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Best Tent Camping near Malibu, CA

669 Reviews

The Santa Monica Mountains surrounding Malibu, California offer several tent-only camping options within a short drive of the coast. Musch Trail Camp in Topanga State Park provides walk-in tent sites accessible via a one-mile hike from Trippet Ranch Parking Lot. Circle X Ranch Group Campground in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area accommodates tent campers with basic amenities. For those seeking a more developed group experience, La Jolla Group Campsite at Point Mugu State Park offers tent camping with ocean proximity. Danielson Group Multi-Use Area provides walk-in tent camping with more amenities than most primitive sites in the region.

Tent campsites in the Malibu area vary significantly in terrain and facilities. Most walk-in tent sites require short hikes ranging from 100 yards to a mile, with flat to moderately graded dirt pads for tent setup. Potable water is available at select locations like Musch Trail Camp, while others require campers to bring their own supply. Fire restrictions are common throughout the region, with complete bans at some sites including Musch Camp. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, though La Jolla Group Campsite offers flush toilets and showers. Wildlife activity requires proper food storage, with many campgrounds providing food storage boxes to protect supplies from local wildlife.

Tent camping experiences near Malibu offer unique advantages over other accommodation types. According to campers, weekday visits often result in having entire campgrounds to oneself, particularly at the more primitive backcountry tent sites. One visitor to Millard Trail Camp noted that despite day hikers passing through, nights become peaceful once the gates are locked, leaving only campers and the camp host. At La Jolla Group Campsite, a camper reported that the coastal location creates significant wind exposure, requiring tents to be staked down securely. The tent-only sites at Danielson Group Multi-Use Area receive high marks for their shade coverage and well-maintained facilities, making them suitable for family tent camping excursions with children of various ages.

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Best Tent Sites Near Malibu, California (47)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Malibu, CA

79 Photos of 47 Malibu Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Malibu, CA

669 Reviews of 47 Malibu Campgrounds

  • Luis N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Parsons Landing Campground

    Beach side campground

    One of the most amazing campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. You’re on a sandy beach with waves crashing on the shore. There’s only a handful of sites, so try to book this early. Sites have rocks stacked up as a wind shield, it really helps! You’ll also have a picnic table, food storage box, and a fire pit. Vault toilets are available. No water on site, you must bring your own. Water, firewood, and fire starter are available for purchase. You can buy them at two harbors, which is where they will give you a key for a locker that is at parsons landing which will have all those items. I believe it’s 2 gallons of water.

  • Luis N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Black Jack Campground

    Great site!!

    Great campground that is very accessible to the trans Catalina trail. The campground has potable water, lockers, vault toilets, an outdoor shower (very cold water), trash cans, picnic table, fire pit, food storage box. Foxes are common on this campground as they look for any food, campers may leave behind so make sure you clean up after yourself

  • Deborah C.
    May. 27, 2019

    Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park

    Channel Islands, Santa Cruz, Scorpion, May, 2019

    My husband and I are using our senior park pass to it’s fullest advantage. On our most recent trip, we decided to try Channel Islands and we were thrilled. First thing to know is that this trip requires some planning and flexibility. You must book your boat ride and camp site in advance and then check the day before to make sure weather permits the boat ride. Island packers provides the boat ride for both campers and day trips. We camped two nights. We departed at around 9 am and arrived at around 10:30. We had to check in by 8 in the parking lot at Ventura bay. You must not have water in your back pack, the propane must be out in a separate bin, and you are allowed only 60 lbs of “stuff” each. We took our Mountain House meals along with our jet boil, a few fruits, and a couple of sandwiches; our tent, sleeping bags, a Wenzel air mattress and were set. You take your stuff to the boat to load. On the day of our travel winds were gusting so severely that they cancelled the day trips, and it was rough! Lots of people got sick on the ride over. Upon arriving on the island, you form a bucket brigade to unload all the luggage/stuff, then a park ranger gives a brief overview of rules, mainly pack out all trash, no trash can be left on the island and to use the “Fox boxes” for all food stuff as the island foxes and ravens WILL take your stuff. You then take a short hike with all your stuff to your campsite - it’s about 1/4 mile or more, depending on your site. Each campground has multiple spigots on potable water, so no need to bring water with you. There are plenty of very clean vault toilets that are always filled with supplies including hand sanitizer. The hikes are spectacular and the trails are well maintained. Note, the hikes are challenging, when they say strenuous, they mean it! The park rangers are very helpful and accessible. The last day of our trip, we packed up our site and moved our stuff to a staging area so the next group could set up their tent. We watched the kayakers and snorkeling groups. The weather was very calm. The boat ride back was amazing, we saw schools of dolphins, the captain estimated over 2000 dolphins. He stopped so we could get lots of pictures. Note, there is no store on the island, we did have spotty cell coverage with AT&T.

  • j
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Millard Trail Campground

    Great campground for hiking/biking

    Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there. Once there, there's a parking lot that fits about 20 cars. There's about 100 yd hike to the campsites. There's a road that leads to the campsite but it's been blocked off. Only the campsite managers use that road so it's not accessible by RV, just tents. A campsite manager stays in a little trailer overnight so if there's any problems there's somebody there you can go to and ask for help. There's about six campsites and their first come first serve, no reservations. I went during the week and was the only one camping. This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking. There's not a lot of privacy because there's always lots of people passing by who are hiking and biking. You can stay overnight which I did and everything was fine but there's not a lot of privacy. The next day as I was leaving there was another guy sitting up his tent. I bet on the weekends they can fill up pretty fast. It's in Bear country so they provide food storage for each campsite also trash containers too. Each side has a picnic bench and a fire pit. The fire ban has been lifted so you can have a fire. Each fire pit had wood left at it so you didn't have to go searching for campfirewood. Bathrooms included male and female toilets but no showers or water. There's a creek that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty. I saw two to three cabins along the outskirts of the campground that I assume were for rentals. There was one family at one of the cabins the night I stayed. About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that. Overall a good campsite four stars. Would have been five stars if they had showers and running water. I didn't see any bears although there was an animal outside my tent at one point in the night I could hear him nosing around. So it's important to keep all of your food and anything with any kind of smell in the bear boxes

  • K
    Jan. 5, 2022

    Oakwilde Trail Campground

    Half Sunk, Overgrown

    The camp site looks like it was buried in mud from a flood a few years ago. There’s been no maintenance to this camp. The cook stoves are covered, half of the one picnic table was underground. But still, it’s a beautiful and remote spot. The river was running when I was there in January and it was just gorgeous. Looks like there’s really only one usable flat spot to set up a tent. But you can’t have a fire or anything. I didn’t camp just hiked in and checked it out. Dunno if I would try camping here.

  • Tony C.
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Great local campsite

    I recently moved to WA from Los Angeles so this review is legit 😁 This was and still continues to be one of my favorite campsite close to Los Angeles, I have plenty of fond memories with close friends at this site. It’s completely exposed all the way to the top, a well worth 3 mile uphill hike to three different camp sites. My favorite is the middle site where you get a clear view of the city, beautiful views at night. They say there’s no water but there is, there’s a spout located by the restroom close to the museum, you’ll have to treat it before using (but don’t take my word for it, they tend to shut it off so take plenty of water for your time there and check it out if you need more) If you continue past the middle campsite to the upper site, you’ll have plenty of space for tents and hammocks just no view due to the trees on the edge. If you continue on that trail for another 3 miles i believe, you’ll get to idlehour campground. It’s a small site right next to a creek, you can continue on to Mt Lowe campground and inspiration point. Back to Henninger, plenty of trees for hammocks and sometimes they have firewood collected. At the museum you can buy soda cans so take some change. Hauling a 24 pack of cold Modelos in my pack was not fun at all, but boy did they taste good at the top hahaha. Bugs can get annoying so carry some bug spray, hang your food and PACK IT OUT!!! Leave no trace behind.

  • Corinna B.
    Jun. 30, 2018

    Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park

    Bucket-List-Amazing Island Camping off California Coast

    This place had been on my bucket-list of camping forever and it takes a decent amount of planning because not only can you only access the campground by private boat, once there you have to walk in about a 1/2 mile with all your stuff. It's totally worth it however. Incredible views, perfect weather (in April!), amazing flowers and so much to see and do.

    The campsite itself is "basic" in that it has a vault toilet, water, and "fox boxes" (like the bear boxes in other campgrounds) to keep all the cute but quick and greedy foxes away from your food. There's also picnic tables, but other than that make sure you bring everything you need since there's no way to pop into a local store to grab something you might have forgotten. No camp fires are allowed and all garbage must be packed out (but can be stored in the fox boxes until you're ready to leave).

    At only $15/night, the camp sites are a steal, though the boat trips will add on about $80 per person round-trip (slightly less for kids). 8am is the earliest boat ride and 4:30 is the last (via Island Packers).

    Summary/Tips: Do it! Especially if you love hiking, this is an amazing place. Try to get your gear down to one well-planned backpack (or perhaps one of those foldy wagons as another reviewer recommended) so you only have to take one trip to the campsite, though you can always take more trips if needed.

  • 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.

  • Luis N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Little Harbor Campground

    Must visit!!!

    This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I have ever been too. The view of the beach and the palm trees and all of it is amazing! If you’re backpacking through here, I highly recommend you stay the night. A camp site includes potable water, fire pit, picnic table, food storage box. Everything you need. Porta potties available. Careful with all the buffalo poop. There is almost no cell coverage here except on top of a large rock on the shore.

Guide to Malibu

Tent camping sites in the Malibu area range from 1,000 to 3,000 feet in elevation throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during the day, dropping to 55-65°F at night, with coastal fog often rolling in during morning hours. Most sites require food storage in approved containers due to the active island fox population, which stands at about 400-600 animals throughout the region.

What to do

Hiking to waterfalls: At Millard Trail Camp, campers can access a waterfall via a half-mile trail. "A lovely creek runs south-west along the edge of the campground... with a nice hike of about 1/2 mile up to Millard Falls that is easy for kids and grown ups," notes Tom P. The waterfall trail offers natural shade even on hot days.

Boulder climbing: The Oak Flat area provides natural boulder formations perfect for casual climbing. "Lots of big boulders and trees on the landscape, providing ample shade and beautiful full trees in the summer," explains Cierra M. from Oak Flat Campground.

Wildlife observation: Island foxes are commonly spotted at many campsites. At Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground, one camper reported, "There are tons of cute little island foxes EVERYWHERE at both loops- we were worried that we wouldn't see any, but that concern was quickly put to rest." Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing opportunities.

What campers like

Weekday solitude: Les R. from Danielson Group Multi-Use Area notes that facilities are "clean and well maintained, the area is safe, electricity on light poles, running water, use of massive fireplace, lots of shade, plenty of tables." Weekday visitors often find they have significant portions of campgrounds to themselves.

Clean facilities: Despite the rustic setting, some tent campgrounds maintain surprisingly clean amenities. At Musch Trail Camp, Marcos P. was pleasantly surprised: "Did not expect the bathrooms to be very clean. They have running water to flush the toilets, and to wash your hands."

Sunset viewing: Antfarm LA provides excellent sunset observation opportunities. One camper shared, "It's a spot where you can truly be away. We spent 5 days and didn't really see a soul. If you like to read, enjoy sunsets, exercise and travel to local spots of interest or just stay put. This is a spot for you."

What you should know

Permit requirements: Many sites require advance permits or passes. Jason R. from Oak Flat Campground advises, "Ranger woke me up early asking for a permit. He was not agro, as I didn't look like a bum I think that helped. He explained a shell station off the 176 nearby sells $5 day passes and $30 annual."

Vehicle security: At certain locations, car break-ins can occur. Mathew H. from Millard Trail Camp warns, "Make sure to leave your car doors unlocked, and nothing of value inside. You'd rather have someone root through your car and walk away empty handed than have a window broken and items stolen."

Wildlife precautions: At Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground, Jen G. advises, "Keep as many belongings as possible in the fox boxes! The foxes and the birds love to use every place in the world as their bathroom, and if you don't put things away you'll end up with some nasty stuff on your things."

Tips for camping with families

Short, manageable hikes: For the best tent camping near Malibu with children, consider sites with easy access to trails. "Wild life all over the place and a great stream in the wet season through summer. Park in the lot at end of road and walk 200 yards up to the camp sites," explains Tom P. about Millard Trail Camp.

Secure tent placement: When camping with children, proper tent setup becomes crucial. 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)."

Group facilities: Circle X Ranch Group Campground accommodates larger family groups, though Andrea L. notes, "We arrived in the middle of the night: easy parking short walk and easy access to the campground. The view is fantastic, the site is very close to the highest point of Santa Monica mountains."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Tent camping dominates the Malibu region, with few true RV sites available. Sarah S. from Oak Flat Campground suggests, "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."

Parking considerations: For those with small camper vans, several tent campgrounds offer adequate parking. "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," notes Molly W., who used Oak Flat as a convenient stopover point.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Malibu, CA is Musch Trail Camp — Topanga State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 47 tent camping locations near Malibu, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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