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Best Campgrounds near Brandeis, CA

1,006 Reviews

Camping options surrounding Brandeis, California include several developed campgrounds within the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Valley areas. The region includes established campgrounds like Tapo Canyon Park and Oak Park that accommodate both tent and RV camping with full hookups. Many of the local campgrounds feature moderate to large sites, with most offering basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms. Public lands in this part of Southern California support various camping styles from walk-in tent sites to RV-friendly areas with electrical and water connections.

Permits and reservations are necessary for most established campgrounds in the area, with online booking systems available through county parks departments and California State Parks. The climate remains relatively mild year-round, though summer temperatures can reach uncomfortably high levels in inland areas like Simi Valley. Several campgrounds provide shade from oak trees, which can be crucial during hot weather. Cellular service varies significantly by location, with some sites offering limited connectivity. A visitor to Tapo Canyon Park noted, "There is no cell service and no phone landlines there. The park is very nice, and very well maintained."

Campers consistently mention the unexpected tranquility of some local sites despite their proximity to urban areas. Tapo Canyon Park receives positive feedback for its cleanliness and maintenance, though several reviews mention limited privacy between campsites. The region provides a mix of family-friendly facilities with playgrounds and recreational areas alongside more secluded options. According to one visitor, "It's a very peaceful park, well-maintained, and clean." Mountain views are common from many campgrounds, and wildlife sightings occur regularly, with visitors reporting everything from rabbits to coyotes. Noise levels can be impacted by nearby transportation routes, with train noise specifically mentioned in reviews of Oak Park's campground.

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Best Camping Sites Near Brandeis, California (175)

    1. Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 880-0367

    $45 - $225 / night

    "It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."

    "The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."

    2. Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $45 - $60 / night

    "It was a quick drive up the coast and onto this hidden gem. You get access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you. Perfect place for families or even RVs."

    "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool."

    3. Malibu Beach RV Park

    30 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 622-6052

    $80 - $300 / night

    "I absolutely love this campground, it’s perfectly situated in between the Malibu pier area (to your left) Dume, Zuma, and more beaches (to the right), + a lovely small beach across the street… oh let’s"

    "This is a great little campground just north of Malibu, California, and right off of the 101. So yes, the freeway is RIGHT. THERE."

    4. Tapo Canyon Park

    12 Reviews
    Simi Valley, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    "This is a very nice campground near everything but still away from it all. No issues parking our 42' 5th wheel here. Clean and quiet despite the peacocks. They can be rather loud when startled."

    "This campground happens to be very close to home so we went here to try out our brand new pull behind camper trailer for the very first time.
    The campground is small, quiet and very well-kept."

    5. Hollywood RV Park

    18 Reviews
    San Fernando, CA
    13 miles
    Website

    "Every “road” in the park is themed with California or Hollywood themed decorations and murals. We were parked right next to a Mister Roger’s mural across from the laundry/bathrooms."

    "This location is conveniently situated near the heart of Los Angeles, making it an ideal spot for those looking to explore the city’s many attractions."

    6. Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park

    36 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $35 / night

    "Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in souther California. I have to note the bathrooms are absolutely terrible."

    "You are so close to the water and there is plenty of space between you and your neighbor. When we were there many people had RVs so there were only a few tents."

    7. Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park

    34 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $45 / night

    "Fantastic body surfing, some good surf waves up the highway a bit. There is a backpacking access site as well up the canyon about 3 miles."

    "If you love Fall and trees and the California golden sun... this place is the place to be! It has it all in one."

    8. Lake Piru Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Piru, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 521-1500

    $38 - $50 / night

    "Enjoy a walk around the lake, or head out onto the water for wakeboarding."

    "We were placed away from all the tent campers. Staff was friendly and helpful. Tighter spots for anything over 25ft. ONLY AT&T works. Wifi is $9/day for one device."

    9. Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Valencia, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 257-4050

    "Gorgeous location right on the lake, the waters clear and there’s a generous amount of trees surrounding for shade."

    "Just a 1 min walk down the hill to the lake - a perfect place to have my morning coffee! They allowed pets which is awesome. Super quiet, lots of stars, and a beautiful view. Couldn’t ask for better!"

    10. Oak Park

    5 Reviews
    Moorpark, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    "Also multiple hiking trails right from the grounds, and some playgrounds and basketball courts. Feels very family friendly. First come first serve spots and you make reservations online."

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Recent Camping Photos near Brandeis, CA

340 Photos of 175 Brandeis Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Brandeis, CA

1006 Reviews of 175 Brandeis Campgrounds

  • Eleanor M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Santa Rosa Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Great location, parking lot

    We got lucky with a premium spot that opened up on the beach front. It was a gorgeous place to wake up! Definitely a festive tailgate-style vibe in the parking lot. You are close to your neighbors with no privacy but it was a great first stop for us out of LA. Easy walk into town for breakfast burritos!

  • Spencer S.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Malibu Beach RV Park

    Beautiful beach!

    They have ports potty’s and a nice stretch of beach between houses that you can enjoy privately

  • Gillian L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Hollywood RV Park

    Themed Park!

    First of all, staff was amazing. We were originally supposed to arrive on a Tuesday and we’re not able to make it. Staff shifted our reservation instead of us eating the missed night cost. Also super accommodating allowing us to extend a day longer last minute. Park is tight quarters with 200 spots. Two laundry rooms/bathrooms with showers on site, plus a cute little dog park! We stayed for three nights. Every “road” in the park is themed with California or Hollywood themed decorations and murals. We were parked right next to a Mister Roger’s mural across from the laundry/bathrooms. My only complaint in the noise level at times which is not from the park itself. Helicopters would fly over randomly, sometimes at night and it could be annoying when trying to sleep. Otherwise, absolute GEM of a place!

  • Ryan C.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Fairways RV Resort

    Very quiet and clean

    Disabled Veteran from the area so getting on base was a breeze. Our trailer is 36ft so parking our long bed dually on the site took some space, but there is extra parking if you don’t mind a short walk. There are parks located throughout the base and the bowling alley is super cheap for unlimited bowling. There is a movie theater on site but limited on how many movies are showing.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Faria Beach Park

    Right in the Ocean

    Campsite are close together but the view & vibe are awesome. Clean excellent facilities with hot & cold showers. Camp sites are packed, but I car camp so had no issues.

  • Imerie T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Oak Flat Campground

    Good place to stop between stops

    So the good first, Quiet, not many ppl in the fall/winter months. Sites are large, dumpsters, vault toilets, close to town amenities. We felt safe staying here. Met nice campers.

    The crappy. Yes you can hear the humm of the freeway from further away. Didn’t bug us, but some it does. There is micro trash everywhere. No one cleans the sites, leaves are outta control on the ground. You cannot have any cooking or fires right now. Only cooking inside. The single bathroom is cleanest. The Ranger was super rude He asked way too many personal questions and kept wanting to make sure we weren’t “homeless”. He doesn’t understand the difference between vagrants and choosing to not live in bricks and sticks. He wanted to know exactly how many days we were staying and what day and time we were leaving. You can stay up to 14days and no reservations required.

    It is only free if you have your America The Beautiful Pass, otherwise it’s 5.00 a night And you have to buy that at the Shell Gas Station down the pass.

  • Anna X.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Dockweiler Beach RV Park

    Pacific touch :)

    Nice place very close to the beach with amazing Pacific view. All connections in place; sites very close to each other; a bit loud due to airport nearby. Very friendly staff. In overall good experience and recommend it :)

  • S
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Anacapa Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Clean and easy access

    I love Carp State Beach campground. The proximity to everything Carpinteria is within a short walking distance. Staff and venue are amazing.

Guide to Brandeis

Camping near Brandeis, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

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, "Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in Southern California."
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the trails at Malibu Creek State Park Campground. One visitor noted, "There are great hikes just off the campsite with amazing views over the state park and the Pacific Ocean."
  • Fishing and Boating: Head to Lake Casitas Recreation Area for fishing and boating. A reviewer mentioned, "The lake itself is beautiful and right in the middle of the entire recreation area."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning surroundings at Wheeler Gorge Campground. One camper said, "Listening to the creek at night was peaceful and relaxing."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Malibu Beach RV Park remarked, "The park was beautiful and so was the location. The park was clean and comfortably."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff. At Dennison Park, one reviewer shared, "The camp host, Dane, was friendly, helpful, and a joy to chat with."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Emma Wood State Beach, have very few facilities. A camper noted, "Completely dry camping with no showers or bathrooms."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A visitor at Lake Casitas mentioned, "Seemed like a lot of people gathered on the weekends."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near highways. A camper at Thornhill Broome Beach said, "Sound of waves and occasional traffic all night."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Lake Casitas, which has activities for kids. One reviewer said, "Good for families or big groups."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and games for the evenings. A camper at Malibu Creek State Park mentioned, "The sites are nicely spaced out."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a plan for hiking or beach days. A visitor at Wheeler Gorge Campground noted, "There's so much to explore."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have small sites. A reviewer at Sycamore Canyon Campground said, "The spaces are pretty small, so they are not meant for large RVs."
  • Be Ready for Limited Connectivity: Many areas have poor cell service. A visitor at Thornhill Broome Beach noted, "Wifi is great at this location. We have T-Mobile."
  • Bring Your Own Water: Some campgrounds, like Wheeler Gorge Campground, do not have drinking water available. A camper mentioned, "No drinking water available."

Camping near Brandeis, California, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a beach getaway or a peaceful retreat in the woods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Brandeis, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Brandeis, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 175 campgrounds and RV parks near Brandeis, CA and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Brandeis, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Brandeis, CA is Malibu Creek State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Brandeis, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Brandeis, CA.

What parks are near Brandeis, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Brandeis, CA that allow camping, notably Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Angeles National Forest.

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