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Best Tent Camping near Agoura Hills, CA

725 Reviews

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.

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Best Tent Sites Near Agoura Hills, California (54)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Agoura Hills, CA

79 Photos of 54 Agoura Hills Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Agoura Hills, CA

725 Reviews of 54 Agoura Hills Campgrounds

  • Luis N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Parsons Landing Campground

    Beach side campground

    One of the most amazing campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. You’re on a sandy beach with waves crashing on the shore. There’s only a handful of sites, so try to book this early. Sites have rocks stacked up as a wind shield, it really helps! You’ll also have a picnic table, food storage box, and a fire pit. Vault toilets are available. No water on site, you must bring your own. Water, firewood, and fire starter are available for purchase. You can buy them at two harbors, which is where they will give you a key for a locker that is at parsons landing which will have all those items. I believe it’s 2 gallons of water.

  • Deborah C.
    May. 27, 2019

    Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park

    Channel Islands, Santa Cruz, Scorpion, May, 2019

    My husband and I are using our senior park pass to it’s fullest advantage. On our most recent trip, we decided to try Channel Islands and we were thrilled. First thing to know is that this trip requires some planning and flexibility. You must book your boat ride and camp site in advance and then check the day before to make sure weather permits the boat ride. Island packers provides the boat ride for both campers and day trips. We camped two nights. We departed at around 9 am and arrived at around 10:30. We had to check in by 8 in the parking lot at Ventura bay. You must not have water in your back pack, the propane must be out in a separate bin, and you are allowed only 60 lbs of “stuff” each. We took our Mountain House meals along with our jet boil, a few fruits, and a couple of sandwiches; our tent, sleeping bags, a Wenzel air mattress and were set. You take your stuff to the boat to load. On the day of our travel winds were gusting so severely that they cancelled the day trips, and it was rough! Lots of people got sick on the ride over. Upon arriving on the island, you form a bucket brigade to unload all the luggage/stuff, then a park ranger gives a brief overview of rules, mainly pack out all trash, no trash can be left on the island and to use the “Fox boxes” for all food stuff as the island foxes and ravens WILL take your stuff. You then take a short hike with all your stuff to your campsite - it’s about 1/4 mile or more, depending on your site. Each campground has multiple spigots on potable water, so no need to bring water with you. There are plenty of very clean vault toilets that are always filled with supplies including hand sanitizer. The hikes are spectacular and the trails are well maintained. Note, the hikes are challenging, when they say strenuous, they mean it! The park rangers are very helpful and accessible. The last day of our trip, we packed up our site and moved our stuff to a staging area so the next group could set up their tent. We watched the kayakers and snorkeling groups. The weather was very calm. The boat ride back was amazing, we saw schools of dolphins, the captain estimated over 2000 dolphins. He stopped so we could get lots of pictures. Note, there is no store on the island, we did have spotty cell coverage with AT&T.

  • j
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Millard Trail Campground

    Great campground for hiking/biking

    Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there. Once there, there's a parking lot that fits about 20 cars. There's about 100 yd hike to the campsites. There's a road that leads to the campsite but it's been blocked off. Only the campsite managers use that road so it's not accessible by RV, just tents. A campsite manager stays in a little trailer overnight so if there's any problems there's somebody there you can go to and ask for help. There's about six campsites and their first come first serve, no reservations. I went during the week and was the only one camping. This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking. There's not a lot of privacy because there's always lots of people passing by who are hiking and biking. You can stay overnight which I did and everything was fine but there's not a lot of privacy. The next day as I was leaving there was another guy sitting up his tent. I bet on the weekends they can fill up pretty fast. It's in Bear country so they provide food storage for each campsite also trash containers too. Each side has a picnic bench and a fire pit. The fire ban has been lifted so you can have a fire. Each fire pit had wood left at it so you didn't have to go searching for campfirewood. Bathrooms included male and female toilets but no showers or water. There's a creek that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty. I saw two to three cabins along the outskirts of the campground that I assume were for rentals. There was one family at one of the cabins the night I stayed. About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that. Overall a good campsite four stars. Would have been five stars if they had showers and running water. I didn't see any bears although there was an animal outside my tent at one point in the night I could hear him nosing around. So it's important to keep all of your food and anything with any kind of smell in the bear boxes

  • K
    Jan. 5, 2022

    Oakwilde Trail Campground

    Half Sunk, Overgrown

    The camp site looks like it was buried in mud from a flood a few years ago. There’s been no maintenance to this camp. The cook stoves are covered, half of the one picnic table was underground. But still, it’s a beautiful and remote spot. The river was running when I was there in January and it was just gorgeous. Looks like there’s really only one usable flat spot to set up a tent. But you can’t have a fire or anything. I didn’t camp just hiked in and checked it out. Dunno if I would try camping here.

  • Tony C.
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Great local campsite

    I recently moved to WA from Los Angeles so this review is legit 😁 This was and still continues to be one of my favorite campsite close to Los Angeles, I have plenty of fond memories with close friends at this site. It’s completely exposed all the way to the top, a well worth 3 mile uphill hike to three different camp sites. My favorite is the middle site where you get a clear view of the city, beautiful views at night. They say there’s no water but there is, there’s a spout located by the restroom close to the museum, you’ll have to treat it before using (but don’t take my word for it, they tend to shut it off so take plenty of water for your time there and check it out if you need more) If you continue past the middle campsite to the upper site, you’ll have plenty of space for tents and hammocks just no view due to the trees on the edge. If you continue on that trail for another 3 miles i believe, you’ll get to idlehour campground. It’s a small site right next to a creek, you can continue on to Mt Lowe campground and inspiration point. Back to Henninger, plenty of trees for hammocks and sometimes they have firewood collected. At the museum you can buy soda cans so take some change. Hauling a 24 pack of cold Modelos in my pack was not fun at all, but boy did they taste good at the top hahaha. Bugs can get annoying so carry some bug spray, hang your food and PACK IT OUT!!! Leave no trace behind.

  • Corinna B.
    Jun. 30, 2018

    Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park

    Bucket-List-Amazing Island Camping off California Coast

    This place had been on my bucket-list of camping forever and it takes a decent amount of planning because not only can you only access the campground by private boat, once there you have to walk in about a 1/2 mile with all your stuff. It's totally worth it however. Incredible views, perfect weather (in April!), amazing flowers and so much to see and do.

    The campsite itself is "basic" in that it has a vault toilet, water, and "fox boxes" (like the bear boxes in other campgrounds) to keep all the cute but quick and greedy foxes away from your food. There's also picnic tables, but other than that make sure you bring everything you need since there's no way to pop into a local store to grab something you might have forgotten. No camp fires are allowed and all garbage must be packed out (but can be stored in the fox boxes until you're ready to leave).

    At only $15/night, the camp sites are a steal, though the boat trips will add on about $80 per person round-trip (slightly less for kids). 8am is the earliest boat ride and 4:30 is the last (via Island Packers).

    Summary/Tips: Do it! Especially if you love hiking, this is an amazing place. Try to get your gear down to one well-planned backpack (or perhaps one of those foldy wagons as another reviewer recommended) so you only have to take one trip to the campsite, though you can always take more trips if needed.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2022

    Camping @ Quail Run Ostrich Ranch

    Great tour and amenities

    General: This is not an official campground but due to its proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail, the owners make it available for tent and RV campers as well as members of Harvest Host. 

    Site Quality: There are no designated sites so you can park where it best suits you on a large and level gravel lot. Since there was a strong wind advisory to last through the night into the next morning, Jessica recommended we park along the trees, and this made for an effective windbreak. There is also an additional gravel lot where the only other RV camper stayed so we had privacy. 

    Bathhouse: I was hoping for a vault toilet so was pleasantly surprised to find flush toilets with a sink, soap, and paper towels. No showers and no hot water.

    Activities/Other Amenities: Take a tour of the ostrich farm – we learned a lot and it is worth the $10pp. At the end of the tour, you can purchase ostrich oil (many benefits), ostrich eggs (sometimes sold out), local brews, local honey, and a few other items. Other amenities include a propane bbq, fire ring, picnic table, and electric outlets (located by each light pole by the stage/dance floor which is also used for weddings and other gatherings). There is also a peaceful garden and a playground. Other activities include ax throwing and archery, neither of which we tried. (A girl scout troop was doing archery when we were there). Quail Run is a family-owned business and everyone we talked with was very welcoming and communication was thorough. 

    Note: the gates are closed between 5 pm and 8 am (7 pm-7 am during the summer). If you need it, cell coverage via Verizon is available.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Beautiful location. Close to town

    Beautiful location. Close to town. Walkable, hike-able, bike-able, rideable via paths. No dogs on beach. There is a dog beach further up the coast. Sites are pretty tight. Lots of families and tent camping. Need token from kiosk for showers. Train comes by every once in a while. I stayed in Santa Cruz in my 25’ motorhome with no hook ups. Had my own picnic table and fire ring. May stay again only because of the nice walkable paths. Watch where you step near the tar pits.

  • Meghan W.
    Jul. 30, 2018

    La Jolla Group Campsite — Point Mugu State Park

    Excellent Group Camping by the Ocean

    This is a good group campground with sinks, showers and flush toilets. 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. Also because it’s so close the beach the wind can really whip up, stake down your tents tightly.

Guide to Agoura Hills

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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."

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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 4.6-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Agoura Hills, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 54 tent camping locations near Agoura Hills, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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