- Vernon
What to expect
4WD recommended
Tent site
3 guests max
Toilet available
Pets allowed
No campfires
Bins available
Picnic table present
No potable water
No showers
Cooking equipment absent
No wifi
Laundry absent
Hot Tub absent
No playground
Things to know
Getting there
Check in: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Check out: Before 12:00 PM
On arrival: Head straight to site
Cancellation policy:
Minimum nights: 1 night
Accepts bookings: 12 months out
Park at listing
No wheelchair access
Max 2 vehicles
4WD recommended
During your trip
Follow the
Leave it better
Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.
Tent-only sites
1 site
Instant book
Observatory
78%
(9)4WD recommended
Toilet
Pets allowed
Reviews
78% Recommend9 ratings · 9 reviews
Wow what an amazing slice of heaven Joshua has created at the top of the mountain.
Fantastic views, good host communication, good directions, sweet platform to enjoy the sunset, very private, couldn’t have been happier to spend a night up here watching the stars
If you’re feeling adventurous and have a high clearance vehicle with good tires the road is incredibly fun to wheel on. We made it up no issues. If you try to use your Honda civic and have no wheelin experience, that’s gonna be a tough ride up. Make good choices when booking use only appropriate means to make it to the top and be rewarded with an outstanding private view of the Santa Cruz Mountains
The spot was really cool! The view is awesome. As long as you have a real 4x4, you’ll have no problem getting there. The only thing was that multiple people came up to our campsite acting like they owned the place. There was no sense of privacy or peace, as you didn’t know when you’d be interrupted next. I would absolutely not go there as a single woman.
Recommends
· May 2026
Tent ·
Observatory
Joshua offers a truly unique spot. I loved everything about this stay. The views are absolutely spectacular, especially at sunset, and the whole place had a peaceful, secluded feel without ever feeling unsafe. The drive up definitely requires a capable 4x4, but my Xterra handled it with ease and honestly made the adventure even more fun. I was also pleasantly surprised to have reliable cell service out there. If you’re looking for an off-grid camping experience with incredible scenery and a real sense of escape, this place is hard to beat.
The view is breathtaking and was truly the highlight of my camping adventures for the past 2 weeks. The road in is super treacherous but doable for the experienced 4x4er maybe not for those with no knowledge of driving up mountain dirt roads. Lots of washouts and ruts so choose your path wisely. Josh was super adamant about assuring I was equipped for the path up though and gave me warning and made sure I had the right type of vehicle for it. Directions in are tricky but Josh provided us with pictures and gave really descriptive details so we made it first shot up with no issues.
Recommends
· October 2025
Tent ·
Observatory
Great little spot , we really enjoyed ourselves here. Josh was a big help with very detailed direction's on getting there .
I camped here one night on a clear night and loved the sunset and star gazing. You'll definitely need a decent off road capable vehicle with some clearance as the access road is a bit rough. My stock Audi q3 made it but it felt close to it's limits (or mine as a driver, I'm not sure). The site is about 1500ft of elevation so mostly out of the marine layer, but not completely - my gear was very dewy for part of the night.
If you want a polished glamping site then this isn't for you, but if you want some excellent views and don't mind a mini adventure off-roading up past old weed farms, check it out. I'd go again.
Recommends
· September 2025
Tent · With pets ·
Observatory
The coolest hipcamp I have stayed at thus far. Joshua gave very clear directions and was very helpful. The property is massive and views are extraordinary. Definitely need 4x4 with higher clearance, but the top is so worth it. Will be coming back when I am in the area again.
Recommends
· September 2025
Beautiful view and lots of privacy. Definitely need a high clearance 4x4/AWD vehicle to get to the spot. Perfect for a Jeep or something similar. Great host. Great communication. Truly a hidden gem.
Skip the haunted houses this Halloween and come here instead if you want to be truly terrified. “The Observatory” is unsafe, unsanitary, and will ruin any chance of a peaceful getaway. The view from the top was fine, but nothing could make up for the nightmare experience getting there. You’re forced to drive up a brutal mountain road that many cars couldn’t handle. The property manager insisted on riding with us—already uncomfortable—and the property looked like a junkyard: trash everywhere, broken cars, sketchy neighbors, and a weed farm along the way.
At the “observatory,” the toilet was the worst I’ve ever seen: broken, outdoors, full of rotting waste with beer cans scattered around. Later, as we tried to relax, a random truck came up the impossible road, parked right next to us in the dark, and a man got out making bizarre noises and phone calls. It was horrifying. He lingered just long enough to put us in raw, paralyzing fear. After he left, the night was filled with unsettling sounds, voices, engines, and generators echoing around us. We barely slept.
This place is not safe. It’s not clean. It feels like the setup for a horror movie and no one should ever stay here. Hipcamp should not be hosting this listing—it endangers guests and destroys any sense of comfort or security. Stay away.
Location
Vernon, Los Angeles County, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Joshua V.
Joined in August 2025Things to do nearby
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