USDA Forest Service · California
Mcgill Campground and Group Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 80
- Hookups
- 1 electric, 66 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to November 30
- Max RV length
- 35 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,247 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- MCGILL CG. (NFSR 9N08) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Los Padres National Forest
- Phone
- 805-434-1996
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Hiking
80 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
80 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
Overview
Escape from the city to the remote and beautiful McGill Campground. The campground, bursting with views of mountains and valleys, is an ideal base for several biking and hiking trails.
A dense stand of Jeffrey pine and ponderosa pine shade the campground and each campsite is nicely spaced.
Recreation
Explore the area along the accessible Exploration Trail, Mount Pinos Trail and McGill Campground Trail. McGill is for hiking and biking and meanders along 3.7 miles of scenery.
Facilities
McGill has two group campsites, each having a central barbeque and gathering area. Group Camp 1 has parking for 13 vehicles, Group Camp 2 has parking for 10 vehicles. There are 73 individual campsites. Each individual campsite offers a picnic table and campfire ring.
Natural Features
McGill Campground sits in a mixed tall pine forest in the Pinos Mountains, at an altitude of 7,300 feet, just over an hour's drive from the campground. It is quiet and serene landscape with terrific views of the valleys below.
Nearby Attractions
Head out on the Jacinto Reyes National Scenic Byway, which travels past breathtaking cliffs, rock formations and lush riparian areas.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47° | 31° | 21° | 66° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 46° | 29° | 12° | 67° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 47° | 30° | 10° | 74° | 9 of 11 |
| April | 56° | 34° | 22° | 70° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 65° | 42° | 29° | 77° | 4 of 11 |
| June | 76° | 51° | 32° | 88° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 59° | 48° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 58° | 48° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 52° | 40° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 66° | 44° | 28° | 78° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 56° | 36° | 23° | 69° | 6 of 10 |
| December | 50° | 33° | 20° | 62° | 8 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Chula Vista Trailhead · 1.6 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
- East Tumamait Trailhead - 21W03 · 2.9 mi as the crow flies
Tumamait 4.5 mi Hike · Drive there - Frazier Mountain Trailhead - 20W03 · 5.1 mi as the crow flies
West Frazier Mine OHV #118 7.4 mi Hike · Drive there - West Tumamait Trailhead - 21W03 · 5.9 mi as the crow flies
Tumamait 4.5 mi Hike · Drive there
All 343 trails in Los Padres National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Mt. Pinos Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 19 sites
- Chula Vista · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Chuchupate Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 29 sites
- Campo Alto Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 19 sites
- Toad Springs · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.