Best Campgrounds near Lake Sherwood, CA

Lake Sherwood, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Lake Sherwood is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Lake Sherwood. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Lake Sherwood, California (151)

    1. Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $45 - $60 / night

    "It was a quick drive up the coast and onto this hidden gem. You get access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you. Perfect place for families or even RVs."

    "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool."

    2. Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park

    36 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $35 / night

    "Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in souther California. I have to note the bathrooms are absolutely terrible."

    "You are so close to the water and there is plenty of space between you and your neighbor. When we were there many people had RVs so there were only a few tents."

    3. Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    38 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 880-0367

    $45 - $225 / night

    "It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."

    "The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."

    4. Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park

    34 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $45 / night

    "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."

    "If you love Fall and trees and the California golden sun... this place is the place to be! It has it all in one."

    5. Malibu Beach RV Park

    28 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 622-6052

    $80 - $300 / night

    "I absolutely love this campground, it’s perfectly situated in between the Malibu pier area (to your left) Dume, Zuma, and more beaches (to the right), + a lovely small beach across the street… oh let’s"

    "This is a great little campground just north of Malibu, California, and right off of the 101. So yes, the freeway is RIGHT. THERE."

    6. Point Mugu Recreation Facility

    13 Reviews
    Port Hueneme, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 989-8407

    "The tent sites are very basic and very close together, but the surroundings are worth it!"

    "This is a wonderful campground right next to the beach however it is only available to the military and their families."

    7. Tapo Canyon Park

    12 Reviews
    Simi Valley, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    "This is a very nice campground near everything but still away from it all. No issues parking our 42' 5th wheel here. Clean and quiet despite the peacocks. They can be rather loud when startled."

    "This campground happens to be very close to home so we went here to try out our brand new pull behind camper trailer for the very first time.
    The campground is small, quiet and very well-kept."

    8. Oak Park

    5 Reviews
    Moorpark, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    "Also multiple hiking trails right from the grounds, and some playgrounds and basketball courts. Feels very family friendly. First come first serve spots and you make reservations online."

    9. The Lodge at Deer Creek

    2 Reviews
    Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA
    7 miles

    $75 - $85 / night

    "The Lodge at Deer Creek is new to the Dyrt and has the perfect location where the mountains meet the ocean.  Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!"

    "Its only a short 5 minute windy road drive from pch and you still get cell service."

    10. Circle X Ranch Group Campground — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 370-2301

    $35 / 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"

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Recent Reviews near Lake Sherwood, CA

907 Reviews of 151 Lake Sherwood Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Carpenteria State Beach

    Good location

    This was our first stop out of LA, great location. The beach was nice but beware of tar staining. The showers required tokens but the token machine was out of order. A bit annoying for the price of the site.

  • B
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Tapo Canyon Park

    Favorite spot near LA

    The Camp Hosts here are Very Friendly and welcoming, the campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon.

  • Lee-Ann C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Steckel Park

    Beautiful location

    The camp host came over shortly after we arrived and was very kind and friendly. I appreciate that they enforce quiet hours! The lots were not very private but they were clean and having full hookups was great. The location is pretty, on a creek. And there’s a playground and aviary which our whole family enjoyed. We’ll plan to go back when it’s not so hot!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Great trip/great site!

    This place is great! We stayed on site 59 and it had so much space you can fit a ton of people on the site. We had a beautiful, big tree and a great view in the back of the site. Site 62 had the most beautiful view but no shade, but I want to book it for the cooler months. Showers and bathrooms were pristine!! Can’t wait to go back!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Dennison Park

    Great spot close to downtown Ojai

    Firstly camp host knocked it out of the park. Site had water which was a nice surprise and very well kept bathrooms. Pay attention to RV vs Tent sites. This was my backup as Wheeler has closed for a bit. It was nice to be so close to downtown and we went there for a bit to get away from the heat. No natural water on site so if you love a creek look elsewhere.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Close to Walkable Swimmable Beach / Close to Town / Nice Sunsets / Crowded

    Santa Cruz non-hook-up sites have: asphalt parking (close to level); picnic table; fire pit.  Individual restrooms with flush toilets and hot/cold water sinks cleaned daily but get lots of use.  Showers (tokens) cleaned but may have beach sand on floors.  Check feet / shoes for TAR from beach before entering tent / RV!  Baby oil helps take it off... plastic bag(s) helps to contain shoes.  Spaces can be tight... neighbor's RV was about two feet from ours.  Non-hook-up fee was $43.00 plus $8.25 online reservation fee.  "Enroute" camping may be available if campground is "full"... no hook-ups or tables - and have to leave by 9am - but you might have more space!   Inquire at front gate even if sign says "campground full".  Quiet after 10pm on Friday night even though campground and group sites were very full.  Thanks fellow campers!  Nice wide and safe swimming beach - close to quaint town - make this a CALIFORNIA CLASSIC.


Guide to Lake Sherwood

Camping near Lake Sherwood, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking and biking: Explore the trails around the area. Campers at Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park rave about the "great location for beach, biking, and hiking." You can easily access trails that lead to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
  • Beach access: If you love the ocean, head to Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park. Campers enjoy "epic beach camping" and the chance to cook on the beach while enjoying the sound of the waves.
  • Fishing and boating: At Lake Casitas Recreation Area, you can fish or rent a boat. One reviewer mentioned it’s a "huge place, with lots to do," making it perfect for families or groups.

What campers like:

  • Scenic views: Many campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Malibu Creek State Park Campground described it as "peaceful and picturesque," with lush greenery and accessible hiking trails.
  • Clean facilities: Campers at Wheeler Gorge Campground noted the cleanliness of the campground, with one saying, "the camp hosts greeted us upon arrival and gave us a run down," which adds to the welcoming atmosphere.
  • Family-friendly: Families enjoy the amenities at Lake Casitas Recreation Area. One reviewer mentioned it’s "good for families or big groups," highlighting the variety of activities available.

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Campgrounds like Emma Wood State Beach have very few facilities. A camper noted, "this is one of our favorite campgrounds...you are parked right on the beach," but also mentioned the lack of bathrooms and water.
  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds are near busy roads or train tracks. For instance, at Rincon Parkway RV Overnight, a camper said, "the road quiets down at night," but it can be noisy during the day.
  • Reservations recommended: Popular spots like Malibu Beach RV Park can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. One visitor mentioned, "the owners have a great plan and it looks like they are achieving their goal," indicating that planning ahead is wise.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Dennison Park. A reviewer said, "I found it to be a quiet reprieve from our day's activities," which is great for families needing downtime.
  • Bring entertainment: Since some campgrounds lack Wi-Fi, like Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground, pack games or books to keep the kids entertained.
  • Plan for meals: Campers at Lake Casitas enjoyed cooking together, so consider meal prep ideas that are easy to make at the campsite.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds, like Sycamore Canyon Campground, have small sites. A reviewer noted, "the spaces are pretty small, so they are not meant for large RVs," so make sure your RV fits.
  • Bring your own supplies: Campgrounds like Rincon Parkway RV Overnight have no hookups, so pack enough water and food. One camper mentioned, "you can bring your own wood, have a fire where you camp."
  • Enjoy the views: Many RVers appreciate the scenic spots, especially at Malibu Beach RV Park, where "every spot has a great view of the Pacific Ocean from high upon a cliff."

Camping near Lake Sherwood, California, has something for everyone, from beach lovers to hiking enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Lake Sherwood camping area?

Lake Sherwood camping offers basic amenities comparable to other area campgrounds. For reference, nearby Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area provides spacious camping areas with picnic tables and pergolas in some sections. Typical amenities in the region include fire rings, picnic areas, and vault toilets. Dennison Park in Ventura County, another local option, features various campsite sizes (some on slopes), with amenities that include picnic tables and bathroom facilities. Always check current conditions as amenities may change seasonally.

Do I need reservations for camping at Lake Sherwood?

Reservations are highly recommended for camping in the Lake Sherwood area, especially during peak seasons. For comparison, nearby Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground requires reservations, with sites often booking up quickly due to its popularity as a beach camping destination. Similarly, Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach operates on a reservation system that fills to capacity, particularly during summer months and holidays. Make reservations well in advance through official campground websites to secure your spot.

Where is Lake Sherwood camping located and how do I access it?

Lake Sherwood is located in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Southern California, near Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. The area is accessible via the 101 Freeway and local roads. For comparable camping experiences nearby, consider Malibu Creek State Park Campground which offers drive-in access through well-maintained roads about 15-20 minutes away. Another option is Lake Piru Recreation Area, located northeast of Lake Sherwood in the Los Padres National Forest, accessible via Highway 126 and Piru Canyon Road.