Best Cabin Camping near Gardena, CA

Several cabin options exist within 25 miles of Gardena, California at varying price points and amenity levels. Newport Dunes RV Resort offers waterfront cabins with full amenities including electricity, furnished interiors, and easy access to the bay area. Crystal Cove State Park provides beachside cottage rentals in a historic setting, though these book months in advance due to their popularity. "We've stayed at Newport Dunes many times, and it's great for a last-minute beach vacation especially when most state beach campgrounds are booked out way in advance," notes one visitor. Millard Trail Campground has more rustic cabin options for those seeking a wilderness experience.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Crystal Lake Recreation Area includes tent cabins managed by a helpful staff, with one reviewer noting "They also tent cabins up there so give them a call. Great people!" Newport Dunes features premium furnished cabins with electricity and modern conveniences. Most cabins require reservations well in advance, particularly during summer months. Some locations like Crystal Cove Beach Cottages maintain a strict no-pets policy, while others allow dogs with certain restrictions.

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Basic cabin rentals typically offer minimal cooking facilities, so campers should plan to bring cookware and utensils. At Newport Dunes, the on-site convenience store sells camping supplies, snacks, and beverages. Some locations like Crystal Lake Recreation Area have a small café where visitors can purchase basic items and prepared food. One camper mentioned, "There is a little store that Adam and his family run. They are great! The brownies are bomb, so get one early."

Best Cabin Sites Near Gardena, California (19)

    1. Newport Dunes RV Resort

    26 Reviews
    Newport Beach, CA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 765-7661

    $75 - $550 / night

    "Beautiful weather, great location, full hook ups, fun activities, family & pet friendly!"

    "We've stayed at Newport Dunes many times, and it's great for a last-minute beach vacation especially when most state beach campgrounds are booked out way in advance. "

    2. Millard Trail Campground

    9 Reviews
    Altadena, CA
    24 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Fun little campground with decent facilities and beautiful surroundings. Lots of trails all around with a nice hike of about 1/2 mile up to Millard Falls that is easy for kids and grown ups."

    3. Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park

    35 Reviews
    Laguna Beach, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 444-7275

    $25 - $75 / night

    "Campsites were a short distance from the beach. Campers had free access to private beach, water wasn't too cold and there were tons of tide pools some big enough for my 4 year old son to snorkel in."

    "We had 30/50 amp electrical and water. Dump station is on your way out, with 3 stations in that row. Wi-Fi works fair. Cell towers are in sight just to the north, so no reception issues."

    4. Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon

    25 Reviews
    Acton, CA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "This place has a lot of sites available. If you want cell service you have to to the far back towards the top of the park for cell service for phone and streaming."

    "This is one of the best handicap accessible shower and restroom areas we’ve seen."

    5. Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground

    26 Reviews
    Valyermo, CA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (626) 335-1251

    "Has a fire pit at each spot. Has picnic table, but very splintery, bring covers. Most sites have tree coverage."

    "We came on a Saturday afternoon, and even though 4 of the sections of camping were closed off - we found an AMAZING space in section D."

    6. Antfarm LA

    2 Reviews
    Verdugo City, CA
    25 miles
    Website

    $50 / 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."

    7. Camp at the Historic Zorthian Ranch

    1 Review
    Altadena, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (626) 797-3359

    $25 - $60 / night

    8. The White Lodge

    Be the first to review!
    South Pasadena, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (747) 666-8115

    $125 - $200 / night

    9. Crystal Cove Beach Cottages — Crystal Cove State Park

    6 Reviews
    Newport Coast, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 376-6200

    "Crystal Cove Beach Cottages……Home away from home❤️"

    "We popped in and luckily was able to get the best view in house, please check them out and support the cottages!"

    10. Canyon RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Yorba Linda, CA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 637-0210

    $90 / night

    "Had to park the car at the office so it wouldn’t float away. Upon our arrival my husband pulled up in our 42’ 5th wheel and parked to go into the office."

    "Stayed for a quick weekend when hubby still had to work. no tent camping, but RV and wood cabins. easy to get in and out of but the 91 freeway is overhead and loud."

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Cabin Reviews near Gardena, CA

172 Reviews of 19 Gardena Campgrounds


  • j
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Millard Trail Campground

    Great campground for hiking/biking

    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. There's about 100 yd hike to the campsites. There's a road that leads to the campsite but it's been blocked off. Only the campsite managers use that road so it's not accessible by RV, just tents. A campsite manager stays in a little trailer overnight so if there's any problems there's somebody there you can go to and ask for help. There's about six campsites and their first come first serve, no reservations. I went during the week and was the only one camping. This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking. There's not a lot of privacy because there's always lots of people passing by who are hiking and biking. You can stay overnight which I did and everything was fine but there's not a lot of privacy. The next day as I was leaving there was another guy sitting up his tent. I bet on the weekends they can fill up pretty fast. It's in Bear country so they provide food storage for each campsite also trash containers too. Each side has a picnic bench and a fire pit. The fire ban has been lifted so you can have a fire. Each fire pit had wood left at it so you didn't have to go searching for campfirewood. Bathrooms included male and female toilets but no showers or water. There's a creek that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty. I saw two to three cabins along the outskirts of the campground that I assume were for rentals. There was one family at one of the cabins the night I stayed. About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that. Overall a good campsite four stars. Would have been five stars if they had showers and running water. I didn't see any bears although there was an animal outside my tent at one point in the night I could hear him nosing around. So it's important to keep all of your food and anything with any kind of smell in the bear boxes

  • Lori J.
    Mar. 3, 2019

    Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon

    A "resort"? No. A campground? Yes.

    Very large park for RV, cabin and tent camping. As it's listed as a "resort", we figured it would be pretty upscale. Disappointment upon our arrival. Floods have been in the area and much of the sites were closed and being cleaned?? The road closest to our site was washed away (from earlier reviews it's been months), so a long jog or drive around the perimeter to get us to the pool, laundry and hot tub…speaking of which, the pool, hot tub and laundry facilities all needed attention. You could actually see people's footprints (bottom of pool and on pool and hot tub entry steps)…that much sand, dirt, etc…I didn't venture in. When we arrived, we started driving around to find the best site for our rig. We're a 32ft class A w/20ft enclosed cargo trailer tow. So, all in all about 55ft. Well, that wasn't easy. Most of the park's electric and some sewer connections didn't exist or were "down" for repair. We have yet to actually SEE someone working on these issues. We are currently here and checked in for a two-week stay. After some boon docking prior to our arrival, we wanted all the bells and whistles the park boasted they had. Took us just over THREE HOURS to find a decent spot. Many levels to this park and most didn't have a decent WiFi (we have our own router) signal. Some sites had dumpsters blocking them from being a true "pull-thru". That left us with about two areas to choose from. It's dusty, dirty, and, really, not ready to be called a "resort"….more rustic than we'd been looking for or what website photos showed. We would not recommend this "resort" to anyone. Several folks with dogs they let simply sit outside and bark, poo, etc….strict rules against that, in most all resorts we've ever visited. Unless you plan on tenting, cabin or what have you, it's not worth it. Very disappointing! :(

  • J
    Jul. 24, 2020

    Newport Dunes RV Resort

    Our favorite spot!

    Beautiful weather, great location, full hook ups, fun activities, family & pet friendly!

  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 4, 2018

    Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park

    Beautiful beach, no fires allowed

    [ PROS ]

    • Crystal Cove State Park and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park are adjacent to each other, and a small pedestrian gate separates them.
    • The best trail here stretches across the two parks -- No Name Ridge!! Amazing for EPIC SUNSETS!
    • Some sites have MILLION DOLLAR BEACH VIEWS of the ocean.
    • There are about 60 camp spots and a lot of them are RVs, but it’s nice because each row of 10 spots is elevated from the previous row (tiered campsites) so everyone gets a semi view
    • Part of CA State Parks so showers are token operated. Clean and well maintained
    • Walking distance to Crystal Cove Historic District, which has a couple places to eat right on the beach
    • Crystal Cove Historic District also has some "preserved" beach cottages from the 20s, 30s, and 40s on the beach that are largely in ruins. It’s fun to explore and check out.
    • Lots of fun things along the beach to look at like tide pools and rock formations beach
    • Great Visitor's Center that is worth checking out. The Rangers are amazing and provided us with a super helpful information about the park, its trails, and the cottages.
    • Each site comes with a picnic table, a water faucet/drain.
    • The beach has less crowds/tourists/homeless compared to other beaches. It’s really quite and peaceful.

    [ CONS ]

    • No coal or wood fires :( Kind of a bummer since your evening ends early. You can bring propane pits yourself for fires though. Also, it can get extremely cold at night in the canyons, even if it’s in the high 80s during the day. Be prepared.
    • They do not allow any alcohol at the park. No exceptions. Rangers patrol constantly and will approach you for random things if they see you breaking any campground rules.
    • The hiking trails essentially have zero shade so it gets really hot. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen so you don’t roast. Also stay hydrated!
    • The campgrounds is a little further from the beach than I expected from looking at photos online. There is no direct beach access so you’ll have to go to the day use area and pay for parking ($15 parking)
    • You can get to the beach if you’re down to wade through 2-3 feet of still water that puddles under the highway underpass. It’s a little inconvenient if you’re with children or carrying a lot of beach equipment.
    • Campsites are VERY close together so be prepared to meet your neighbors. It’s also very quiet as soon as the sun sets (since there is no campfires keeping people up) so everyone ends up going to bed around 8pm as to not disturb your VERY close neighbors.
    • Be careful of rattlesnakes
  • Trisha P.
    Sep. 4, 2020

    Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground

    Convenient but crazy

    Mind you, we went on a Saturday morning during Covid to escape our house but so many others had the same idea. First of all the gates for the campsites were locked but that didn't stop anyone from walking their stuff in, including us. Our spot was nice and had lots of shade. The only drawback was the one open vault toilet that was pretty dirty. Hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go. I thought, dang I shouldn't brought my poop bucket!! If I only would've known!! Who can't pop a squat in the dark though?! It was pretty rowdy at night with someone yelling at the top of their lungs and a dog barking but hey, we were under the stars and not couped up at home or with masks on. I wasn't complaining. I love nature and I'll ignore the drunks. Other than that, there is a little store that Adam and his family run. They are great!! The brownies are bomb, so get one early. They also tent cabins up there so give them a call. Great people! It's definitely convenient and worth the effort!

  • Bianca R.
    Oct. 4, 2021

    Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park

    Awesome experience

    Campsites were a short distance from the beach. Campers had free access to private beach, water wasn't too cold and there were tons of tide pools some big enough for my 4 year old son to snorkel in. Campsite was clean. Showers & bathrooms were clean. They have free Wi-Fi. Feels very safe. Campsites are nice with a picnic table. Will definitely camp there again.

  • Gadgetboy J.
    Sep. 28, 2020

    LA RV Resort at Action Camp

    First adventure out with motorhome

    This was our first trip with our new motorhome and first camping trip ever.  The staff was really friendly and accommodating.   The grounds are nice and very large.  Sites are easy to navigate and pull into, especially for a first timer.  

    The RV sites are pretty close together but the full hookups makes it really nice.  Will stay here again and they are very pet friendly which was nice.

  • Katarina A.
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground

    Don’t mind the bugs

    There are beautiful views of the mountains. Has bathrooms (no flush). Lots of Mosquitoes and bugs. Well worth it. Has a fire pit at each spot. Has picnic table, but very splintery, bring covers. Most sites have tree coverage.

  • Mercy M.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground

    Great spaces, easy trails, & close to the IE!

    We came on a Saturday afternoon, and even though 4 of the sections of camping were closed off - we found an AMAZING space in section D. It wasn’t right next to the bathrooms, but the site was spaced out enough that we had plenty of privacy. It was right next to the trail head, too!

    The lake isn’t back actually near the site, and they don’t allow for swimming. However, there is a recreational area 20 minutes down the mountain on the lake.

    It was $17 per night, and was an easy & beautiful drive up the mountain.

    Fire pit had a grill on it, too!


Guide to Gardena

Cabin camping near Gardena, California offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and cozy accommodations, perfect for those looking to escape the city while enjoying nature.

Explore Scenic Hiking Trails

  • Experience the beauty of nature with a short hike to stunning waterfalls from Millard Trail Campground.
  • Enjoy picturesque views and well-maintained trails at Camp at the Historic Zorthian Ranch, ideal for both hiking and biking enthusiasts.
  • Discover the serene surroundings and local wildlife while hiking at Antfarm LA, where you can immerse yourself in the tranquility of the area.

Cabin Campers Appreciate These Amenities

  • Antfarm LA offers drinking water, showers, and picnic tables, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • At Camp at the Historic Zorthian Ranch, you can enjoy the convenience of reservable cabins and access to clean toilets.
  • Tiny Tiki Retro Hideaway features a vintage trailer with modern amenities, including trash disposal and a picnic table for outdoor dining.

Relaxation and Recreation Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Gardena, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Gardena, CA is Newport Dunes RV Resort with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Gardena, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 cabin camping locations near Gardena, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.