Castaic offers tent and yurt camping options within an hour of Los Angeles, situated in chaparral terrain at elevations ranging from 1,100 to 2,600 feet. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F during daylight hours, with cool evening temperatures dropping to the 60s. Winter camping brings milder daytime temperatures with overnight lows sometimes approaching freezing.
What to do
Creek exploration: Available at Ventura Ranch KOA where a stream runs through the property. "There is a stream that runs thru the property, it was fun to explore," notes Christina S. The flowing water provides a natural attraction during hot summer days.
Basketball and hiking: Oak Park features multiple courts and trail access directly from campsites. "There are clean flush toilets, water and fire pits available. Also multiple hiking trails right from the grounds, and some playgrounds and basketball courts," explains Cierra M.
Stargazing: Take advantage of dark skies in some locations away from city lights. "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," reports Samantha W. about Kenney Grove Park.
Fishing: Early morning access at many locations around the region. One camper at Lake Casitas Recreation Area shared, "We were able to backup to the lake and literally fish off our rear bumper."
What campers like
Unexpected amenities: Some yurt camping options near Castaic include private outdoor spaces with communal gathering spots. A reviewer described Malibu Creek State Park Campground as having "spacious campsites with fire pits, and clean bathrooms."
Off-season quiet: Many campgrounds become significantly less crowded in winter months. "Hardly anyone there when I went in March and felt like I had the place to myself! Hot showers and picnic table available. Just a 1 min walk down the hill to the lake - a perfect place to have my morning coffee!" reports Heather L. about Castaic Lake State Recreation Area.
Proximity to necessities: Several campgrounds offer quick access to stores. "As a bonus, there is a Ralph's just up the street, so you'll never be far from anything you'd need," notes Jean about Malibu Creek State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Peacocks roam freely at Ventura Ranch KOA. "Peacocks roam the grounds, but were not noisy. There's a pool and playground," says Kate B., making this spot popular for nature photographers.
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad tracks run near some campgrounds in the area. A reviewer at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon warned, "It's very very close to railroad tracks and at night the loud train kept waking us up."
Limited swimming access: Many area lakes have strict regulations about water activities. "Swimming only allowed at their 'swimming beach' and only while life guard on duty," reports Van S. about Castaic Lake, adding that inflatable kayak use required boat launch fees.
Fire restrictions: Regulations vary widely between campgrounds and change seasonally. "The campground was under fire warning all weekend, but faux wood (javalog or duraflame) and charcoal was still allowed," notes Ryan W.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Los Alamos Campground fills quickly on holiday weekends, with one visitor noting, "It was memorial day weekend and Rec.gov showed 4 sites first come first serve. The entire park had otherwise been reserved."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near play equipment for convenience with young children. Oak Park provides "a playground with an old school merry-go-round within sight of where our spot was," according to Brian L.
Activities for different ages: Campgrounds offer varying options for children of different age groups. At Ventura Ranch KOA, families will find "zipline obstacle courses to tie dye classes" and a "large jumping pillow for kiddos" according to visitor reviews.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for encounters with local wildlife. "There are ground squirrels in abundance everywhere here and they live without fear of humans! We watched them approach as we sat right near the truck and they hopped up into the engine compartment," warns a visitor at Lake Casitas Recreation Area.
Heat considerations: Many campsites lack adequate shade during summer months. "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," mentions Chanel C. about Malibu Creek State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV sites vary greatly in size, levelness and proximity to amenities. "Some of the sites are very small. We picked a site towards the back (which actually once you drive through is closest to the main street but no street noise whatsoever). Our area was a bit more spread out than the central area which was louder and felt more crowded," advises a visitor to Kenney Grove Park.
Hookup positioning: Some older campgrounds have unusual utility placement. At Kenney Grove, "the full hook up sites are for Model A's (stayed at 56). So hook ups are on the opposite side and really close to the 'entrance' so we couldn't back in, we had to parking our towing vehicle in the general parking area."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds with RV sites have on-site dump stations. "There is no dump station on site," notes Martha H. about Kenney Grove Park, while another visitor adds, "No sewer, and $15 dump station is in town, 2 or 3 miles."
