Campgrounds around El Nido, California offer proximity to both Santa Monica Mountain trails and Pacific Coast beaches. This region experiences mild temperatures year-round, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F and winter lows seldom dropping below 45°F. Campers should note that summer evening fog can roll in quickly, creating significant temperature drops of 10-15 degrees within minutes.
What to do
Mountain biking access: Malibu Creek State Park has several hiking trails that double as mountain biking routes. "I came here during the summer and it was extremely HOT. There isn't much shade on the actual campgrounds, but a few sites do have partial shade. There are some decent hiking trails nearby if you can bear the heat," noted one camper who visited during summer months.
Tide pool exploration: At Point Mugu State Park, the beach areas feature extensive tide pools during low tide, particularly along the northern sections. "Fantastic body surfing, some good surf waves up the highway a bit. There is a backpacking access site as well up the canyon about 3 miles. Otherwise the creeks have gotten pretty dry in the area, still wildlife though," reports one visitor who enjoyed the coastal wildlife viewing.
Archery lessons: Tapo Canyon Park offers weekend archery programs for beginners. "This is a small park right in my own home town. Lots of trees, and tucked away in a canyon. There is archery with lessons for kids on the weekends. Very fun! If you are new to RV camping, it's a good place to practice," explains a local camper familiar with the facilities.
What campers like
Canyon camping with beach access: Campers at Leo Carrillo State Park appreciate the combination of shaded canyon sites with beach accessibility. "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool. 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," explained one visitor.
Direct ocean views: Campers frequently mention the unobstructed views at various oceanfront sites. "I have been on a 3 month trip and stayed at 22 different campgrounds. Malibu RV Resort has the best views for the price, hands down," reported one traveler about the ocean vistas available at Malibu Beach RV Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers significant wildlife viewing possibilities. "During a holiday weekend the trails were fairly busy with day-use hikers, but even then, it was easy to get away and be on trails alone if you wanted. The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear," explained one visitor to Malibu Creek State Park.
What you should know
Shower token systems: Several campgrounds in the area use token-operated showers. "Facilities were decent- bathrooms were kept fairly clean and showers worked well, though the token system takes some getting used to," mentioned one Leo Carrillo visitor.
Fire restrictions vary significantly: Fire regulations differ substantially between sites. "Woodfires are not allowed but propane fires are. There are showers, flush toilets, and water sources in the campground," noted one visitor at Malibu Beach RV Park, where open flames are prohibited despite the proximity to other campgrounds that allow fires.
Bathroom facilities quality varies widely: While some campgrounds maintain excellent facilities, others offer minimal services. "The tent sites are very basic and very close together, but the surroundings are worth it! We didnt stay in one of the yurts but hope to next time, they are beautiful and a nice intermediate option between tenting and motel," shared a visitor at Point Mugu Recreation Facility.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature playground facilities for children. "The campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon," reports one family who appreciated the child-friendly amenities.
Beach proximity considerations: For families with small children, consider the distance to beach access. "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. Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff," advised one family at Leo Carrillo State Park.
Hiking difficulty levels: Thornhill Broome Beach offers easy, flat trails suitable for younger children. "This campground is primarily setup for RV use, but allows for tents. 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)," notes a visitor who appreciated the hiking access.
Tips from RVers
Height restrictions impact access: Some beach access points have overhead clearance limitations. "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" warned one RVer about height restrictions for beach access at Leo Carrillo.
Limited cell service in canyons: RVers should be prepared for connectivity issues in certain areas. "Don't expect cell service. I could only work from this spot by placing my mobile HomeFi router on top of the camper. Our Verizon phones were paper weights. Make sure your reservations are complete online before arriving," advised an RVer who stayed at Tapo Canyon Park.
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven parking pads. "I stayed in site V2 overlooking the ocean in a 21 foot van. The spot was a little uneven but easily fixed. I loved the views, location, and vibe," reported one RVer at Malibu Beach RV Park.
