Camp ObserverNavajo Flats Campground
Camp site features
Across 6 camp sites:
- Picnic table: 5 of 6 sites
- Pets allowed: all 6 sites
- Largest party: 6 people
Directions
From Santa Margarita, CA, head northeast on H St toward Margarita Ave. Turn right onto CA-58 E
1.4 miles, then turn left to stay on CA-58 E for
22.9 miles. Turn right onto Forest Rte 29S15/Red Hill Rd. Turn left onto Red Hill Rd. Turn left onto Forest Rte 28S02/Red Hill Rd. go 0.5 miles. Navajo Flat Campground, 11156 Red Hill Rd, Santa Margarita, CA.
Stay Limit
Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Sarah F
Loop:Loop 2
Site:
Reviewed 7 months ago
Each time I come out to one of my favorite campsites, I am more disappointed. I was happy that no one was already parked in our reserved sites and there was a "reserved" sign at one of the sites. I was disappointed that there was a large group of RVs and side by sides that ran generators, blared music, and tore up and down the roads in their side by sides. There used to be a person who came out to check on the campsite during the weekend. He checked reservations, made sure everyone knew the campsite rules, and checked the trash and bathroom. No one came out that I saw for the duration of our visit. The side by side group left bags of trash and were generally disrespectful to those of us hoping for a quiet nature experience. I am frustrated that I have to pay to camp here, the side by side group did not pay (they mostly camped out in the center parking area), yet I clean up after our group plus any trash we find when we arrive and the other group left trash all around. Why am I paying if no one is regulating the reservations, rules, or maintaining the campsite (beside us)?
Daniel K
Loop:Loop 2
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
It was great for dirt bike riding with my beginner daughter on the pit bike track.
Sarah F
Loop:Loop 2
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
The forest service and the concessionaire do nothing to enforce reservations or the maintenance of the campsites at Navajo flats. The sites used to be first come, first serve, but with the online reservations, we pre-pay for a campsite that has trash all around and people already parked in it. What is the point of making an online reservation if no one is marking the spaces or even monitoring once during the week to ensure the sites are available to the people overpaying for them? Not only were there people in our spot when we arrived, we had to wait for them to decide to move once they returned from their ride...hanging out, eating a meal, then moving their rigs out to the parking area. On top of that, there was a group of people who played super loud mariachi music the WHOLE time. Day and night! They were not in a pay site, so they camped for free, but ruined our trip when we did it responsibly. That same group of people walked around the campsites and took firewood, then chopped a large branch off of one of the trees to burn. If the alleged concessionaire who is supposed to be monitoring the sites was out there even once, they could have enforced some rules at the camp sites. If I have to pre-pay for the site, then it should be marked that it is reserved. The signage as you drive in to the campsite has been changed and the information about paying to camp is completely removed. How is anyone supposed to know sites are by reservation if it isn't even posted at the sites? Why is my family paying to camp when we are the ones picking up all the trash, we are the ones maintaining trails, we are the ones who worked to get the camping sites built in the first place???
Gerald M
Loop:Loop 1
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Don't recommend on a holiday weekend if you are going to enjoy peace and quiet.
Sarah F
Loop:Loop 2
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
This is the second time I have made reservations and there weren't any reserved signs at the sights. This camp area used to always be first come first serve, but now with the reservations and all the extra fees, it would be helpful to have the reserved signs to avoid people taking our spots. The trash cans were full when we arrived and no one came out the entire time to service the restroom or check the trash. Before the weekend was over, there wasn't any toilet paper in the restroom. A group of very loud and inconsiderate people pulled up to our friend's reserved sigh next to us and set up their camp. They were told that it was a rented spot, but did not move. Since there weren't any concessionaires the entire weekend, we did not have anyone to help enforce the reservation system (which I disagree with). The other campers stayed up late, were very loud, ran their generator until about midnight, and had no consideration for anyone else in the camp area. How do you expect us to pay $30 a night, then have a weekend minimum of 2 nights and charge a $4 "weekend fee" but then require 3 nights because it's a holiday and charge an extra $6 "holiday fee" and DO NOTHING to accommodate those camping? Just go back to first come, first serve and stop with the bogus charges that pad the pockets of people who have NOTHING to do with maintaining access to the forest.
Gina C
Loop:Loop 2
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
Amazing trails, clean campground quiet for Thanksgiving weekend lot of kids to ride with yet never more than two on the beginner track at one time. Trails clearly marked for difficulty. Planning to come back soon.
