There’s no Wi-Fi, no cell phone access, and only a few hours of electricity in the evenings. But that is just part of the rustic charm that lures lovers of nature to historic Sturtevant Camp.
Located in the Big Santa Anita Canyon, in the San Gabriel Mountains, Sturtevant Camp was established in 1893 and is as rustic as you can get. In fact, the only way to get to it is by hiking four miles.
Visitors can park in the parking lot at Chantry Flat, north of the city of Sierra Madre. You may want to rent a donkey to transport your personal items, food, equipment and supplies. You can find the donkeys at Adams’ Pack Station next to the parking lot.
The camp is open to the public with rental cabins and rooms available for 2 to 32 people.
In September 2020, the Bobcat Fire devastated the Big Santa Anita Canyon and the surrounding mountains, destroying parts of Sturtevant Camp. The hazardous environment has kept the canyon and the camp closed to the public for the past four years, and volunteers continue to work on recovery from the fire in camp and on the connecting trails.
When the canyon finally opened in October of last year, the camp also opened for weekend visitors and started taking reservations for overnight guests in the new year. However, in early January the Eaton fire threatened the canyon and camp, and everything was shut down again.
In early February, the camp reopened, and volunteers are now welcoming day-hikers and overnight guests. So, what’s a stay like at the camp?
Lodging options are three roomy guest cabins, each sleeping eight; the Honeymoon Cottage for two; the self-contained Retreat Cabin for up to eight, and the Lower Lodge room for two. All lodging includes mattresses, bedding, blankets and pillows. In cool weather, cabins are warmed by propane wall heaters. The bath house has men’s and women’s flush toilets and hot showers.
Common facilities include the historic dining hall, a commercial-grade kitchen, and a game room with fireplace and piano. There’s also an outdoor chapel for presentations and entertainment.
Activities at Sturtevant Camp include volleyball, badminton, pingpong, shuffleboard, horseshoes, croquet, the Big Swing, games, self-guided nature walk and a creek. The natural surroundings include spruce trees, ferns, chaparral and wildflowers. There are dozens of bird species to spot and vistas to enjoy by hiking to Mt. Wilson.
The camp is operated by the volunteer Board of Directors, and volunteer hosts welcome, guide and supervise guests.
To make a reservation, go to https://www.sturtevantcamp. com/reservations.