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A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service group campground

Coulter Group Campground

Forest Service group campground in Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County, California. About 5,200 feet. 10.8 miles from Sierra Madre.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Angeles National Forest
Elevation
About 5,200 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
1 1 group standard area non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Los Angeles County

Overview

Nestled within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Coulter Group Campground offers a secluded forest setting ideal for family reunions, youth groups, scout troops, and other organized gatherings. Located within the Chilao Recreation Area at approximately 5,200 feet in elevation, the campground provides a peaceful mountain retreat with convenient access to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, scenic drives, and other recreational opportunities. The campground accommodates groups of up to 50 people and offers a private camping experience while remaining just minutes from the Chilao Visitor Center and Angeles Crest Scenic Byway. A potable water spigot (Woodford hydrant) is available within the campground, providing a convenient source of drinking water throughout the stay.

Recreation

Coulter Group Campground serves as an excellent base camp for exploring the many recreational opportunities found throughout the Chilao Recreation Area. The nearby Silver Moccasin Trail is open to hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking and connects with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, offering opportunities for day hikes or extended backcountry adventures. Additional Forest Service roads and trails throughout the area provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, bird watching, photography, trail running, scenic driving, and exploring the diverse landscapes of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Facilities

Coulter Group Campground features a single reservable group campsite accommodating up to 50 people. The site includes four group picnic tables, a large group campfire ring with benches, cooking grills, a vault toilet, and parking for passenger vehicles and RVs up to 40 feet in length. A potable water spigot (Woodford hydrant) is available within the campground. While drinking water is provided, larger groups are encouraged to bring additional water containers for convenience.

Natural Features

Coulter Group Campground is surrounded by a mixed conifer forest of Jeffrey pine, Coulter pine, incense cedar, and native chaparral. Fragrant pines provide some shade during the summer months, while the campground's elevation offers cooler temperatures than the surrounding valleys. The surrounding forest provides habitat for mule deer, gray squirrels, bobcats, coyotes, Steller's jays, acorn woodpeckers, hawks, and many other wildlife species. During spring and early summer, native wildflowers brighten the forest floor, while autumn brings crisp mountain air and seasonal color.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, the scenic Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2), and several nearby hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and picnic areas. The Chilao Visitor Center, located approximately 1.5 miles east of the campground, is open on weekends and offers exhibits, maps, visitor information, and interpretive programs by advance request.

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

The land around Coulter Group Campground

The ringed pin is this group 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 July 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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