Best Campgrounds near Arcadia, CA

Arcadia, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Arcadia is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Arcadia, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Arcadia, California (181)

    1. Bonelli Bluffs

    38 Reviews
    South El Monte, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 599-8355

    $76 - $88 / night

    "⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Our experience at Bonelli Bluffs Campground was mostly positive, but there were a couple of aspects that could be improved."

    "The views around the outskirts of B loop are just lovely, the staff has been so friendly and helpful (we’re RV newbies and had a ton of questions) the store was stocked with all of the little things we"

    2. Chilao Campground

    17 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 790-1151

    $12 / night

    "Campground

    We had been driving around the campground loops for more than an hour, and had just about given up, when we say the sign for overflow camping near the exit of the Chilao campground loop"

    "Great spot to get away from the big city being only a 45min drive from the Downtown, couldn’t ask for more"

    3. Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground

    26 Reviews
    Valyermo, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (626) 335-1251

    "We’ve done Crystal Lake probably 6 dozen times or more in our time in California and it never disappoints on the spectacular views."

    "Whenever I need to get away from LALA Land, I head up here.  I grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, so , sometimes , I need to kick back and recharge."

    4. Coldbrook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Glendora, CA
    15 miles
    Website

    "We left LA (Hollywood) on a Friday afternoon around 3, and were setting up camp by 5! Luckily a friend got to the campground before us though, as he snagged the last of the 20 or so sites there."

    "Coldbrooke is a excellent campground that is relatively close to the city. The camp host was super helpful in explaining the fire restrictions and overall questions."

    5. Buckhorn Campground

    20 Reviews
    Juniper Hills, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    $12 / night

    "Beautiful trails near by, next to a stream, gorgeous views, and of course that mountain air! Trees are perfect for hammocks."

    "It is set back from the road a little giving you a quieter experience away from the 2. This would be a good first car camping spot for families with young children."

    6. Mount Lowe Trail Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    8 miles
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    "We went in May this year so not much people around. Brand new toilet is nice as well. There was some flowing water still."

    "There's a stream nearby the Mount Lowe Summit Trail, also. Plenty of great sites to choose from."

    7. Millard Trail Campground

    9 Reviews
    Altadena, CA
    9 miles
    Website

    "When you can’t do a 2h hike before setting camp, but you also don’t want to camp close to your car, Millard campground is perfect. The parking lot is just behind the corner out of view."

    "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."

    8. Angeles National Forest Chilao Campground

    12 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (626) 574-1613

    "OKAY... seriously this one of the best campgrounds near Los Angeles. My ultimate go to spot for an overnight camping trip."

    "We were told that the water pumps were off but actually managed to camp right next to the one that was working. The bathrooms were super clean too!"

    9. Spruce Grove Trail Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO FIRE

    5 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 482-8937

    "Close to the camp that's up there"

    "Beyond the falls, the trail takes on a greater feeling of wilderness immersion."

    10. Hoegees Trail Camp Campground

    5 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    5 miles
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    "Hoegee’s is 2 miles hike from Chantry Flats by way of the Lower Winter Creek Trail. The site is named for Hoegee’s resort which stood just upstream."

    "If you take the Upper Winter Creek Trail it's an easier hike but not as pretty as the Lower one. Campsite is very nice with enough sites for about 20 campers with a privy but no running water."

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Recent Reviews near Arcadia, CA

1039 Reviews of 181 Arcadia Campgrounds


  • B
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Tapo Canyon Park

    Favorite spot near LA

    The Camp Hosts here are Very Friendly and welcoming, the campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Great trip/great site!

    This place is great! We stayed on site 59 and it had so much space you can fit a ton of people on the site. We had a beautiful, big tree and a great view in the back of the site. Site 62 had the most beautiful view but no shade, but I want to book it for the cooler months. Showers and bathrooms were pristine!! Can’t wait to go back!

  • Wayne S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest

    Nice little park

    Very small campground. Camping sites are spread out. The access road is very narrow. We did it with a 22 foot fifth wheel. Space 41 could hold a much longer rig but it would be a challenge even getting to that space. There were only two other campers here while we were here. Lots of trees but not so thick you dont get some sun. The road getting to the campgrounds is somewhat narrow and has some hairpin turns so again it might be difficult for someone with a long trailer We camped at Applewhite Campground in a Fifth Wheel.

  • Michael R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Malibu Creek State Park

    The campground is well laid out with plenty of shade available in most sites throughout the day. Sites aren’t too close to one another, restrooms are modern and clean and people were pretty quiet at night and in the early mornings. Main demographic was families when I camped here.

  • ROCKSTAR C.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hare School Park

    It’s the sports fields parking lot

    I’ve been here for a couple days and nobody’s mess with us. There’s other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans. I’m in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV. There’s a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them.There’s no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please. It’s not tent friendly. I don’t believe.

  • Lizzette M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hollywood RV Park

    Gem near the big city

    I came 3 days ago in my class C. Showers and restrooms were clean and supplied. The RV is cute very Hollywood movies vibes. Trees lovely gardens to walk the dogs. Commerce walking distance. I’m staying 8 more days.✌️


Guide to Arcadia

Camping near Arcadia, CA, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a beachside retreat or a mountain escape, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sun and surf at Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park. Campers love the beachfront spots, with one reviewer saying, "Really a special spot. Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in Southern California."
  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park. One camper noted, "Great location. Less than 1/2 mile to the beach, hiking and MTB/gravel trails accessible from the campground."
  • Fishing and Water Sports: Head to Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground for fishing and boating. A visitor shared, "Great overall experience, campgrounds are general and basic. A little more irrigation for the plants and trees might not hurt to green up a little dried."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Bonelli Bluffs. One review states, "Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach. A camper mentioned, "The campground is setup as a bunch of loops with a large common area between the rear of every campsite."
  • Beautiful Views: The scenic surroundings at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park are a hit. One visitor said, "Almost every site has an ocean view of some kind."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Thornhill Broome Beach, lack basic facilities. A camper noted, "No water, no dump station, only portable bathrooms on site from what we can see."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Expect busier conditions at popular spots like Doheny State Beach Campground. One review mentioned, "The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy."
  • Noise Levels: Some areas can be noisy, especially near highways. A camper at San Clemente State Beach Campground said, "Music way too loud... I'm just not going there."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Bonelli Bluffs, where families can spread out. A reviewer said, "Crowded on weekends, much less during the week."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities lined up. One family at San Mateo Campground enjoyed the "good access to walking and biking trails."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand is a must. A camper at Lake Perris State Recreational Area mentioned, "There’s a marina store with food trucks."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Sycamore Canyon Campground noted, "The spaces are pretty small, so they are not meant for large RVs."
  • Bring Your Own Water: Some campgrounds, like Thornhill Broome Beach, don’t have water hookups. A camper shared, "Went to Sycamore campground to fill up on water."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Connectivity: Many areas have poor cell service. A camper at Point Mugu State Park said, "No T-Mobile wifi. We dropped by to fill up water since we were camping at Thornhill Broome."

Camping near Arcadia, CA, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Arcadia campsites?

Campsites near Arcadia offer varied amenities based on location and type. Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park provides grassy sites beneath coastal live oak trees, with basic facilities. Bonelli Bluffs offers family-friendly RV camping, though reviewers note it lacks playgrounds. Many area campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Little Jimmy Trail Campground features first-come, first-served sites with fire rings and vault toilets. Some locations offer shower facilities, while others have potable water available. Amenities typically vary between developed campgrounds and more primitive backcountry sites.

Where can I find camping in Arcadia?

Arcadia offers several nearby camping options in the surrounding areas. O'Neill Regional Park is tucked back in a canyon and provides clean sites perfect for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts. For a more secluded experience, Millard Trail Campground is just a short drive from Pasadena, offering rustic sites near excellent hiking trails. Other options include Chilao Campground and Coldbrook Campground in the Angeles National Forest, both offering drive-in access with basic amenities like water and toilets. These campgrounds provide convenient options for those looking to camp near the Arcadia area.

How much does camping in Arcadia cost?

Camping costs near Arcadia vary by location and amenities. Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground offers beachfront sites with water and electric hookups, typically ranging from $50-75 per night. Dockweiler Beach RV Park provides premium oceanfront RV camping at higher rates, reflecting its prime location. For more budget-friendly options, primitive sites at Lake Campground and other Angeles National Forest locations generally run $12-25 per night. Some backcountry campgrounds like Valley Forge Trail Camp may offer sites at minimal cost or even free. Expect to pay more for sites with hookups, shower access, and proximity to attractions.