Coldbrook Campground is a small 20-site campground on Coldbrook Creek, which feeds into the North Fork of San Gabriel River. From Azusa, it is an 18-mile, roughly half hour drive up Route 39 to the campground in Angeles National Forest in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
At Coldbrook Campground, all sites are first-come first-serve for $12 per night (price as of 2018). Sites can accommodate up to eight people and two vehicles. The campground is open year round. Fire rings, charcoal grills, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water are provided. Dogs are allowed on leashes in the campground (and off leash inside tents).
Coldbrook Campground is nestled in a mixed riparian woodland at 3,300 feet. At this elevation, expect cooler nights than the valley below. The charming campground is rarely full, and ample nearby hiking makes this a great get-away weekend destination. The trailhead for the 7-mile round trip hike to the summit of Smith Mountain is just 1/3 of a mile away and the popular Bridge to Nowhere hike is a short drive away.
To get to the campground: From the 210 freeway in Azusa, take exit 40 and drive 18.4 miles north on Route 39 to the campground. You will pass the East Fork Ranger Station at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Continue past San Gabriel Reservoir and go straight through an intersection with East Fork Road (the turnoff you would take to reach the Bridge to Nowhere hike). From the intersection, it is another 6.7 miles to Coldbrook Campground, on the left.
Campground address: San Gabriel Canyon Road, Angeles National Forest, Azusa, CA 91702
Campground coordinates: 34.290304, -117.840604 (34° 17′ 25.09″N 117° 50′ 26.17″W)
Use the map below to view the campground and get directions:
 | Smith Mountain This 7-mile hike ascends 1,800 feet to a 5,111 foot summit with panoramic views over the San Gabriel Mountains. |
 | Crystal Lake This 1 1/3-mile round trip hike visits the only naturally occurring lake in the San Gabriel Mountains. |
 | Bridge to Nowhere This adventurous 10-mile round trip hike reaches an abandoned and out-of-place bridge with a unique history. |
 | Heaton Flats Trail This hike of 3.6 to 6 miles (or more) starts from the same trailhead as the hike to the Bridge to Nowhere and climbs toward Iron Mountain and panoramic views. |
 | Fish Canyon Falls This 4.8-mile round trip hike leaves from an active rock quarry and progresses up a beautiful canyon to a mesmerizing multi-tiered waterfall. |
 | Mount Waterman The 5.5 to 6 miler can be completed as an out and back hike or a loop, traveling through a pine forest to a round summit. Add six miles to the hike by dropping across a saddle and climbing to the summit of Twin Peaks. |
 | More trails in the Los Angeles Explore other destinations in the Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, and elsewhere. |
 | Horse Flats Campground This 25-site campground in the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains offers first-come first-serve equestrian-friendly sites. |
 | Buckhorn Campground Buckhorn Campground is an hour drive up the Angeles Crest Highway from LA and a great weekend spot for summer tent camping. |
 | More campgrounds around LA Check out a few other places to camp in Los Angeles County. |
We got the drinking water working and repaired at Coldbrook, all of the water faucets are working and the water is awesome.
Also we are planting more and more pine saplings within the campgrounds, trying to build the area up after the Curve Fire. If you park at the Valley of the Moon parking lot just above Coldbrook you can look across the field and see hundreds of pines that have survived the first 4 and 5 years of their planting.
How crowded is this campground? If I show up on a Saturday, will it be hard to get a site? Thanks.
It’s hard to say. This campground can be pretty empty in the winter.
Yes. It gets very busy on the weekends, especially holidays.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are allowed in the campground and on nearby trails.
How many people are allowed on one campsite? Also, do you drive up to campsites or do you hike your things in?
Looking forward to a great weekend!
The campsites are drive-up, and fairly spacious for groups up to 8 campers
Website says ‘$12’ per spot, do they not accept the Adventure pass here?
Also, how recently have you been up to this site? We are planning a trip within the next month, will it be snowed in or is the elevation too low to have snow this time of year?
Hi – The adventure pass does not work toward campground fees but will be necessary to park at trailheads in the area. These photos were taken on visits to the campground in November and December of 2011. There will not be snow this time of year.
Do you need reservations in advance or none are needed?
Reservations are not accepted. The campground is first-come first-serve.
Hi there. Are there RV spots here? Would you recommend this spot vs. Crystal lake campground? Which has better hiking? Thanks!
Hi,
I don’t believe the sites at Coldbrook Campground are designed for RVs. There is no dump station. There are plenty of trails around both campgrounds. Enjoy your trip!
Thinking of heading up to Coldbrook in the next couple weeks and I have a couple questions. What’s the weather like right now? If there are no spots available at Coldbrook when we arrive, what other campgrounds would you recommend in the area?
One more thing, is there any fire damage that I need to be aware of?
Here is a link to the current weather in Azusa. Expect it to be a little cooler than this report.
For other nice nearby campgrounds, check out Buckhorn Campground, Horse Flats Campground, and Chilao Campground. Have a fun trip!
Hi,
I plan to arrive early morning on Friday of Memorial weekend (May 24). What are the chances looking like for getting a spot?
Thank you!
Almost nil. It gets extremely busy around holidays
Hi,
How far is the nearest waterfall from the campground?
Is fish canyon falls the closest?
Can we also drive to this fall if trail is too long for us?
Thanks!! ^^
Lewis Falls on Soldier Creek is actually just 2.2 miles up the road from Coldbrook Campground. The trailhead for the 1-mile round trip hike to the 50-foot waterfall is not well marked though. Look for a path alongside Soldier Creek next to a “No Fires” sign at a horseshoe bend in Route 39. It’s a lovely hike.
I’m a cyclist and I’m beginning to like riding Hwy39. Aside from Coldbrook campground, is there any other campground along Hwy39 that has drinking water? I’m very interested in knowing such info.
(Btw, I know there’s also another running spring water source near the turnoff to Crystal Lake)
Are the streams dry by now? planning on going in about 2 weeks.
Is the campsite suitable for a tent trailer to dry camp?
We’re thinking about heading up mid-week next week (Tuesday late afternoon/evening) for a couple of days. What’s the likelihood we’ll be able to get a spot if we arrive 6 or 7 pm on Tuesday?
We are taking a girl scout group up to Coldbrook this weekend. How safe is this campground?
The campground is safe, but will be closed along with the rest of the Angeles National Forest as long as the federal government shutdown is in effect.
want to camp on thurs. 10/14/13. is it open?
Yes. The campgrounds and picnic areas in the Angeles Nation Forest that were effected by the shutdown have reopened!
hi, planning to bring a small group. is it okay to have a group of 10 through 20 people?
planning on going out tomorrow to freeze my butt off it will be open yes?
Have a great time!
Planning on heading up here for the weekend, will it be busy this time of year? Also, what kind of temps should I be prepared for?
Looking at camping April 14th and 15th, Monday and Tuesday, 2014. How likely is the place to be crowded. May need two spots?
Is there bathrooms? Is it good wether around october 15th.
Vault toilets
Are there fish in the stream? Can you actually fish? Is it deep enough to get wet and swim in?
any sites avalible for the 20-22nd
Can I come next Friday morning and what I need to bring with me? It is first time to camp in my life and first time for my son who is 7 years old. Thank you
looking to head up there in august ..hows the water? river? dam? is it good enough to cool off in this summer heat
Can you park at Crystal Lake and hike up to Coldbrook campsites? Where do we pay the $12 fee?
The fee can be deposited within the campground at an “iron ranger.” The campground is right along San Gabriel Canyon Road, so you can drive right up to it, even before you reach Crystal Lake.
Hi, we haven’t been up there since fires in the canyon winter 2014. Are the trees giving shade? Also is there water in the creek? We’re planning on taking some first time campers up. Thanks for your info. Its very appreciated.
is it okay to have a group of 17 people?
for getting sites, untill what time do i have to reach there?
and Are you sure that drinking water is provided?
Each campsite can be used by a up to 8 people and a maximum of 2 vehicles. For a group of 17, you will need 3 campsites. You can arrive at any time, but the earlier you arrive, the better chance you’ll have of finding open sites that are adjacent to each other. Water should be available.
Is there any water in the creek or at fish canyon falls this week?
Is there any fishing in the immediate area ?
Are all or most of the “nearby trails” listed here accessible on foot? How crowded would you say the campsite will be throughout this month?
Smith Mountain is close enough that you could walk to the trailhead from the campground, but it would be easiest to drive to all of the nearby trails. If you would like to do a lot of hiking right from a campground, take a look at Buckhorn Campground.
is drinking water available currently at the campground?
How Far Is The Lake (Swimming) From Camp Coldbrook
Are horses allowed at this campground? Can the trails be accessed from the campground?
is there a stream/waterfall in coldbrook campsite? we’ll be bringing kids and they love to get wet in the stream/waterfalls. is there also a shower room? thank u.
Hi, we’re planning on visiting for 4, July what time does the park open???
I see that none of the questions about whether there is water at any of the camp sites have gone unanswered. Is this because no one knows or they just haven’t been answered?
Unless things have changed, there is drinking water at the campground.
I LOVE the Coldbrook Campground, but when we went there in October last year, there was a bear visiting the site and eating some leftover food or even a bar soap.
The ranger was aware of him (named Yogi or Bubu. There are two of them!). Since the bear sighting, should I stay away from camping there?
Oh did poor little Yogi bear give you a scare? Just give him plenty of soap that will keep him happy…
How busy is this campground over thanksgiving weekend? Would love to go, but can’t drive up until Thanksgiving day. Would there be spots available?
How early should I show up on a Saturday in order to guarantee getting a spot?
We are planning on going this Saturday. What are the chances of getting a spot, and what would be the best time to get there, Friday evening or early Saturday to get a spot?
Friday evening would increase your chances, but Saturday morning will likely work too.
We have never camped here before, and would be arriving very late Friday night in the dark. We like big, private sites, not too close to others, and need a good spot for our 12 x 12 tent, and 2 dogs. Any suggestions? Thanks.
What is there to do at this campground? Is there hiking nearby? We have 2 dogs, and we all love to hike, but not too strenuously. Are there trails for all levels? Thanks.
Access to this campgrounds is currently closed for this rehabilitation. Does anyone have for info on the fire? Couldn’t find out exactly when it was.
Where do I pay camping deposit?
I couldn’t find any office or building to drop deposit. What is iron ranger ?
Normally they have a”mailbox” where you place and envelope provided by then
Where do the campers / hikers shower ?
Is this campground open during the winter season?? On the forestry website it says from spring to fall however I know many campgrounds allow off season camping and just have the water pumps turned off or the roads closed and allow hike in.
we are planning on hiking to bridge to nowhere in 2023 spring are you still open for camping. and how hard is it to get to you from the bridge.