Camping options near Lakewood, California span from urban settings to natural retreats within a 45-minute drive radius. The region's Mediterranean climate creates ideal year-round camping conditions with average temperatures between 65-85°F from April to October. Winter camping remains viable with temperatures rarely dropping below 45°F, though occasional rainstorms can impact tent camping during December through February.
What to do
Kayaking adventures: Seabreeze at Seal Beach provides exceptional water recreation opportunities. "This one is to die for when it comes to kayaking," notes one visitor. The adjacent wildlife reserve makes it "nice for walking the dogs, too" with "wetlands on the base and birds galore."
Beach activities at Dockweiler Beach RV Park: Camp directly on the coastline with immediate beach access. "The park is right next to the beach, walk 1 minute and you're there. There's also a bike path that goes for miles both north or south - great for an early workout," shares a reviewer. Fire rings on the beach provide evening entertainment options.
Hiking exploration at Malibu Creek State Park: Located within driving distance of Lakewood, this park offers diverse trail options. "The primary trails were open fire roads with off-shoots to lakes, pools, meadows, and more. It was easy to imagine you weren't anywhere close to the city," reports a camper who spotted "a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek."
What campers like
Ocean proximity: Many glamping sites near Lakewood feature direct beach access. At Crystal Cove State Park, "the sites are terraced, so no matter which site you get you'll have a view of the ocean." A visitor notes, "Beautiful sunsets! We stayed February 5th and 6th at site #23 but it looked like most of the sites had great views of the Pacific."
Military-only options: For service members seeking glamping close to Lakewood, California, Los Alamitos Army Campground provides specialized facilities. "Full hookup in both parks, Legacy (gravel for smaller RVs) and Sunset (cement spots with extra spot for a car)," explains a visitor. The campground offers a "gated gravel parking lot that holds maybe 20 smaller RVs" with convenient amenities.
Urban convenience with natural settings: Bonelli Bluffs balances accessibility with outdoor recreation. "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more," reports a visitor who brought horses and found it "amazing the best time of my life."
What you should know
Security requirements: Military campgrounds require proper identification. At Seabreeze, "everyone has to have an ID card to get on the base or be pre-approved by base security." This creates a secure environment where campers report feeling safe.
Airport noise considerations: Some beachfront camping options have proximity issues. At Dockweiler Beach RV Park, "you will hear each and every if the planes taking off from LAX, but at one point you don't hear them anymore." Visitors recommend: "We had a dry campsite a bit further from the airport, so the plane noise was much less."
Seasonal conditions: Local glamping near Lakewood varies by season. Malibu Creek State Park can be "extremely HOT" during summer months with limited shade. A visitor advises: "It's much nicer and greener during the Spring or Fall" when creek levels are higher and temperatures more moderate.
Tips for camping with families
Beach camping alternatives: When beach camping is booked, try inland options. Anaheim Harbor RV Park offers family-friendly amenities near attractions. "My girls LOVED staying here. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat with my kids for a Disneyland vacation," shares a tent camper who found "nice, small pool area, bbq areas, a club house, clean bathrooms and showers."
Site selection strategy: At larger parks, request specific areas for family needs. One visitor to Bonelli Bluffs mentioned, "we stayed in site 59 which had a really nice shade tree and great views of a meadow and the cliffs out the back of the site" – though they caution the sites "are fairly open and close to each other."
Activity planning for kids: Newport Dunes RV Resort organizes seasonal programming. A visitor reports 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" making it ideal for families seeking glamping close to Lakewood with structured entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Reservation timing: Many premium RV sites book months in advance. For Crystal Cove State Park, RVers advise "This campground fills up fast so book early!" The terraced design means even non-beachfront sites typically have ocean views.
Setup challenges: Some campgrounds have specific spatial constraints. "The roads that lead to the sites is a bit narrow, so if your towable is on the long side, you might have to work a bit to back it in," notes an RVer at Crystal Cove, though they appreciated that "the length of the site is very good with lots of room to setup your outdoor goodies."
Utility connections: Full hookup availability varies widely between locations. At Canyon RV Park, "we had spot 2118 and it had a nice view of the bay. Be fully aware that these spaces can be very tight," shares an experienced camper, but they were impressed with the "very clean and well maintained park with a lot of amenities."
