Dockweiler Beach RV Park offers direct oceanfront camping with dedicated areas for dry camping and hookup RVs. The dry camping section provides more spacious sites suitable for smaller campervans and generally feels quieter than the main RV area. Sites 125-128 are particularly desirable with beach views. Aircraft noise from nearby LAX is constant but becomes less noticeable during overnight stays. Campground amenities include clean restrooms with showers and direct beach access along a 20+ mile coastal walking/biking path that connects to nearby urban attractions.
What to do
Hiking at multiple difficulty levels: Malibu Creek State Park Campground features extensive trail networks suitable for day hikes from your campsite. A camper described it as having "easily accessible hiking trails. The primary trails were open fire roads with off-shoots to lakes, pools, meadows, and more. It was easy to imagine you weren't anywhere close to the city." Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant with one reviewer mentioning, "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear."
Beach exploration with tide pools: Canyon Campground at Leo Carrillo State Park provides access to ocean activities within walking distance of campsites. "The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access—it's about a 10-minute walk from most sites, and you can explore some amazing tide pools and caves once you get there. The kids loved searching for hermit crabs and sea anemones," noted a visitor. The campground is situated in a canyon with natural shade trees, making it a cooler option during summer months.
Water recreation at nearby lakes: Castaic Lake State Recreation Area offers lake-based activities including fishing and limited boating. The campground sits hillside with lake views, as one camper described: "Just a 1 min walk down the hill to the lake—a perfect place to have my morning coffee!" Be aware that swimming is restricted to designated areas when lifeguards are on duty, and there's a $9 fee to launch personal watercraft.
What campers like
Urban proximity with natural settings: Bonelli Bluffs features modern yurt accommodations that provide a glamping experience less than an hour from Beverly Hills. The park connects to multiple recreational areas, with one reviewer noting, "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more." Sites include full hookups with 30/50 amp service for those staying in RVs.
Mountain views and stargazing: Little Pine Campground sits at higher elevation, providing cooler temperatures and panoramic vistas. A camper described it as making "you feel like your on top of the world. This place is about 1 hour from Glendale. It is easy to get here, does get crowded as well." Sites feature fire pits with cooking grates and spacious parking areas. Another visitor mentioned, "Site #13 feels more secluded than other sites on the campground. Only problem was it's on a slope."
Canyon camping with waterfall access: Millard Trail Campground offers hike-in tent sites along an active stream. "Shade is plentiful, and benches and bear boxes available for each of the 6 sites. Few bugs around, so no need to hose yourself down with repellent," explained one reviewer. The campground sits beside a popular trailhead where "a 30-minute hike upstream" leads to Millard Falls, creating photo opportunities and natural swimming spots during wet seasons.
What you should know
Security considerations: Vehicle break-ins occasionally occur at trailhead parking areas. A Millard Trail Camp visitor advised, "Make sure to leave your car doors unlocked, and nothing of value inside. You'd rather have someone root through your car and walk away empty handed than have a window broken and items stolen."
Seasonal weather patterns: Summer temperatures in lower elevations can reach 90-100°F with minimal shade at some campgrounds. Malibu Creek campsites have limited tree cover, with one camper noting: "I came here during the summer and it was extremely HOT. Typically during the summer season, I like to find campgrounds that have a lot of lush trees so we can be under the canopies and stay cool."
Noise factors beyond your control: Campgrounds near urban areas experience various noise disruptions. At Dockweiler Beach, "Planes are loud but fun" according to one reviewer, while another mentioned, "We had a dry campsite a bit further from the airport, so the plane noise was much less." At Soledad Canyon, "a train that ran around 3:30am every morning was a disturbance."
Variable cell service: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. A Soledad Canyon visitor reported, "my Verizon cell service was nonexistent. There was WiFi for a fee which couldn't be shared with multiple devices." At Malibu Creek, campers report "decent cell coverage" throughout most of the campground.
Tips for camping with families
Bring beach gear transportation: When camping near beaches with children, prepare for gear-hauling challenges. A Leo Carrillo camper advised, "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff."
Reserve well in advance for yurt camping: Yurt accommodations at Bonelli Bluffs near Beverly Hills, California provide a comfortable glamping option for families not ready for tent camping. Sites fill quickly, especially during summer and holidays. A reviewer noted the campground has "both yurts and premium glamping tents within its accommodation options, each outfitted with proper furniture."
Choose shaded sites when available: When making reservations, prioritize shade coverage for summer visits. At Malibu Creek State Park, "a few sites do have partial shade. There are some decent hiking trails nearby if you can bear the heat, but all the creeks are dried up so you can't really take a dip. It's much nicer and greener during the Spring or Fall."
Check campground rules before arriving: Regulations vary significantly between properties. One Castaic Lake camper discovered, "Swimming only allowed at their 'swimming beach' and only while life guard on duty. And to use my inflatable kayak, I have to use their boat launch and pay a $9.00 fee."
Tips from RVers
Research site dimensions carefully: RV spaces vary dramatically between campgrounds. Malibu Creek State Park accommodates larger vehicles but with limitations, as one camper mentioned: "Nice campground for a big state park. Good for Hikes and bikes. Some interesting movie TV sets in the area. Decent cell coverage. Best for tents, tight for RVs."
Height restrictions exist at some locations: Larger vehicles face access limitations at certain campgrounds. A Leo Carrillo visitor cautioned, "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" (Attention to access the sea, the vehicle must be less than 8 feet tall).
Electrical hookups limited in national forest campgrounds: Most forest service campgrounds near Beverly Hills lack hookups. For full amenities, Soledad Canyon provides comprehensive services but with trade-offs. A camper noted, "Great TT park. Only negative is the trains!"
Dump station availability varies: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer on-site dump stations. Dockweiler Beach RV Park provides full facilities including "clean restrooms and showers" according to visitors, making it suitable for longer stays despite aircraft noise.
