Best Dispersed Camping near Malibu, CA

Dispersed camping near Malibu, California centers primarily around Angeles National Forest and nearby public lands. The Angeles Crest area offers primitive car camping opportunities along pullouts and overlooks with views of the Los Angeles basin. These are not designated campgrounds but rather roadside parking areas where overnight stays are permitted. Santa Paula Canyon contains the more remote Big Cone Camp, accessible only by hiking through Thomas Aquinas College property, oil fields, and canyon terrain.

Access to Angeles Crest dispersed sites requires navigating mountain roads that can be busy with recreational traffic and local visitors. Most sites lack amenities such as water, toilets, or designated fire rings, and some areas prohibit fires entirely. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in many locations, particularly deeper in the canyons. These areas are primarily suited for self-contained vehicle camping rather than tent camping. A recent visitor noted, "It's basically car camping along the Angeles Crest highway with small pull out spots overlooking the forest." Noise can be an issue, particularly on weekends.

These primitive camping locations attract diverse users, from overnight travelers seeking free accommodations to local visitors. The Angeles Crest sites offer exceptional views but come with drawbacks including occasional nighttime traffic and noise. According to one camper, "Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van." For those seeking a more natural experience, Big Cone Camp provides access to waterfalls and pools known as the "punch bowls," though reaching this site requires a moderate hike. Weekday visits generally offer quieter conditions than weekends. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, as these areas receive significant recreational pressure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Malibu, California (4)

    1. Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    8 Reviews
    La Cañada Flintridge, CA
    35 miles

    "I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so."

    "Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that."

    2. Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon

    1 Review
    Santa Paula, CA
    33 miles
    Website

    "The trail has changed many times over the years because of the nature of flooding through the canyon, but follow the signs through the middle of the canyon and the main trail will head up the mountain"

    3. Hare School Park

    2 Reviews
    Westminster, CA
    48 miles

    "You can overnight park here with your RV without problems."

    "There’s a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them.There’s no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Malibu, CA

3 Photos of 4 Malibu Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Malibu, CA

8 Reviews of 4 Malibu Campgrounds


  • Joseph R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Nope

    It’s basically car camping along the Angeles Crest highway, there’s small pull out spots and, some spots overlooking the forest but kids do tend to party up here and, drive about 100 miles a hour up and, down the road all hours of the night. It can get a bit scary, if you’re alone. Oh cell service non-existent unless you’re closer to the bottom but even then it’s spotty. It’s not a typical campground but it does do the job for a couple days. You will see cars vans along the pull outs coming up but I believe you can car camp on the overlook I have not as I’m more a quiet type person. Be careful though there’s a white van that teams up with a black truck they tried to break in my car while I was sleeping. It is very dangerous and luckily I carry at all times and have cameras.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 22, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Dark, fairly quiet, good view!

    I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so. Wasn’t too noisy at all. Unfortunately I didn’t have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary. Other than that, no complaints at all!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 26, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Great view

    Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that. Next night we moved to the other look out and someone still did donuts behind us- it’s a smaller lookout. Loud music and people talking next to us until about 1 am there is a pull off before this that was very quiet near a trail and nobody bothered us. During the week it’s more quiet. Close to town so that is a plus. Would recommend to smaller vans or car sleepers. I did not feel unsafe except for the donuts that happened near us. If you have dogs I would recommend the trail pull off my dogs really enjoyed the hike

  • robherr The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2018

    Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon

    Local easy hike to great waterfalls

    This is a fairly easy hike through what would not be considered a typical hike. It starts off going through Thomas Aquinas College, winding through horse property and oil fields, before finally opening up into Santa Paula Canyon. The trail has changed many times over the years because of the nature of flooding through the canyon, but follow the signs through the middle of the canyon and the main trail will head up the mountain to the right.

    Atop the hill on the saddle, nestled among the trees is the primitive Big Cone campsite. It is one of my favorite spots simply because it is close and when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there.

    From Big Cone Camp you can easily reach the waterfalls and pools that make this area known as the "punch bowls". Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides, and a few pools you can jump from the cliffs into.

    Please pack out your trash. Because this hike is local and easy, there are many party people that frequent the area and leave their trash.

  • Andrew S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Not a campsite

    This is literally just a roadside pull-off. Only really useful in a pinch. No space for a tent. Sleep in your vehicle.

  • Iris A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2023

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    dispersed camping next to the road

    It is not a real campground, just a the parking area of a view point. So the view was great. I parked at one end of the area but in the evening lots of couples and teenagers came and the parking area was well used. Some people stood silently admiring the view, while others played loud music. There were also tire tracks on the ground that suggested to me, some young people come here to test their driving skills. I spent the night and no-one took really notice of me. 

    There are no toilets, campfire sites or shade but good cell service.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2023

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Parking Lot w/ Incredible View

    This is just a few parking lots that overlook the valley and gives a view of the city skyline in the distance. Several others were also sleeping in their vehicles along the road and in the parking lots, so you won’t be alone. There were two others in our lot that stayed the night too. The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise!

    That being said, it did seem like maybe a teen hangout or something - cars did flow in and out occasionally through the night until around midnight, so that wasn’t great but not awful either. I’d use it again if I needed it as it’s hard to find free places to sleep with a great view like that when traveling through cities.


Guide to Malibu

Primitive camping near Malibu, California extends beyond the immediate coastline into adjacent national forest lands. Most dispersed sites sit at elevations between 3,000-5,000 feet in the nearby mountains, offering temperature drops of 10-15°F compared to beach areas. Winter access becomes challenging after snowfall, with forest service roads sometimes closing between December and March depending on conditions.

What to do

Hike to waterfalls: From Big Cone Camp in Santa Paula Canyon, visitors can reach several cascading waterfalls known locally as the "punch bowls." According to one camper, "From Big Cone Camp you can easily reach the waterfalls and pools that make this area known as the 'punch bowls'. Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides, and a few pools you can jump from the cliffs into."

Stargazing at pullouts: The Angeles Crest overlook areas provide unobstructed night sky viewing when marine layer fog stays below the mountain elevation. "The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise!" notes one visitor who stayed at Angeles Crest Overlook to LA.

Dog walking at urban sites: For those needing overnight parking closer to urban areas, some locations offer pet-friendly spaces. At Hare School Park, "There's a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them."

What campers like

Sunrise views: The elevated position of Angeles Crest sites provides exceptional morning light conditions. One visitor explains, "I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so. Wasn't too noisy at all."

Accessibility for beginners: Santa Paula Canyon offers relatively straightforward backcountry camping options. "This is a fairly easy hike through what would not be considered a typical hike. It starts off going through Thomas Aquinas College, winding through horse property and oil fields, before finally opening up into Santa Paula Canyon," writes a visitor to Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon.

Convenience for travelers: Several pullout areas provide quick overnight options for those passing through. "Perfect last minute late night hold over stop," notes one camper who rated Angeles Crest Overlook 4 stars.

What you should know

Safety considerations: Vehicle security can be a concern at roadside pullouts. One camper cautions, "Be careful though there's a white van that teams up with a black truck they tried to break in my car while I was sleeping. It is very dangerous and luckily I carry at all times and have cameras."

Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites completely lack amenities. At Angeles Crest Overlook, a visitor observed, "There are no toilets, campfire sites or shade but good cell service."

Site selection timing: Weekday visits typically offer significantly quieter conditions. One camper recommends, "During the week it's more quiet. Close to town so that is a plus. Would recommend to smaller vans or car sleepers."

Tips for camping with families

Trail selection: When camping with children, Santa Paula Canyon offers manageable terrain. A visitor shares, "It is one of my favorite spots simply because it is close and when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there."

Noise considerations: Roadside pullout areas may experience unexpected disturbances. "It did seem like maybe a teen hangout or something - cars did flow in and out occasionally through the night until around midnight," reports one Angeles Crest camper.

Vehicle-based options: For families with younger children, car camping provides more security. "I'd use it again if I needed it as it's hard to find free places to sleep with a great view like that when traveling through cities," notes a visitor to Hare School Park.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller vehicles better than full-size RVs. One reviewer states, "This is literally just a roadside pull-off. Only really useful in a pinch. No space for a tent. Sleep in your vehicle."

Urban overnight alternatives: Some parking areas near Malibu tolerate overnight RV parking. "I've been here for a couple days and nobody's mess with us. I'm in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV," reports one camper.

Site selection: Look for level pullouts with adequate space to park completely off roadways. "It is not a real campground, just the parking area of a view point. So the view was great. I parked at one end of the area but in the evening lots of couples and teenagers came and the parking area was well used."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Malibu?

When dispersed camping near Malibu, follow these key regulations: Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash. At Aliklik Campground in the broader region, camping is permitted in designated areas only. For most dispersed sites, campfires are typically prohibited or strictly regulated, especially during fire season. Camp at least 200 feet from water sources. Vehicle-based camping is often restricted to existing pullouts and established sites. Many areas have a 14-day maximum stay within a 30-day period. Noise should be minimized, particularly after dark. Be aware that rangers patrol regularly, and violating regulations can result in fines. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as these change frequently based on conditions.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Malibu?

Free dispersed camping options near Malibu can be found in the surrounding areas. Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon offers dispersed camping opportunities after a hike through Santa Paula Canyon. The trail winds through Thomas Aquinas College and oil fields before opening into the canyon. Another option is Hare School Park, where overnight parking in vehicles has been tolerated. The park includes open field areas suitable for pets. While not directly in Malibu, these locations provide nearby free camping alternatives. Keep in mind that availability and conditions may change, so it's advisable to have backup options ready when seeking dispersed camping in this region.

Do I need a permit for free camping in Malibu?

For dispersed camping near Malibu, permit requirements vary by location. At Angeles Crest Overlook to LA, no specific permits are needed for overnight stays in your vehicle as it's essentially a roadside pullout area used for dispersed camping. However, it's important to note that most dispersed camping in the Angeles National Forest area requires an Adventure Pass for parking. These can be purchased at ranger stations or sporting goods stores. Always check with the local ranger district before camping, as regulations can change seasonally, especially during high fire danger periods. Some areas may have temporary closures or additional restrictions that affect camping accessibility.