Equestrian camping near Malibu, California sits within the western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, where elevations range from sea level to 3,111 feet at Sandstone Peak. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with most sites receiving less than 15 inches of annual rainfall concentrated between November and April.
What to do
Bouldering at Horse Flats: Located approximately 45 minutes from Malibu in Angeles National Forest, this area offers numerous climbing routes. "Horse Flats is a popular campground deep in Angeles National Forest... Popular with climbers as there's bouldering in the area," notes Kate O. from Horse Flats Campground.
Hiking creek trails: Follow seasonal waterways through chaparral-covered canyons. "Follow the creek (which is GORGEOUS with waterfalls and shade in the spring) and go all the way to the end. Trail tends to get iffy at points, but you kinda get to know the flow of it if it disappears into rocks or the creek," explains Shannon E. from Bear Canyon Campground.
Film location tours: Visit former movie and television production sites throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. "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," reports Ryan W. from Malibu Creek State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Observe native species in their natural habitats. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear... On a hike right out of the park a few hundred yards, I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek," adds Ryan W.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many horse-friendly campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. "Did not expect the bathrooms to be very clean. They have running water to flush the toilets, and to wash your hands," reports marcos P. about Musch Trail Camp at Topanga State Park.
Accessibility: Trail camps offer varying degrees of hiking difficulty. "Musch Camp is an easy one mile hike from from the Trippet Ranch Parking Lot in Topanga State Park. 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," explains Erik M.
Seasonal creek access: Water features enhance camping experiences during wet months. "Great campground with multiple sites. Fire pits & along Bear Creek (seasonal). Can be reached from Tom Sloan Saddle or Switzer Falls Trailhead," notes Anthony K. about Bear Canyon Campground.
Spacious sites: Campgrounds offer adequate room between neighbors. "The campsites are pretty standard, but they are spacious and have some privacy from neighboring sites. They come with a picnic table and there are coin-operated showers nearby," explains Chanel C. from Malibu Creek State Park Campground.
What you should know
Limited water access: Bring your own water supplies to most backcountry sites. "Bring all your water with you. There is no running water at this campground," cautions Les R. about Horse Flats Campground.
Seasonal closures: Check access before traveling during winter months. "Know before you go - it's closed from November-ish to April-ish - so check the forest website before you head out there," advises Kate O.
Fire restrictions: Regulations vary by location and season. "FIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED," states Erik M. about Musch Trail Camp, while at other locations, specific requirements apply: "The campground was under fire warning all weekend, but faux wood (javalog or duraflame) and charcoal was still allowed," reports Ryan W.
Weather considerations: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. "The temperature was warm during the day, but we definitely brought layers and adequate sleeping gear for the night. Even though it was 79 degrees in the day, temperature got down to 54 at night," shares Les R. from Halfmoon Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Pack insect protection: Prepare for seasonal bugs at higher elevations. "Bring some bug spray if you're bugged by bugs. Other than that there was plenty of space for plenty of campers," advises Josh F. from Horse Flats Campground.
Consider established campgrounds: Sites with more amenities offer convenience for younger campers. "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)," recommends Lizzie C. from Malibu Creek State Park.
Plan for temperature variations: Malibu-area camping experiences significant daily temperature swings. "I came here during the summer and it was extremely HOT. Typically during the summer season, I like to find campgrounds that have a lot of lush trees so we can be under the canopies and stay cool," cautions Chanel C.
Explore family activities: Look for recreational options beyond hiking. "Between hiking and biking, we were busy for the time we were there. As a bonus, there is a Ralph's just up the street, so you'll never be far from anything you'd need," notes Jean from Malibu Creek State Park.
Tips from RVers
Size constraints: Many equestrian-friendly sites have limitations for larger vehicles. "Nice campground for a big state park. Good for Hikes and bikes. Some interesting movie TV sets in the area. Decent cell coverage. Best for tents, tight for RVs," advises Rick L. from Malibu Creek State Park.
Services availability: Understand hookup options before arrival. "Nice area for RVing. Good size campsites. Full hookups, Public Restrooms and nice playground area. There is a camp host on site and the Ranger makes at least a daily visit," reports Larry B. from Tapo Canyon Park, located about 30 miles north of Malibu.
Reservation requirements: Check site assignment procedures upon arrival. "Note: Be aware of checkout times, not just here, but any campground as it would be awful to come back to fine your RV had been towed to an impound lot," cautions Larry B.
Cell service limitations: Prepare for potential connectivity issues. "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... Make note! There is no Wi-Fi here and as best we could tell, no cellular signal for any provider," notes Bower about Tapo Canyon Park.
