Pine Cliff Resort Logo
campground

Hi Mountain Campground

Forest Rte 30S11, Hi Mountain Lookout Rd, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420, USA

Introduce

Hi Mountain Campground is a charming and secluded destination located in the heart of the Los Padres National Forest, just outside Arroyo Grande, CA. Nestled along Hi Mountain Lookout Road (Forest Rte 30S11), this campground offers a serene retreat for those seeking outdoor adventures and peaceful relaxation. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Hi Mountain Campground is an ideal spot for campers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts looking to explore the diverse landscape of California's forests.

  • Environment: The campground is situated in a pristine forest area, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The location provides a perfect blend of tranquility and adventure, with opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying the great outdoors.
  • Facilities & Services: Hi Mountain Campground offers basic but essential amenities to ensure a comfortable camping experience. Each campsite features a fire ring with a barbecue grate and a picnic table, perfect for outdoor cooking and dining. The campground has one enclosed bathroom facility, ensuring visitors have access to necessary hygiene facilities.
  • Special Features: One of the standout features of Hi Mountain Campground is its emphasis on safety, particularly regarding wildlife. The site provides bear-safe trash cans and food storage boxes to help campers securely store their provisions and prevent wildlife encounters. It's important for visitors to note that these containers are smaller than those found in places like Yosemite, so plan accordingly when storing food.
  • Accessibility: Accessing Hi Mountain Campground requires a high-clearance vehicle due to the dirt and gravel roads leading to the site. There are two primary routes: one from Lake Lopez and another via Highway 58. The northern approach (via Pozo) is shorter but can be challenging, while the southern route (Lake Lopez side) is longer and more difficult. Visitors are encouraged to check road conditions with local authorities or the Forest Service before planning their trip.
  • Fire Safety: Fire safety is a top priority at Hi Mountain Campground. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Los Padres National Forest, where fire restrictions and permits may apply. Visitors are strongly advised to obtain a free California Fire Permit and bring ample water for extinguishing fires completely, as no water is available on-site. A shovel is also recommended to ensure all embers are thoroughly cooled before leaving your campsite.
  • Unique Selling Points: Hi Mountain Campground offers a unique combination of accessibility and seclusion, making it an ideal choice for both solo adventurers and families. The campground's remote location ensures minimal crowds, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the convenience of basic amenities.

Customer Feedback:

  • "Beautiful little campground with a focus on safety and sustainability. The bear-safe trash cans and food storage boxes are a great feature for wildlife enthusiasts." – Sarah M.
  • "Perfect spot for a late September trip! The weather was ideal, and the dirt roads were manageable with a high-clearance vehicle. Highly recommended for nature lovers!" – John D.
  • "Loved the peaceful surroundings and the attention to fire safety details. It's clear that this campground prioritizes both visitor comfort and environmental protection." – Emily R.

Hi Mountain Campground is more than just a place to camp; it's an opportunity to connect with nature, enjoy outdoor activities, and experience the beauty of California's forests. Whether you're planning a short getaway or an extended adventure, Hi Mountain Campground offers a welcoming and safe environment for all visitors.

Gallery

Activities

Hiking

Amenities

Barbecue grill

Running water

T VW Oct 20
★★★★★5

Beautiful little campground. They have bear safe trash cans placed around the loop. Three bear boxes on site for safe food storage. They are small compared to Yosemite bear boxes, so heads up on that. Late Sept trip so the weather was perfect. Road up from the northern approach (via Pozo) was easily handled by a regular clearance vehicle, though this is a dirt /gravel road, and the conditions can and do change regularly with rain and heavy usage. There are 2 creek bed crossings, which were dry this trip. Heavy rains could make them impassable if you don't have high clearance. Check conditions with locals or the Forest Service office. The road from the south (Lake Lopez side) is longer and more challenging; recommend a high clearance vehicle for that route. The area requires a Forest Pass, though there are no fees for camping. There are picnic tables and fire rings - but please refer to the Los Padres NF website for current fire conditions. Obtain a California Fire Permit (free) before going. Be prepared with ample water for food/drink and to extinguishing your fire COMPLETELY (there is no water available at the campground). Bring a shovel so you can stir the coals and feel the coals for any residual hotspots. Please be very FIRE safe here, and protect it for all of us.

Jason Hileman Jul 04
★★★★☆4

Simple campground with decent sized campsites, fire rings with bbq grates and tables. Campground has one enclosed bathroom. Road to get here is dirt (partially maintained) and bumpy but most of the time accessible by most vehicles with clearance. Two ways to get here, one is from lake lopez area and the other is Hwy 58.

Scott Potter Feb 20
★★★★★5

This is a very nice Campground on the way up to high mountain View. It's free and there's about 10 pretty nice Campground spots. It's primitive in the sense that there's no water or bathrooms but it's very nice and if you've got four-wheel drive to get up here it would be a great place to camp. We stopped by and had a lovely picnic lunch here.

Alexia Mendoza Nov 28
★★★★☆4

Quiet place. We had nice neighbors who were hunting so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. The bathroom was bad but it’s to be expected at campgrounds. Totally would camp there again

L P Jun 29
★★★★★5

I haven't stayed here yet, but I drove out to investigate it a bit to check out the conditions. I agree with other folks, this place is not easy to get to if you don't have a vehicle with some clearance. Cars are definitely a no-go. There's nearly 90% shade in the camp which is super nice. The views from the area are pretty nice too. I noticed that most fire-pits were sort of full with ash so do bring a small shovel to clear yours out before using it. A rake would also be helpful to clear a patch for your tent. Also, there were a few flies / gnats but I think if you set up a bug zapper or fly catcher your area would be just fine. I didn't find myself annoyed at all, but there were a few. There's plenty of trees to hang a hammock as well.

Related Stories