Best Tent Camping near Goleta, CA

Tent campsites near Goleta, California range from coastal island experiences to mountain forest settings, with several options for primitive tent camping within a few hours' drive. Channel Islands National Park offers unique tent camping opportunities at Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground and Santa Rosa Island Campground, both accessible only by boat from nearby Ventura Harbor and featuring designated tent sites with varying levels of amenities.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require advance preparation as facilities are limited. Chula Vista Campground at Mt. Pinos provides walk-in tent sites approximately a quarter-mile from the parking area, with picnic tables and fire rings but no water. Channel Islands campsites include potable water and vault toilets, but campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. Several campgrounds, including those in Los Padres National Forest, have seasonal closures or fire restrictions that affect tent camping options. High-clearance vehicles are required for accessing more remote primitive tent sites like Colson Canyon Campground.

Tent campers in the Channel Islands experience exceptional solitude and unique wildlife encounters not available at mainland sites. The islands feature fox boxes for food storage to protect supplies from island foxes and ravens. Hiking trails connect directly to many tent sites, providing immediate access to coastal views and inland exploration. Sites at higher elevations like Mt. Pinos offer cooler temperatures during summer months and opportunities for stargazing. A camper described Santa Cruz Island as "one of the most unique experiences we have had in the national parks," noting that while the island requires planning and a boat reservation, "it feels like a world away from bustling L.A."

Best Tent Sites Near Goleta, California (29)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Goleta, CA

670 Reviews of 29 Goleta Campgrounds


  • Deborah C.
    May. 27, 2019

    Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park

    Channel Islands, Santa Cruz, Scorpion, May, 2019

    My husband and I are using our senior park pass to it’s fullest advantage. On our most recent trip, we decided to try Channel Islands and we were thrilled. First thing to know is that this trip requires some planning and flexibility. You must book your boat ride and camp site in advance and then check the day before to make sure weather permits the boat ride. Island packers provides the boat ride for both campers and day trips. We camped two nights. 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. You must not have water in your back pack, the propane must be out in a separate bin, and you are allowed only 60 lbs of “stuff” each. We took our Mountain House meals along with our jet boil, a few fruits, and a couple of sandwiches; our tent, sleeping bags, a Wenzel air mattress and were set. You take your stuff to the boat to load. On the day of our travel winds were gusting so severely that they cancelled the day trips, and it was rough! Lots of people got sick on the ride over. Upon arriving on the island, you form a bucket brigade to unload all the luggage/stuff, then a park ranger gives a brief overview of rules, mainly pack out all trash, no trash can be left on the island and to use the “Fox boxes” for all food stuff as the island foxes and ravens WILL take your stuff. You then take a short hike with all your stuff to your campsite - it’s about 1/4 mile or more, depending on your site. Each campground has multiple spigots on potable water, so no need to bring water with you. There are plenty of very clean vault toilets that are always filled with supplies including hand sanitizer. The hikes are spectacular and the trails are well maintained. Note, the hikes are challenging, when they say strenuous, they mean it! The park rangers are very helpful and accessible. The last day of our trip, we packed up our site and moved our stuff to a staging area so the next group could set up their tent. We watched the kayakers and snorkeling groups. The weather was very calm. The boat ride back was amazing, we saw schools of dolphins, the captain estimated over 2000 dolphins. He stopped so we could get lots of pictures. Note, there is no store on the island, we did have spotty cell coverage with AT&T.

  • Amanda M.
    Oct. 24, 2018

    Nira Campground

    Nira Campground

    Nira is a small, primitive campground in the San Rafael wilderness behind the Santa Ynez Valley. The campground is a bit of a haul to get back to, and is often used as a base for backpackers entering the San Rafael wilderness or the Manzana Creek trail. I myself have only tent camped at Nira, just to go somewhere different - my boyfriend and his friends have backpacked out of Nira into the San Rafael Wilderness and to the Manzana Schoolhouse on multiple occasions.

    Nira is the second, smaller campground back on Sunset Valley Road - Davy Brown Campground is up the road a little ways. Nira is small, with only 12 sites in a densely wooded live oak grove. The oaks provide a lot of shade and help separate the various camp sites. The Manzana Creek runs behind the campground; the main road leading into Nira is right above the campground, however, you’re pretty far back in the hills, so there isn’t a lot of noise from traffic.

    Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. There are no hook ups and only pit-toilets are available. There is NO DRINKING WATER available at Nira Campground, so be sure to bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to backpack through the area.

    WARNING: You ARE in black bear country! While it is unlikely that a black bear will enter the campground, I would suggest locking your food and coolers in your car at night, as there are no food lockers in the campground. When hiking the Manzana Trail be aware of your surroundings: Black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bob cats, and coyotes have been seen on the trail. CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $20/night (+ $10/ extra vehicle)

    Plumbed Toilets: No - vault

    Drinking Water: No

    Showers: No

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grate: Yes

    Shade: Yes

    Cell Service: No

    Animal Bins/Food lockers: No

    Trash: Yes

  • Jeremiah F.
    Jul. 21, 2020

    Chula Vista Campground at Mt. Pinos

    Great Hike-in campground with nice hiking nearby!

    At the top of the Cuddy Valley road is a large parking lot (Adventure Pass required) for the hiking trail to the top of Mt. Pinos. Off to the other side is a dirt trail on the edge of a meadow, after about 200/300 yards is Chula Vista Campground. The camp sites vary greatly in size and flatness, so check around for the good ones.

    First Come First serve camping, with some great spots overlooking the nearby meadow. The sites were clean and decently spread out, with fire rings and picnic benches.

    It can get pretty windy up here so make sure your tent is staked down well. If you don't have an Adventure Pass, Mountain View Mini Mart in Frazier Park is the closest place i know that sells them. $5 a day, or $30 for the year pass. (you can get a second year pass for only $5).

    Met a guy named Bob and helped set up his telescope in the parking lot, he let anyone who wanted check out the amazing night sky!

    Pros: Free camping!

              Great hiking nearby.

              Shady, clean sites.

              Great sky gazing!

    Cons: Lots of flies, very active during the day.

               Bathrooms were pretty messy. below average for vault toilets. Bring extra TP.

  • Dani P.
    Jul. 12, 2019

    Chula Vista Campground at Mt. Pinos

    Hike In Gorgeous Campground with ample space

    Park at the lot up top, then walk about 1/2 mile to campground via dirt path. Plenty of sites. Old rustic bathrooms work well. Picnic tables at each site. Brought my dogs here and they had a blast, plus no ticks found. Plenty of hiking directly around this campground. Stayed here for three nights and found plenty of exploring to do nearby. Highly recommend, especially because there is no fee. Being said, Pack it in and pack it out! Leave No Trace principles are crucial to keep this place beautiful

  • Stephanie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2025

    KCL Campground

    So peaceful, really serene

    It’s a very simple place but I found it so peaceful being surrounded by the golden plains, the breeze through the big shaded eucalyptus trees, and hearing the owls near sundown. Theres also hummingbirds that’ll get up right in your face. I was also the only one at the site so that was nice. The area is clean, vault toilets kinda gross though. Very small campground, a couple drive in sites and a couple walk in sites but each drive in site had a picnic table, fire ring, and a metal pole hook and theres one drinking water spigot for the whole campground. So not bad!! Road was surprisingly smooth majority of way and has some paved parts but there was some washboard parts too. Road to get here was long though about 13 miles from the blm sign. There was paper maps at the sign area. I got 3 bars at the campground with AT&T but was spotty on the drive over.

  • Dani P.
    Jul. 12, 2019

    Miranda Pine Campground

    Secluded but difficult to get to campground

    Set atop a mountain, Miranda Pine campground gives sweeping views all the way to the ocean. Beware the road is long and unpaved, not suitable for a compact car. I did it with a high clearance 4WD and made it to the top. Only a couple sites at the top, but they are free. Picnic tables at each site. Named for the larged Pine tree at the top of the mountain. Sunset and Sunrise views are incredible. Brought my dogs and they loved it. No real services up here so its especially important to pack out all your trash and follow Leave No Trace ethics.

  • Corinna B.
    Jun. 30, 2018

    Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park

    Bucket-List-Amazing Island Camping off California Coast

    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 a 1/2 mile with all your stuff. It's totally worth it however. Incredible views, perfect weather (in April!), amazing flowers and so much to see and do.

    The campsite itself is "basic" in that it has a vault toilet, water, and "fox boxes" (like the bear boxes in other campgrounds) to keep all the cute but quick and greedy foxes away from your food. There's also picnic tables, but other than that make sure you bring everything you need since there's no way to pop into a local store to grab something you might have forgotten. No camp fires are allowed and all garbage must be packed out (but can be stored in the fox boxes until you're ready to leave).

    At only $15/night, the camp sites are a steal, though the boat trips will add on about $80 per person round-trip (slightly less for kids). 8am is the earliest boat ride and 4:30 is the last (via Island Packers).

    Summary/Tips: Do it! Especially if you love hiking, this is an amazing place. Try to get your gear down to one well-planned backpack (or perhaps one of those foldy wagons as another reviewer recommended) so you only have to take one trip to the campsite, though you can always take more trips if needed.

  • Amanda M.
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Mt. Figueroa Campground

    Figueroa Mountain

    Figueroa Campground is a 33-35 site campground behind Los Olivos, CA. It is surrounded by live oaks and gorgeous manzanita trees, so there is a lot of shade available.

    Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. There are no hook ups, and only pit-toilets are available. Note that there is NO DRINKING WATER available at Figueroa Campground, so be sure to bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to hike or backpack through the area.

    There is a a lot of hiking trails available in the nearby area. Both Figueroa Mountain and nearby Grass Mountain are extremely popular hiking spots, especially in early spring when the wildflowers bloom in late March or early April . During the wildflower bloom, the sides of the hills and mountains can look solid vibrant ORANGE from afar - the wild California poppies grow dense in this area. Purple mountain lupine flowers are also found during the wildflower bloom.

    If you or anyone in your party does not want to/cannot hike, the top of Figueroa Mountain is completely assessable by car - all of the big lookout points for optimal wildflower viewing are accessible by car, so the wildflowers are essentially accessible to everyone, hikers or not.

    The Davy Brown Creek and Manzana Creek trails are also accessible from the Figueroa Mountain area; the area is popular for cyclists and off-road cyclists.

    WARNING: You ARE in black bear country! While it is unlikely that a black bear will enter the campground, I would suggest locking your food and coolers in your car at night, as there are no food lockers in the campground. When hiking be aware of your surroundings: Black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bob cats, and coyotes have been seen on the trails.

    While the campground is fairly remote in the the hills, you are only 20 minutes away from Los Olivos, and 30 minutes away from Santa Ynez. Los Olivos has a great market with groceries, a bakery/coffee shop, a deli, and beer and local wine. There are many local vineyards, wineries, and breweries nearby. The Firestone Walker brewery, taproom, and Resturant is close-by - we highly recommend their food and beers!

    CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $20/night (+ $10/ extra vehicle)

    Plumbed Toilets: No - vault

    Drinking Water: No

    Showers: No

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grate: Yes

    Shade: Yes

    Cell Service: No

    Animal Bins/Food lockers: No

    Trash: Yes

  • T
    Dec. 13, 2018

    Santa Cruz Island - Del Norte Backcountry — Channel Islands National Park

    Amazing views, no services

    Hiked from Scorpion Harbor cross-island to Del Norte Camp, great way to see the island. Camped at site 1, had the most wind but also the best views of the ocean. Food storage locker provided to protect food from sneaky foxes. No water anywhere near the campsite. About 4 miles from Prisoners Harbor ferry landing. Shared the campground with one other group. Only 4 campsites total. Great place to camp for solitude.


Guide to Goleta

Tent camping near Goleta, California offers experiences ranging from coastal rest stops to primitive backcountry sites. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with average temperatures between 45-75°F year-round, making camping possible in all seasons. While the Channel Islands receive most attention, several lesser-known mainland options provide alternatives for campers seeking isolation without boat transportation.

What to do

Kayaking in sea caves: At Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground, visitors can bring personal kayaks or rent equipment on the island. "We arrived at Santa Cruz to set up our tent and squeeze in an afternoon of kayaking before the rain hit. We brought our own kayak to the island (an extra fee on the ferry) but you can also rent kayaks or take a guided tour on Santa Cruz," notes one camper.

Wildlife viewing: The island foxes are a major attraction throughout the Channel Islands. "The foxes are friggin adorable and very numerous (you will see dozens, if not hundreds if you stay for a day), but if they can't steal it or eat it, they will pee on it," reports a visitor to Santa Rosa Island Campground.

Ocean bridge exploration: Arroyo Hondo Vista Point offers accessible walking paths. "In the morning, we made a quick breakfast and took a short 15 minute walk over the Amtrak bridge that passes through a special trout canal," explains a camper who visited this highway rest area that permits overnight parking.

What campers like

Isolation from crowds: Santa Cruz Island - Del Norte Backcountry offers remote camping experiences. "Camped at site 1, had the most wind but also the best views of the ocean. Food storage locker provided to protect food from sneaky foxes. No water anywhere near the campsite. About 4 miles from Prisoners Harbor ferry landing. Shared the campground with one other group," describes a backpacker.

Ocean views: Arroyo Hondo Vista Point Rest Area provides free parking with Pacific Ocean views. "Nice place to spend the night for free. If you park so that the large berm is between you and the freeway it muffles the sound. There is a walk down to the old abandoned highway bridge and you can watch the Coast Starlight carrying passengers South to San Diego and North to Seattle," notes a visitor.

Weather conditions: The moderate coastal climate makes camping comfortable most of the year. "The campsites were spacious, flat, and SO GREEN! Santa Cruz is one of the few Channel Islands to have running water, but you'll have to bring all the other supplies you'll need during your stay," explains a camper about Scorpion Canyon Campground.

What you should know

Transportation planning: Reaching the Channel Islands requires advance planning. "You must book your boat ride and camp site in advance and then check the day before to make sure weather permits the boat ride. Island packers provides the boat ride for both campers and day trips," advises a visitor to Scorpion Canyon.

Wind considerations: Strong winds affect camping comfort on the islands. "The wind is not a joke. When we came back from hiking more than one tent was blown over. Low profile, use your steaks and we even tied ours to the shelter to keep it stable," warns a camper who visited Arroyo Hondo Vista Point Rest / Camp area.

Gear transport challenges: Moving camping equipment from boats to campsites requires planning. "You have to carry your gear a bit from the ferry but it's beautiful. The campgrounds have clean restrooms and plenty of fresh water so its perfect for families. The group sites are quite large and more secluded in the upper level," explains a Santa Cruz Island camper.

Tips for camping with families

Prepare for wildlife encounters: Island foxes are cute but troublesome. "At the campgrounds there is a bear box at each site, make sure to utilize this for all food and anything that has a scent because the fox will eat through your tent and bags to get to the food. Also keep anything shiny out of sight for the crows."

Consider gear transport options: Creative solutions help with equipment movement. "The boat docks at Scorpion inlet, and from there it is about a hike of about half mile to the campground which is a shady little oasis tucked alongside a creek bed between two steep hills. Some folks were wrestling with multiple bags and boxes, but several clever people brought folding wagons to tote things and that was a great idea."

Choose appropriate sites: Happy Hollow Camp and other smaller mainland options may be better for families wanting to avoid boat trips. While reviews are limited for this primitive site, its mainland location makes it more accessible for families who find island logistics challenging.

Tips for RVers

Highway rest areas: RV campers have limited options near Goleta but can utilize Arroyo Hondo Vista Point. "This is a California Highway rest area right off the 101 just north of Goleta/Santa Barbara. As the sign says, one is allowed to park their 8 hours. You'll see many long haul big rig drivers there as well as campers looking for a quick respite."

Noise management: Highway proximity affects sleep quality. "Two notes! The entrance and exit are built for traffic going south, so you have to be comfortable doing a freeway u-turn if you're going north. Not a big deal, and there are lanes that are built for it, but those were my first two ever freeway u-turns. Also: I bet it's quieter if you park with the large 'berm' between your car and the freeway."

Cooking considerations: Most tent camping sites near Goleta have strict fire regulations. "We were concerned that since it was a rest area, we weren't able to put out our folding picnic set but we were able to cook a quick meal right in front of our van before turning in for the night."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Goleta, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Goleta, CA is Arroyo Hondo Vista Point Rest / Camp area with a 3.9-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Goleta, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Goleta, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.