2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites around El Nido, California include several walkable options in the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains and Angeles National Forest areas. Musch Trail Camp in Topanga State Park offers hike-in tent sites accessible via a one-mile trail from Trippet Ranch Parking Lot, while Millard Trail Campground provides creek-side tent camping with proximity to hiking trails and waterfalls.
Most tent campgrounds in this region require minimal hiking to access, with distances ranging from a few hundred yards to approximately three miles. Surface conditions typically include compacted dirt with some sites offering picnic tables and established tent pads. According to one visitor, "Sites are spread out and not on top of each other like most other camp sites close to the city." Water access varies significantly, with locations like Musch Trail Camp providing drinking water and flush toilets, while others like Gould Mesa require creek water filtration. Fire regulations are strictly enforced throughout the area, with several locations prohibiting fires entirely due to wildfire risk.
These tent-focused areas offer varying levels of privacy and natural experience. Shade availability differs between locations, with Millard Trail Camp providing "good shade" across its relatively flat terrain. Weekend traffic can be substantial at more accessible sites, particularly those serving as popular trailheads. A review noted that at Gould Mesa, "It's a nice little getaway without leaving the city, perfect for a one nighter or to backpack in with the kiddos." Many campsites experience day hikers passing through during daylight hours but become quieter after sunset when park gates close. Wildlife sightings are common, and several camps position tent sites near running streams or small waterfalls, making them particularly appealing during warmer months when water access enhances the tent camping experience.
"If you want a longer hike you can hike up the East Topanga Fire Road and then drop down into Musch Camp on the Backbone Trail from Eagle Junction."
"The hike-in experience has captivating views and diverse environment. Really felt away from the " concrete jungle" of the city."
from $7 / night
"We arrived in the middle of the night: easy parking short walk and easy access to the campground. The view is fantastic, the site is very close to the highest point of Santa Monica mountains"
from $35 / night
"We do a family style tent camping. 15-40 ppl. Young kids to elderly adults. Everyone always loves it!"
from $150 / night
"There is a hiking loop of about 3 miles that encircles the park, with great views all around."
"The one downside is how exposed the campground is, there is no shade. Bring a sun canopy if you can. A nice day hike trailhead is right at the campground."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $225 / night
from $100 / night
"Signs say “Bear Country”, and there are a few bear boxes scattered throughout. Of course I-5 is visible and faint constant traffic is heard."
"Sites are large, dumpsters, vault toilets, close to town amenities. We felt safe staying here. Met nice campers. The crappy. Yes you can hear the humm of the freeway from further away."
from $20 / night
"Very peaceful spot for a long weekend. 5 days was a little much unless you have a car to visit around and did I say it was gated too."
Available this weekend
from $50 / night
"Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there. Once there, there's a parking lot that fits about 20 cars."
"When you can’t do a 2h hike before setting camp, but you also don’t want to camp close to your car, Millard campground is perfect. The parking lot is just behind the corner out of view."
"We departed at around 9 am and arrived at around 10:30. We had to check in by 8 in the parking lot at Ventura bay."
"This place had been on my bucket-list of camping forever and it takes a decent amount of planning because not only can you only access the campground by private boat, once there you have to walk in about"
Available this weekend
from $15 - $40 / night
ScoutBeautiful spot on seal Beach naval weapons command base. A bit pricey, but has showers and free laundry facilities seems to be on the flight path to John Wayne Airport beautiful grounds must have a DBIDS card to get in and out of base if not military.
ScoutBe careful which showers you use because the older ones are not in good condition and the newer ones still have trouble maintaining warm water.
TravelerNice spot with great hiking. Limited facilities. No hookups. $1 for 2 minute shower (tokens).
TravelerI went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
TravelerI was lucky to find this place. It’s well run, comfortable, friendly. Nice spots.
GuideStopped here on a Friday night after spending the day in Simi Valley. It was a ghost town, with only one other campsite occupied that showed no movement or activity at all. The train isn’t running in the overnight hours, so that’s a plus, but the vibe at the lower campsite is making it tough to sleep nonetheless. Two stars for a clean bathroom.
GuideSite 49 is a large drive-in site with plenty of room. It accommodates up to two vehicles and has a picnic table and fire ring. There’s communal water nearby, and we’re conveniently close to the restrooms, which have flush toilets. There are no electrical hookups, so plan to be self-contained for power. One of my favorite things about this particular site is the shade. We have several trees around us, which makes a huge difference during the day. At the end of September it’s around 85° and sunny. It’s a little windy today, but sitting here in the shade is incredibly comfortable. And then there is the view. 🌄 That may be the best part of Site 49. The mountains are right in front of us, and the view is just beautiful. Morning coffee with three beagles stretched out in front of me and those mountains in the background? I'm not complaining. The campground itself has been very quiet during our stay, with relatively few other campers around. The camp host has been friendly and helpful, and the whole place has a peaceful, uncrowded feel. It’s also pet friendly, which obviously matters when your camping crew includes three beagles. 🐶🐶🐶 They have been loving the sunshine, shade and all the new things there are to sniff. A few things to know: this is a non-electric site, the driveway is gravel, and this isn't a fancy resort-style campground. If you're looking for hookups and manicured RV pads, this probably isn't it. But if you want space, quiet, shade, flush toilets, water nearby and a mountain view that looks like that for $45 a night? I’ll take it. Site 49 is going on my “come back here” list. 🌄💜
RangerJust far enough from the highway to have almost no noise. Nice loops into small valleys. Good spacing of sites, clean enough restrooms. Not very busy on a September Saturday. Some bugs, but I don't think they bite.
ScoutThe hike-in experience has captivating views and diverse environment. Really felt away from the " concrete jungle" of the city.
Several tent camping options surround the Los Angeles area, with accessible tent sites found within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Topanga State Park. Musch Trail Camp offers a walk-in tent camping experience approximately one mile from the Trippet Ranch parking area, while Circle X Ranch Group Campground provides designated tent sites in Malibu with mountain views.
Tent campgrounds in this region typically feature basic amenities suitable for primitive camping experiences. Most sites provide picnic tables and some form of toilet facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. "The facilities and grounds were well maintained," noted one visitor about Musch Trail Camp. Fire restrictions are common throughout these areas, with complete fire bans at some locations like Musch Camp where fires are not permitted. Campers should verify current fire regulations before arrival as these can change seasonally, especially during high fire danger periods.
Tent sites in the region offer varying degrees of privacy and natural settings. The terrain includes canyon bottoms with nearby streams at locations like Millard Trail Campground, as well as ridge-top settings with panoramic views at other sites. According to reviews from The Dyrt, "It's a nice little getaway without leaving the city, perfect for a one nighter or to backpack in with the kiddos." Many campgrounds serve dual purposes as trailheads, providing direct access to hiking trails throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and Angeles National Forest. Weekend visitation can be heavy at more accessible tent campgrounds, while those requiring longer hikes tend to offer more solitude. Water availability varies by location and season, with some tent sites located near year-round streams while others require carrying in all water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near El Nido, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near El Nido, CA is Musch Trail Camp — Topanga State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near El Nido, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 49 tent camping locations near El Nido, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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