Manker Flats Campground is perfectly positioned to be a base camp for hikes up Mount Baldy, the highest summit in the San Gabriel Mountains. The 11.3-mile loop hike up Mount Baldy is a full day affair, so if you would like to camp out before or after, claim one of the twenty-one sites at Manker Flats Campground. Campers looking for a shorter hike near Manker Flats may enjoy the 1.4-mile round trip hike to San Antonio Fall, which starts just across the road from the campground. Another trail to consider is nearby Icehouse Canyon Trail, which provides easy hiking up a charming canyon leading to a steep climb into the mountains.
The campground sits at 6,000 feet above sea level and closes in the winter (when non-professionals should not attempt Mount Baldy). When open, the campground provides picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, and flush toilets. The sites are first-come first-serve and RVs up to sixteen feet in length are permitted. For campers with a National Forest Adventure Pass, the cost of a site is $10 per night plus $3 for a second vehicle. Without a pass, the rate is $14 per night and $5 for an additional vehicle (prices as of 2017). For current conditions or additional information, contact the Angeles National Forest at (626) 335-1251.
To get to the campground: Take the 210 east and exit on Baseline Road (exit 52). Turn left at the light at the end of the ramp on to Baseline Road. Make the next right on to Padua Avenue. Drive 1.7 miles and turn right onto Mount Baldy Road (which has a traffic light). Continue up Mount Baldy Road for seven miles to Mount Baldy Village (which has a visitor center) and drive another four miles up the road to the campground on the right.
Campground address: 689 Mount Baldy Road, Angeles National Forest, Mount Baldy, CA 91759
Campground coordinates: 34.263251, -117.633363 (34° 15′ 47.70″N 117° 38′ 00.10″W)
Use the map below to view the campground and create your own directions:
Devil’s Backbone This 3.2-mile ridge-top trail between Baldy Notch and the summit of Mount Baldy offers incredible views of the San Gabriel Mountains. | |
Baldy Bowl – Ski Hut The Baldy Bowl – Ski Hut Trail offers a steep but scenic ascent up the south side of Mount Baldy, crossing 4.5 miles and 3900 feet to the summit. | |
San Antonio Falls This 1.4-mile hike visits a multi-tier waterfall along the trail to Mount Baldy. | |
Baldy Notch To hike the scenic Devil’s Backbone to Mount Baldy, you must pass through Baldy Notch. You can hike to the notch, or take a ski lift. | |
Icehouse Canyon Trail to Icehouse Saddle This 7.2-mile hike climbs 2,600 feet through a picturesque canyon to a saddle with panoramic views and extended hiking opportunities. | |
More trails in the San Gabriel Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
[…] first time we climbed Mt. Baldy, we returned via the Sierra Club Snow Hut to Manker Flats Campground trail, which was a 4,000 foot and 5.4 mile descent which we nearly didn’t make, because of […]
I was wondering if we are able to take dogs out to the campgrounds?
Dogs are allowed in the campground and on trails in the Angeles National Forest.
What time of year does the campground close?
Manker Flats closes in the winter. Weather (snow) usually determines when the campground closes.
where do you get an adventure pass. And why is camping more per night (14) with a pass, and less (10) without?
An adventure pass is a day use ($5) or annual use ($30) pass for the national forests in Southern California. The pass is required to park at some trailheads, picnic areas, and other parts of the Angeles National Forest. You can pick up a pass from the ranger station in Mount Baldy Village on the way to Manker Flats Campground, or from other locations (more info).
The write-up has it backwards. It should say it’s LESS with the adventure pass, not more.
Good catch. I’ve made the update.
How fast do the spots fill up on Fridays / weekends?
Is manker flats open over halloween weekend?
Hello, I saw your campground on the computer, and I would like to know about how long has this campground been there? The only campground I knew in Baldy closed about thirty five years ago. Is this new? Is it up by the burned down Ice House? Where would the campground be if you were standing next to the Ice House? Is it where the burned out cabins used to be? That would have been on the way up to the falls.
I am sorry I am asking so many questions, but after viewing this new area on the computer, I feel like I am lost in space! Is it by the Trout Ponds? I really am not this nosy, but I am curious, happy to see there is one, yet I feel like a family member who has been left out if you know what I mean. My husband and I would frequently drive up to baldy to hike. We even rode the ski lifts to The Top of the Notch one beautiful night for our anniversary. I love camping and since his death, I find myself all alone. I thought my camping days were over but now I see yours! I can drive up there without getting lost, which I am famous for doing.
I guess it has been some time since I have been up to Mt. Baldy and seeing all this new stuff is a little overwhelming. I see it in my head as looking the same as it has always looked.
Is your campground busy? Do you get a lot of wild animals coming into the campground? I would sure love to get out and camp again.
Thank You for your information,
Sandy Case,
Montclair, Ca.
It’s up the street from snow crest Lodge, on the right. I was raised there.
[…] Manker Flats is a cool little campground right down the road from the Mount Baldy trailhead. However, when I say “little”, I mean it. There are only 21 campsites, and they’re all first-come-first-served which means that during the busy season, and especially holiday weekends, don’t be surprised if it’s sold out. […]