July 21-23, 2026
Horse Flats Campground
26 campsites, 3 restrooms huts (cesspool) with toilet paper. Campfire pits have flip-over grills.
Mount Hillyer hike is recommended. Start early in the AM so you can grab some shade every now and then. Leisurely, it’s about a 2.5-3.5 hr hike. Start from the Southwest end of Horse Flats campground or at the Northeast trail head at Rosenta Saddle.
Site 21 has a great shade tree in the and it’s 3-sites in one if 19 and 20 aren’t taken. It’s at higher elevation than surrounding campsites. Manzanita “temple” to the SE above boulders, and along the way, a nice spot for a jam session.
Sites 19, 20, 22 & 23 would be good friend neighbor sites if one went with a group.
Recommended for Mon-Thurs as there is little privacy if other sites are filled, and loud voices carry here.
Head and body netting recommended as the small black flies are pesky (but unlike the giant and aggressive Black ones at Buckhorn, don’t seem to bite much. Mosquitos were present at dusk but not as populous as the small flies.
Personal Philosopy
1. Respect and Love Mother Nature;
2. Respect other campers;
3. Pick up and dispose of trash around the campsite, leave it cleaner than when you arrived;
4. Defend National Forest staff and Federal funding and fight fascism
Car Camping Poems and Thoughts for The Royman Chuckling in the Spirit World
Through the toilet seat
cesspool donations
not a pleasant sight
clean campground is
First bite of
roasted turkey
hatch chili cheese sandwich
the taste of DEET-free insect repellent
When you took forever to decide where to pitch and stake the tent at your reserved campsite, only to determine on day three that that the location was not optimal after all.
When you thought you rigged the hammock but didn’t tie the knot properly on one end and landed on your ass, and/or when your attempts to mount a hammock demonstrate a good impersonation of an old Laurel and Hardy or Three Stooges sitcom.
When you kill the flies that got into your tent
but are too lazy to find, pick up, and dispose of the dead ones.
When you love solo camping
but wish there were friends to share the campfire with. :)
When your put your hands in your pockets not because it’s cold
but because you hate getting mosquito bites on your fingers
and didn’t bring gloves.
Wardrobe upgrade ideas below.
When you pack up, load the car with gear to head home,
windows rolled down to enjoy the mountain air
and unbeknownst to you,
your expensive down sleeping bag flew out of the window.
RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
mesh net head covering, jacket, pants and mittens.
https://mozziestyle.com/products/mozziegearpants
Non-DEET repellent:
Trail Maps
https://www.natgeomaps.com/ti-811-angeles-national-forest (above map image is from this one)
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/angeles/maps-guides
https://www.trailforks.com/region/angeles-national-forest-7468/map
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/maps-guides
https://store.avenza.com/products/811-angeles-national-forest-national-geographic-map
Car Camping Wish List
Better hiking shoes
https://www.bougerv.com/products/23qt-battery-powered-car-fridge-for-camp