Are you planning a camping trip to Avalon with your dog? We've got you covered. Finding a place to camp with your dog in California has never been easier. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Avalon's most popular destinations.
The Moro campground, which is located on a bluff top with unparalleled ocean views, features 27 hookup sites, 30 non-hookup tent sites, both of which include 3 ADA-accessible sites each. We also feature primitive hike-in camping in our backcountry, which has 32 sites spread out across 3 areas. Although it does require a strenuous hike, it provides a peaceful refuge from the urban surroundings.
$25 - $75 / night
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is located in the heart of Newport Beach CA, along the scenic Back Bay. Our laid-back lux resort offers RV campers access to the same amenities as any hotel guest plus more, including beach access, hydrotherapy pools, beachfront dining, hiking & biking trails, water sports, and one of SoCal’s largest inflatable water park (summer season). We offer planned activities for families to take part in. Allow us to be your basecamp for everything Newport Beach and Orange County has to offer.
$75 - $550 / night
Details here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/647/files/SanMateo082609.pdf San Mateo Campground lies a short distance inland from the 3.5-miles of sandy beaches within San Onofre State Beach A 1.5-mile Nature Trail connects the campground to Trestles Beach, a world class surfing site. San Mateo Creek flows just east of the campground outward towards the ocean creating key riparian and wetland habitats which host some rare and even endangered species. All campsites include a fire pit and picnic table. Hookup sites are available with electricity and water. Other amenities include an RV sanitation station, hot, coin-operated indoor showers, and flush toilets. Below are listed a few park rules that will assist you in having a fun and save visit. San Onofre - San Mateo Campground is at 830 Cristianitos, San Clemente, CA, 92672 a short distance inland from the 3.5-miles of sandy beaches within San Onofre State Beach. A 1.5-mile Nature Trail connects the San Mateo camping site to “Trestles Beach,” the world class surfing site. Surfers using redwood boards have visited San Onofre since at least the 1940s; San Mateo Creek flows just east of the campground outward towards the ocean creating key riparian and wetland habitats which host some rare and even endangered species. All campsites include a fire pit and picnic table. RV Hookup sites are available with electricity and water. Other amenities includes a dump-station, hot indoor showers, and flush toilets. Camping is available year-round.
$45 - $250 / night
North Loop (sites 1-59, 120, 122)
$350 / night
Campground (sites 32-57)
$60 - $70 / night
Hermit Gulch Campground is Avalon’s only camping facility located within city limits. The campground is situated in Avalon Canyon near the Nature Center and the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden.
The campground offers a nice view of the surrounding hills that are home to a wide variety of endemic plant and animal species. Hermit Gulch Trail is accessible from the campground, and there's access to other hiking trails nearby.
Hermit Gulch is great for first-timers and experienced campers alike. Being so close to town allows easy access to groceries, shopping, restaurants, tours, sight seeing and nightlife.
$80 - $85 / night
Traveler
Clean bathrooms, friendly rangers, nice layout, cute wildlife, close to TCT. Only issue, which is probably just on all of Catalina, is that late hours of the night people are driving up the road in their golf carts which are super loud. So don’t get a site near the road if your an early or light sleeper.
Guide
Sweet campsite at Dana point surf break. Had a big crew along for spring break. Super nice but book early!
Scout
I can’t say that it was awesome but it wasn’t jaw dropping. Nothing to write home about but not uninviting.
Guide
Great little park. Heated pool, spa was hot. Nice little store with everything you need. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Only downside was the sports bar next door was pretty loud at night. And the loud music coming from the industrial building next door at 7am. Also very close to Disney with a free shuttle
Traveler
Youre packed like sardines but it's beachfront. It's noisy if you have party neighbors but they do turn off the music by 1030 ish so it's enforced. You hear planes flying and tmobile wifi is not great at the campground but good when on the beach front. It's at prime location in LAX so that was nice to go around town. Has full hookups. We would come back again if we need to be near LA area.
Traveler
Clean, quiet campground located in one of the OC Parks, with plenty of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. I stayed here on a weekday, and there were a few couple of vacant campsites in my area, so it was an extremely quiet visit. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked for my stay. I didn’t use the showers since I was only staying one night, but I heard they were free!
Rangers were very friendly and firewood was only $5 for a decent bundle that lasted me over 2 hours.
The city of Rancho Santa Margarita is right up the hill, so you can grab food and any necessities if needed.
My site backed to the creek, so I never had people walking through my campsite.
My dog & I slept in my van, but there was room for multiple tents, and a decent amount of shade in my spot.
My spot didn’t have its own water spigot, but there was one at a site across from me.
I was fortunate that all of the campers around me were quiet and considerate. I know that it doesn’t always work out that way, and having obnoxious neighbors can really ruin your experience.
Traveler
The parking lot is next to the beach on the one side but also next to the highway on the other side. So the view and the breeze is beautiful, but the traffic noise in the evening and morning is not so nice. With earplugs everything is fine! ;) The host Jim is very kind and helpful!
GuideSite had tree cover which had some nice shade to provide relief from the sun. Lots of room for a couple vehicles and tents. Clean bathrooms and showers, but we stayed midweek and the place was very, very minimally occupied. Good access to walking and biking trails.
Scout
Wow Wow i had the chance to stay at this amazing RV park, it started the moment i stepped in the office i was greeted by Cynthia who took the time to answer questions i had about the park, then i had a question about the area and Tyler picked up the conversation humbly explaining how peaceful the facility is, i was set it was easy to get my 26 foot travel trailer down the lane, as i was parking i met a man name Jim little did i know at the time he was the new head coach for the charges, wow it was an amazing experience from that day forward pool was clean and the jacuzzi was hot, clean laundry room, very peaceful place thank you waterfront i highly suggest visiting this place amazing, i will tell my friends.
GuideSITE:
This site is great if you like hiking, biking, MTB, and running. It is very clean, and the showers are free and clean as well. It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds.
Free dump station.
SURROUNDING AREA:
There aren't too many shops in close proximity, but there are shops down the road a few minutes away if you need supplies.
ACTIVITIES
The campground is located next to Oneil Park, which is huge and great for bike and running. There are many hiking trails nearby in all directions. I usually ride to Caspers from the campsite or Trabruco creak up to Holy Jim.
GuideI frequently stay at this site since it's close to my house and on the beach.
THE SITES:
The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy. You will be right next to your neighbor. The outside sites along the edge of the campground are much more spacious.
TIP: The wind usually blows to the ocean in the evening/early morning. If you don't like campfire smoke blowing through your site from other sites, then stay on the more inland sites.
SURROUNDING AREA:
It's located next to shops and restaurants, so you don't need to cook anything if you don't want to. A few are within walking distance, but you'd have to drive to most of them unless you bring a bike. The shoreline village is a good place to visit. The downtown area has many restaurants, but you must go up a steep hill. I don't mind riding up there, but most would prefer to drive. Project Social is a neat place to go.
RIDING, RUNNING, SUP
I like coming here because I can do all three of these. You can SUP in the harbor; it's a great place for it and just a few minutes drive over. There are a ton of places to run and bike. You can go south along the shoreline, where there is a protected path that will take you to San Clemente Pier. You can run to the harbor and over the bridge on the Peninsula.
Everything about this site is a plus, except the tightness of the sites. If you don't mind being right next to your neighbors, then it's a great site to stay at.
TravelerMy 3 dogs and I stay here often, as it's the lowest cost in Orange County and allows dogs. It has several restrooms, showers, equestrian areas, nature trails and picnicking for day use too.
Legend
This is a gem of a campground. Almost every site has an ocean view of some kind.
The roads that lead to the sites is a bit narrow, so if your towable is on the long side, you might have to work a bit to back it in. The maximum length is 38. We had 30/50 amp electrical and water. Dump station is on your way out, with 3 stations in that row. Wi-Fi works fair. Cell towers are in sight just to the north, so no reception issues. Lots of hiking and bike trails. We did a 12 mile loop to the north, and a ride along the coast on some bike paths. Shake shack and Beachcomber's restaurants are just down the street for an easy ride or walk. Bathroom and showers are very clean. The picnic tables are what you would expect, very seasoned. :-) Most are anchored to the sites. The length of the site is very good with lots of room to setup your outdoor goodies. Check in is at 3pm. They are hard on this. If you arrive early, you can register, but will be directed to Reef Point back down PCH or to the visitors center in front of the camp entrance.
Guide
We stayed here last year and it was horrible and said we’d never stay again. But never say never!! We had to find a place as we had illness in our family. So they had a space available for our 42’ 5th wheel and the site was wonderful. Cement, lots of room, close to laundry and pool. It’s not a cheap place to stay but it was perfect.
Scout
The Dyrt shows "Tent" sites, but it's only for RVs
Legend
We ended up here after a futile search for an affordable hotel in the area. Even though it was not inexpensive, we secured a beachfront site. The sites are in three sections: standard, deluxe, and premium. There are also cabins and a group tent area (on the public beach).
The reservation process was not easy – you cannot make same-day online reservations and have to navigate a detailed menu on the phone to finally get to the reservation desk.
We arrived after dark, just as the office was closing but were able to get our information packet. Payment is in full when you make the reservation. As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites. The beachfront and preferred sites have a concrete and sand pad while some less expensive sites have just sand.
There are codes to enter the restrooms, the bike path, and the pool. The restrooms were clean as were the showers, with good hot water and decent water pressure.
In season, there are many activities and amenities offered including a water park, water sports rentals, a bistro, a snack bar, movies on the beach, and a swimming beach. About the only amenities available in November were the pool, two hot tubs (although one was not working when we were there), and the .75-mile concrete path around the lake. A gentle water aerobics class is offered three times a week. There is also a marina, but we don’t have a boat so we did not explore this. In season, you can rent pavilions, and pool or beach cabanas, all for an additional cost.
Although this is a fully contained resort, it is not quiet. You will hear road noise and at certain times of the day, near constant noise from planes at nearby John Wayne airport.
This was an affordable respite for us on a long road trip, but it is VERY expensive in season (about three times the price of “winter” rates). Also, it would be an entirely different experience when fully booked!
LegendDockweilder is an awesome camping experience if you love the beach and airplanes. With LAX less than .5 miles away, you get the pleasure of plane spotting 24/7. The bike path is in front of the campground and it will take you all the way to Redondo Beach or Santa Monica.
Check out the local town of El Segundo. It has some great dining options and looks like Mayberry.
Cell Reception: Great
GuideThe RV park has a hookup area and a dry camping area. The hookups are full of large rigs, very close one with another, in a parking lot style. The dry camp provides much more space, but only relatively small RVs.
Pros: The park is right next to the beach, walk 1 minute and you're there. There's also a bike path that goes for miles both north or south - great for an early workout. Restrooms are clean and have showers.
Cons: You will hear each and every if the planes taking off from LAX, but at one point you don't hear them anymore. It was not really annoying, but that flight at 5a was...
ScoutWe have family in Orange County and we stay here whenever we come out. Centrally located and best for easy access coming from or leaving to the east of the Los Angeles area
Guide
We stayed here because we were going to Disneyland, and in terms of closeness, this place cannot be beaten.
It is basically a parking lot with hookups, but it is fairly good. Toilets and showers are nice, wifi is decent, and it is surprisingly quiet. Staff is very nice also
TravelerRight on the ocean. No hookups. Kind of crowded!
TravelerNice campground. 1.5 miles from the ocean. Sites are quite large with bushes/ trees between sites. Upper campground has water and electricity.
GuideWe loved this campground! There are mature trees between every campsite that provide privacy between sites. The campground is setup as a bunch of loops with a large common area between the rear of every campsite. That's the only place you're going to see your neighbors. It's a perfect setup for a bunch of people camping together at separate sites - get enough of them and you'll have the entire common area between you to spread out! For us, we used that large open space to setup our Starlink satellite antenna, and that was necessary since Verizon is basically a dead zone in that area.
The communal showers were nice. BRING DOLLAR BILLS to change them into tokens for the shower. A couple tokens (one dollar) is enough for a decent shower.
Your paid campground site gets you day use access to the other nearby parks: San Onofre Bluffs and San Clemente State Beach.
Got an e-bike? Lots of people had them. I think as long as you're on the pavement there's no issues but check with the park regulations for any off pavement use which would include the trail to Trestles.
CONS:
The dump site was closed this weekend (8/18-8/20). But with our day pass we were able to use the dump site at San Clemente State Beach. NOTE: Day use is up to 10PM and they also have a dump site at the Bluffs. Just keep in mind you may have to wait in line with other campers checking in to access the other areas. We went at "dinner time" just before sunset to avoid crowds.
At each bathroom / shower area, there are a set of sinks - one for washing hands and a couple others for (apparently) washing dishes and other stuff. However, they were turned off.
Overall, this was one of the better campgrounds we've stayed out. We would defiintely come back here.
ScoutLos empleados que nos atendieron fueron muy desagradables, se estaban riendo de nosotros literalmente. Tras pagar la reserva nos dice que nuestro Jeep Wrangler no puede acceder al camping porque no está camperizado, cuando nosotros disponemos de fregadero, nevera, cocina. Todo ello incorporado en el vehículo . Se negaron a comprobarlo. Y simplemente nos dijeron que tardarían entre 40-60 días en devolvernos el dinero.
ScoutI can’t wait to unlock the potential of this app. Best new tool in our toolbox!!
ScoutAlways clean and safe. Has showers that are free. Has a crowd in summer but really nice in Spring and Fall. You can camp year round and you cannot beat the price. County operated by Orange County and people here have been great. If you want to eat out, restaurants and stores are just miles away but the campsite makes you feel so far away. Come sample some of Orange County’s best.
TravelerStay here every year for dance competitions in Anaheim and Garden Grove. Very reasonable prices for the area. Anaheim transit makes on-demand stops her to Disneyland as well as Garden Walk. Very helpful, friendly staff. Many residents mixed with overnight era or vacationers.
Pros:
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Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near Avalon, California, where several well-reviewed spots welcome pets and offer a range of amenities and activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Avalon, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Avalon, CA is Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Avalon, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 dog-friendly camping locations near Avalon, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
