Camping spots near Calabasas Hills, California range from primitive trail camps to full-service RV parks within the Santa Monica Mountains. The region sits at elevations between 500-2,000 feet with a Mediterranean climate featuring summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Winter camping offers milder temperatures in the 60s but occasional closures occur during rainy periods when canyon roads can flood.
What to do
Explore tide pools and beach caves: At Thornhill Broome Beach, campers can walk directly from their sites to explore marine ecosystems. "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," notes one visitor to nearby Leo Carrillo.
Visit former movie sets: The camping areas around Calabasas feature several filming locations. At Malibu Creek State Park Campground, visitors can hike to spots used in numerous productions. "The state park is a former movie set and is filled with easily accessible trails for hiking and some for mountain biking. The primary trails were open fire roads with off-shoots to lakes, pools, meadows, and more," reports Ryan W.
Practice archery: Tapo Canyon Park offers weekend archery opportunities for campers. "The archery range is one of the best in California. There is a members area and the original range is open to the public on Saturdays from 9-1, with a nominal $5 fee," explains one reviewer.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Calabasas Hills camping areas provide excellent wildlife viewing without requiring deep wilderness travel. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear. On a hike right out of the park a few hundred yards, I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek," shares a visitor at Malibu Creek State Park.
Convenience to beaches: Canyon Campground at Leo Carrillo State Park offers campers beach proximity while maintaining a canyon setting. "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool. The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access," reports Alfred.
Bathroom cleanliness: Unlike many wilderness campgrounds, several Calabasas area camping facilities maintain excellent facilities. At Musch Trail Camp, a backpacker noted, "Did not expect the bathrooms to be very clean. They have running water to flush the toilets, and to wash your hands." Another camper at Tapo Canyon mentioned, "Cleanliness: 10/10."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering no connectivity. At Tapo Canyon Park, a camper warns: "DO NOT expect cell service. I could only work from this spot by placing my mobile HomeFi router on top of the camper. Our Verizon phones were paper weights."
Traveler
