Best Tent Camping near Beverly Hills, CA
Tent camping options near Beverly Hills, California include several walk-in campgrounds in the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains and Topanga State Park. Musch Trail Camp in Topanga State Park offers tent sites accessible via a one-mile hike from Trippet Ranch, while Millard Trail Campground and Gould Mesa Trail Campground provide primitive tent camping experiences within Angeles National Forest.
Most tent campsites in the region require short hikes to access, ranging from 200 yards to several miles. Sites typically feature picnic tables, fire rings (where permitted), and basic pit toilets or vault toilets without running water. Bear boxes are provided at some locations for food storage. A review on The Dyrt notes, "If you want a back-country feel without a long drive, this is just a 3 mile hike or ride up the canyon from Altadena." Campers should carry in their own water or bring filtration systems, as many sites are situated near seasonal streams but lack potable water sources. Several campgrounds, including Musch Trail Camp, prohibit campfires entirely.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Beverly Hills offers surprising solitude despite proximity to urban areas. Tent sites are typically well-spaced and shaded, particularly at higher elevations. During weekdays, campers often have entire campgrounds to themselves, though weekend traffic can increase significantly with day hikers. As one camper described, "This is a nice little getaway without leaving the city, perfect for a one-nighter or to backpack in with the kiddos." Wildlife sightings are common, with reports of coyotes, rattlesnakes, and other native species. Many walk-in tent sites serve as excellent base camps for exploring extensive trail networks throughout the Angeles National Forest and Santa Monica Mountains, with several campgrounds providing access to seasonal waterfalls and creek swimming spots during spring months.