USDA Forest Service · California
Southfork Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States · in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,554 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 4
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- SOUTH FORK CG (NFSR 4N11A0) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Angeles National Forest
- Nearest town
- Paradise Springs
- Address
- CA
- Activities
- Camping, Picnicking
About
At a Glance:
4,500-foot elevation
21 sites
RV's up to 16'
No water
Vault toilets
Campsites are first-come, first-served
What to Expect
South Fork Campground on the backside of the San Gabriel Mountains is a hidden gem in the Mojave Desert. Tucked in the middle of steep canyon walls descending from Mt. Islip from the South and Vazquez Rocks in the North, this campground offers 21 spacious sites of year-round tranquility. Each site comes with a fire-ring and grill to huddle around and cook those family campfire meals. Additionally, each site comes with a picnic bench should your group decide a game of cards is in order.
After an evening around the fire, the South Fork Campground offers hiking and horseback riding to some of the most beautiful features in the San Gabriels. Campers turned hikers can travel south along Big Rock Creek towards Islip Saddle and see seasonal waterfalls or spot a Nelson's Big Horn Ram. What's more, hikers can head east along the Manzanita Trail towards Vincent's Gap or west to the Devil's Punchbowl - one of the most geologically interesting places in Los Angeles County. Regardless of the time of the year, visitors can find a trail that suits their needs and experience level.
If hiking isn't your "thing," South Fork Campground delivers excellent snow play, fishing, and stargazing.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56° | 41° | 27° | 74° | 4 of 11 |
| February | 56° | 39° | 25° | 76° | 4 of 11 |
| March | 57° | 41° | 26° | 86° | 4 of 11 |
| April | 66° | 45° | 33° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 75° | 51° | 38° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 87° | 60° | 44° | 103° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 92° | 67° | 57° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 90° | 66° | 58° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 84° | 62° | 50° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 76° | 55° | 40° | 89° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 67° | 49° | 32° | 79° | 1 of 10 |
| December | 58° | 42° | 29° | 72° | 2 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Sycamore Flat Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Sycamore Flat Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 12 sites
- Big Rock Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Jackson Flats · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 5 sites
- Little Jimmy Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.