Crystal Cove State Park's Moro Campground offers tiered campsites with ocean views 15 miles west of Fountain Valley. Sites are positioned on bluffs overlooking the Pacific, with elevations ranging from 60-200 feet above sea level. The nearby Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground provides direct beachfront RV camping along a 3-mile stretch of shoreline.
What to do
Beach activities and water sports: At Newport Dunes RV Resort, the lagoon features "an inflatable obstacle course in the water to climb on," according to Aaron S. The resort sits on Newport Back Bay with "fantastic running/bike trails along the Back Bay," notes Karissa J.
Hiking coastal trails: Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park connects to multiple trail systems. "The best trail here stretches across the two parks -- No Name Ridge!! Amazing for EPIC SUNSETS!" notes Chanel C. For inland hiking, O'Neill Regional Park offers "a 12 mile loop to the north, and a ride along the coast on some bike paths," according to Patrick J.
Biking along the coast: The Huntington Beach area offers extensive bike paths. "The boardwalk was endless and great to walk the dog and go for a run," reports Gabriela M. about her stay at Bolsa Chica. From waterfront RV spots, "bike paths connect multiple pet-friendly campgrounds in the region."
What campers like
Easy beach access: Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground provides beachfront RV camping. "Beachfront camping in the heart of southern California. Concrete/asphalt sites with water electric and dump station. Adjacent to PCH so road noise but steps away from great sand beaches," explains Paul N.
Clean facilities: Orangeland RV Park maintains "incredibly clean restrooms and showers. Camp store. On-demand public transport for $6/person for all-day access," according to Emily S. The park earns consistent praise for cleanliness, with multiple reviews noting "super clean" facilities.
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds near Fountain Valley often include pools and recreational facilities. "They have activities for the kids like arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course or you can rent paddle boards or watch a movie on the beach," reports one camper about Newport Dunes. Orangeland RV Park features "pool, mini golf on site" and "free citrus picking!" adds another reviewer.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Huntington Beach RV Campground "opens back up in October due to the high traffic of summer visitors" and operates only from October through May. Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground runs from January through November, with limited availability during peak summer months.
Traffic noise considerations: Sites near Pacific Coast Highway experience road noise. "Very very loud street noise... How about a motorcycle passing right outside your bedroom window at 12,000 rpm every two minutes all night long? Yeah, that'll do it. Bring earplugs and lots of white noise," advises Rob N. about Bolsa Chica.
Site spacing and privacy: Most RV parks have limited privacy between sites. At Newport Dunes, "these spaces can be very tight," notes Ray S. One camper described Waterfront RV Park as "fairly tight. The full hookups were nice and welcomed. We stayed within our area no problem. It's simply an open lot with the hookups."
Tips for camping with families
Story trail hiking options: O'Neill Regional Park offers a unique "Story Trail" for children. "The hike features a new book every month, each page is mounted to a placard along the trail," explains Johnny G. This makes for an easy, engaging activity for young campers.
Pool access scheduling: During busy periods, some facilities require reservations for amenities. At Golden Shore RV Resort, "during COVID you need to reserve your time at the pool," notes one camper. Call ahead to check current pool policies if traveling with children who expect swimming time.
Evening entertainment options: Newport Dunes offers special evening activities for families. "They had a movie on the beach when we were there, and fun water toys out," reports Kimberly A. Huntington Beach RV Campground allows beach bonfires: "At night, you can build a bonfire, which is really fun and one of the few spots in Orange County that you can do this."
Tips from RVers
Ideal site selection: At Waterfront RV Park, "I would stay in a site in the 84-89 numbers, and the sites 26-36 are HUGE," recommends Zach R. who stayed in a 29-foot Class A motorhome. For Crystal Cove, "the maximum length is 38. We had 30/50 amp electrical and water. Dump station is on your way out, with 3 stations in that row."
Pet area locations: Waterfront RV Park includes "a pool and a hot tub and a small dog park," notes Carlyne F. Several campgrounds enforce standard leash requirements, with Orangeland offering "2 dog parks" that one reviewer described as "stinky" but functional.
Urban RV camping reality: Sites near Fountain Valley are primarily urban RV parks rather than wilderness camping. "It's a parking lot, but they do it well! Little tufts of fake grass with full hook ups," says Tracey S. about Anaheim Harbor RV Park. For a more natural setting with pet-friendly camping near Fountain Valley, O'Neill Regional Park offers "a great creek for kids to explore" while remaining "close to town."
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