Lake Campground
Pretty, peaceful and just over an hour away from LA -- Lake Campground might just be the paw-fect spot for your Fido-friendly Angeles National Forest getaway! Facilities at Lake Campground a little primitive. You won’t find any showers, electricity, or RV hookups.
The campground’s fabulous location might go some way towards making up for the lack of creature comforts, though! Lake Campground is just a bone’s throw away from Jackson Lake and surrounded by tall, mature oak trees. And at an elevation of over 6,000 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains, you and your pooch should have no trouble keeping cool even in the height of summer! The US Forest Service has designated Lake as a heavy-usage campground, so it’s best to make your reservation early. There's no entrance fee to the area, and sites start at $23.
You and your buddy won’t have to go too far to find something to do! Avid birders might just get the most out of a stay here -- the area around Jackson Lake is one of the last habitats of the California condor, and vireos and flycatchers abound. Fishing enthusiasts and their fur-balls might be glad to know that the lake is well stocked with plenty of rainbow trout and a small population of bluegill. Two-legged family members are free to take a dip, but your doggo will need to stay on dry land.
If your pup likes to hike, you’re in luck! Fitter furry friends looking for a challenge might enjoy the Jackson Lake Trail, a challenging five-mile stretch which leads up to the Pacific Crest Trail. Cultured canines that can make the trek might also enjoy crossing the PCT and heading for two more miles on the Vincent Cabin Trail to the historic structure of the same name. Be sure to bring plenty of water with you!
Wifi isn’t available at Lake Campground, and cellular coverage ranges from spotty to non-existent. If you need to stay in constant contact, this isn’t the campground for you. Fires are permitted, but only in designated rings, and regulations can change with the weather. Remember to bring waste bags for your four-pawed pal, and have a furrific vacation!
