Best Tent Camping near Calabasas Hills, CA
Tent campsites in the Santa Monica Mountains near Calabasas Hills, California range from walk-in sites to backcountry options within protected wilderness areas. Musch Trail Camp in Topanga State Park offers hike-in tent camping with picnic tables and toilets, while Sage Ranch provides both drive-in and hike-in tent sites within the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority lands. Circle X Ranch Group Campground in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area accommodates tent campers with picnic tables and allows pets.
Most tent campgrounds near Calabasas Hills feature basic amenities suited for primitive camping experiences. Sites typically include picnic tables and fire rings, though fire restrictions are common during dry seasons. Vault toilets are available at most established sites, but running water is limited. Musch Trail Camp prohibits fires entirely, while Sage Ranch permits fires in designated rings. Campers should secure food properly, as wildlife activity is common throughout the region. Several campgrounds require permits or reservations, particularly for group sites like Danielson Group Multi-Use Area, which offers drinking water, showers and toilets for tent campers.
The tent camping experience in this region provides excellent access to trail networks and natural features. Many sites serve as gateways to the extensive trail system throughout the Santa Monica Mountains, with opportunities for day hiking or multi-day backpacking trips. Tent-only areas typically offer more seclusion than developed campgrounds that accommodate vehicles. Shade availability varies significantly between locations, with some sites offering tree cover and others providing little protection from sun. A camper noted that Millard Trail Campground offers "a good campsite with several trails for hiking and biking, with a creek that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty."