Searching for a tent campsite near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area campgrounds for you and your tent. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your California camping adventure.
Firewood Policy: Burning firewood, Duraflame, and charcoal briquettes in the fire rings is allowed when fire level permits (determined on a day by day basis). Check the sign near the entrance to the park for the day's fire levels.
Showers: The park's showers are token-operated. The token machines accept ONLY dollar bills. Change for larger bills is not available at this time.
$35 / night
Point Mugu State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, features five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnuts. There are more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The beach also features swimming, body surfing and surf fishing. The park includes the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area.
Point Mugu camping included La Jolla Group, Sycamore Campground and Thornhill Broome Campground.
$45 / night
One of the best places for Malibu Camping is Malibu Creek State Park, just 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles, features hiking, fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, rock climbing and horseback riding opportunities.
Fourteen-mile Malibu Creek is the principal watercourse of the Santa Monica Mountains that ends at Malibu Lagoon. There are 15 miles of streamside trail through oak and sycamore woodlands on chaparral-covered slopes. Following the trail along Malibu Creek State Park, the visitor will be treated to spectacular vistas, including volcanic rock gorges, scenic pools, and breathtaking views of the Las Virgenes Valley and Malibu Canyon.
Previous to being opened to the public in 1976, the park was used extensively to film numerous movies and TV shows, such as Planet of the Apes and MAS*H. Most of the park's land holdings were donated by Bob Hope, with later significant acquisitions from Ronald Reagan and 20th Century Fox.
$225 / night
Lake Casitas camping offers over 400 sites, so you can choose the camping experience that suits you best. Some sites are lakeside, close enough to hear the lapping water, others are nestled among the trees, and still more are located on hillsides offering splendid views of the sparkling lake.
We have sites to accommodate tents, tent trailers, campers and RVs, all with picnic tables and fire rings, and some with children's playgrounds close by. Shower houses with bathrooms are located at the front gate and towards the back of the park. We also have a convenient, fenced, dry storage facility for recreational vehicles, boats, canoes & kayaks
UPDATE as of 10/10/20
Requires military ID and only open for Active Duty for camping at this current time. People can use the Day Use with proper identification
Twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria camping offers a mile of beach for swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring and camping. Although dogs are not allowed on beach, we have a great picnic area where they are allowed to enjoy the outdoors as well. Lifeguards patrol the beach year round and lifeguard towers are staffed roughly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The Spanish named the area Carpinteria because the Chumash tribe, which lived in the area, had a large seagoing canoe-building enterprise, or "carpentry shop" here. This was because of naturally-occurring surface tar, which was used to waterproof the canoes.
Seals and sea lions can be seen in the area December through May, as well as an occasional gray whale. Tidepools contain starfish, sea anemones, crabs, snails, octopi and sea urchins.
$45 - $180 / night
Wheeler Gorge Campground is a great place for families to explore the Los Padres National Forest all year long. Informative tours of the area are led by forest rangers at the nearby visitor center. The campground provides scenic views of a nearby stream, as well as vast mountain vistas.
The Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail begins at the upper end of the campground. It is a relatively short loop that leads through thick vegetation along the creek banks and to a hillside view of the area. Wildflowers often bloom along the path. The creek flows near some of the campsites and a small swimming hole is frequented near the side of the highway. Fishing is rough in the area and may produce a catch of trout, but the stream is not stocked. Kayaking or canoeing in the creek is not recommended. Educational programs, including ranger-led hikes, are offered year-round.
The Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail begins at the upper end of the campground. It is a relatively short loop that leads through thick vegetation along the creek banks and to a hillside view of the area. Wildflowers often bloom along the path. The creek flows near some of the campsites and a small swimming hole is frequented near the side of the highway. Fishing is rough in the area and may produce a catch of trout, but the stream is not stocked. Kayaking or canoeing in the creek is not recommended. Educational programs, including ranger-led hikes, are offered year-round.
The campground is adjacent to Matilija Creek, and is bordered by a mixed forest of oak and sycamore trees and evergreen shrubbery. Most sites are shaded and summer temperatures reach up to 95 degrees. The campground was originally built by Boy Scouts nearly a century ago, as well as a historical stone home that is also on-site.
Ventura and the Pacific Ocean are about 20 miles south of the campground.
$34 / night
Welcome to Ventura Ranch KOA, nestled in the scenic hills near Santa Paula, CA. This campground is a fantastic spot for families and anyone looking to enjoy a mix of nature and fun activities. The place is packed with amenities that will keep everyone entertained, from a massive bounce pad and zip lines to playgrounds and a pool.
One of the standout features here is the abundance of peacocks roaming the grounds. They add a unique touch to your stay, though they can be a bit intrusive at times. The campground also offers a variety of accommodation options, including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, glamping setups, and even yurts.
If you're into hiking, make sure to check out the nearby creek. It's a short hike and well worth the effort. The campground is also big-rig friendly and has electric and water hookups, making it convenient for RV travelers.
Visitors have praised the friendly and helpful staff, particularly mentioning Alexi at reception for her courteous service. The campground is also noted for its quiet and private lots, though some spots can be a bit unlevel, so be prepared if you're in an RV.
For those looking to explore beyond the campground, the nearby town of Santa Paula offers a charming downtown area with plenty of shops and restaurants. It's a great place to spend a day if you want a break from the campground activities.
Overall, Ventura Ranch KOA is a great spot for a family getaway or a quiet retreat in nature. Just be ready for some peacock encounters and a bit of uneven ground if you're in an RV. Enjoy your stay!
RV camping in lower portion of park only with 35 foot maximum length; no hook ups Maximum of 6 people per campsite allowed Length of Stay 14 days consecutively
Dogs Allowed in campground on 6 foot leash. Fee is $2.50 per night, per dog. Maximum number of dogs allowed in a County Park per owner/campsite shall be set by the Director.
$25 - $26 / night
Tapo Canyon Regional Park is located in the midst of the rolling hills and canyons of the Santa Susana Mountains, north of Simi Valley. Hikers, equestrian riders, and mountain bikers enjoy this rugged and rural park, which features picnic areas, A group use area, playground, an equestrian arena, restroom and shower facility, and an RV campground with 16 full hook ups. Cell service is spotty depending on carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area?
TheDyrt.com has all 82 tent camping locations near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, with real photos and reviews from campers.
