Oakwilde Campground, located off Angeles Crest Hwy, Mt Lukens Truck Trail in La Cañada Flintridge, California, USA, offers a true backcountry camping experience. As part of the Campgrounds & RV Parks category, it's important to note that Oakwilde Campground is an abandoned and overgrown site with no amenities, requiring significant preparation and experience.
Oakwilde Campground is not a developed campground but rather a remote, abandoned site suitable only for experienced backcountry campers. According to customer reviews, access to the campground is challenging, involving steep and shoddy loose dirt switchbacks. The trails are overgrown, and a GPS device is highly recommended for navigation. The primary access route involves taking a trail off Highway 2, following it down the canyon, and then connecting to Dark Canyon Trail, which leads directly to Oakwilde Campground. This route is approximately two miles one way and involves significant elevation changes. The campground itself offers minimal facilities, with only a few remaining flat areas and half-buried tables. There are no restrooms, water spigots, or other amenities. However, the river is nearby and provides a serene environment and flowing water, which was available as of September 2024. The campground is best suited for those who are prepared for a wilderness camping experience and have the necessary gear and skills. It is not recommended for beginners or those seeking a comfortable camping experience. The allure of Oakwilde Campground lies in its remoteness and the opportunity for a true backcountry adventure.
Here are some key features and considerations:
Oakwilde Campground offers a true backcountry camping experience with challenging access and minimal facilities. It is suitable only for experienced hikers and campers who are prepared for a remote wilderness adventure. If you are seeking a developed campground with amenities, this is not the right choice. However, if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding backcountry trek, Oakwilde Campground might be a suitable option.
Public restroom
Running water
Camping fee
Good for kids
Dogs allowed
Cool little adventure and campsite if you know what you’re getting yourself into in terms of the backcountry. It’s a closed/abandoned small backcountry campsite so obviously don’t expect any campsite amenities whatsoever. It’s overgrown in general but the trail is quite obvious, though I may not have attempted if I didn’t have a GPS device to help. We took a trail off of the 2 (right across the road from “old dark canyon trail) and followed down the canyon until we met up with Dark Canyon Trail which led us directly to Oakwild Campground, just shy of 2 miles total one way. From this route, there were incredibly steep and very shoddy loose dirt switchbacks to get down and up from the 2. Doable, but not for the beginner or the faint of heart. It was hard going down and hard coming back up + a little sketchy depending on your risk aversion levels. If you have your setup ready for backcountry camping this was a cool overnight backcountry trek. Plenty of flowing river water along the way as of 9/27/24.
Only a few flat areas left, some with half-buried tables. The river is nearby and very serene. Still nice area to camp if you have no expectations of facilities.
PERMANENTLY CLOSED - only a few ruins are left. Don't expect to camp here but you might see some deer.
Not a CAMPGROUND but a TRAIL camp(hike in only). Please make sure you mention it on the website to avoid to be deceived!