Best Tent Camping near Lebec, CA

Lebec, California offers several tent camping destinations in the Los Padres National Forest and Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. Chula Vista Campground at Mt. Pinos provides walk-in tent sites in a forested setting at nearly 9,000 feet elevation, while Oak Flat Campground offers drive-in tent camping closer to Interstate 5. Most sites are primitive with limited amenities and several require hiking from designated parking areas to reach the camping area.

Most tent campgrounds near Lebec require campers to bring their own water and pack out all trash. Chula Vista Campground features picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets but no water sources. Several campgrounds require an Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass for parking, available at nearby gas stations ($5 daily or $30 annually). Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry periods. Roads to higher elevation sites like Cherry Creek Campground may require high-clearance vehicles, especially after winter storms or during spring runoff.

Tent sites at Chula Vista Campground offer seclusion with camping spots spread throughout a forested area. The walk-in nature (approximately 1/4 mile from parking) limits the number of visitors and creates a quieter experience than drive-up campgrounds. Higher elevation tent camping provides cooler temperatures during summer months when valley areas become extremely hot. The area offers numerous hiking trails, particularly around Mt. Pinos, with opportunities for stargazing due to minimal light pollution. One camper noted that Chula Vista is "a short hike from the parking lot, with fire rings and picnic tables as well as older pit toilets" and warned that "it can get pretty windy up here so make sure your tent is staked down well."

Best Tent Sites Near Lebec, California (38)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Lebec, CA

618 Reviews of 38 Lebec Campgrounds


  • 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

  • Antonio  C.
    Aug. 30, 2019

    Chula Vista Campground at Mt. Pinos

    Summer Heat Getaway!

    It’s a nice drive to get to the campground. Nice clean area with lots of space. Love it that’s it’s a Walk in campground so no cars or RVs. Lots of Hiking trails nearby. It’s a lot cooler up here so it’s a nice way to get away from the summer heat. Awesome area for stargazing. The bathrooms could use some cleaning but other than that it’s a beautiful area.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2022

    Camping @ Quail Run Ostrich Ranch

    Great tour and amenities

    General: This is not an official campground but due to its proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail, the owners make it available for tent and RV campers as well as members of Harvest Host. 

    Site Quality: There are no designated sites so you can park where it best suits you on a large and level gravel lot. Since there was a strong wind advisory to last through the night into the next morning, Jessica recommended we park along the trees, and this made for an effective windbreak. There is also an additional gravel lot where the only other RV camper stayed so we had privacy. 

    Bathhouse: I was hoping for a vault toilet so was pleasantly surprised to find flush toilets with a sink, soap, and paper towels. No showers and no hot water.

    Activities/Other Amenities: Take a tour of the ostrich farm – we learned a lot and it is worth the $10pp. At the end of the tour, you can purchase ostrich oil (many benefits), ostrich eggs (sometimes sold out), local brews, local honey, and a few other items. Other amenities include a propane bbq, fire ring, picnic table, and electric outlets (located by each light pole by the stage/dance floor which is also used for weddings and other gatherings). There is also a peaceful garden and a playground. Other activities include ax throwing and archery, neither of which we tried. (A girl scout troop was doing archery when we were there). Quail Run is a family-owned business and everyone we talked with was very welcoming and communication was thorough. 

    Note: the gates are closed between 5 pm and 8 am (7 pm-7 am during the summer). If you need it, cell coverage via Verizon is available.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Beautiful location. Close to town

    Beautiful location. Close to town. Walkable, hike-able, bike-able, rideable via paths. No dogs on beach. There is a dog beach further up the coast. Sites are pretty tight. Lots of families and tent camping. Need token from kiosk for showers. Train comes by every once in a while. I stayed in Santa Cruz in my 25’ motorhome with no hook ups. Had my own picnic table and fire ring. May stay again only because of the nice walkable paths. Watch where you step near the tar pits.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2022

    Foster Residence Campground

    Conveniently close to Ventura, nicely managed

    We stayed here in June as part of a 3 week camping trip. Foster Residence was the closest to a city that we've stayed in, and that was apparent during the stay (i.e. we had 2 fuel canisters stolen, odd people obviously tweeking coming in the middle of the night and screaming obscenities the next morning, a couple families setting up next to us for the weekend for late night partying, lots of road traffic, etc.).

    There are some reviews for this campground under Foster Park Campground. That is a separate campground right next to this one separated by a little nature trail. The same camp host manages both. Foster Park CG is RIGHT next to the road. But it does have a swing set with like one swing if that sways you. Foster Residence is otherwise the better choice. 

    The tent sites are further back into the trees and there is a lot of shade. When we pulled in, there was an oak branch down on top of our fire pit and picnic table. We tried to get the host, but he was unavailable. The next morning he stopped by and said he'd get maintance. I told him they can leave the wood next to the fire pit and we could burn some of it, and that's what we did. That came in handy because there were tons of biting flies. The smoke helped to control them while we were at the campsite. And on the subject of little flying things, there are also a lot of wasps in the area that LOVE meat. So if you are going to try to cook meat, just be aware that they will consider it theirs lol. 

    The bathroom is separated into male and female and the female has 2 toilet stalls with flushing toilets and stall doors that work and lock. Also a sink with running water, coconut-smelling hand soap, and hand dryers with warm air. I'm assuming the mens is similar.

    The tent sites do not have electricity (normal for a tent site). We stayed for 6 nights and on the last morning we received a notice from a "park ranger" that privacy tents are not allowed due to sanitary concerns? That's like national park-level control-freakness there. There IS full cell service at site 14 and other random places in the campground area. There are no showers, no store, and there is plenty of potable water.

    Overall, it was nice being able to tent camp so close to the beach (the reason we came to the area was for my son to take surf lessons... we live in the Midwest) and also not be IN the city. But the area was definitely not my kinda bag. Still, if I had to go back to the area, I'd probably stay again.

  • K
    Oct. 24, 2020

    Tehachapi Mountain Park

    Quiet campground

    We stopped here on the way from SF to AZ in October. There are lots of open spots, FCFS. Vault toilets and trash cans scattered throughout. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There is a nature trail nearby although we didn’t have time to go check it out. Cost was $18 paid in envelopes at the entrance.

  • J
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Pine Springs Campground

    Spontaneous Trip

    I attempted to go to another campground, but there were no spaces available. I noticed a sign for this campground as I was driving back & took a chance on it. The road to it was a little rocky, but I have an old Nissan sedan which it handled it just fine. This campground is first come first serve, but also free. A man at one of the campsites told me you are supposed to have a Forest pass, which I do. There is no water or bear boxes, but there are vault bathrooms & a fire ring w/ grill. There was a Boy Scout Troop there & one of their Scout Masters brought sanitizer & bleach to clean the bathrooms, which was kept by the door.

    There is no host, which, my luck, meant the group of guys in the adjacent campsite stayed up very late drinking alcohol and talking loudly. I had to sleep in my car. But I would absolutely go back to this place. It was (mostly) quiet and very clean & peaceful.

  • Grace A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Foster Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Currently open! WATCHOUT FOR WASPS!!

    This campground was really nice for a last minute trip. We could have campfires so that’s always a plus. The bathrooms were clean and maintained. No showers but we only stayed one night so it wasn’t an issue. BEWARE OF BUGS! During the day there were a bunch of wasps so keep that in mind. It was annoying trying to eat. Besides that it was a quiet and clean spot! We stayed at campsite 15 and there was plenty of shade. Some of the other spots are not so lucky and have little to no shade coverage. I think each site has a picnic table that I saw. Tent sites and rv sites with hookups! Only like 10-15 minutes to Ventura beach! Definitely would come again!


Guide to Lebec

Tent camping opportunities near Lebec, California include diverse options at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 9,000 feet in the Los Padres National Forest and surrounding areas. Many campgrounds require an Adventure Pass for overnight stays, available at local gas stations and mini marts. Winter camping is possible at lower elevation sites, while higher campgrounds like San Emigdio often close during winter months.

What to do

Stargazing at higher elevations: Mount Pinos area provides exceptional night sky viewing conditions. Kelsee V. from Chula Vista Campground at Mt. Pinos notes, "A permit is required to park in the parking lot and also if you enter the lot at night it is important to be respectful and do so with your headlights dimmed due to the area being a very popular place for stargazing."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The diverse terrain supports various wildlife. Jessica P. from Cherry Creek Campground mentions, "Lots of animals in the night. You will come across some small game animals so be aware of that. If you are a hunter this is a good place to hunt."

Hiking nearby trails: The region offers numerous hiking routes. Stephanie L. from San Emigdio Campground shares, "Lots of cool trails within 15 min walk of camp sight," while noting to "beware of rattlesnakes."

What campers like

Free camping options: Several areas provide no-cost tent camping. John B. from Chula Vista notes, "Great free shaded sites with fire rings and tables. Camping is free but so is most of the land along the roadway. It's called dispersed camping."

Seasonal escape from heat: The higher elevation provides relief during summer. Antonio C. shares, "It's a lot cooler up here so it's a nice way to get away from the summer heat. Awesome area for stargazing. The bathrooms could use some cleaning but other than that it's a beautiful area."

Secluded spots away from crowds: Many campers appreciate the privacy. Dani P. comments about Chula Vista, "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."

Winter snow camping: For cold-weather enthusiasts, higher elevations offer snow camping opportunities. The Mt. Pinos area, standing at nearly 9,000 feet, receives snow during winter months when lower elevations remain dry.

What you should know

Fire restrictions vary significantly: Seasonal fire bans are strictly enforced. One camper at Chula Vista notes, "Ranger said he has written 100 tickets this summer for people having campfires when it's posted no campfires. I think he visits the site daily."

Adventure Pass requirements: Overnight parking requires permits. Jason R. from Oak Flat Campground warns, "Ranger woke me up early asking for a permit. He was not agro, as I didn't look like I bum I think that helped. He explained a shell station off the 176 nearby sells $5 day passes and $30 annual."

Vault toilets condition varies: Bathroom facilities receive limited maintenance. Jeremiah F. observes, "Bathrooms were pretty messy, below average for vault toilets. Bring extra TP."

Road conditions can be challenging: Access to some campgrounds requires appropriate vehicles. Cas from Cherry Creek Campground advises, "If you have 4WD and a strong stomach, you can squeeze all the way up the mountain to a beautiful campsite at the end of the trail at the top of the mountain."

Tips for camping with families

Pack extra water: No potable water exists at most sites. Sarah S. from Oak Flat Campground recommends, "We were originally going to do an overnight stay at a gas station or Walmart but had a hard time finding one in this area. Luckily we found this spot which was just a few minutes of the highway."

Secure tents properly: Mountain winds can be substantial. Jeremiah F. cautions, "It can get pretty windy up here so make sure your tent is staked down well."

Consider security concerns: Some campgrounds have reported safety issues. Amanda B. from Oak Flat suggests, "There can be some crazy characters and a lot of vagabonds that call this place home and sometimes you can hear some rambunctious conversations and activities which may lead you to want to call 911 but I would call the local sheriff."

Avoid peak summer weekends at OHV areas: The best tent camping near Lebec, California often borders motorized recreation areas. Ryan T. from Dutchman Campground notes, "It is on a popular ohv trail (Miller Jeep Trail) so there can be a little traffic on the weekends if you're in the site at the top of the trail head."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV-friendly options: Most sites are tent-focused with few accommodations for larger vehicles. Brian W. from Oak Flat Campground notes, "Nice wooded area, camp spots are nicely separated, quiet with the exception of the distant hiss of the freeway (not bad - convince yourself it's a distant waterfall)."

Consider highway noise levels: Sites closest to Interstate 5 experience traffic sounds. Molly W. shares about Oak Flat, "Traveling in our van and we stayed the night here during the week on our way from Malibu to Sequoia National Park. Fairly clean and spots are spaced out."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lebec, CA is Chula Vista Campground at Mt. Pinos with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 38 tent camping locations near Lebec, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.