Campo and the Southern Terminus
Overview
Campo is the community adjacent to the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail at mile 0. It serves primarily as a starting point, with most hikers arriving already provisioned from larger nearby cities.
Key points
- Located at or near mile 0 of the Pacific Crest Trail on the U.S.–Mexico border.
- Functions mainly as the symbolic and logistical start of a northbound thru hike.
- Local services are limited compared to larger regional hubs.
- Most hikers arrange food and gear in nearby urban areas such as San Diego before arriving.
- Often used as a photo and documentation point at the southern monument.
Details
Campo marks the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail and the beginning of northbound mileage numbering. The trailhead monument at the border is a common landmark where hikers take photos and begin their journeys. While there are some local amenities in the broader area, Campo itself is not typically used as a full resupply location.
Most hikers travel to Campo from larger nearby cities, having already assembled their initial gear and food. They then step directly onto the trail with enough supplies to reach early waypoints such as Lake Morena and Mount Laguna. Campo’s primary role in the PCT context is to host the starting monument and the first segment of the trail.
Related topics
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.