China Camp Campground — Hotel in Gonzales

You would only camp here if you needed to get an early start for hiking the Pine Ridge Trail. The sites are sloping, with tiny spaces where you could pitch a tent. One site in the back section has a huge hole in the driveway. Don't get your tire in that! Two toilets do have toilet tissue but the doors don't close right. In the winter, cold air blows up the canyon and fog collects in the camp. When we camped here in the snow, one other camper couldn't get his car out because he couldn't get up the hill near the toilets. He waited a day and finally got out early morning when the snow was...

We camped with an RV which is only allowed of the group site is not used. After we bought fire wood, the campground host to be informed us that we are not allowed to make a fire or have a BBQ in the group site aka the one right next to our RV. he offered that we could use the other firepits instead, which are about 500 feet away. We told him that we have a baby on board and we can't leave him in the RV by himself. He was not impressed and when we asked for a reason we were told that they have been issues. Totally not accomodating.

Price beats the rest of the campgrounds...

Rugged mountain terrain on dirt roads in the Ventana Wilderness. This is not for people who are not fully prepared, experienced and compliant with all fire restrictions, safety, and water. Do not leave anything but footprints - this is pristine National Forest far away from the asphalt roads and supplies. Please plan ahead with the Los Padres National Forest or State Parks Service campground reservations or relevant information to assure your safety. China Camp is a popular trail head for backpackers in the cooler winter and...