USDA Forest Service · California
Campo Alto Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 19
- Hookups
- 19 no hookups
- Season
- May 1 to October 31
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 8,307 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CAMP ALTO CG (NFSR 9N07) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Los Padres National Forest
- Nearest town
- Stauffer
- Phone
- 805-434-1996
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Ranger Station
About
Overview
Tucked away high atop the Cerro Noroeste, you'll find solitude, serenity and unsurpassed scenery as you lose yourself in a pleasant grove of Jeffrey pines at Campo Alto Campground. Campsites are spacious, the air is filled with a pine-sweet scent, and you will enjoy end-of-the-road privacy. Invigorated by the fresh air, your inner hiker will hunger to head out on the Vincent Tumameit Trailhead to enjoy the scenic mountain vistas. Do your best to leave this natural setting just as you found it. The campsites have no barriers to block your view, so most modest sized RVs, and all tent campers fit well here.
Recreation
Campo Alto Campground is best appreciated by pristine camping enthusiasts who prefer to leave the hurried life behind. Hiking into the Chumash Wilderness by day, and star gazing by night are the chosen methods of decompressing.
Facilities
This seasonal campground is open daily, May - November. There are 15 single campsites that include picnic tables and fire rings, and two group campsites. Two toilets are located near the campsites. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water or electricity onsite. There is no dump station. Please bring garbage bags as this facility is "Pack it in. Pack it out."
Natural Features
Located at 8,250 f.t, the campground is shaded by a thick blanket of Jeffrey pine. Great views of the the Carrizo Plain to the north, Cuyama Valley, Quatal and Apache Canyons to the west, as well as views of the San Joaquin valley to the east and Lockwood Valley and Sespe ranges to the south, are also some prevalent attributes of this little piece of heaven.
Nearby Attractions
Hiking trails, biking, fishing and swimming are accessed within 30 minutes. Restaurants, gas and shopping within 15 miles at Pine Mountain Club or 25 miles in Frazier Park.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43° | 27° | 18° | 62° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 42° | 25° | 9° | 63° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 44° | 26° | 7° | 71° | 9 of 11 |
| April | 52° | 30° | 19° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 61° | 38° | 25° | 74° | 6 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 47° | 28° | 85° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 56° | 44° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 54° | 44° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 69° | 49° | 36° | 77° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 62° | 40° | 24° | 75° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 32° | 19° | 65° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 45° | 28° | 15° | 58° | 9 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
- Toad Springs · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Caballo Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Marian · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Chula Vista · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Dome Springs Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 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.