Camping near Huntington Beach gives you several options for staying close to the ocean. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground lets you camp right along the shore where you'll fall asleep to the sound of waves. Newport Dunes RV Resort sits just a short drive away with full hookups and a pool for swimmers. If you want to stay in Huntington Beach itself, Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground has beachfront sites with water and electric hookups, keeping you close to both the ocean and town. Moro Campground at Crystal Cove State Park is worth considering too, with good-sized sites and views of the Pacific. Spring and fall make the best camping seasons here with nice weather and fewer people around. You'll need to book well ahead for summer since these beaches get crowded. Winter camping is quieter but brings cooler nights. The facilities vary between campgrounds - some have just basic restrooms while others include showers and laundry. Not all sites have electricity, so check before you book. Both tent and RV campers can find spots that work for them. Consider bringing earplugs since some campgrounds sit near busy roads. The mix of beach access and nearby services makes Huntington Beach a solid choice for most campers.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$75 - $550 / night
"The grounds are impeccably clean, beautifully maintained, and set in a truly stunning location. Everything feels well cared for and thoughtfully run."
"As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites."
$60 - $70 / night
"The 4 stars is primarily for location. This is essentially a parking lot with power and water. We had a beach front space (B035) with a decent sized palm tree. The only one I really saw."
"Beachfront camping in the heart of southern California. Concrete/asphalt sites with water electric and dump station. Adjacent to PCH so road noise but steps away from great sand beaches."
$25 - $75 / night
"Luckily Booked last minute on reserve California (the worst web thing ever) on site 49. Looks like there is a oven view from every site. Close to beach and shopping."
"There is an elementary school adjacent to the campground so you get a few PA announcements to start your day. There is a small visitor's center on site."
"Booking a site here at Waterfront, provided us a excellent homebase that was close to the water. In all, you are about a 2 minute walk to the sand, and 4 minutes to the oceanfront. "
"Your not on the beach but literally on the other side of pacific coast highway you are there."
$80 - $85 / night
"However, you do get some road noise if you stay on the road side"
"This park is close to the action in Long Beach. Easily walkable or there are always E bikes and scooters to rent right outside the gate. Also, really appreciated that this RV park was gated."
"Awesome park, clean, level paved pads with a parking space..nice amenities, small NEX nearby. Wildlife reserve adjacent to the park made it nice for walking the dogs, too"
"Very clean, cement slab, walking paths well lit and near to many areas to explore. Wetlands on the base and birds galore."
$55 - $70 / night
"Nice bathrooms and hot showers with laundry on location. Good amount of space between sites. Very short drive or 20ish minute walk to Disneyland. Extremely helpful and kind staff."
"Park is within walking to the Disneyland park. The tent sites are very small with a picnic table and AstroTurf."
$75 - $90 / night
"The location is great, right next to highway. It takes about 20 min to Huntington Beach."
"First time staying here, it will be our place to stay in California."
$60 - $70 / night
"This was our first time using our airstream and decided to go somewhere relative close to home. We were told about sunset vista. Made reservations and here we are. It was great."
"Our kids had a blast staying here since it's right on the boardwalk and super close to the HB pier."
$20 / night
"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. "
"Behind my Camp site was a few different hiking paths. Restroom buildings have water, toilets, and showers. It says to bring quarters for the showers but they were free. Each site is typical..."
ScoutThe only thing to do here is hike and the trails are not well marked. Tried to get to MASH site and almost missed it do to lack of trail markers.
The bathrooms are clean but no soap or way to dry hands.
Visitors center is a hike and only open on weekends if volunteers are available.
RV dump station usage is not included in site fee. Extra $10 per dump
ScoutA hikers dream . This campground has several trails and there are many others within minutes away. Showers are token however machines are right there. Fire pits on every site as well as concrete picnic tables. Malibu Beach is 15 to 20 minutes away right on Pacific Coast Highway.
Rangers were all amazing. They actually came by last night around 9 PM and told me quiet time was at 8 PM so I guess I had them backwards. I thought it was 8 AM to 10 PM but it’s actually 10 AM to 8 p.m. Firewood is available from the Camp Host who incidentally was amazing in helping and answering a lot of my questions
If I was to critique anything, it would be how short the sites are my rig is 31 feet and I have a I don’t know maybe seven or 8 foot overhang from the last wheel if I didn’t have that there’s no way I would’ve fit and then the distance from here to the side across from me is pretty short so you have to Jimmy in and out if there’s somebody there, but that was the only thing that I could say that was negative and it really isn’t negative it just fact.
LegendThey have bathrooms and trash and pull up sites and rangers are nice
GuideThe title says it all. It's nice, cheap, and quiet. Sites are spacious but beware of the ground squirrels. They're everywhere. Site 42 has a lot of traffic due to trail heads at the back of the site.
ScoutVery relaxing place to stay. Good amenities and very friendly staff.
TravelerI went with my family for my birthday. My daughters loved the campground. Easy walk to the lake. My wife enjoy the luxury of having a nearby bathroom/ shower with warm water. It’s a good choice for families
RangerThe Views are fantastic sites are rugged but very cool locations, This is mainly a Hike in CG most of the time and better have some serious clearance to get there even when the road is open in summer, BUT very worth it!
ScoutBeautiful views, cool people and great places to eat. Parking is horrible during peak hours. No slides allowed, tight parking. Absolutely beautiful!
TravelerCamping at the beach in LA! Large country campground that has sites designed for motorhomes and sites designed for travel trailers and fifth wheels. It asphalt campsites, but you’re at the BEACH! My only complaints are the electrical was not working properly, (I had to connect to 30A instead of 50A), and people don’t pick up after themselves.
The Huntington Beach area sits at sea level along Southern California's Pacific coastline with coastal temperatures typically ranging 65-75°F year-round. Most campgrounds near Huntington Beach remain open throughout the year, though some beachfront sites close during peak tourist months. Highway noise can be significant at several waterfront campgrounds due to their proximity to Pacific Coast Highway.
Bike riding along coastal trails: Crystal Cove State Park offers extensive riding opportunities with varied terrain. "There are great bike trails to ride on," notes Karissa J. about Doheny State Beach Campground, while another camper mentions "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."
Beach bonfires for evening activities: Several beachfront campgrounds permit controlled fires. At Huntington Beach RV Campground, "At night, you can build a bonfire, which is really fun and one of the few spots in Orange County that you can do this," according to Momma H. The campground sits directly on the boardwalk near Huntington Beach Pier.
Water sports and kayaking opportunities: Multiple sites offer water access for various activities. "Had so much fun here today kayaking! It's a great place to enjoy the beach," shares a reviewer about Bolsa Chica State Beach. Waterfront locations provide easy launch points for paddleboards and kayaks throughout the area.
Ocean views from tiered campsites: Many campgrounds feature elevated sites with Pacific views. At Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park, "The sites are terraced, so no matter which site you get you'll have a view of the ocean," explains Elly A. The campground's design maximizes ocean visibility from nearly every site.
Proximity to urban amenities: Campers appreciate the balance between nature and convenience. "It's super convenient to have stores like Trader Joe's and restaurants just a few minutes away," notes a Crystal Cove reviewer. Similarly, at Golden Shore RV Resort, campers enjoy being "close to good shopping and great dining options" while maintaining beach access.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean, accessible amenities receive frequent praise. "The pool, showers, bathrooms are all spotless," mentions Rachel P. about Golden Shore RV Resort. At Moro Campground, "The bathrooms are pretty clean, some of the showers run pretty hot but I didn't mind it."
Traffic and urban noise: Highway proximity creates sound issues at several campgrounds. At Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground, Rob N. warns about "Very very loud street noise" and suggests to "Bring earplugs and lots of white noise. You'll still feel the rumble but maybe you can dream it's just an earthquake." Train tracks near some campgrounds add additional noise concerns.
Site spacing and privacy limitations: Most beachfront campgrounds feature closely positioned sites. At Doheny State Beach Campground, "There is some foliage between some of the sites but basically NO privacy between sites," reports Lee D. Similarly, Morgan F. describes Bolsa Chica as a "Glorified parking lot" with "absolutely no privacy."
Seasonal availability restrictions: Some campgrounds close during summer tourist season. Huntington Beach RV Campground "is only open October through May since this lot is traditionally used for summer beach parking," explains Momma H. Reservations should be made months in advance for most sites, particularly during holidays and weekends.
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Campgrounds with dedicated play areas better accommodate children. At Orangeland RV Park, visitors appreciate "A covered play area, helpful staff, heated pool as well as a hot tub." Emily S. notes it has "Free citrus picking!" which children particularly enjoy.
Consider beach access safety: Some campgrounds require highway crossing to reach beaches. Momma H. values Huntington Beach RV Campground because "it's right on the boardwalk and super close to the HB pier" making it safer for children to access the beach without crossing major roads.
Utilize proximity to attractions: Several campgrounds offer convenient access to theme parks. "Easy 15 min drive to Disney plus the ART bus picks up straight from the campground," mentions Amanda G. about Orangeland RV Park, making it ideal for family day trips to nearby attractions.
Understand parking restrictions: Many campgrounds charge extra for vehicles beyond your RV. At Newport Dunes RV Resort, "You must pay for your family pet" and "You will need to pay for the pool key," according to one camper. Additional charges for extra vehicles often apply at beachfront locations.
Check site dimensions carefully: Many locations have strict length limitations. Michele H. advises about Bolsa Chica, "The spaces aren't huge so if you have a big rig or large trailer it will be tight. Most trailers parked their tow vehicle perpendicular to the space and some barely fit." Specific site measurements should be confirmed before booking.
Consider utility hookup locations: At Waterfront RV Park in Huntington Beach, Zach R. notes "The full hookups were nice and welcomed. We stayed within our area no problem. Its simply a open lot with the hookups." Bringing extension cords and longer water hoses proves helpful at several area campgrounds where utility placements vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping allowed on Huntington Beach in California?
Direct camping on Huntington Beach itself is not permitted. However, you can enjoy beach camping nearby at Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground, which offers beachfront RV camping just steps from the sand. This campground provides concrete/asphalt sites with water and electric hookups, plus a dump station. Located adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway, you'll experience some road noise but gain the benefit of camping with immediate beach access. For RV camping directly in Huntington Beach, check out Huntington Beach RV Campground, which offers full amenities and convenient beach access while following all local regulations.
What are the best campgrounds near Huntington Beach, CA?
For beach lovers, Doheny State Beach Campground offers oceanfront camping about 30 minutes south of Huntington Beach. The outside sites along the campground edge provide more spacious accommodations than the tighter middle sites. Another excellent option is San Clemente State Beach Campground, which provides ample space to move around - a rarity for Southern California beach camping. For those who prefer inland camping with recreational opportunities, O'Neill Regional Park offers clean facilities with free showers and excellent hiking, biking, and running trails in a canyon setting.
Where can I find tent camping sites near Huntington Beach?
Tent campers near Huntington Beach have several options within a reasonable drive. San Mateo Campground at San Onofre State Beach offers some of the better beach-adjacent tent camping in the area, with sites providing good privacy despite occasional crowds. It's within walking distance to Trestles Beach and provides a quieter alternative to beachfront options. For those willing to drive a bit further, Little Jimmy Trail Campground is a scenic backcountry option located above Crystal Lake. This hike-in only campground offers around 7 first-come, first-served sites with fire rings and vault toilets, providing a more rustic camping experience away from the coast.
How much does camping cost near Huntington Beach?
Camping costs near Huntington Beach vary by location and amenities. State beach campgrounds like Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground typically charge $50-75 per night for RV sites with water and electric hookups. Private RV parks offer more amenities at higher prices, with Orangeland RV Park about 20 minutes from Huntington Beach providing full hookups starting around $80-100 per night. For more budget-friendly options, inland campgrounds like those in regional parks generally range from $25-45 per night for basic sites. Most campgrounds also charge reservation fees ($7.99-10) and may have additional vehicle fees. Holiday weekends and summer months typically command premium pricing across all locations.
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