Campo Alto Campground - Maricopa, CA

Sony S

Wow that was a gem to find for me personally. Beautiful forest. There are a lot of other campgrounds nearby as well that you can visit. The only thing I really did not like is that you have to book it for 2 days minimum, always! Even when booking a group camp for 50-70 people. Which is kind of weird. Also it's weird as 1 camping spot has a limit of 6 people and 1 car, but group camp is allowed up to 10 cars and 70 people, however it is not that much bigger. It is only like 3 times bigger and has more tables. And 2 group camps are right next to each other.

Taylor Harrison

Cool campground with some great views. When we went 7/7-7/10 many of the sites were closed due to hazardous trees (which is why the closures seem a little random). When we saw the camp hosts a couple days in they mentioned they had just been notified the Friday of 4th of July weekend that the sites would have to be closed. Sites are very big a spread out. Our last night we were the only people in our part of the campground. There’s only two bathrooms and they are spread far from each other but pretty clean. No water, no bear boxes, so be prepared for that—though we didn’t see any bears and the general store is about a 15 minute drive away. For whatever reason google maps makes it seem like it will take 50 minutes to get there, but it’s much shorter. Some of the road is pretty rough as you get deeper into the campground. Best views are if you walk through the group sites—really spectacular sunset watching there. Weather really varied for us. First night was very cold and quite windy and I wish I had thought ahead to bring a heavier jacket. Wind calmed the next day and the rest of our time there it wasn’t really present in the evening. Day time temps were nice—sweatshirts in the morning, but then easily could be in tanks and shorts during the day—never too warm. We stayed at site 16.

James Sanchez

Great views and lovely trees all around. Be careful with cars and driving over large areas covered with pine needles as it can spark and such. Also, it's a steep drive up a large mountain with little to no guard rails, so be careful!

Cory Rigali

The drive up/down can be intense if other people are driving at the same time. The roads are very narrow. That being said, it's not a highly populated area so you probably won't have that issue.

The temperatures, even in summer, were perfectly fine. Most camp sites have quite a bid of shade. Make sure you have a canopy of some type for shade during summer months, the temperatures are fine but the sun bearing directly down on you gets warm.

The sites vary quite a bit. Some are close to each other, some are pretty far. If I were to go again, I'd probably try to grab site 16 or 17 based on shade, views, and isolation.

The pit toilets have quite a few flies in them. Be prepared for that.

The sites are gorgeous and the campground is very silent. The downside of that is... If your group is loud? Literally everyone can hear you.

Very popular spot for bikes/motorcycles, we saw quite a few while we were there.

Very dog friendly other than the old, dead pine needles off the paths. Bring shoes for your dog if you intend to go explore.

Saw plenty of woodpeckers, squirrels, butterflies. Flies were semi common, saw a couple of bees/hornets but they were very rare.

Overall, I'd go again. I'm not sure what type of group this campsite is ideal for seeing as there aren't many hiking trails, no water for activities. If you aren't biking/riding, and if your group isn't looking for quiet and serene, go elsewhere. This isn't the site to come get drunk and laugh loudly at.

Jessica Ann Clements

Great campgrounds, with a beautiful sunset spot. Bathroom's were cleaner than most mountain restrooms. I'll note there's no water so plan accordingly. 80° day 55° night mid July.

Aileen Torres

Spacious campground with nice scenery. There aren’t really any hikes nearby so you kind of just have to hang at your campsite.

Not rating it any higher because there was a noose hanging from one of the trees at our campsite (#3) which was super creepy. We told the park ranger about it and he said he “didn’t think it was dangerous” but let us change campsites because we were uncomfortable to one that was supposedly closed due to “hazardous trees”. There was also this weird doll wrapped in rope by the noose so not sure what kind of creepy things are happening up here.

Ted Davis

Very nice camp ground. It has no running water and is pack in pack out. If you don't mind those things then you will enjoy this place. Very secluded feeling compared to most other campgrounds.

Yixiang D

Chill place with some altitude and slight off-roading. Great sun set and clean restrooms. Definitely worth it.