Coulter Group Campground

Overview

Nestled within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Coulter Group Campground offers a secluded forest setting ideal for family reunions, youth groups, scout troops, and other organized gatherings. Located within the Chilao Recreation Area at approximately 5,200 feet in elevation, the campground provides a peaceful mountain retreat with convenient access to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, scenic drives, and other recreational opportunities. The campground accommodates groups of up to 50 people and offers a private camping experience while remaining just minutes from the Chilao Visitor Center and Angeles Crest Scenic Byway. A potable water spigot (Woodford hydrant) is available within the campground, providing a convenient source of drinking water throughout the stay.

Recreation

Coulter Group Campground serves as an excellent base camp for exploring the many recreational opportunities found throughout the Chilao Recreation Area. The nearby Silver Moccasin Trail is open to hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking and connects with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, offering opportunities for day hikes or extended backcountry adventures. Additional Forest Service roads and trails throughout the area provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, bird watching, photography, trail running, scenic driving, and exploring the diverse landscapes of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Facilities

Coulter Group Campground features a single reservable group campsite accommodating up to 50 people. The site includes four group picnic tables, a large group campfire ring with benches, cooking grills, a vault toilet, and parking for passenger vehicles and RVs up to 40 feet in length. A potable water spigot (Woodford hydrant) is available within the campground. While drinking water is provided, larger groups are encouraged to bring additional water containers for convenience.

Natural Features

Coulter Group Campground is surrounded by a mixed conifer forest of Jeffrey pine, Coulter pine, incense cedar, and native chaparral. Fragrant pines provide some shade during the summer months, while the campground's elevation offers cooler temperatures than the surrounding valleys. The surrounding forest provides habitat for mule deer, gray squirrels, bobcats, coyotes, Steller's jays, acorn woodpeckers, hawks, and many other wildlife species. During spring and early summer, native wildflowers brighten the forest floor, while autumn brings 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 approximately 1.5 miles east of the campground, 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 26 miles to the Lower Chilao Road (look for the Chilao Overnight campground sign). Turn left onto Lower Chilao Road and continue 0.1 mile to the "Y" intersection. Bear left into the Little Pines Loop. Proceed to Campsite 18 and turn right onto the gated road marked by a white gate leading to Coulter Group Campground.

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 Chilao. Travel approximately 7 miles to the Lower Chilao Road (look for the Chilao Overnight campground sign). Turn left onto Lower Chilao Road and continue 0.1 mile to the "Y" intersection. Bear left into the Little Pines Loop. Proceed to Campsite 18 and turn right onto the gated road marked by a white gate leading to Coulter Group Campground.

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.