Thorn Meadows campground
Thorn Meadows
The campground itself offers a variety of amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. There is no potable water available, so visitors should plan to bring their own or treat water from nearby sources. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and has 12 campsites available.
An interesting fact about the area is that it was once home to the Kaweah Colony, a utopian community that was established in the late 19th century. Although the colony only lasted a few years, its legacy can still be seen in the area.
The best time of year to visit Thorn Meadows Camping Area is from June to September, when temperatures range from the mid-70s during the day to the mid-40s at night. Visitors should be aware that the campground is at an elevation of 7,000 feet, so it can get chilly at night even during the summer months.
What's on-site at Thorn Meadows
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Thorn Meadows, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorn Meadows Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Cedar Creek Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Fishbowls Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Pine Mountain Lodge Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Piedra Blanca Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Thorn Meadows -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sespe Creek Near Wheeler Springs Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Santa Paula C Nr Santa Paula | 13 cfs | → |
| Sespe C Nr Fillmore | 52 cfs | → |
| Matilija C Nr Res Nr Matilija Hot Springs Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Piru C Ab Frenchmans Flat Ca | 16 cfs | → |
| Piru Creek Above Lake Piru Ca | 34 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
Boat launches
- Pyramid Lake Road, Lebec
- Santa Ana Road Ventura County
- Vacquero Boating And Picnic Site
- Vista Del Lago Road 21, Lebec
- Interstate 5, Lebec
- Piru Canyon Road 4780, Castaic
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters, Upper Piru Creek To Wildernes Boundary
- Section Line To Confluence With Rock Creek
- Chorro Grande Canyon To Section Line Dividing Sec 1, T5n, R23w And Sec 6, T5n, T22w
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Gold Hill Creek
- Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic
- Castaic To Pyramid Reservoir
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Thorn Meadows as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Thorn Meadows
Can I make reservations at Thorn Meadows?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Thorn Meadows?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Thorn Meadows.