145 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Malibu spans oceanfront sites and wooded canyon settings across several campgrounds along the Southern California coast. Malibu Creek State Park Campground has trails that lead to spots where famous movies and TV shows were filmed. Leo Carrillo State Park Campground sits right by the beach, giving campers easy walks to shoreline and tide pools. Point Mugu State Park contains two camping areas - Thornhill Broome Beach with sites facing the ocean and Sycamore Canyon with spots under large trees. Lake Casitas Recreation Area works well for campers who want to fish or take boats out on the water. Watch out for local wildlife like raccoons and coyotes when camping near Malibu, and store food properly. Fire rules can be strict, particularly when conditions are dry. Book ahead for most Malibu area campgrounds since they fill quickly, especially in summer months. Roads to these camping areas are generally good, though some get narrow and twisty. Most campsites come with basic tables and fire rings, but some have more privacy than others. Trees provide good shade in many areas, particularly at Sycamore Canyon. Most places limit stays to 14 days maximum. Malibu has camping that works for both beach lovers and those who prefer wooded settings.
"Who does NOT like Malibu. We had an Environmental campsites they are located in relatively undisturbed natural settings."
"Very close to Malibu Canyon Road and houses"
from $45 - $225 / night
Check Availability"Close by in northern Malibu, it’s perfect for a weekend getaway, close to beach / surf. Hot tip, bring bikes to get to the beach."
"Various campsites with easy access to one of the best beaches in Malibu. Close to everything fun in So Cal- Close to The Pier, Malibu, Hollywood, LA and more."
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $80 - $300 / night
Check Availability"The park is right off the highway, but there isn't much PCH traffic in that area at night so it was very quiet. I would highly recommend staying here."
"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."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"We went for a day after having camped at Malibu creek state park for the weekend and this was the best part of our trip!! It was so nice !"
"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."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"The most fantastic thing about this RV spot is the location - directly facing a large, beautiful, clean beach with built in fire rings, a very long bike bath and bike rental kiosk."
"One of the only in Southern California/Los Angeles area where you can have a fire on the beach."
from $65 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Every “road” in the park is themed with California or Hollywood themed decorations and murals. We were parked right next to a Mister Roger’s mural across from the laundry/bathrooms."
"Trees lovely gardens to walk the dogs. Commerce walking distance. I’m staying 8 more days.✌️"
"If you’re looking for a campsite off the beaten path with gorgeous views and some unique exploring nearby, this is it. I stayed here in a 22 foot RV at one of the hookup sites."
"Incredible drive through vineyards, citrus tree farms just to get to the Salton Sea. Such a cool place to stay and see. Nice, paved short trail to the beach."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"If you want a longer hike you can hike up the East Topanga Fire Road and then drop down into Musch Camp on the Backbone Trail from Eagle Junction."
"Really felt away from the " concrete jungle" of the city."
from $7 / night
Check Availability"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."
ScoutCampsite was cute. It is kind of cramped. They did offer electric water and sewer. It is absolutely beautiful but the exception of the OIL on the beach from the oil rigs. I had a great time.
TravelerWell maintained small campground. Fact that you are downtown Long Beach with lots of food and attractions close is a major selling point. But campground itself has pool, hottub and small store on site. Campers/RV are pretty close parked but each spot comes with table and some lounging space.
ScoutI found the staff to be off putting, unpleasant, even contrary.
GuideSite 49 is a large drive-in site with plenty of room. It accommodates up to two vehicles and has a picnic table and fire ring. There’s communal water nearby, and we’re conveniently close to the restrooms, which have flush toilets. There are no electrical hookups, so plan to be self-contained for power. One of my favorite things about this particular site is the shade. We have several trees around us, which makes a huge difference during the day. At the end of September it’s around 85° and sunny. It’s a little windy today, but sitting here in the shade is incredibly comfortable. And then there is the view. 🌄 That may be the best part of Site 49. The mountains are right in front of us, and the view is just beautiful. Morning coffee with three beagles stretched out in front of me and those mountains in the background? I'm not complaining. The campground itself has been very quiet during our stay, with relatively few other campers around. The camp host has been friendly and helpful, and the whole place has a peaceful, uncrowded feel. It’s also pet friendly, which obviously matters when your camping crew includes three beagles. 🐶🐶🐶 They have been loving the sunshine, shade and all the new things there are to sniff. A few things to know: this is a non-electric site, the driveway is gravel, and this isn't a fancy resort-style campground. If you're looking for hookups and manicured RV pads, this probably isn't it. But if you want space, quiet, shade, flush toilets, water nearby and a mountain view that looks like that for $45 a night? I’ll take it. Site 49 is going on my “come back here” list. 🌄💜
RangerJust far enough from the highway to have almost no noise. Nice loops into small valleys. Good spacing of sites, clean enough restrooms. Not very busy on a September Saturday. Some bugs, but I don't think they bite.
TravelerThe spots are huge and you have space to relax next to your wooden bench and table. The restrooms and showers are bit gross but works. You have to buy tokens to use hot water in the shower tho. 45 USD per night and you can use dump station so it is fair comparing to other campgrounds in this area.
TravelerGreat rv site site used ele bikes outside to get to beach brilliant!! Would use again
ScoutThe hike-in experience has captivating views and diverse environment. Really felt away from the " concrete jungle" of the city.
GuideSome of the campground seems very nice and some is the exact opposite. Pool is very nice and HUGE. But, there are entire sections of this campground that have just faded into non-existent. The bathrooms aren’t great. There are a lot of stationary campers(or what looks to be…) which isn’t really our favorite site to see. But, it was included with our membership and we aren’t going to leave to go pay for somewhere else.
Malibu camping typically ranges in elevation from sea level along the beaches to around 2,000 feet in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Mediterranean climate brings mild winters and warm, dry summers with average temperatures between 50-85°F. Campers should know many sites require reservation windows of up to six months in advance, especially for summer weekend spots at oceanfront campgrounds.
Beach exploration: 10-minute walk from most sites at Leo Carrillo State Park Campground gives access to natural features. "The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access- it's about a 10-minute walk from most sites, and you can explore some amazing tide pools and caves once you get there. The kids loved searching for hermit crabs and sea anemones," notes Alfred in a review.
Hiking the Backbone Trail: This recently completed trail extends through the Santa Monica Mountains and ends at Point Mugu State Park. "The backbone trail ends at this park, and was finally completed in spring 2016 - I strongly recommend hiking part of it, if you stay at Point Mugu," suggests Les R.
Archery practice: $5 Saturday sessions available at Tapo Canyon Park. "The archery range is one of the best in California. There is a members area and the original range is open to the public on Saturdays from 9-1, with a nominal $5 fee," mentions robherr.
Canyon shade: Malibu Creek State Park Campground offers relief from summer heat. "Campground is beautiful!! Spacious campsites with fire pits, and clean bathrooms (bring your own hand soap). Be aware of the limited hours for entering with a vehicle (8am-10pm)," says Lizzie C.
Ocean views from RV spots: The elevated position of Malibu Beach RV Park provides panoramic vistas. "Every spot has a great view of the Pacific Ocean from high upon a cliff! General store is well stocked and there's a park to lounge or play games on the cliffs edge!" states Tim Z.
Wildlife sightings: Morning dolphin viewing is common at some beach sites. "The sound of the surf lulled us to sleep and we woke up to dolphins playing a few yards from shore," shares Kat P. about her experience at Point Mugu State Park.
Shower token systems: Many campgrounds use coin-operated showers. At Leo Carrillo, "the token system($2 for 2 minutes) takes some getting used to," according to Alfred. Other campers note similar systems at multiple Malibu area campgrounds.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely by campground location. At Tapo Canyon Park, "there is no Wi-Fi here and as best we could tell, no cellular signal for any provider," reports Bower.
Wildlife precautions: Store food properly to avoid unwanted visitors. "Also spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly," notes Alfred about Leo Carrillo. At Tapo Canyon, "be careful at night. Mountain lions were spotted while there," warns April Y.
Bring a wagon for beach supplies: When camping near beaches, prepare for transport needs. "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff," suggests Alfred about Leo Carrillo State Park.
Playground access: Thornhill Broome Beach at Point Mugu State Park offers kid-friendly areas. "Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. There are meadows down the trail on either side of the campground," states Jeremy F.
Movie location exploration: Malibu Creek State Park contains filming sites from popular shows. "The state park is a former movie set and is filled with easily accessible trails for hiking and some for mountain biking. The primary trails were open fire roads with off-shoots to lakes, pools, meadows, and more," explains Ryan W.
Size restrictions: Some RV campgrounds have height limitations for access. At Malibu Beach RV Park, a reviewer notes, "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" meaning vehicles must be under 8 feet tall to access certain areas.
Noise considerations: Dockweiler Beach RV Park offers oceanfront camping with airport proximity. "We had a dry campsite a bit further from the airport, so the plane noise was much less," recommends PRINCE C. who camped there as his first stop on a 5000 KM adventure.
Boondocking preparation: Many sites lack full hookups. At Sycamore campground in Point Mugu State Park, "there are no hookups so this is boondocking at its best," explains Theo A., advising self-contained operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp on Malibu beaches or near the ocean?
Yes, there are excellent options for camping near Malibu's beaches. Malibu Beach RV Park offers prime ocean-proximity camping with spectacular views. It's strategically located between the Malibu pier area and several beaches including Dume and Zuma, with a small beach directly across the street. Though primarily an RV park, they do accommodate tent campers as well. For beachfront camping slightly further south, Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground provides concrete/asphalt sites with water and electric hookups just steps from great sand beaches. While direct camping on Malibu beaches themselves isn't permitted, these nearby options provide easy beach access while maintaining proper facilities and amenities.
What camping options are available at Malibu Creek State Park?
Malibu Creek State Park Campground offers diverse camping experiences in a beautiful natural setting. The park features environmental campsites located in relatively undisturbed natural areas, each equipped with a table and tent clearing. Nearby primitive toilets are available for these sites. The main campground provides more developed facilities with clean bathrooms and shower facilities (showers cost $1 for 4 minutes, but require token conversion first). Multiple trash receptacles are available throughout the grounds. The campground is conveniently located close to Malibu Canyon Road, making it accessible while still providing a peaceful retreat. For hikers seeking more seclusion, Musch Trail Camp — Topanga State Park offers a hike-in option nearby with basic amenities including water and toilets.
Where are the best camping sites in Malibu, CA?
Malibu offers several excellent camping options. Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground is a favorite spot located on the Malibu-Ventura border with easy beach access, great surf breaks, and tide pools. The campground features sites under oak trees in a small canyon, with a convenient store for forgotten supplies. Another top choice is Malibu Creek State Park Campground, which offers environmental campsites in natural settings with tables and tent clearings. The park provides clean bathrooms and showers ($1 for 4 minutes), though tokens must be purchased first. Both locations provide the quintessential Malibu camping experience with proximity to beaches, hiking trails, and local attractions.
Are there any glamping or luxury camping options in Malibu?
While traditional glamping (glamorous camping) sites with furnished tents or yurts aren't prominent in Malibu itself, luxury camping options do exist. Malibu Beach RV Park offers an upscale camping experience with stunning ocean views and convenient beach access. Though pricier than standard campgrounds, the premium location and amenities justify the cost for those seeking comfort while enjoying Malibu's natural beauty. The upper section of the park provides particularly impressive vistas. For those willing to venture slightly beyond Malibu, Point Mugu Recreation Facility offers comfortable accommodations with modern amenities. Additionally, several private properties in the Malibu hills occasionally list luxury tent stays and unique accommodations on popular vacation rental platforms, providing custom glamping experiences with ocean views.
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