Best Campgrounds near Burbank, CA

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Campgrounds around Burbank, California range from urban RV parks to wilderness sites in the Angeles National Forest. Developed facilities like Hollywood RV Park provide convenient access to city attractions, while Malibu Creek State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites about 30 minutes west of Burbank. Angeles Crest Overlook provides dispersed camping options along mountain roads with views of Los Angeles. Several trails in the San Gabriel Mountains lead to primitive campsites like Millard Trail Campground and Gould Mesa Trail Campground, which accommodate tent campers within hiking distance of the city.

Most campgrounds in the Angeles National Forest operate seasonally, with Chilao Campground typically open from April through mid-November. "This is a nice hike-in campground with about ten sites available and a privy. Lots of hikers up here on the weekend (and weekdays too). There's no running water but the creek is usually running so bring something to treat the water," notes one visitor to Gould Mesa Trail Campground. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, and overnight parking for dispersed camping requires careful attention to local regulations. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage at locations closer to urban areas and limited or no service in canyon areas.

The dispersed camping area at Angeles Crest Overlook attracts visitors seeking city views, though several reviews mention nighttime activity and noise. A visitor reported, "It is not a real campground, just a parking area of a view point. So the view was great... There were also tire tracks on the ground that suggested some young people come here to test their driving skills." Trail camps like Gould Mesa offer more solitude but require hiking in with supplies. These primitive sites provide access to hiking trails and seasonal streams but have minimal facilities. Established campgrounds like Malibu Creek State Park provide more amenities including showers, drinking water, and designated fire rings. RV parks near Hollywood cater to urban explorers who want full hookups while maintaining proximity to attractions.

Best Camping Sites Near Burbank, California (162)

    1. Hollywood RV Park

    18 Reviews
    San Fernando, CA
    10 miles
    Website

    "On the downside, the park is right next to the departure/arrival runway for Burbank and so if you don't fancy airplanes, you may not appreciate the noise."

    "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."

    2. Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    23 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."

    3. Dockweiler Beach RV Park

    23 Reviews
    El Segundo, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (310) 322-4951

    $55 - $80 / night

    "The most fantastic thing about this RV spot is the location - directly facing a large, beautiful, clean beach with built in fire rings, a very long bike bath and bike rental kiosk."

    "One of the only in Southern California/Los Angeles area where you can have a fire on the beach."

    4. Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon

    25 Reviews
    Acton, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "It's a very hot campground close to a road and train. Sites are big. Tons of things to do for adults and children."

    "Surrounded my mountains, which is nice. Staff is happy and helpful."

    5. Millard Trail Campground

    9 Reviews
    Altadena, CA
    11 miles
    Website

    "When you can’t do a 2h hike before setting camp, but you also don’t want to camp close to your car, Millard campground is perfect. The parking lot is just behind the corner out of view."

    "Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there. Once there, there's a parking lot that fits about 20 cars."

    6. Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    8 Reviews
    La Cañada Flintridge, CA
    9 miles

    "Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that."

    "This is just a few parking lots that overlook the valley and gives a view of the city skyline in the distance."

    7. Gould Mesa Trail Campground

    5 Reviews
    La Cañada Flintridge, CA
    9 miles
    Website

    "You can hear cars driving off in the distance but still overall quiet.

    • Close to LA. This is about a 15 minute drive then 30 minute hike from my house.

    * The stream is great."

    "Very beautiful now that the canyon vegetation has grown back in and there are plenty of trails in the area for miles of hiking. Lots of wildlife. Fire rings in camp sites but check for fire permits."

    8. Mount Lowe Trail Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    13 miles
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    "We went in May this year so not much people around. Brand new toilet is nice as well. There was some flowing water still."

    "There's a stream nearby the Mount Lowe Summit Trail, also. Plenty of great sites to choose from."

    9. Chilao Campground

    17 Reviews
    Mount Wilson, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 790-1151

    $12 / night

    "Campground We had been driving around the campground loops for more than an hour, and had just about given up, when we say the sign for overflow camping near the exit of the Chilao campground loop"

    "Great spot to get away from the big city being only a 45min drive from the Downtown, couldn’t ask for more"

    10. Antfarm LA

    2 Reviews
    Verdugo City, CA
    5 miles
    Website

    $50 / night

    "Very peaceful spot for a long weekend. 5 days was a little much unless you have a car to visit around and did I say it was gated too."

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Recent Reviews near Burbank, CA

1006 Reviews of 162 Burbank Campgrounds


  • Hans V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2025

    Dockweiler Beach RV Park

    2 stars even though we had a good time

    We were here in november for 3 nights. Expensive for a narrow pad / parking lot. The far bathroom was without toilet paper, the near one dirty since early morning until same time next day. Public beach building had the best toilet available...

    Beach is close but in winter no view due to sand wall. Slightly smelly ocean, not sure what it is ...

    A lot of load airplanes (every minute or so) - which we were of course expecting but are detracting from the beach vibe. Bright lights that are on all night.

    Anyway, as far as I know still one of the best places to camp close to LA/Hollywood as there ain't so many, but it is far from great

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 29, 2025

    Angeles National Forest Meadow Group Campground

    Suitable for large groups

    So much space! One of the few campgrounds still reservable within the Angeles National Forest, now that only group sites are reservable.

    Although it’s a beautiful area and the sites are spacious, the sites could be more maintained. The main vault toilets were closed so we had to walk 3 minutes each way to some further away. Potable hasn’t been available at Meadows for this season at least, but we heard you may be able to get water at the nearby Chilao campground. We just brought our own water for the weekend.

    Make sure to call for the gate lock code during weekday business hours, there is no service once you’re in the forest.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 29, 2025

    Sturtevant Camp

    amazing camp, amazing organization

    We ended up unexpectedly staying at Sturtevant Camp because we left a scary experience at Spruce grove trailhead nearby. And wow, what an amazing experience we had here! We walked up to the campgrounds after it was already dark, and the camp host came outside of his cabin within a minute. He saw our headlamps and greeted us by asking if everything was okay. We asked if we could set up our tent near the cabins, and he offered to let us stay in one of the cabins that happened to be open that weekend. Some of the most amazing hospitality I've encounted while camping, really restored my faith in humanity. We made a donation after we got home as a thank you.

    The facilities have running water and electricity. The camp host preps coffee and hot water in the morning so that other hikers coming through can stop for a warm beverage. What an amazing place!

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 29, 2025

    Spruce Grove Trail Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO FIRE

    scary experience

    I took my friend backpacking on a Friday in August with the goal of camping at Spruce Grove camp that night. I read other reviews talking about how busy the campground can be over the weekend, so I was hoping we would still get a spot if we arrived Friday instead of Saturday. My friend and I were less than a mile away from the camp sites when it got dark and a guy started following us on the trail. It was unsettling, and we hoped it would be fine once we got to Spruce Grove. Unfortunately, upon arriving to the camp, it was completely empty. The guy started explaining that he didn't have a tent and his story didn't make sense (ex: said he walked up from Pasadena, instead of parking at the trailhead). Anyways, I know this guy isn't a permanent part of the campground, BUT it made me realize that backcountry camping in the Angeles National Forest is different than other backpacking I've done, because it's so close to an urban area. I've camped in many other parts of the ANF, but never the backcountry sites. I also want people to know that the campground is empty sometimes, so if you're going, I would only do it with a larger party.

    The story ends by us taking safe haven at Sturtevant Camp a little further up the trail

  • M
    Nov. 29, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Great location and overall environment, but....

    Nice area, great location. Visited King Gillette Ranch and did some there and in general area near coast. The park itself has large open areas. We might have visited the M.A.S.H. set but the bridge to it was removed for the season. I did recognize the mountain formation from the show :)    Hardly any other campers there during our 3 night stay. Seemed safe and staff were friendly and assisted with shower tokens. There is a dump station that costs extra--bit of a disappointment (see pic below). Would likely stay here again despite some drawbacks because of nice landscape and locale. Just felt like we couldn't give it a 4. 

    Downsides: Campsite office's internet was out so token machines for showers not working. Bathroom were not great and showers were threadbare. One shower's  shower head was missing (replaced later), no hooks or shelves, so nowhere to really hang anything so as to keep belongings off floor (I did use door hinges & door handle). They are free with cold water only, OR, you can buy tokens, 2 for a dollar at 2 min. apiece. Advice was to put token in and water would get hot in about 30 to 45 seconds (true) and to my pleasant surprise, hot water did come out for 2 min. (so, hotwater for 2 min. AFTER the initial time it took to get hot). But, neither token machine worked. However, the park ranger (after driving back down to entrance) did give us 6 tokens, gratis & we appreciated that. There was however a cleaning crew there each morning (early) while we were there and it appeared they literally sprayed down the bathrooms and showers with disinfectant. 

    The location itself was great. Short drive down to Malibu, and we parked ocean-side one evening and ate dinner at sunset in camper. To our surprise the nearby Ralph's grocery store (Kroger) was reasonably priced (not much different than our neighborhood Kroger [not in Calif.]; did not expect that in Malibu).

    Perhaps affecting our experience is that it was cold and rainy while there so made threadbare showers a shivering experience.

  • TO T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 29, 2025

    Bonelli Bluffs

    This is a campsite located very close to the city center

    This park has a great Halloween atmosphere,The bad thing is that there is no distance between these park RVs, they are very close and expensive. I must be 128US dollar.To be honest, I don't think it's worth the price. I won't go for a second time

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2025

    Dockweiler Beach RV Park

    Conveniently located in LA

    Stayed in the dry-camping area. #128. 19-20 foot max length. Right on the beach. Airplanes landing were noticeable, but the sound just faded into the background after a while. An odor from  water processing plant just above the campground wafted down every once in a while. You noticed it but it wasn't bad. Bathrooms were clean. Took a nice hot shower there (no extra charge). There's a bike path a few feet away from the camp sites. I really wanted to try it out but unfortunately it was raining the whole time. Only half the dry sites were used even on the weekend in November.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2025

    Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park

    Secluded from PCH but still walkable to beach

    Just came in for the night. Stayed in site #4. Quiet even though the road and beach were 100 yards away. I couldn't get any cell service until I walked out to the road. Site was level and near restroom. My tall van almost clipped the tree on the site. Clean individual bathrooms. Campground was only about 20% full mid-week in November.


Guide to Burbank

Camping near Burbank, California, offers a great escape into nature without straying too far from the city. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for families, solo adventurers, and RV enthusiasts alike.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Bonelli Bluffs. A reviewer said, “Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen.”
  • Scenic Views: Many love the stunning views at Malibu Beach RV Park. One camper raved, “Every spot has a great view of the Pacific Ocean from high upon a cliff!”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peacefulness at Buckhorn Campground. A visitor mentioned, “It was very quiet with only a handful of people.”

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground, have limited amenities. A camper noted, “There are no showers, and the toilets are pit toilets.”
  • Crowded on Weekends: Expect larger crowds on weekends at places like Soledad Canyon RV and Camping Resort. One reviewer said, “The weekdays are really quiet, maybe 15 to 20 RVs, but weekends fill up completely.”
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially bears, at campgrounds like Chilao Campground. A camper shared, “We’ve encountered a bear once at night.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby hiking trails and picnic areas, like Malibu Creek State Park Campground. One parent mentioned, “Nice short walk to the beach where dogs are welcome.”
  • Plan for Noise: Be ready for some noise, especially on weekends. A camper at Buckhorn Campground said, “Some neighboring camps were louder than you'd hope, but it is what it is.”
  • Bring Entertainment: Since some campgrounds lack playgrounds, like Bonelli Bluffs, be sure to pack games or activities to keep the kids entertained.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site, especially at Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, “The sites are small. It is very difficult to back in to a spot when you have campers across from your campsite.”
  • Look for Hookups: If you need electric hookups, consider Malibu Beach RV Park, which offers various amenities. A visitor said, “The general store is well stocked.”
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Soledad Canyon RV and Camping Resort, have poor cell reception. One camper mentioned, “We normally have pretty bad cell reception.”

Camping near Burbank, CA, has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Burbank, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Burbank, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 162 campgrounds and RV parks near Burbank, CA and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Burbank, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Burbank, CA is Hollywood RV Park with a 4.7-star rating from 18 reviews.

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

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

What parks are near Burbank, CA?

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