Chuchupate Campground

Chuchupate Campground

About this campsite

Overview

Nestled near the Tejon Pass, your escape from the city to this remote and beautiful high desert hide-away awaits. This perfectly primitive-style campground is a favorite "retreat from the heat." Conveniently located, Chuchupate Campground is just minutes from Los Angeles. Ditch the cell phone and the laptop, and leave the grind behind. Following a serpentine ascent to Chuchupate, you will take in views of the Lockwood Valley; through the pines you can glimpse Frazier Mountain and the Tehachapi Mountains.

Recreation

Hikers who want a bit of a challenge can make a day trip from Chuchupate Campground up the Frazier Mountain Trail with some panoramic views of Lockwood Valley and the high desert. The lower portion of the hike is almost entirely exposed and can be hot during the summer, but the upper half is pleasantly shaded. The Dark Sky element at Chuchupate makes it a favorite for star gazing. This campground also offers access to miles of OHV recreation.

Facilities

This seasonal campground is open daily May through November. There are 29 single and spaciously situated campsites ideal for tent camping, and RVs under 24 ft. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings. Pets are allowed. You should plan to be completely self-sustained for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water or electricity onsite. There is no dump station. This is a "dry" campground with six vault toilets. The road through the campground is narrow in places and long trailers are not advised due to obstructions and difficult angles into the campsites.

Natural Features

Chuchupate is the Chumash name for California rock parsnip or celery weed, a yellow-flowered plant that grows amidst the scrub-oak and manzanita here. During the late spring, the hillside is accented by wildflowers including Matilija poppies, Indian paintbrush and lupines. The campground is sufficiently shaded by hearty pinyon pines.

Nearby Attractions

Trails, beautiful views, biking, hiking, off-road vehicle riding all within minutes. There is a small market, deli and pizza parlor at the intersection of Lockwood Valley Road and Cuddy Valley Road. Frazier Park located nearby offers several other dining options.

Location

CHUCHUPATE CAMPGROUND•CA

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

FRI🌤️

26° / 15°

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SAT☁️

24° / 15°

💧 1%

SUN☀️

25° / 14°

💧 1%

TODAY☀️

25° / 12°

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TUE☀️

26° / 12°

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Nearby Campsites

within 50km

9.4 km away

MCGILL CAMPGROUND AND GROUP CAMPGROUND

Overview Escape from the city to the remote and beautiful McGill Campground. The campground, bursting with views of mountains and valleys, is an ideal base for several biking and hiking trails. A dense stand of Jeffrey pine and ponderosa pine shade the campground and each campsite is nicely spaced. Recreation Explore the area along the accessible Exploration Trail, Mount Pinos Trail and McGill Campground Trail. McGill is for hiking and biking and meanders along 3.7 miles of scenery. Facilities McGill has two group campsites, each having a central barbeque and gathering area. Group Camp 1 has parking for 13 vehicles, Group Camp 2 has parking for 10 vehicles. There are 73 individual campsites. Each individual campsite offers a picnic table and campfire ring. Natural Features McGill Campground sits in a mixed tall pine forest in the Pinos Mountains, at an altitude of 7,300 feet, just over an hour's drive from the campground. It is quiet and serene landscape with terrific views of the valleys below. Nearby Attractions Head out on the Jacinto Reyes National Scenic Byway, which travels past breathtaking cliffs, rock formations and lush riparian areas.

9.6 km away

Sunset Campground

Campground: Sunset Campground.

9.7 km away

MT. PINOS CAMPGROUND

Overview Mount Pinos or in the Native American Chumash language, "Iwihinmu," was considered to be the center of the world, the point where everything was in balance. At 7,800 feet, the campground, bursting with views of mountains and valleys, is an ideal base for several biking and hiking trails. The dark and clear night skies make this a picture-perfect stargazing setting. Recreation Ride your bicycle to the top of Mount Pinos or hike the Mount Pinos Trail, McGill exploration trail, or enjoy the views of the valleys below from your campsite. Mount Pinos is considered to be one of the best star gazing locations in California due to its dark skies, extremely low light pollution and frequently clear skies. It is a favorite place for amateur astronomers. On a clear day, you can see the entire San Joaquin Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. Facilities This seasonal campground is open daily, May through November. There are 19 single campsites that include picnic tables and fire rings. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings. RVs over 22 ft. and trailers are not recommended. There are two vault toilets. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water (drinking water) or electricity onsite. There is also no dump station. Natural Features Along with views of the Lockwood Valley and Frazier Mountain, Mt. Pinos Campground is best appreciated by camping enthusiasts who prefer being nestled within the shaded enclave of Jeffery pines that dominate the scenery. Nearby Attractions Hiking trails, biking, fishing and swimming are all within 30 minutes of the campground. Restaurants, gas and shopping are within 15 miles at Pine Mountain Club or 19 miles in Frazier Park. Lake of the Woods and Frazier Park are about 10 miles to the east. Lockwood Valley and Cuddy Valley are located at the base of Mt. Pinos.