This facility does not offer advance online reservation inventory for Campsite Sniper to monitor, and Campsite Sniper cannot determine real-time physical vacancy. Sites are claimed in person on arrival.
41 monitored sites: 41 first-come, first-served.
First-come, first-served — no advance reservations
About Chilao Campground - Manzanita Loop
Overview
Manzanita Loop is one of two camping loops at Chilao Campground, located northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. It is accessed via the Angeles Crest Highway, a scenic byway that winds through oak woodlands, chaparral, high desert terrain, and pine forests. Situated in the high country of the Angeles National Forest within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Manzanita Loop offers cooler mountain temperatures, panoramic views of surrounding peaks and ridges, and diverse forest habitats.
Recreation
Manzanita Loop provides convenient access to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Nearby trails include the Silver Moccasin National Recreation Trail, which connects to sections of the Pacific Crest Trail. The Angeles Crest Highway offers scenic overlooks and access to additional trailheads. Birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and stargazing are popular activities due to the campground’s elevation and reduced light pollution.
Facilities
Manzanita Loop has 41 campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring/grill. Amenities include potable water, four vault toilets, bear-proof dumpsters, large parking spurs, and one shared group fire ring. RVs up to 40 feet in length are allowed.
Natural Features
Manzanita Loop sits at an elevation of approximately 5,300 feet within the transverse range of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains. The landscape is characterized by a mix of coulter pines, manzanita shrubs, scrub oaks, and chaparral plants covering steep mountain slopes. This mid-elevation environment supports diverse wildlife, including birds, deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep, black bears, and bobcats.
The campground is located less than one mile from the San Gabriel Wilderness, a designated wilderness area encompassing over 36,000 acres within the Angeles National Forest. The wilderness preserves its natural character across extremely rugged terrain, with elevations ranging from approximately 1,600 to over 8,200 feet. Vegetation transitions from dense chaparral at lower elevations to pine- and fir-covered slopes at higher elevations; offering significant biodiversity, seasonal temperature variation, colorful wildflowers, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Nearby Attractions
The Chilao Visitor Center is located approximately 1 mile east of the campground and features interpretive exhibits, short trails, seasonal programs, and a birdwatching deck. The visitor center is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 3 pm.
Getting there
From the Los Angeles basin side of the San Gabriel Mountains: drive to La Canada via the I-210 (Foothill Freeway) to the State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) exit. Turn north towards the mountains. Stay on State Highway 2 for approximately 25 miles to Forest Service Road 3N21 (look for the Chilao Overnight Campground sign); turn left onto 3N21 and travel west for approximately 1 mile. The Manzanita Loop entrance will be on the left-hand side of 3N21.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Chilao Campground - Manzanita Loop?
Chilao Campground - Manzanita Loop operates on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. Campsite Sniper does not have real-time on-site vacancy information for this facility; visitors claim sites in person on arrival.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Which sites at Chilao Campground - Manzanita Loop fit a 35-foot RV?
38 of the 41 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 42 ft.
First-come, first-served
This facility does not offer advance online reservation inventory for Campsite Sniper to monitor, and Campsite Sniper cannot determine real-time physical vacancy. Sites are claimed in person on arrival. For arrival rules, season dates and current conditions, check the facility's page on Recreation.gov.
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