China Camp Campground

26 reviews

Tassajara Rd, Greenfield, CA 93927, USA
+1 805-434-1996
webSite

China Camp Campground Introduce

China Camp Campground is a unique and remote camping destination located in the heart of the Ventana Wilderness, near Greenfield, CA. This primitive RV park offers a true back-to-nature experience, perfect for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy rugged terrain and pristine natural surroundings. Situated on Tassajara Rd, China Camp provides access to some of the most beautiful trails in the Los Padres National Forest.

One of the standout features of China Camp is its shaded campsites surrounded by towering trees, making it an ideal spot for setting up hammocks. The campground offers basic amenities such as fire pits with grates, picnic benches, and trash cans, but visitors should note that there are no running water or vault toilets on-site. The area is known for its stunning star-gazing opportunities, though the rugged terrain and lack of clearing may require some adjustment.

While China Camp offers an authentic wilderness experience, it’s important to be fully prepared when visiting. The campground is located on a dirt road in a remote part of the forest, so a 4-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended. Guests should also be mindful of fire restrictions and safety guidelines, as this is a sensitive natural area.

Highlights: Amazing shade, tons of trees for hammocks, fires allowed, grated fire pit, grated grill, picnic bench, trash cans, not many mosquitoes, extremely isolated.
Lowlights: Lack of flat spots for big tents, no running water, vault toilets, TONS of small flies throughout the day that are very annoying but harmless, lack of clearing for star gazing, 4 wheel drive highly recommended. Rugged mountain terrain on dirt roads in the Ventana Wilderness. This is not for people who are not fully prepared, experienced and compliant with all fire restrictions, safety, and water.

Customers have described China Camp as a popular trailhead for backpackers during the cooler winter and spring months. The campground’s isolation makes it a peaceful retreat for those looking to escape the hustle of daily life. However, visitors are reminded to leave nothing but footprints, as this is a pristine National Forest far from asphalt roads and supplies.

If you’re planning a visit, be sure to check with the Los Padres National Forest or State Parks Service for campground reservations and relevant information to ensure your safety and preparedness. China Camp Campground is a must-visit for anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying outdoor adventures.

Location

California Monterey County Greenfield

Customer Reviews

3.0

26 reviews

Anthony Lin

Jul 17, 2022

Highlights: Amazing shade, tons of trees for hammocks, fires allowed, grated fire pit, grated grill, picnic bench, trash cans, not many mosquitoes, extremely isolated. Lowlights: Lack of flat spots for big tents, no running water, vault toilets, TONS of small flies throughout the day that are very annoying but harmless, lack of clearing for star gazing, 4 wheel drive highly recommended.

Bob Aronson

Aug 14, 2022

Rugged mountain terrain on dirt roads in the Ventana Wilderness. This is not for people who are not fully prepared, experienced and compliant with all fire restrictions, safety, and water. Do not leave anything but footprints - this is pristine National Forest far away from the asphalt roads and supplies. Please plan ahead with the Los Padres National Forest or State Parks Service campground reservations or relevant information to assure your safety. China Camp is a popular trail head for backpackers in the cooler winter and spring months.

Donald Clark

Nov 20, 2017

China camp has largely been forgotten. It seems the water supply was disconnected some years ago, and as the small creek through the camp is almost always dry, there is no water. The nearest supply is a 0.5 mile walk down the steep road to where the creek gets close to the road (would need filtering). The long drop toilets were not in great condition. However, it is pretty under the mature oaks and would be shady in summer.

Kate Amon

Sep 09, 2023

I did not stay at the China Camp campground, just used the outhouse type bathrooms which are two separate rickety shacks, one with a semi-functional door and toilet paper. Then I leave the campground to go a short distance diwn the road to the small dirt parking lot. The parking lot is almost directly across the road from the Pine Valley trail-head.

Betsy MacGowan

Oct 27, 2022

You would only camp here if you needed to get an early start for hiking the Pine Ridge Trail. The sites are sloping, with tiny spaces where you could pitch a tent. One site in the back section has a huge hole in the driveway. Don't get your tire in that! Two toilets do have toilet tissue but the doors don't close right. In the winter, cold air blows up the canyon and fog collects in the camp. When we camped here in the snow, one other camper couldn't get his car out because he couldn't get up the hill near the toilets. He waited a day and finally got out early morning when the snow was still frozen.