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Best Dispersed Camping near Castaic, CA

13 Reviews

The mountainous terrain surrounding Castaic, California encompasses a range of dispersed camping options within an hour's drive. Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area offers primitive sites at Aliklik and Cottonwood Campgrounds, providing basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Angeles National Forest lands feature roadside pull-offs along Angeles Crest Highway that serve as informal overnight spots for vehicle-based camping. Los Padres National Forest contains more remote options including Big Cone Camp in Santa Paula Canyon, which requires a hike to access waterfalls and swimming holes known as the "punch bowls." Most dispersed sites lack developed facilities but offer greater solitude than established campgrounds.

Road conditions vary significantly across the region's camping areas, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles to access. As one camper noted about Morrow Hill dispersed camping: "The road is a little tricky and we almost wouldn't have driven there. Make sure you really stay at the place up the hill, otherwise the landlord will clarify that you're on private property." Fire restrictions frequently change based on seasonal conditions, with complete bans common during dry summer months. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, particularly in canyon areas. Visitors should verify current regulations before travel, as several reviewers mentioned confusion about where dispersed camping is permitted, especially along Highway 33 where it is prohibited in certain zones.

Campers report mixed experiences with roadside sites along Angeles Crest Highway. "During the week it's more quiet. Close to town so that is a plus," notes one reviewer, while others mention nighttime disturbances: "Cars did flow in and out occasionally through the night until around midnight." Many sites offer scenic views, particularly at sunrise and sunset. The more remote locations like East Mojave Camp provide greater solitude but require self-sufficiency. "Very remote, absolutely nothing out there. You can get far enough away from the highway that you don't need to worry about people driving by," reports one visitor. Primitive backcountry sites like Chorma Camp in Matilija Wilderness experience significant wind exposure due to their elevated positions on bluffs and ridgelines.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Castaic, California (9)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Castaic, CA

13 Reviews of 9 Castaic Campgrounds

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2023

    East Mojave Camp

    Very very remote

    Very remote absolutely nothing out there. Definitely somewhere you need to be aware of your surroundings. You can get far enough away from the highway that you don’t need to worry about people driving by. There is nothing out here. The road to it is unmarked and very unmaintained Would definitely recommend high clearance vehicle if you want to be further away then 100 feet from the highway. Lots of wash outs. Beautiful sunrise. We were the only people there.

  • Joseph R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Nope

    It’s basically car camping along the Angeles Crest highway, there’s small pull out spots and, some spots overlooking the forest but kids do tend to party up here and, drive about 100 miles a hour up and, down the road all hours of the night. It can get a bit scary, if you’re alone. Oh cell service non-existent unless you’re closer to the bottom but even then it’s spotty. It’s not a typical campground but it does do the job for a couple days. You will see cars vans along the pull outs coming up but I believe you can car camp on the overlook I have not as I’m more a quiet type person. Be careful though there’s a white van that teams up with a black truck they tried to break in my car while I was sleeping. It is very dangerous and luckily I carry at all times and have cameras.

  • robherr The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Chorma Camp in Matilija Wilderness

    Windy and high, Chorma Camp is a quick stop

    Chorma Camp is the first spot you will encounter on the hike south through Cherry Creek. Situated high on a bluff it gets lots of wind, and with very little shelter around to break it, if you camp here you will get the brunt of it.

    There are no amenities at any of the campsites in this area, they are all primitive dispersed camp areas.

    Continuing on past Chorma if you can make it to Maple it is better campsite down in the valley.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2025

    East Mojave Camp

    Off Hwy 58

    Huge ruts in dirt road, there’s room to go around them. Several Joshua Trees .

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 22, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Dark, fairly quiet, good view!

    I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so. Wasn’t too noisy at all. Unfortunately I didn’t have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary. Other than that, no complaints at all!

  • Jessica P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2021

    Los Padres NF - Dispersed Camp

    Good place after a long hike

    This site is next to chorro grande trail which is about a 9 mile hike. After your long hike of you want to rest go up the mountain site across and it’s an awesome place to camp out. This is dispersed campsite. You will also come across many people parked on the side for those who hike the trails so if you go up the little hill mountain you can camp out peacefully with awesome sunrise and sunsets.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 26, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Great view

    Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that. Next night we moved to the other look out and someone still did donuts behind us- it’s a smaller lookout. Loud music and people talking next to us until about 1 am there is a pull off before this that was very quiet near a trail and nobody bothered us. During the week it’s more quiet. Close to town so that is a plus. Would recommend to smaller vans or car sleepers. I did not feel unsafe except for the donuts that happened near us. If you have dogs I would recommend the trail pull off my dogs really enjoyed the hike

  • Paul O.
    Mar. 28, 2022

    Los Padres NF - Dispersed Camp

    No disperse camping allowed along the 33.

    There is a nice hike-in campsite about 1.5 miles up the Chorro Grande trail called Oak Camp. I think the other review here might be unintentionally implying that camping along the 33 is allowed. It isn't. This is from the district web page:

    "Disperse camping is NOT allowed on Hwy 33, the Rose Valley Recreation Area or the Pine Mountain Recreation Area or Matilija Canyon Rd. These are Restricted Use Zones."

  • robherr The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2018

    Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon

    Local easy hike to great waterfalls

    This is a fairly easy hike through what would not be considered a typical hike. It starts off going through Thomas Aquinas College, winding through horse property and oil fields, before finally opening up into Santa Paula Canyon. The trail has changed many times over the years because of the nature of flooding through the canyon, but follow the signs through the middle of the canyon and the main trail will head up the mountain to the right.

    Atop the hill on the saddle, nestled among the trees is the primitive Big Cone campsite. It is one of my favorite spots simply because it is close and when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there.

    From Big Cone Camp you can easily reach the waterfalls and pools that make this area known as the "punch bowls". Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides, and a few pools you can jump from the cliffs into.

    Please pack out your trash. Because this hike is local and easy, there are many party people that frequent the area and leave their trash.

Guide to Castaic

Rustic camping near Castaic, California offers primitive options from roadside pullouts to remote hike-in locations across three national forests. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 5,000 feet, creating diverse camping conditions with temperature variations of 20-30°F between day and night. Most sites lack developed facilities and require advance preparation for water, waste management, and navigation.

What to do

Hiking trails access: The Chorro Grande trail near Los Padres NF - Dispersed Camp provides challenging terrain. "This site is next to chorro grande trail which is about a 9 mile hike. After your long hike if you want to rest go up the mountain site across and it's an awesome place to camp out," notes Jessica P.

Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at Angeles Crest provide urban-to-wilderness transition zones where campers can spot deer, coyotes, and various bird species. "The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise!" reports Valerie at Angeles Crest Overlook.

Stargazing opportunities: The remote setting of East Mojave Camp offers minimal light pollution. Sawyer P. mentions, "Beautiful sunrise. We were the only people there," highlighting the isolation that creates ideal night sky viewing conditions.

What campers like

Privacy levels: Campsites vary significantly in seclusion. "Very remote, absolutely nothing out there. You can get far enough away from the highway that you don't need to worry about people driving by," shares Sawyer P. about East Mojave Camp.

Natural features: Big Cone Camp offers unique water features. As robherr notes, "From Big Cone Camp you can easily reach the waterfalls and pools that make this area known as the 'punch bowls'. Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides, and a few pools you can jump from the cliffs into."

Accessibility tradeoffs: Some prefer locations with easier access. At Angeles Crest Overlook, Nicole D. comments, "During the week it's more quiet. Close to town so that is a plus. Would recommend to smaller vans or car sleepers."

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Many sites demand high-clearance vehicles. At Morrow Hill dispersed, Mareike W. warns, "The road is a little tricky and we almost wouldn't have driven there. Make sure, you really stay at the place up the hill (coordinates) otherwise the landlord will clarify that you're on private property."

Safety considerations: Some roadside locations experience nighttime disturbances. Joseph R. cautions about Angeles Crest Overlook: "Kids do tend to party up here and drive about 100 miles an hour up and down the road all hours of the night. It can get a bit scary if you're alone."

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely. Jaydon C. notes about Angeles Crest, "Unfortunately I didn't have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary."

Tips for camping with families

Best beginner trails: Select hikes with clear payoffs for children. Big Cone Camp provides accessible adventure for families, as robherr shares: "It is one of my favorite spots simply because it is close and when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there."

Safety boundaries: Establish clear rules around water features. Swimming holes at punch bowls require supervision as cliff jumping areas pose risks for unsupervised children.

Leave-no-trace education: Pack-out requirements are essential at popular sites. "Please pack out your trash. Because this hike is local and easy, there are many party people that frequent the area and leave their trash," advises robherr about Chorma Camp.

Tips from RVers

Site selection criteria: For RVs, flat spots are limited but available. Mareike W. reports, "We had a great and quiet night up there in our 21ft RV," at Morrow Hill dispersed.

Turnaround space: Many primitive roads lack designated turning areas. Vehicles over 25 feet face significant challenges on forest roads leading to most sites.

Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling blocks as most primitive spots feature uneven terrain. Angeles Crest pullouts offer mostly level parking but limited space for slide-outs or awnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping in Castaic?

Free dispersed camping near Castaic can be found at Morrow hill dispersed, which offers quiet camping with beautiful morning views and is accessible for RVs up to 21ft, though the road can be challenging. Another option is Aliklik Campground in Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, which provides free camping with basic amenities like toilets and is big-rig friendly. When camping at Morrow hill, be sure to stay at the designated spots on the hill to avoid private property issues. Always come prepared with all necessary supplies as dispersed sites typically have no services, facilities, or water sources.

Is overnight parking allowed at Castaic Lake for campers?

Overnight parking directly at Castaic Lake for camping purposes is generally not permitted unless you're in a designated campground with proper reservations. For legitimate overnight parking options near the area, consider Angeles Crest Overlook to LA, which allows car camping in roadside pull-offs. Be aware that this location is primarily for sleeping in vehicles rather than tent camping, and weekend activity can include loud music and cars driving by throughout the night. For a more remote alternative with less traffic, East Mojave Camp offers dispersed camping where you can park far enough from highways to avoid disturbances, though roads are unmarked and unmaintained.

What are the rules for dispersed camping in Castaic Lake Recreation Area?

Dispersed camping is NOT generally permitted directly along Castaic Lake Recreation Area. For proper dispersed camping, follow regulations at nearby Los Padres NF - Dispersed Camp, where you must camp in designated areas and not along Highway 33. Common rules include: stay on existing clearings, camp at least 100 feet from water sources, pack out all trash, observe fire restrictions (permits may be required), limit stays to 14 days within a 30-day period, and practice Leave No Trace principles. For closer options to Castaic, Cottonwood Campground in Hungry Valley provides a regulated alternative with proper facilities, though it's partially closed currently.

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