2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent camping options near Agoura Hills, California include several established sites within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and surrounding parks. Musch Trail Camp in Topanga State Park offers walk-in tent sites accessible via a one-mile hike from Trippet Ranch parking area. Other options include Sage Ranch Park with reservable tent camping and Circle X Ranch Group Campground, which provides basic tent sites in Malibu.
Most walk-in tent locations require short hikes to reach the designated camping areas. Musch Trail Camp features flush toilets, running water, and picnic tables at each site, but prohibits campfires. Sage Ranch provides drinking water, allows fires in designated pits, and offers trash disposal and toilet facilities for tent campers. Circle X Ranch has minimal amenities with picnic tables and water hookups, but limited shade. Nearly all tent camping areas in this region require advance reservations or day-use permits, with fees typically ranging from $5-7 per night for individual sites and higher rates for group areas.
Tent campers at Musch Trail Camp enjoy easy access to the extensive trail network throughout Topanga State Park, making it popular for overnight backpacking trips. The campground consists of approximately six tent sites divided between two fenced sections. A visitor noted that "although it's not the most scenic campground itself, the state park has plenty of beauty to offer on its hiking trails." Oak Flat Campground, located farther north, provides a different tent camping experience with more separation between sites and natural shade from surrounding trees. The Santa Monica Mountains location offers varied terrain for tent campers, from exposed mountain ridges to more sheltered canyon areas, with seasonal considerations affecting campsite selection.
"If you want a longer hike you can hike up the East Topanga Fire Road and then drop down into Musch Camp on the Backbone Trail from Eagle Junction."
"The hike-in experience has captivating views and diverse environment. Really felt away from the " concrete jungle" of the city."
from $7 / night
"We arrived in the middle of the night: easy parking short walk and easy access to the campground. The view is fantastic, the site is very close to the highest point of Santa Monica mountains"
from $35 / night
"There is a hiking loop of about 3 miles that encircles the park, with great views all around."
"We do a family style tent camping. 15-40 ppl. Young kids to elderly adults. Everyone always loves it!"
from $150 / night
"The one downside is how exposed the campground is, there is no shade. Bring a sun canopy if you can. A nice day hike trailhead is right at the campground."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $225 / night
from $100 / night
"Signs say “Bear Country”, and there are a few bear boxes scattered throughout. Of course I-5 is visible and faint constant traffic is heard."
"Sites are large, dumpsters, vault toilets, close to town amenities. We felt safe staying here. Met nice campers. The crappy. Yes you can hear the humm of the freeway from further away."
from $20 / night
"Very peaceful spot for a long weekend. 5 days was a little much unless you have a car to visit around and did I say it was gated too."
Available this weekend
from $50 / night
"It’s a short hike in from one trail that connects to Placerita Canyon Rd, or a ~1 mile hike from the Nature Center."
ScoutBeautiful spot on seal Beach naval weapons command base. A bit pricey, but has showers and free laundry facilities seems to be on the flight path to John Wayne Airport beautiful grounds must have a DBIDS card to get in and out of base if not military.
ScoutBe careful which showers you use because the older ones are not in good condition and the newer ones still have trouble maintaining warm water.
TravelerNice spot with great hiking. Limited facilities. No hookups. $1 for 2 minute shower (tokens).
TravelerI went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
TravelerI was lucky to find this place. It’s well run, comfortable, friendly. Nice spots.
GuideStopped here on a Friday night after spending the day in Simi Valley. It was a ghost town, with only one other campsite occupied that showed no movement or activity at all. The train isn’t running in the overnight hours, so that’s a plus, but the vibe at the lower campsite is making it tough to sleep nonetheless. Two stars for a clean bathroom.
TravelerCampsite was cute. It is kind of cramped. They did offer electric water and sewer. It is absolutely beautiful but the exception of the OIL on the beach from the oil rigs. I had a great time.
GuideSite 49 is a large drive-in site with plenty of room. It accommodates up to two vehicles and has a picnic table and fire ring. There’s communal water nearby, and we’re conveniently close to the restrooms, which have flush toilets. There are no electrical hookups, so plan to be self-contained for power. One of my favorite things about this particular site is the shade. We have several trees around us, which makes a huge difference during the day. At the end of September it’s around 85° and sunny. It’s a little windy today, but sitting here in the shade is incredibly comfortable. And then there is the view. 🌄 That may be the best part of Site 49. The mountains are right in front of us, and the view is just beautiful. Morning coffee with three beagles stretched out in front of me and those mountains in the background? I'm not complaining. The campground itself has been very quiet during our stay, with relatively few other campers around. The camp host has been friendly and helpful, and the whole place has a peaceful, uncrowded feel. It’s also pet friendly, which obviously matters when your camping crew includes three beagles. 🐶🐶🐶 They have been loving the sunshine, shade and all the new things there are to sniff. A few things to know: this is a non-electric site, the driveway is gravel, and this isn't a fancy resort-style campground. If you're looking for hookups and manicured RV pads, this probably isn't it. But if you want space, quiet, shade, flush toilets, water nearby and a mountain view that looks like that for $45 a night? I’ll take it. Site 49 is going on my “come back here” list. 🌄💜
RangerJust far enough from the highway to have almost no noise. Nice loops into small valleys. Good spacing of sites, clean enough restrooms. Not very busy on a September Saturday. Some bugs, but I don't think they bite.
Tent campsites near Agoura Hills, California occupy diverse terrain including chaparral-covered slopes and oak woodland valleys within the greater Santa Monica Mountains region. Most camping areas sit at elevations between 500-1,500 feet, with temperature swings that can exceed 30°F between day and night during summer months. Local campgrounds typically enforce strict food storage regulations due to active wildlife, particularly the endangered island fox population.
Seasonal waterfall hikes: Multiple trail networks near Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground lead to seasonal waterfalls after winter rains. "Santa Cruz is amazing. Foxes everywhere. Kayak around and experience seals and dolphins right underneath you in beautiful coves. An amazing and unique experience," notes camper Megan B.
Birdwatching opportunities: The canyon areas around Danielson Group Multi-Use Area attract numerous bird species. Spring offers the best viewing times, particularly early morning. "I recommend visiting in the spring, when things are greenest, and there are beautiful wildflowers," reports Les R.
Canyon exploration: Several trails provide access to less-trafficked canyons with unique rock formations. "We went to smugglers cove, 8 mile round trip full sun. Worth the hike, spent all day at the cove," shares Cassandra K. about her Santa Cruz Island experience.
Secluded sites: Oak Flat Campground offers individual campsites with natural separation. "Nice wooded area, camp spots are nicely separated, quiet with the exception of the distant hiss of the freeway," explains Brian W.
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, several campgrounds maintain unexpectedly clean amenities. "Did not expect the bathrooms to be very clean. They have running water to flush the toilets, and to wash your hands," reports Marcos P. about Musch Trail Camp.
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently mention wildlife encounters as highlights. "It's a spot where you can truly be away. We spent 5 days and didn't really see a soul... I did see my first rattlesnake and heard the coyotes at night," shares Bill about his stay at Antfarm LA.
Permit requirements: Several campgrounds require advance permits or passes. At Oak Flat Campground, "You do need to purchase a $5 Adventure Pass in order to stay here and someone will come around to check in the morning. The fine if you don't have a pass is over $500," warns Sarah S.
Seasonal fire restrictions: Fire regulations change throughout the year based on conditions. One camper at Oak Flat noted, "You cannot have any cooking or fires right now. Only cooking inside."
Limited vehicle access: Many tent camping areas require walking from parking areas. For La Jolla Group Campsite, a camper mentions it's a ".5 mile from shoreline, flat walk on dirt/rocks to campground. Less is more here, pack as light as possible."
Bring extra water: While some campgrounds have potable water, hiking trails typically don't. "There is a potable water spigot in the middle of the upper loop" at Santa Cruz Island, but a camper warns, "The only place to get water on the island is the campgrounds. We walked for miles out of water after using the 5L we brought."
Pack food storage containers: Wildlife can be persistent around camp kitchens. "USE THEM. The foxes and the birds love to use every place in the world as their bathroom, and if you don't put things away you'll end up with some nasty stuff," advises Jen G. about the storage boxes at Santa Cruz Island.
Consider group sites: For family gatherings, La Jolla Group Campsite offers spacious accommodations. "The group sites are quite large and more secluded in the upper level," notes Katie O.
Limited RV options: Most camping near Agoura Hills accommodates tents only, with few true RV sites. At Circle X Ranch Group Campground, a camper notes, "Pretty easy to get reservations for 10+ people, but the camp sites are in a dirt area with a wooden fence around it."
Wind protection: Coastal campgrounds experience significant winds. One camper at La Jolla Group Campsite advises, "Because it's so close the beach the wind can really whip up, stake down your tents tightly."
Pack shade structures: Many campgrounds lack natural coverage. "The one downside is how exposed the campground is, there is no shade. Bring a sun canopy if you can," recommends Meghan W. about La Jolla Group Campsite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Agoura Hills, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Agoura Hills, CA is Musch Trail Camp — Topanga State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Agoura Hills, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 57 tent camping locations near Agoura Hills, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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