Camarillo's location in the coastal valley between the Santa Monica Mountains and Los Padres National Forest creates unique camping conditions with temperatures averaging 15-20 degrees cooler than inland areas during summer months. Campgrounds near Camarillo, CA range in elevation from sea level to 1,200 feet, with most sites within a 30-minute drive of town. The Mediterranean climate allows for camping year-round, though winter nights can drop to the mid-40s.
What to do
Hiking trails connect campgrounds to beaches: At Thornhill Broome Beach, campers can access trails on the opposite side of Highway 1 via a tunnel at the north end of the campground. "There are many hiking trails on the other side of Highway 1 (you can walk to the north end of the campground and use a tunnel under the highway to get to the trailhead)," reports one camper.
Explore tide pools at low tide: Point Mugu State Park offers excellent tide pool exploration during morning low tides. "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 a visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds near Camarillo offer excellent wildlife viewing. At Point Mugu Recreation Facility, campers report regular marine mammal sightings. "We watch seals, ducks and more swimming around the beach. We practically had it all to ourselves," writes one reviewer.
Mountain biking on designated trails: The Sycamore Canyon area provides multiple mountain biking routes. "This is a great campground for anyone wanting to do some camping and mountain biking. In addition, you're right next to the beach!" shares a cyclist who stayed at Point Mugu State Park.
What campers like
Direct beach access: Campers consistently rate the proximity to the ocean as the top feature when camping near Camarillo. At Emma Wood State Beach, the camping experience is uniquely coastal. "You are parked right on the beach, which we love so much. At high tide the ocean comes right up to your doorstep, watch where you park if you don't want the waves crashing and splashing all over your rig and camp area," advises one regular visitor.
Canyon camping under oak trees: Many campers appreciate the shaded sites available at Leo Carrillo State Park. "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool. Our site was spacious enough for our two tents and had a good fire pit and picnic table setup," reports a summer visitor.
Water recreation options: Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers non-swimming water activities. "The lake offers fishing and boating, no body contact. There are several campsites around the lake. Some lakefront and some wooded," notes a camper. Another adds, "The most fun is the water park. You can take a break from the heat and tube down the lazy river."
Stargazing opportunities: Rural campgrounds provide excellent night sky viewing. "It's one of those rare places where the light pollution is truly minimal and you can really see the stars at night. A great place to see meteor showers or simply just get away from the bustle of stuff for a while," writes a camper who stayed at Kenney Grove Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing requirements: Most state park campgrounds require reservations well in advance. "Small quaint BEAUTIFUL not extremely well known... We fell in love with it in 1979 and never stop going back," reports a long-time visitor to Point Mugu State Park. Another camper advises: "This campground is popular in the summer months and spaces get reserved up to 6 months in advanced."
Weather variation by season: Camping conditions near Camarillo change significantly by season. "I came here during the summer and it was extremely HOT. Typically during the summer season, I like to find campgrounds that have a lot of lush trees so we can be under the canopies and stay cool," reports a summer camper at Malibu Creek State Park. The same reviewer suggests, "It's much nicer and greener during the Spring or Fall."
Shower token systems: Many campgrounds use pay showers requiring quarters or tokens. "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," notes a camper at Leo Carrillo State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds report active wildlife, requiring proper food storage. "Squirrels are very aggressive and will eat your food if left unattended," warns a camper at Leo Carrillo State Park. Another mentions, "Also spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly."
Tips for camping with families
Bring beach equipment transportation: When camping with children at coastal sites, equipment transport becomes important. "The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access- it's about a 10-minute walk from most sites. Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff," advises a family at Leo Carrillo State Park.
Consider water park options during hot months: Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers built-in water recreation for children. "The most fun is the water park. You can take a break from the heat and tube down the lazy river. Also there is a disk golf course," notes a family camper. The reviewer continues, "This campground is great for beginners and disabled."
Select sites based on bathroom proximity: Families with young children should consider bathroom location when selecting sites. "The inner circle of sites abuts the bathrooms and is better for groups. The outer rings on three sides have nice views, but some sites on the south side are shorter and abut a fence," advises a Malibu Creek State Park visitor.
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Kenney Grove County Park, "The kids had plenty of room to run around and get dirty, and there was a playground with an old school merry-go-round within sight of where our spot was," reports a parent. Another visitor notes the "Cute little grassy park with swings."
Tips from RVers
Height restrictions affect some beach access: RVers should note height limitations at certain campgrounds. "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" warns an RVer at Leo Carrillo State Park.
Consider RV-specific campgrounds for full hookups: Several campgrounds near Camarillo offer dedicated RV facilities. "The spots are all paved with most having all the hookups but it is in need of updates. You can't beat the location though," notes an RVer at Point Mugu Recreation Facility.
Prepare for dry camping at beach sites: Several beachfront campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. "There's no hookups, and it's hard to get around. The wind is extremely strong especially at night. With all of that in mind, the experience of camping literally ON THE BEACH was one of the best of my life," shares an RVer at Emma Wood State Beach.
Secure items in high wind areas: Coastal RV sites often experience significant winds. "The wind is extremely strong especially at night," notes an RVer at Emma Wood State Beach, emphasizing the need to secure loose items around your campsite.
