Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground

Beach access within a five-minute walk draws many campers to Canyon Campground, where 135 sites spread across open coastal sage scrub terrain in Leo Carrillo State Park. The campground sits in a dusty valley just off Pacific Coast Highway, with the Santa Monica Mountains rising behind the sites and Leo Carrillo Beach accessible via a short trail.

Sites cluster closely together on paved loops, with RVs and tents often positioned near neighboring campers. About 60% of sites offer shade from mature trees, while others remain exposed to sun throughout the day. John B. recommends checking site photos on the reservation system beforehand, noting "Check the ReserveCalifornia.com site pictures to see what the site looks like before you register." Sites against the mountain provide more privacy with no neighbors behind them.

The adjacent beach offers tide pooling, cave exploration, and fishing opportunities. Dogs can access a designated beach area north of the main Leo Carrillo Beach, requiring a slightly longer walk from the campground. Campers report cold ocean water year-round and recommend bringing wagons to transport beach gear. A small general store operates on-site with limited hours, selling basic supplies and coffee.

Cell service remains minimal to nonexistent within the campground boundaries, while hot showers and clean restrooms serve all sites. Electric hookup sites accommodate RVs up to 31 feet, with a dump station available. Reservations fill quickly during summer months, especially weekends, though weekday visits typically see lighter crowds. Bryan H. found the Monday through Friday period "wasn't overly crowded during the week."

For campers wanting more seclusion, Circle X Ranch Group Campground — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area provides a mountain alternative four miles inland.

Fee Info

Parking:

All day – $12.00 per car, per day 3 hrs – $9.00 per car 2 hrs – $6.00 per car 1 hr – $3.00 per car

Reservation Info

Reservations available up to 6 months in advance.

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Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Occupancy by the same persons, equipment, or vehicles of the Angeles District's camping facilities is limited to a total of 30 days in any calendar year.

Camping Adventures concession provides trailer rental service, consisting of various sized trailers, to park visitors within Leo Carrillo and Point Mugu State Parks.  Check the website; if you have questions, call 805-797-7460.

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Map & DirectionsCanyon Campground is located in California near Lake Sherwood

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Take the 101 freeway and exit at Kanan Road. Go south onto Kanan Road. Turn right onto Mulholland Highway. Keep left to continue on Encinal Canyon Road. Turn left to stay on Encinal Canyon Road. Turn right onto CA-1 N, Pacific Coast Highway. 2.3 miles down, the park entrance will be on your right.

Coordinates

34.047961 N
118.934126 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 27 users
    Last on 5/19/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 13 users
    Last on 5/19/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 5/19/26

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 27 users
    Last on 5/19/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 13 users
    Last on 5/19/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 5/19/26

Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Drive Time


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Reviews56 Camper Reviews - Canyon Campground

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5 Stars

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56%
36%
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4.5

out of 5

56 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the spacious, shaded sites and easy beach access with excellent tide pools and dog-friendly areas. Feedback commonly touched on higher pricing and potential noise from neighbors during busy periods, but most found the location and family-friendly amenities worth it.

Reviewed May. 12, 2026

Come for the trees!

Great camping experience. They have both electric and non-electric sites for campers and Tents. Just a walk or a bike ride to the ocean. The one really cool thing that this park has are Groves of sycamore trees all over and Coastal Oaks like I've never seen before.

Site77
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Mar. 28, 2026

HUGE Site, Awesome Trees

Stayed at Site 90, which might be the best in the whole park. Huge space, tons of shade, and a really cool, large sycamore tree. No power or water at the site, but there was a water spigot nearby. We stayed Monday–Friday and it wasn’t overly crowded during the week. Friendly neighbors, lots of families, and none of the classic“LA” rude or loud campers. The camp store was really convenient, and the staff were very nice and helpful. The beach is about a 5-minute walk—our kids loved the tide pools and caves. Definitely check the low tide times before you go. Very limited Verizon service, which is a plus in our book. Overall, a really good experience. The family and I will be back.

Site090
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Bryan H., March 28, 2026
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Bryan H., March 28, 2026
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Bryan H., March 28, 2026
Reviewed Feb. 1, 2026

Easy camping close to LA, noisy neighbors

Nice clean sites, friendly staff. You can hear frogs and crickets and birds. There was a lovely warm breeze all night. Nice grills over the fire pits and nice picnic tables. Lots of families, some with better camping etiquette than others. Bring earplugs in case you get inconsiderate neighbors.

Site94
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Abigail L., February 1, 2026
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Abigail L., February 1, 2026
Reviewed Mar. 2, 2025

Calme et nature

Les employés sont super gentils on est arrivé à 19h et c'était ouvert. Choix avec ou sans électricité, petite épicerie, douches bbc et table. Calme et nature au rdv à quelques pas de los Angeles. Ambiance très familiale !

Site129
Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Feb. 29, 2024

Canyon Escape

Beautiful campgrounds in a canyon next to the beach. Clean restrooms & showers. Spent 3 nights here & wish we could stay longer. The only negative was no wifi or data. So zero internet on site. And Verizon phone signal was spotty at best. Once you get out of the canyon at the beach, the signal is back. But ya, no using data to do social media or watch shows or anything on phone.

SiteL32
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by T&A Adventures *., February 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by T&A Adventures *., February 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by T&A Adventures *., February 29, 2024
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Jan. 22, 2024

Beautiful January Trip

This was a cool spot. There are a mix of nice open campsites, and more intimate ones. Nice short walk to the beach where dogs are welcome.

Site15
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Joe V., January 22, 2024
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Joe V., January 22, 2024
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Joe V., January 22, 2024
Reviewed Sep. 25, 2023

Great spot at front of Campsite

We camped in site 103 and found it to be an awesome spot. We brought our infant for her first camping trip and from 103 you couldn't really see anyone else's camp site (site 102 was across the street from our spot but no one was there). It is also nearly as close as you can get to the beach and has quick access to shower/bathroom and water. 

Only downside was that while It was quiet at night, during the day you are near the entrance so there was a lot of foot traffic and cars/RVs driving through. It didn't bother us though.

SiteL103
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Corey B., September 25, 2023
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Corey B., September 25, 2023
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Corey B., September 25, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 25, 2023

Overall great experience except for other campers.

It was a great trip over all. The site was clean, there wasn’t a crazy amount of bugs. I do like that the store wasn’t extremely over priced.

The one issue I had wasn’t with the site itself it was the other campers. On the first night there was a couple arguing at midnight and 4 am. The rangers eventually showed up but they didn’t care that they were disturbing the peace.

Overall it’s a great spot to camp! Will definitely be back.

Site132
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Andrea P., June 25, 2023
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Andrea P., June 25, 2023
Reviewed Feb. 23, 2023

Lovely secluded state park close to town!

We visited Leo Carillo in March of 2022 and absolutely loved it. The sites are private and roomy, and they have everything you could need - a camp store, showers, and even food trucks! It’s about a 10 minute walk to the beach, which is pretty rocky and not too swimmable, but still gorgeous. Be aware though, the gates close early and if you miss them, you get locked out!

Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Feb. 3, 2023

Dishonest signage

The park and the signs outside the park say gate hours are from 8 AM to 10 PM. It’s 5 PM at night the gates are locked already they locked them at dark not at 10 PM at dark and there’s no camping here at all.

Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2022

Excellent . Big spots

Nice big spots, close to the beach. Very quite. Needs to reserve at California State parks website. Dump station and water fill up on your way out not on the campsite, but thats no issue for us. Wifi not working but good 4G reception. Need tokens for the shower, so showered in the RV.

Site5
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Femke J., October 4, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 26, 2022

Chill camping spot

Had a great time at Leo Carrillo. It’s such a chill campground. Having the beach right next door is awesome. The tide pools are great, but there’s some really beautiful spots on north beach.

Site126
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Amber R., September 26, 2022
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2022

Large campsite

Large campsite, I saw many campsite with more the 8 person and lots of tents live together in one site with no problem. It's not a problem for 3 cars parking on site. Kids love tide pool. Cool camp store, they sell fire wood. Because we stay at site 42, it's quite far from beach so we have to drive to beach but not a problem for parking.

Site42
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Sook C., August 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Sook C., August 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Sook C., August 9, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2022

Unexpected, good campsite

I've often come to the beach here but not the campsite. It's on the landward side of the pch and feels like you are away from everything. The beach is accessible by a short walk that goes under the pch, so no crossing this busy road. The site has a handy store for basic needs plus toys and shirts and emergency camp stuff. Not sure if all the hookups are operational, we weren't able to get one, but there were tent campers on sites that had them? Like most places, best to book early to guarantee you get what you need. This site had a nice fire pit and table up a short hill and very private

Site122
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Steve H., August 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Steve H., August 5, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2022

Love it

Beautiful scenery of the ocean and nice to see the sunrise and sunset.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Jose Q., July 18, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2022

Great location

This park has great access to a beautiful beach. A lot of surfers which was fun to watch. Not familiar enough with CA to judge but just to mention, you have to buy tokens to take a shower. We were told it was $2 for a 4 min shower. When you actually get to the shower it’s $2 for 2 mins. The sites are spread out enough you’re not right on top of your neighbor but they are still close and it was crowded! A lot of bikes and activity going on pretty late into the night.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Leslie M., July 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Leslie M., July 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Leslie M., July 15, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 10, 2022

Great tidepools

Love this spot for it's tide pools and location off of pch.

Siteback campsites are larger
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by monica , July 10, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by monica , July 10, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by monica , July 10, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2022

Great Local Getaway

Wonderful area with good hiking spots, beach access for both you and your dogs. Easy access to water every 4-5 bays, dumpsters close by, showers on site and a local store for some last minute amenities.

Site118
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Apr. 14, 2022

Great local campsite for LA

We camped here for New Years 2016 and loved it. It was a quiet campground even on new years and had a good amount of room between sites. The site is pretty sandy so the tents get a bit messy, but otherwise the fire ring was great. 

The beach that you can walk to is an awesome dog beach. We had a blast here. I will say be careful about tar in the sand as that ruined a good pair of hiking pants that I was wearing.

Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Corey B., April 14, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Corey B., April 14, 2022
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Corey B., April 14, 2022
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Apr. 4, 2022

Beautiful Campground

I thought this was a great campground, although I had the only campsite (#101) that didn’t have any shade. It is a huge campground with paved pads for cars and RVs. Many of the site had huge shade trees that you could fit several tents under. Sites were spaced a good distance apart. It is well maintained. There are flush toilets, hot showers, water, a dump station and a little campground store. My only complaint was the showers. Two tokens for a dollar, two minutes of hot water per token. It took most of the first two minutes waiting for the water to get hot. I ended my shower by rinsing off with cold water.

Site101
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2021

Good spot to camp and surf

I was lucky to roll in on a late Sunday afternoon and snag a last minute spot. Beach is a good surf spot. Sites are good sized and not too close to each other. Bathrooms have token showers.

Site30
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Tommy B., July 14, 2021
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Tommy B., July 14, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 3, 2021

Nice campground w/ beach access

The campground is tucked away between 2 canyons amongst sycamore trees. The parking pads or trailer pads are very small, but the sites themselves have good space w/ fire pits and tables. Cel service is very scarce in the campground, you need to go out to the beach for service. The beach is within walking distance, great waves for surfing and awesome tide pools for the kiddos. There is also a dog beach and a couple rock caves to explore. Overall, a nice getaway and not too far from home.

Site96
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Mar. 23, 2021

Great family vacation!

We spent our spring break here and had a great time. Me, my husband, and our 7 year old daughter enjoyed it so much we ended up extending our stay. The campground was busy but there was plenty of space between campsites. Everyone was pleasant including the staff that were very helpful and answered all of our questions.

  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Joseph , March 23, 2021
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Joseph , March 23, 2021
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Joseph , March 23, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Mar. 9, 2021

A very nice a family friendly campground.

The best part of this campground is the quick walk to the beach. Lots of families and trees to climb for the kids. Going from the campsite to the sand was a very nice experience. I camped on a Saturday night so the campground was full but that was expected as we were so close to L.A. I will return for a quick getaway.

  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Matt R., March 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Matt R., March 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground by Matt R., March 9, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Leo Carrillo State Park?

Leo Carrillo State Park Campground is considered somewhat pricey compared to other California State Parks. Specific rates vary by season, site type, and whether you're camping on weekdays or weekends. The campground uses a digital payment system for fee collection. For the most current pricing information, check the California State Parks reservation website or contact the park directly before planning your trip.

What do visitors say about Leo Carrillo State Park Campground?

Leo Carrillo State Park Campground is highly regarded for its prime location along a beautiful stretch of Malibu coastline. Campers appreciate the easy beach access, just a short 5-minute walk from the campground. The area offers excellent surfing, tide pools, whale watching in spring, and opportunities to spot seals. Many families return year after year, valuing the kid-friendly environment and proximity to Southern California attractions like Malibu, Hollywood, and LA. The campground features oak tree shade, well-maintained facilities, and a convenient camp store with friendly staff.

Is Leo Carrillo State Beach open for camping?

Yes, Leo Carrillo State Beach is open for camping, though the main camping area (Canyon Campground) is not directly on the beach but a short 5-minute walk away. The beach area itself offers excellent surfing, tide pools, and even a separate dog-friendly beach section. While RVs can park along some beach-adjacent areas, the primary camping experience is in the canyon. The beach provides gorgeous California coastal views with PCH in the background, making it a popular destination for both day-use and overnight camping visitors.

How is the campground layout at Leo Carrillo State Park?

Leo Carrillo's Canyon Campground is nestled in a coastal sage scrub valley. Sites are arranged throughout the canyon with many situated under oak trees providing welcome shade. The middle of the campground tends to have larger sites compared to those along the perimeter. For more privacy, look for sites against the mountain that don't have neighbors behind them. Each campsite comes equipped with fresh water spigots, fire pits with grill grates, and picnic tables. The campground has multiple bathrooms and shower facilities scattered throughout. There's also a separate hike-and-bike area that tends to be quieter than the main camping areas.

How do I make reservations at Leo Carrillo State Park Campground?

Reservations for Leo Carrillo State Park Campground can be made through the California State Parks reservation system, ReserveCalifornia. It's advisable to book well in advance, especially for summer weekends and holidays when the campground fills quickly. The reservation window typically opens six months ahead of your planned stay date. When booking, you can select specific site numbers based on your preferences for size, privacy, and location within the campground. For group sites, special arrangements may be required. Check the official California State Parks website for the most current reservation policies and procedures.