Camping options near Burbank, California range from beachside sites to mountain retreats within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at the eastern edge of the San Fernando Valley with elevations ranging from 500 to over 3,000 feet in nearby mountains, creating diverse camping microclimates. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F while winter nights in higher elevation campsites can drop below 40°F, requiring appropriate gear for seasonal conditions.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 0.5-mile trail at Millard Trail Campground leads to scenic falls, perfect for hot days. "Fun little campground with decent facilities and beautiful surroundings. Lots of trails all around with a nice hike of about 1/2 mile up to Millard Falls that is easy for kids and grown ups," notes reviewer Tom P.
Beach exploration: Tide pool adventures at Leo Carrillo State Park Campground offer marine life viewing opportunities within a 10-minute walk from most campsites. A visitor observed, "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."
Stargazing: Clear night skies at Little Pine Campground provide excellent stargazing opportunities away from city lights. "Love this place. Makes you feel like your on top of the world," shares Jessica P., highlighting the elevated position that creates unobstructed views of the night sky.
What campers like
Train watching: Railroad proximity at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon provides unique train viewing experiences. "There was however a train that ran around 3:30am every morning," notes Keisha D., which can be either a disturbance or attraction depending on your interest in trains.
Wildlife encounters: Bird watching opportunities include jet-black ravens at Soledad Canyon. One camper noted, "From my favorite the Jet black Ravens, rabbits, coyotes, and interesting botany there are plenty of creatures to aww and be thankful for."
City proximity with nature immersion: Many campgrounds offer surprisingly natural settings despite urban proximity. At Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, "Hardly anyone there when I went in March and felt like I had the place to myself! Hot showers and picnic table available. Just a 1 min walk down the hill to the lake - a perfect place to have my morning coffee!"
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds have closely positioned sites. At Bonelli Bluffs, one camper warned, "Good camp ground if you like being 6 ft away from your neighbors. More of a group or community campground. Shared fire pit and tables. Not the place to go if you are trying to get away from people."
Vehicle security concerns: At some locations, particularly those close to urban areas, vehicle break-ins can occur. At Millard Trail Camp, one reviewer 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 water availability: Creeks and waterfalls may dry up during summer months. A Malibu Creek State Park visitor noted, "I came here during the summer and it was extremely HOT. There isn't much shade on the actual campgrounds, but 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."
Tips for camping with families
Bring a beach wagon: For sites with beach access, transport gear easily. At Leo Carrillo, a camper suggested, "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff."
Reserve shade sites when possible: For summer camping with children, shade makes a significant difference in comfort. At Malibu Creek State Park Campground, "My husband, teenage son, grown son and his girlfriend, and I stayed here over Halloween. 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."
Consider noise levels: Airport and traffic noise affects some locations. At Dockweiler Beach RV Park, "You will hear each and every of 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..."
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions matter: Verify total vehicle length requirements before booking. At Anaheim Harbor RV Park, sites have strict limits that include hitches. A reviewer cautioned, "The 40ft RV length restriction includes the length of the hitch."
Consider premium sites for larger rigs: Standard sites may be too narrow for slide-outs or awnings at some locations. At Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon, "Stay in the back side of the park as a rail line runs in front of the front side of the park. Phone service and wifi are adequate in most parts of the camp."
Check shower token requirements: Some campgrounds use token systems for showers. A Leo Carrillo visitor noted, "Facilities were decent- bathrooms were kept fairly clean and showers worked well, though the token system ($2 for 2 minutes) takes some getting used to."
