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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

Chuchupate Campground

Forest Service campground in Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County, California. 6,212 feet. 27.1 miles from Ojai.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Los Padres National Forest
Elevation
6,212 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
29 29 standard non-electric
Longest rig
26 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Ventura County

Overview

Nestled near the Tejon Pass, your escape from the city to this remote and beautiful high desert hide-away awaits. This perfectly primitive-style campground is a favorite "retreat from the heat." Conveniently located, Chuchupate Campground is just minutes from Los Angeles. Ditch the cell phone and the laptop, and leave the grind behind. Following a serpentine ascent to Chuchupate, you will take in views of the Lockwood Valley; through the pines you can glimpse Frazier Mountain and the Tehachapi Mountains.

Recreation

Hikers who want a bit of a challenge can make a day trip from Chuchupate Campground up the Frazier Mountain Trail with some panoramic views of Lockwood Valley and the high desert. The lower portion of the hike is almost entirely exposed and can be hot during the summer, but the upper half is pleasantly shaded. The Dark Sky element at Chuchupate makes it a favorite for star gazing. This campground also offers access to miles of OHV recreation.

Facilities

This seasonal campground is open daily May through November. There are 29 single and spaciously situated campsites ideal for tent camping, and RVs under 24 ft. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings. Pets are allowed. You should plan to be completely self-sustained for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water or electricity onsite. There is no dump station. This is a "dry" campground with six vault toilets. The road through the campground is narrow in places and long trailers are not advised due to obstructions and difficult angles into the campsites.

Natural Features

Chuchupate is the Chumash name for California rock parsnip or celery weed, a yellow-flowered plant that grows amidst the scrub-oak and manzanita here. During the late spring, the hillside is accented by wildflowers including Matilija poppies, Indian paintbrush and lupines. The campground is sufficiently shaded by hearty pinyon pines.

Nearby Attractions

Trails, beautiful views, biking, hiking, off-road vehicle riding all within minutes. There is a small market, deli and pizza parlor at the intersection of Lockwood Valley Road and Cuddy Valley Road. Frazier Park located nearby offers several other dining options.

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

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping

The land around Chuchupate 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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