chilao recreation area

We're an avid hiker family, the family dog being the most energetic.6.23.13 - on our first hike up Horse flat Campground, my dog suddenly reared up on his hind legs and hissed. He had startled a rattlesnake that was sunning itself on a boulder by the trail. They stared each other down eyeball-to-eyeball barely 6 inches apart! I immediately reeled the dog back. The snake slithered away into the brush, coiled up into a defensive striking pose and it kept rattling at us for a long while. Phew! Highlight of our hike for sure that day!Hikers with dogs always keep your dog on a short leash and be mindful of snakes. The Chilao Visitor Center has finally re-opend after the fire. It is spiffy and nice with fresh paint. The building itself is rather unique - half-dome shape like a UFO in the woods! The rest-rooms were clean and that is always a great relief. There isn't enough shade trees along the trail though. My dog kept ducking under any brush he could find along the way to escape the scorching sun. It was also very dry and dusty. It would have been better to hike in the cooler months here.

Great for picnics, family reunions & camping. Much of this has been updated & rebuilt & cleaned up the big forest fire three years ago. a short drive up Angeles Crest Highway from Greater LA...and close to Mt Wilson Observatory. My favorite place for dark-night star-gazing in all of the LA area!

The best thing about the Chilao Campgrounds is that they are first come first serve, which means, when you suddenly decide to go camping in southern california, you can actually get a spot! Anyone who's been camping in Southern California knows that it is almost impossible to get a good campsite at a good campground unless you reserve it months in advance. My husband and I went up Fourth of July weekend. 1 of the 3 loops was closed, and out of the open two, the better loop was all filled up, but there were plenty of spots open in the second look (Little Pines) so we picked one there.This part of Chilao is right next to recent forest fires, so the brush and trees are thinned out and blackened, but it's still beautiful(the other Loop, I forget the name, but it wasn't directly next to the burnt areas, that's probably why it was more popular). Unfortunately Chilao does not have any good water spots nearby, but as long as you're prepared for that, it was a good place to camp. With lots of campsites, and only $12 a night per site (per vehicle) it's a great location for when you've spontaneously decided to camping. It's also within 90 minutes of must of LA, so you won't spend that much on gas either!the bathrooms were very very clean (I believe the campground had just re-opened from being reconstructed after fire damage) and there is water available, it's just not drinkable. There are some trails nearby, particularly the Silver Moccassin Trail that actually goes through part of the campsite.