Little Jimmy is a backcountry campground nestled just 2 miles off the Angeles Crest Highway. It features 16 first-come, first-served sites with fire rings, vault toilets, and vintage backcountry ovens. Be sure to check the road closure status of CA-2 before heading out on your adventure!
After parking your vehicle at Islip Saddle, cross the street and begin up the switchbacks where you see a large sign for the Pacific Crest Trail. Enjoy hiking on this legendary path—you may even bump into a thru-hiker! After a quick and steep ascent, the trail mellows out to a more gradual uphill for the remainder of the journey. One mile in you’ll cross a dirt road with another sign. Head straight across for another 1.1 miles until you reach Little Jimmy Campground on your right.
When you first get to camp, walk around a bit to select the site that’s right for you! Many of the sites along the ridge have incredible views, and there are a few more secluded ones with ovens past the bathrooms and up the trail a bit. The entire campground is in a grove of old-growth pine trees, where shade is plentiful and evening temperatures get chilly. Less than a quarter-mile farther down the trail, the Little Jimmy Springs provide water year round, so be sure to bring your filter or pump.
There is no fee to camp here other than your Angeles National Forest Pass. In summertime, bears can be common visitors, as multiple signs around the area will tell you. Bring a bear can or bag, treat the campsites well, and pack everything in and out!
This campground is perfect for beginner backpackers who want seclusion from the metropolis of Los Angeles but don’t want to drive six hours or hike 10 miles to get there. Little Jimmy offers excellent day-hike options to Mount Islip, Crystal Lake, and Mount Baden Powell if you’re in the mood for a longer trip. It’s the perfect spot for a quick overnight to get you out of the city.
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