Best Campgrounds near Piru, CA

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Piru, CA has a lot to offer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Piru, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Piru, CA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Piru, California (181)

    1. Lake Piru Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Piru, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 521-1500

    $38 - $50 / night

    "Enjoy a walk around the lake, or head out onto the water for wakeboarding."

    "We were placed away from all the tent campers. Staff was friendly and helpful. Tighter spots for anything over 25ft. ONLY AT&T works. Wifi is $9/day for one device."

    2. Kenney Grove Park

    13 Reviews
    Fillmore, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 524-0750

    "It’s tucked away from the street and you almost wouldn’t know it’s there! Loved this small and well kept campsite.

    Some of the sites are very small."

    "Ok, so first off driving into this place feels a little "Texas Chainsaw" but don't worry, its fine."

    3. Tapo Canyon Park

    12 Reviews
    Simi Valley, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    "This is a very nice campground near everything but still away from it all. No issues parking our 42' 5th wheel here. Clean and quiet despite the peacocks. They can be rather loud when startled."

    "This campground happens to be very close to home so we went here to try out our brand new pull behind camper trailer for the very first time.
    The campground is small, quiet and very well-kept."

    4. Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Valencia, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 257-4050

    "Gorgeous location right on the lake, the waters clear and there’s a generous amount of trees surrounding for shade."

    "Just a 1 min walk down the hill to the lake - a perfect place to have my morning coffee! They allowed pets which is awesome. Super quiet, lots of stars, and a beautiful view. Couldn’t ask for better!"

    5. Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    38 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 880-0367

    $45 - $225 / night

    "It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."

    "The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."

    6. Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $45 - $60 / night

    "It was a quick drive up the coast and onto this hidden gem. You get access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you. Perfect place for families or even RVs."

    "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool."

    7. Ventura Ranch KOA

    15 Reviews
    Santa Paula, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 933-3200

    "Our lot was secluded, private and close to the entrance/exit. The only thing was the unlevel ground we were on. Our RV was a simple 30’ rental without any leveling."

    "Feels far from everything, but is only a short drive from LA/SFV. The adjacent town of Santa Paula is a great place to spend time."

    8. Valencia Travel Village

    8 Reviews
    Valencia, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 257-3333

    "A little remote and you have to drive to the nearest town(s), but clean grounds and nice site. Very easy to book online. 

    The RV park is pretty large so it's a nice daily walk."

    "I didn’t actually stay here as I was looking for a tent camping spot, but I did drive around the facility and it was super clean and looked like a great spot if you’ve got an RV."

    9. Oak Flat Campground

    11 Reviews
    Castaic, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 899-1900

    $5 / night

    "*** this review refers to the Oak Flat campground along the Sespe trail and is accessible by backpackers only, 7 miles from Piedra Blaca parking lot***."

    "Spots have picnic and fire pits available, with clean newly updated bathrooms near by. Lots of big boulders and trees on the landscape, providing ample shade and beautiful full trees in the summer."

    10. Steckel Park

    13 Reviews
    Santa Paula, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    "It seems the campsite attracts a rowdy crowd but that's expected so close to the city. Still, noisy neighbors was definitely the most negative aspect of our stay."

    "A family of 2 peahens, a peacock, and 3 babies hung out near the creek. Beautiful birds. After walking around the creek for an hour, I came back to see a few bundles of wood left for me."

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Recent Reviews near Piru, CA

981 Reviews of 181 Piru Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Carpenteria State Beach

    Good location

    This was our first stop out of LA, great location. The beach was nice but beware of tar staining. The showers required tokens but the token machine was out of order. A bit annoying for the price of the site.

  • B
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Tapo Canyon Park

    Favorite spot near LA

    The Camp Hosts here are Very Friendly and welcoming, the campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon.

  • Lee-Ann C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Steckel Park

    Beautiful location

    The camp host came over shortly after we arrived and was very kind and friendly. I appreciate that they enforce quiet hours! The lots were not very private but they were clean and having full hookups was great. The location is pretty, on a creek. And there’s a playground and aviary which our whole family enjoyed. We’ll plan to go back when it’s not so hot!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Great trip/great site!

    This place is great! We stayed on site 59 and it had so much space you can fit a ton of people on the site. We had a beautiful, big tree and a great view in the back of the site. Site 62 had the most beautiful view but no shade, but I want to book it for the cooler months. Showers and bathrooms were pristine!! Can’t wait to go back!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Dennison Park

    Great spot close to downtown Ojai

    Firstly camp host knocked it out of the park. Site had water which was a nice surprise and very well kept bathrooms. Pay attention to RV vs Tent sites. This was my backup as Wheeler has closed for a bit. It was nice to be so close to downtown and we went there for a bit to get away from the heat. No natural water on site so if you love a creek look elsewhere.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Close to Walkable Swimmable Beach / Close to Town / Nice Sunsets / Crowded

    Santa Cruz non-hook-up sites have: asphalt parking (close to level); picnic table; fire pit.  Individual restrooms with flush toilets and hot/cold water sinks cleaned daily but get lots of use.  Showers (tokens) cleaned but may have beach sand on floors.  Check feet / shoes for TAR from beach before entering tent / RV!  Baby oil helps take it off... plastic bag(s) helps to contain shoes.  Spaces can be tight... neighbor's RV was about two feet from ours.  Non-hook-up fee was $43.00 plus $8.25 online reservation fee.  "Enroute" camping may be available if campground is "full"... no hook-ups or tables - and have to leave by 9am - but you might have more space!   Inquire at front gate even if sign says "campground full".  Quiet after 10pm on Friday night even though campground and group sites were very full.  Thanks fellow campers!  Nice wide and safe swimming beach - close to quaint town - make this a CALIFORNIA CLASSIC.


Guide to Piru

Camping near Piru, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sun and surf at Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park. Campers love the beachfront spots, with one reviewer saying, "Really a special spot. Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in Southern California."
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the trails at Malibu Creek State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Great location for beach, biking, and hiking," highlighting the easy access to nature.
  • Fishing and Boating: Head over to Lake Casitas Recreation Area for fishing and boating. A reviewer noted, "The lake itself is beautiful and right in the middle of the entire recreation area."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views at Malibu Beach RV Park. One guest said, "Every spot has a great view of the Pacific Ocean from high upon a cliff!"
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Bonelli Bluffs remarked, "Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Families enjoy the welcoming vibe at Wheeler Gorge Campground. One reviewer shared, "Great campground for kids, we always have a good time."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Emma Wood State Beach, have minimal facilities. A camper noted, "Completely dry camping with no showers or bathrooms."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots like Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach can get busy. One visitor mentioned, "Spots are very snug. You can get stuck waiting for a while if your neighbors don’t know how to park their unit."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially at Wheeler Gorge Campground. A camper shared, "They let us know there was a bear in the area and sure enough that night Bucky the bear was in our campsite."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Lake Casitas Recreation Area, which offers various activities. One reviewer said, "Good for families or big groups."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes for trails or beach gear for fun at Thornhill Broome Beach. A family shared, "We cooked on the beach and enjoyed throwing rocks into the ocean!"
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Some campgrounds lack markets, so bring enough food and drinks. A visitor at Bonelli Bluffs mentioned, "The park is clean and well maintained, personnel very kind and friendly."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site, especially at places like Malibu Creek State Park Campground. One camper noted, "The spaces are pretty small, so they are not meant for large RVs."
  • Bring Your Own Wi-Fi: Many campgrounds, like Point Mugu State Park, have limited cell service. A visitor shared, "No T-Mobile wifi... I was able to stream music, text, and some internet."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Some campgrounds, such as Lake Casitas, have dump stations available. A reviewer mentioned, "Easy to dump at the dump station."

Camping near Piru, California, has something for everyone, from beach lovers to hiking enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the camping options at Lake Piru Recreation Area?

Lake Piru Recreation Area offers spacious campsites with ample distance between neighbors. The recreation area features standard campsites suitable for both tents and RVs. The lake's convenient location makes it one of the closest lake camping destinations to surrounding communities. While Piru is smaller compared to other lakes in the region, its accessibility is a major advantage for weekend getaways. The campground's layout provides a comfortable camping experience with enough space to enjoy outdoor activities.

How much does it cost to camp at Lake Piru?

Camping fees at Lake Piru Recreation Area vary by season and site type. For more budget-friendly alternatives in the region, consider Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake, which offers dry camping at approximately 90 sites with water spigots available in common areas (though not for permanent hookup). Another economical option is Dennison Park, which features varied site sizes and configurations at reasonable rates through the Ventura County reservation system. Always check official websites for current pricing as rates may change seasonally.

What amenities are available at Lake Piru campgrounds?

Lake Piru Recreation Area provides fire rings/grills and picnic tables at each campsite. The campground features nice bathrooms with coin-operated facilities. Some sites offer partial shade for comfort during hot days. For those seeking alternative options in the region, Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area offers large camping areas with some fenced sections that include picnic tables and pergolas, making it ideal for groups who want privacy while still enjoying shared spaces.