McGill Campground

view from Mt. Pinos, Los Padres National Forest,  California
view from Mt. Pinos, Los Padres National Forest,  California

McGill Campground

Los Padres National Forest


McGill Campground

McGill Campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet in western Los Padres National Forest. The campground is within Kern County, bordering on Ventura County. From various points along trails near the campground visitors enjoy wonderful views of the San Joaquin Valley and the distant Sierra Nevada. Five miles farther up the road is the summit of 8,831-foot Mount Pinos.

McGill Campground features 78 family campsites. in a mixed conifer forest. The campsites can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. All the family campsites are first-come, first-served. McGill Campground also has 2 group campsites. One site can accommodate up to 80 people and 10 vehicles while the other site holds up to 60 people and 10 vehicles. Additional vehicles are each $10 per night. Group sites are available from late May through most of September.

There is no water at the campground.

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McGill Campground Basics
McGill Campground Location: 18 miles west of Interstate 5 (just south of Lebec) via Frazier Mountain Park Rd., Cuddy Valley Rd., and then Mt. Pinos Rd.
Elevation: 7,440 feet
Mileage and driving time from gateway city: Los Angeles - 86 miles, 1 hour and 40 minutes
Number of Sites: 78
Camping Season: Open mid-May through October
Max. People per Site: 6 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 1 vehicle and $10 per night for one additional vehicle
Pets: on leash, always attended
Operated by Parks Management Company for Los Padres National Forest
Mt. Pinos Ranger District Office: (661) 245-3731

Reservations for McGill Campground
Reservations: Reservations for family campsites are available up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
Reservations required for group sites (available up to 12 months in advance).
Maximum RV/trailer Length: 35 feet
Not all campsites can accommodate large trailers or RVs. Check the reservation website carefully to be sure your vehicles will fit.
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: None designated
Fees: $30 per night for family campsites
Group sites: $150 per night
all sites $2 more on weekends and holidays
Reservations: McGill Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, Check-out 12:00 PM

McGill Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring with grill; no hook-ups
Campground: Vault toilets, no drinking water
Showers: No
Dump station: No
Campground Map: McGill Campground Map
Attractions near McGill Campground: Set out mountain biking or hiking on local trails. Hike along the accessible Exploration Trail, Mount Pinos Trail, and McGill Campground Trail. Watch for hummingbirds in the area. Discover the Jacinto Reyes National Scenic Byway, which travels past breathtaking cliffs, rock formations and lush riparian areas.



General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.




McGill Campground, Los Padres National Forest, CA

McGill Campground

Kern and Ventura County Attractions

Visitors to Kern County and eastern Ventura County find many interesting places to investigate, including destinations in Los Padres National Forest. Campers at McGill Campground enjoy nearby scenic views of the San Joaquin Valley and the distant Sierra Nevada.

  • Keep at watch out for birds of prey on Mt. Pinos. The mountain is known for its populations of owls, Goshawks, and California Condors.
  • Hike 2 miles to the summit of Mt. Pinos from a parking area at the end of Forest Road S349S.
  • Bring binoculars and telescopes to McGill Campground on Mt. Pinos and take advantage of the low light pollution for star-gazing.
  • Make the 6-mile hike up from the Frazier Mountain Trailhead to the summit of the peak.
  • Visit nearby Fort Tejon State Historic Park along Interstate 5.
  • Head out 4-wheeling at Hungry Valley SVRA
  • Drive to Pyramid Lake for boating and fishing.
  • Explore Butte Creek National Wildlife Refuge.
  • In Bakersfield tour the Kern County Museum and the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History.

Key McGill Campground Regulations

  1. Obtain firewood locally to avoid the spread of harmful pests.
  2. Campfires are only permitted in provided fire rings.
  3. Quiet Hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM.

    Check Los Padres National Forest - McGill Campground for any campground updates.