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A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service campground

China Camp Campground

Forest Service campground in Los Padres National Forest, Monterey County, California. 4,301 feet. 16.1 miles from Gonzales.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Los Padres National Forest
Elevation
4,301 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
10 10 standard non-electric
Longest rig
20 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Monterey County

Overview

Pleasantly nestled under a large canopy of pine trees, China Camp is a campground where peace and quiet is commonplace. The spacious campsites allow you to set up camp with more than enough space between you and your neighbors. As you drive into the campground you are overtaken by the sweet smell of pine and the natural beauty surrounding the campground.

Recreation

China Camp offers trails along the hillside and a trailhead which begins in the campground. The Pine Ridge trailhead begins across from the campground bulletin board. This 23-mile trail offers stunning views of the Santa Lucia mountain range which are covered in towering oaks trees.

Facilities

The campground offers 10 campsites, with campsites 1 - 5 open year-round and campsites 6 - 10 open only in the summer season. The campground is suitable for tent and car camping, but is not recommended for RVs over 20 feet. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings, however, always check local fire restrictions prior to your arrival. Two vault toilets are located near the campground bulletin board. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water (drinking water) onsite. There is no dump station.

Natural Features

China Camp is surrounded by oak and pine trees, providing ample shade for visitors. Bobcats, coyotes and black tailed deer roam the rolling, lush hills. Red tailed hawks and turkey vultures can be seen soaring above the trees, so bring along some binoculars and make sure to keep an eye out. The melody of chirping of birds during the day time complimented by the sounds of crickets at night provide the textbook balance of unspoiled nature.

Nearby Attractions

Hiking and biking trails are within 10 - 15 minutes from the campground. Backpacking and mountain biking the trails nearby is a popular activity in the area.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • hiking
  • wildlife viewing

The land around China Camp Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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