Laguna Mountain
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Whether you're hitting the road in the summer or planning a fall camping trip, Laguna Mountain offers incredible views, beloved hiking trails and thrilling activities all year round. This destination is popular with RV travelers because it offers a campground with amenities and parking sites. However, if you prefer dispersed camping, you can also stay in a secluded area that helps you reconnect with nature.
Quick Facts About RVing in Laguna Mountain
• RV Friendly: Yes • Camping Type: Developed campground • Reservations: Yes • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable Water: Yes • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed • Roads: Paved, gravel, dirt • Best Season: Spring, fall, winter
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Stunning mountain views • Hiking, mountain biking and horse riding • Developed campsites with RV pads • Dispersed camping options • On-site fire rings and picnic tables • Stargazing opportunities
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
The Laguna Falls Trail
If you're up for making this rigorous hike, you'll hopefully be rewarded with spectacular waterfall views. This trail requires some dexterity; towards the end, you’ll have to clamber down a steep, rocky slope to get to the waterfall.
Length: 4.9 miles out-and-back
Intensity: Challenging
The Laguna Mountain Loop
This loop trail is great for a quick hike or mountain bike ride.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Sweetwater Road
Sweetwater Road features varied terrain that takes you through oak forest and grassy meadowlands.
Length: 3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Short Fence Trail
This fun trail is not as popular as some other trails in the area, so it's great for a relaxing hike.
Length: 1.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
The nearby Hernandez Reservoir is a great option if you're looking to spend a day fishing. Common catches include bass, catfish, crappie, and walleye. The reservoir also allows boating with both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.
Wildlife Viewing
If you want to observe interesting animal species, you’ll have a good chance of viewing them from either the hiking trails or the campgrounds within the recreation area. Birding enthusiasts will want to see if they can spot any California condors. You’re likely to encounter deer and wild pigs in many locations as you wander around the recreation area. Look out for snakes and tarantulas at the campsites and on the trails.
Picnicking
The Bureau of Land Management campgrounds within the recreation area are each equipped with fire rings, shade structures and picnic benches. You can also find picnic facilities at the nearby Sweetwater Campground.
Hunting
Hunting is permissible within designated areas of the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area with a valid hunting license. Sportspersons in this area hunt for a variety of game and non-game species including wild pigs, deer, upland game birds and varmints.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
BLM RV camping is easy and convenient at Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. You can grab a site at either Laguna Mountain or Upper Sweetwater, which are the two RV-friendly developed campgrounds in the immediate area. Both campgrounds offer level RV pads. You’ll have picnic benches, fire rings and shade structures available in case you and your group want to toast marshmallows, make s’mores or enjoy some picnic meals. Each campsite also offers kiosks with maps and local area information. No electrical or water hookups are provided.
Developed Campgrounds
Laguna Mountain offers two developed campgrounds with picnic tables, fire rings, RV pads, maps and shaded areas. Both campgrounds are free, but since they don't have water or electricity hookups, make sure you bring clean water and a power supply. You can camp at Laguna Mountain for up to 14 days within a three-month period. To keep the area clean, bring your own trash bags and remove litter before you leave.
Dispersed Camping
If you're up for an adventure, Laguna Mountain allows dispersed camping within 15 feet of any roadway. To protect the environment, the park does not allow dispersed camping within 200 yards of wildlife watering improvement areas. Once you arrive, you won't have access to flush toilets, electricity or running water, so make sure you bring food, clean water, medical supplies and anything else that you need to stay safe during your trip. You'll also need to bring a shovel so that you can safely dispose of human waste.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Camper vans are a great fit for Laguna Mountain. You'll have plenty of room to slide into an RV space or find a space for dispersed camping. • Travel Trailers: If your vehicle and travel trailer are less than 40 feet long combined, you should have no problem parking at a campsite and navigating the roads. However, you might not have enough room for all the supplies you'll need to camp here. • Fifth Wheels: Fifth wheels generally have enough space for your guests and supplies without exceeding the length limit. Keep in mind that the road to the campground can be a little narrow. • Class A Motorhomes: Larger motorhomes may have trouble navigating Coalinga Road. Smaller motorhomes should have enough space, but make sure you're prepared to drive on gravel and dirt roads. • Class B Motorhomes: Most Class B motorhomes are small and compact, making them perfect for a trip to Laguna Mountain. • Class C Motorhomes: Typically, Class C motorhomes are a great fit for camping trips. Still, make sure you check the dimensions to ensure that you won't get stuck on the road along the way.
Free Camping 
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available in the area surrounding Laguna Mountain. Dispersed camping outside of the established campgrounds is allowed as long as you are at least 200 yards outside of wildlife watering improvement areas and a minimum of 15 feet from any roadway. There's a 14-day camping limit within any 28-day period.
RV Rentals Near Laguna Mountain Plan your next adventure
Planning your Laguna Mountain BLM trip
If you have a water tank, be sure to fill it before you head to Laguna Mountain Recreation Area because potable water is not available on-site. If you’re planning to visit Pinnacles National Park, you might be able to refill your water tank at the Pinnacles National Park Visitor Center. Be aware that the campgrounds in the recreation area do not have electricity or running water. Vaulted toilets are provided at the developed campgrounds.
Even if you plan to use the campgrounds, you’ll want to bring a shovel along with you. It’s useful for extinguishing your campfire. If the campgrounds are full when you arrive, you’ll also need it to properly dispose of waste in the dispersed camping areas.
Before you head out on your trip, check out RVshare’s blog to get updated on all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
To get to Laguna Mountain campgrounds, you'll need to drive through Coalinga Road, which has paved and gravel areas. This road provides a great view of the California landscape, but it can be difficult to navigate if you're driving a large vehicle. Consider fueling up at a gas station before you leave the interstate. The spring, fall and winter months offer cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. You can still enjoy Laguna Mountain during the summer, but be prepared for extreme temperatures, especially since you won't have direct access to running water. With no trash collection or dump stations, you'll also have to hold onto your garbage until you leave the campground.
Leave No Trace 
Trash collection is not an available service at Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, so be sure to bag all your trash and take it with you when you depart. You can also minimize your impact by only camping on hard-packed surfaces and sticking to established trails when you explore the area.
Laguna Mountain Location
Laguna Mountain is situated approximately 28 miles northeast of King City and about 24 miles southeast of Pinnacles National Park. If you’re driving from King City, your route will take you from Bitterwater Road to Coalinga Road. If you’re making the drive from Pinnacles National Park, you’ll want to head east on CA-25E for about 12 miles. Then, make a left onto Coalinga Road. The Sweetwater Campground entrance is on the left after proceeding about another 12 miles.
Ready to visit Laguna Mountain? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Laguna Mountain
• Morning: Watch the sun rise over the mountains from your campsite, then go hiking to see the waterfalls at Laguna Creek. This is a great way to snap some nature photography, take a solitary trip or enjoy time with loved ones. • Afternoon: Enjoy a meal at your campsite before an afternoon of hunting, mountain biking or horseback riding. Depending on the season, you may find birds, pigs, deer and other animals during a hunting trip. • Evening: Build a fire and relax at your campsite while the sun goes down, and then enjoy a home-cooked meal and gaze up at the stars.
Nearby Attractions
• Pinnacles National Park: See a landscape that formed 23 million years ago when you visit Pinnacles National Park, which is about 60 minutes away from Laguna Mountain. Popular activities include camping, spelunking and rock climbing. You'll also get the chance to see the famous California condors in person. • Fresno: If you're passing through the area, consider stopping in Fresno, California. This city, which is about 2 1/2 hours from Laguna Mountain, offers zoos, museums, restaurants, parks, trailheads and cultural areas, including the famous Tower District. Stop by the Chukchansi Stadium to watch professional baseball or soccer. • Panoche Hills Ecological Reserve: Panoche Hills Ecological Reserve sits about 2 hours away from Laguna Mountain. You can visit this reserve to see the grasslands and wildlife or take part in seasonal hunting. Native plants in the region include buckwheat, juniper and Mormon tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Laguna Mountain have toilets or running water? Laguna Mountain has on-site vault toilets. However, the campgrounds don't have water hookups, so make sure you stock up on clean water before you arrive. Depending on your route, you can grab supplies at major cities, such as Fresno, Bakersfield or San Jose. Can I hunt on Laguna Mountain? Laguna Mountain allows big game, small game and varmint hunting on the property. However, each season has different rules, so make sure you check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the current hunting laws. Note that the state prohibits lead bullets in this area due to the presence of the California condor. Does Laguna Mountain allow target shooting? While Laguna Mountain doesn't have designated target shooting areas, you can shoot targets as long as you comply with local regulations. This includes shooting with legal weapons, avoiding roads and residential areas, and packing up your targets before you leave. Shooting at trees, signs, buildings or hazardous objects is prohibited. Can I start a campfire on Laguna Mountain? Each campsite has a fire ring, allowing you to safely build a campfire away from vegetation. If you plan on building a fire elsewhere, you may need to apply for a free campfire permit. This ensures that you're camping legally and helps protect the environment from accidental blazes, which could harm the plants and wildlife. What kind of views does Laguna Mountain offer? Laguna Mountain offers views of the California hills, forests, meadows and creeks. If you enjoy hiking, the Laguna Mountain Campground trailhead takes you directly to the Laguna Creek waterfalls. You'll also get scenic views of the sky during the day and stargazing opportunities at night.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
Generally, small- to medium-sized RVs are the best option for a trip to Laguna Mountain. They are compact enough to meet the size limitations while offering enough space for supplies and a few guests. If you don't have an RV, consider renting one from an owner. This allows you to enjoy the perks of RV travel without spending thousands of dollars on a new model. Explore RV rental options near Laguna Mountain to start planning your next adventure.