Manker Flats is the base camp for hikers attempting Mt. Baldy and backpackers going even further into the San Gabriel Mountains. Baldy can be done in a day, but if you would like to camp out before or after the hike, you may choose from among Manker Flats Twenty-one sites.
Because the campsite rests at 6,000 feet, it closes for the winter season (when non-professionals should not attempt Baldy). For current conditions or additional information, contact the Angeles National Forest at (626)335-1251.
When open, the campground provides picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, and flush toilets. The sites are first-come first-serve and RVs up to sixteen feet in length are permitted.
If you have an adventure pass, the cost of a campsite is $10 per night plus $3 for a second vehicle. If not, the rate is $12 per night and $4 for an additional vehicle. This is just another reason to invest in an adventure pass.
If you are looking for a shorter hike from Manker Flats, The 1.2-mile round-trip hike to San Antonio Waterfall starts from just across the road.
To get to the campground: Take the 210 east and exit on Baseline Road (exit 52). Turn left at the light at the end of the ramp on to Baseline Road. Make the next right on to Padua Avenue. Drive 1.7 miles and turn right onto Mt. Baldy Road (there will be a traffic light). Continue up Mt Baldy Road through Mt. Baldy Village (where there is a visitor center). Follow Mt. Baldy road as it switches up to Manker Flats Campground.
Use the map below to create your own directions to the campground:
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Nearby Trails
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This 3.2-mile ridge-top trail between Baldy Notch and the summit of Mt. Baldy offers incredible views of the San Gabriel Mountains. |
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The Baldy Bowl – Ski Hut Trail offers a steep but scenic ascent up the south side of Mt. Baldy, crossing 4.5 miles and 3900 feet to the summit. |
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This 1.2-mile hike visits a multi-tier waterfall along the trail to Mt. Baldy. |
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To hike the scenic Devil’s Backbone to Mt. Baldy, you must pass through Baldy Notch. You can hike to the notch, or take a ski lift. |
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Icehouse Canyon Trail to Icehouse Saddle This 7.2-mile hike climbs 2,600 feet through a picturesque canyon to a saddle with panoramic views and extended hiking opportunities. |
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More trails in the San Gabriel Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
