Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
China Camp Campground
Los Padres National Forest, California
About this campground
The campground offers 10 campsites, with campsites 1 - 5 open year-round and campsites 6 - 10 open only in the summer season.
Pleasantly nestled under a large canopy of pine trees, China Camp is a campground where peace and quiet is commonplace.
China Camp offers trails along the hillside and a trailhead which begins in the campground.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 36.295539° N
- Longitude
- 121.567508° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Showers
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Picnic table
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
For vehicles
- Sanitary dump
- Pull-through sites
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Camping
- BikingMountain Biking
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- No potable waterThe official facility record directs campers to carry water
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Dump station
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
10 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 20 ft
- Check-in
- 3:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Site availability
- The official inventory marks these campsites as first come, first served rather than reservable live inventory.
- Holiday-weekend minimum
- 3 nights
- Weekend minimum
- 2 nights
- Reservation cutoff
- 8 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 6 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 1 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 3:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Food storage
- China Camp Campground's official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Los Padres National Forest.
- Fire and stove use
- China Camp Campground's official facility record states: Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings, however, always check local fire restrictions prior to your arrival.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
No live campsite inventory is published. Sites use an arrival-based, first-come procedure; dates selected in Kampilo are for trip planning only.
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-come, First-served SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Apr 30, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $20 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Apr 30, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $20 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 1, 2027 – Sep 30, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Apr 30, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $20 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 1, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- In order to contact our offices, please use the email: customerservice@pmcparks.com or view our website: CampOne.Com for answers to frequently asked questions.
- Camping fee includes 1 vehicle and 1 tent, trailer or RV.
- $10 fee for each extra vehicle.
- No drinking water is available.
- Pets are allowed.
- No public showers in the region.
- Quiet hours are 10 p.m. - 8 a.m.
- Fireworks are prohibited at all times.
- The nearest stores and gas are 22 miles to Carmel Valley or 40 miles to Greenfield.
- Absolutely no cell service can be found in the campground but a connection can be made in either Carmel Valley or Greenfield.
- Don't ride alone. Tell someone where you plan to go and then stick to your plans.
- Don't take unnecessary chances - help for emergencies is miles away.
- Bring your gnat/mosquito repellent in Spring/Summer/Fall.
- Don't Move Firewood : Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov .
Getting there & contact
Official directions
Latitude: 36.29554 Longitude: -121.567507 The road eventually turns into dirt, please drive slow and carefully. From Highway 101 North, take exit for Arroyo Seco Rd before the city of Greenfield. Continue down the road for 16.2 miles to the junction of Arroyo Seco Road and Carmel Valley Road then follow to the right. Take Carmel Valley Road 17.2 miles to the junction with Tassajara Road and turn left. Continue for 11 miles until you see the entrance to China Camp on the right-hand side. From Highway 101 South, take exit for Arroyo Seco road then make your first, immediate left onto Elm Ave. Continue down Elm Ave for 6 miles then take a left at the "T" onto Arroyo Seco road. Follow the road for 6.5 miles to the junction of Carmel Valley road, then bear right. Take Carmel Valley for 17 miles to the junction of Tassajara road, take a left and continue 11 miles until you see the entrance to China Camp on the right-hand side.
Facility contact
805 434 1996