckers, hawks, and a variety of other mountain birds. Spring and early summer bring colorful displays of native wildflowers, while autumn offers crisp mountain air and seasonal color.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, the scenic Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2), and several nearby hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and picnic areas. The Chilao Visitor Center, located just west of the campground along the Angeles Crest Highway, is open on weekends and offers exhibits, maps, visitor information, and interpretive programs by advance request.

Charges & Cancellations

Booking Window

For most locations, you can reserve 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. 

Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees

Camping: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Late Cancellations

Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.

No-Shows

Camping: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. 

If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. 

Refunds

Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. 

Reservation Fee: The reservation fee is not refundable if reservation is canceled within 14 days of arrival.  

Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.

Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.

Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

Recreation.gov Billing Information

Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." 

Changes to Policies and Procedures

Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 

From the Los Angeles Basin: Take Interstate 210 to State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) in La Cañada Flintridge. Travel north on State Route 2 for approximately 28.5 miles to Three Points. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 3N17 (Santa Clara Divide Road) and continue approximately 2 miles to the Bandido Group Campground entrance.

From the Antelope Valley: From Palmdale, take State Route 14 south to the Angeles Forest Highway exit. Travel south on the Angeles Forest Highway to Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road and turn left. Continue approximately 9 miles to State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) and turn left toward Three Points. Travel approximately 10 miles to Forest Service Road 3N17 (Santa Clara Divide Road). Turn left and continue approximately 2 miles to the Bandido Group Campground entrance.

Use the combination you obtained when confirming your reservation to open the gate.

Visitors should use the driving directions provided in their reservation confirmation. Third-party navigation apps, including Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze, may provide inaccurate routing.