Bandido Group Campground
Angeles National Forest — hiking
Location: Acton, CA, CA
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$120 per night
Rating: 3.6 out of 5 (13 reviews)
Season: May through October
Groups of all types will enjoy staying at the Bandido Group Campground, which boasts beautiful scenery in a relaxing, rustic atmosphere. The site accommodates groups of up to 150 campers, but is designed for equestrian campers and provides several horse corrals and hitch racks. Bandido is divided into five campsites, each with varying capacities for smaller groups.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bandido-group-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Bandido is a rare equestrian-focused group campground in the San Gabriel Mountains with horse corrals and hitch racks, plus scenic mountain terrain suitable for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. At $24/night, it's an affordable option for groups up to 150 campers with flexible site capacities.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions are documented in the area (iNaturalist research-grade observations). Arroyo toads also present—minimize disturbance to water features.
Insider tips for Bandido Group Campground: Book early—it's a federal campground that fills up during peak season Bring fully self-contained RV setup; there are no hookups at most sites Equestrian campers have dedicated corrals and hitch racks; arrive with a clear plan if bringing horses
Skip Bandido Group Campground if: You need RV hookups (water, electric, sewer)—none available at most sites. You're visiting outside May-October—campground is seasonally closed. Your group exceeds 150 campers—campground maximum capacity.
Best time to visit Bandido Group Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only; this is the official operating window.
Nearby campgrounds: Meadow Group Campground (Acton, CA), Monte Cristo Campground (CA), Deer Group Camp (Big Bear Lake, CA), Lightning Point Group Campground (SAN FERNANDO, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bandido Group Campground
Cell signal at Bandido Group Campground (Acton, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Groups of all types will enjoy staying at the Bandido Group Campground, which boasts beautiful scenery in a relaxing, rustic atmosphere. The site accommodates groups of up to 150 campers, but is designed for equestrian campers and provides several horse corrals and hitch racks. Bandido is divided into five campsites, each with varying capacities for smaller groups.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it's a federal campground that fills up during peak season
Bring fully self-contained RV setup; there are no hookups at most sites
Equestrian campers have dedicated corrals and hitch racks; arrive with a clear plan if bringing horses
Campground operates seasonally May through October only; this is the official operating window
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From La Canada at the junction of the I-210 and State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway), exit I-210 and turn north towards the mountains on State Route 2. Proceed 28.5 miles to Three Points (two miles past Newcomb's Ranch Cafe) and turn left onto Forest Service Road 3N17 (Santa Clara Divide Road). Continue west 2 miles to the entrance; gate is on the left. Use the combination you obtained when confirming your reservation to open the gate.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Angeles National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Angeles National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bandido Group Campground cost per night?+
What season is Bandido Group Campground open?+
Does Bandido Group Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bandido Group Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Bandido Group Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Bandido Group Campground?+
What season is Bandido Group Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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