Sycamore Flat Campground

USDA Forest Service campground, 12 sites

Overview

Sycamore Flat Campground is a small, developed campground located in the Big Rock Creek Recreation Area of the Angeles National Forest. At approximately 4,200 feet in elevation, it offers a peaceful setting with mature sycamore and juniper trees and easy access to Big Rock Creek. The campground features 11 first-come, first-served campsites for tents and small RVs or trailers up to approximately 18 feet. It is open year-round, weather and road permitting.

Recreation

Visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, picnicking, and exploring Big Rock Creek. Nearby trails include the South Fork Trail, Manzanita Trail, and Punchbowl Trail. The surrounding roads also offer scenic drives through the northeastern section of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Facilities

Sycamore Flat Campground offers basic developed amenities, including 11 first-come, first-served campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and a communal vault toilet. There is currently no piped water available so campers should bring enough for cooking, cleaning, drinking, and extinguishing campfires.

The campground accommodates tents and small RVs or trailers up to approximately 18 feet. Cell phone service is limited, and visitors should check current forest conditions and fire restrictions before arrival.

Natural Features

Located where the Mojave Desert meets the San Gabriel Mountains, Sycamore Flat offers a unique blend of mountain and desert landscapes. Mature California sycamores, juniper trees, and native shrubs provide shade in portions of the campground, Nearby Big Rock Creek creates seasonal riparian habitat for birds and other wildlife. Rocky canyon walls, rolling hills, and open mountain views define the surrounding scenery.

Nearby Attractions

• Big Rock Creek – Popular for picnicking, photography, and seasonal recreation.

• Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area – Unique geologic formations with hiking trails and interpretive exhibits.

• South Fork Trail – A scenic trail following Big Rock Creek through the San Gabriel Mountains.

• Jackson Lake  – Seasonal fishing, picnicking, and nearby camping opportunities.