Best Campgrounds near Maricopa, CA

Camping opportunities surrounding Maricopa, California range from primitive sites to established campgrounds within the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument. Campers can choose from developed facilities like Valle Vista Campground and San Emigdio Campground, which accommodate both tent and RV camping. Several locations offer year-round accessibility, while others operate seasonally from May through November. The region also includes dispersed camping options in Carrizo Plain National Monument for those seeking a more remote experience, plus unique accommodation options like cabins and yurts at Songdog Ranch.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this area. Summer temperatures can be extremely hot with limited shade at most sites, particularly in the open plains. Winter brings cooler temperatures and occasionally wet conditions that may affect dirt road access. Most developed campgrounds provide toilets and picnic tables, while amenities like showers, electricity, and water hookups are limited to specific locations such as Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area. "Beautiful hilly landscape. Despite the absence of trees or bushes for shadow, we had a wonderful evening here. Some warm breezes in the evening, silent night with great views of the night sky."

The campgrounds near Maricopa vary significantly in character and natural setting. Valle Vista and Campo Alto receive high ratings from visitors who appreciate their scenic views and relative seclusion. San Emigdio Campground offers access to numerous hiking trails within a 15-minute walk from campsites, with one visitor noting it's "such a beautiful campground hardly any people." Campers should be aware of wildlife, including rattlesnakes, which have been reported in the area. Dispersed camping in Carrizo Plain National Monument provides opportunities for stargazing with minimal light pollution, while sites closer to water bodies like Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area tend to be more developed and feature amenities suitable for longer stays. During spring, wildflower viewing becomes a popular attraction in parts of the region.

Best Camping Sites Near Maricopa, California (143)

    1. Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area

    14 Reviews
    Tupman, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 868-7000

    "Great spot next to the lake. Very windy at times. Lost of gopher holes in the soil."

    "Camped here for a night to break up my drive from LA to SF."

    2. KCL Campground

    22 Reviews
    New Cuyama, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "This rustic campground offers an arid natural beauty with endless walking."

    "Carrizo Plains National Monument is the largest single native grassland remaining in California in SE San Luis Obispo, and my husband and I have been wanting to visit."

    3. Carrizzo Plain National Monument Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Maricopa, CA
    7 miles
    Website

    "At the mentioned location we soon encountered a sign saying the motorized vehicles are prohibited from that point on."

    "I didn’t see anyone else around, nor did I see any wildlife, so it was very quiet and peaceful. The stars were also quite visible with minimal light pollution."

    4. Songdog Ranch

    4 Reviews
    New Cuyama, CA
    12 miles
    +1 (805) 266-1314

    $40 / night

    5. San Emigdio Campground

    2 Reviews
    Pine Mountain Club, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 858-1115

    "No access to showers, but restrooms are clean and have sinks. Beware of rattlesnakes. Lots of cool trails within 15 min walk of camp sight"

    6. Valle Vista Campground

    1 Review
    Pine Mountain Club, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 245-3731

    7. Campo Alto Campground

    5 Reviews
    Pine Mountain Club, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $30 - $154 / night

    "We were in spot 4 which was right next to the check in board. Despite the close proximity to the road the site was very big and had plenty of trees to throw our hammocks up and relax."

    "Thankfully we arrived around 8:30pm and found walk-on site 17!"

    8. Mcgill Campground And Group Campground

    12 Reviews
    Pine Mountain Club, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $30 - $154 / night

    "On our way to the forest, the air was so thick from the SQF complex fire that we turned around and stopped at a parking lot near Taco Bell to plan our next move."

    "We love the camp hosts Harry and Carey and we were even going to try to squeeze in one more weekend trip here and as we were leaving they shut down all the national forests in California because of the"

    9. Marian Campground

    2 Reviews
    Pine Mountain Club, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 245-3731

    "You have to go off-road a little but it’s nothing crazy. Most cars can get here. No water or bathrooms so be mindful but the campsite is awesome."

    "the campground has 4-5 spots with decent shade under the pine trees. no water or bathrooms (there is a pit toilet near the entrance at the caballo campground). fire road easily accessible by most 4WD cars"

    10. Reyes Creek Campground

    15 Reviews
    Pine Mountain Club, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $30 - $154 / night

    "It's about a 40 minute drive from the nearest town (and therefore the nearest gas station or market - plan ahead). There is no power, or water."

    "There is a bar at the campground entrance if that is your speed, but we took advantage of the winding creek side path behind site 18."

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Recent Reviews near Maricopa, CA

678 Reviews of 143 Maricopa Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Disp. Camping

    Open Space behind Love’s

    Great open space for smaller campers with the convenience of the travel stop and restaurants nearby. The larger RVs can park along the road or between the 16-wheelers.

  • S
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Anacapa Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Clean and easy access

    I love Carp State Beach campground. The proximity to everything Carpinteria is within a short walking distance. Staff and venue are amazing.

  • T
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Camp Comfort Park

    It's fine

    It's fine. It is a lower cost option although not exactly low cost. Website says $46 or $48 a night for full hook up but was actually $50 plus $15 (mandatory reservation fee). Farther off of 101 than what we would have liked but ok. Get quarters before you arrive if you want to shower and do laundry.

  • Amber R.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Bear Mountain RV Park

    Clean and friendly staff

    The shower/bathroom was kept very clean. Laundry was clean as well as the dog run. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Will definitely come back. Highly recommend

  • b
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Kern River Campground

    Very chill

    Great serene spot (aside from a few noisy campers) by the river, liked it so much we camped out for 3 days. Great price too! Close enough to civilization but far enough you forget it's nearby. Would recommend!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Carpenteria State Beach

    Good location

    This was our first stop out of LA, great location. The beach was nice but beware of tar staining. The showers required tokens but the token machine was out of order. A bit annoying for the price of the site.

  • Lee-Ann C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Steckel Park

    Beautiful location

    The camp host came over shortly after we arrived and was very kind and friendly. I appreciate that they enforce quiet hours! The lots were not very private but they were clean and having full hookups was great. The location is pretty, on a creek. And there’s a playground and aviary which our whole family enjoyed. We’ll plan to go back when it’s not so hot!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Dennison Park

    Great spot close to downtown Ojai

    Firstly camp host knocked it out of the park. Site had water which was a nice surprise and very well kept bathrooms. Pay attention to RV vs Tent sites. This was my backup as Wheeler has closed for a bit. It was nice to be so close to downtown and we went there for a bit to get away from the heat. No natural water on site so if you love a creek look elsewhere.


Guide to Maricopa

Camping near Maricopa, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do

  • Boating and Fishing: At Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, you can enjoy kayaking and fishing. One reviewer mentioned, "The lake is perfect for boating, but since it’s a drinking water reservoir, there is no body contact with this body of water."
  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails around Lopez Lake Recreation Area. A visitor shared, "Hilly area, lots of trails, lots of rain," highlighting the area's natural beauty.
  • Beach Activities: If you head to Refugio State Beach Campground, you can enjoy beachside fun. One camper noted, "Every campsite is a few steps from the beach, made picturesque by a line of palm trees."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for El Capitán State Beach Campground stated, "The bathrooms were fairly clean and there are showers."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Lake Casitas Recreation Area. One visitor mentioned, "The sites are clean and the pads are very flat. Makes leveling a breeze."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpful staff. A review for Bakersfield River Run RV Park said, "The staff are great."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Emma Wood State Beach, have very few amenities. A camper noted, "Completely dry camping with no showers or bathrooms."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near train tracks. A visitor at Refugio State Beach Campground mentioned, "There is also a railroad track just east of the campground."
  • Wildlife Caution: If you're camping at Wheeler Gorge Campground, keep an eye out for bears. One camper shared, "They let us know there was a bear in the area."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids, like Lake Casitas Recreation Area, which has a water park. A review mentioned, "There's a water park here as well."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to bring bikes for the trails. A family reviewer at Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach said, "The trail that goes to the end of the campground is always a fun bike ride."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A camper at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "The camp store offers enough grocery supplies in case you forgot something."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Bakersfield River Run RV Park noted, "The pull-through sites alternate direction of entry."
  • Be Prepared for Fees: Some campgrounds charge extra for pets or amenities. A visitor at Lake Casitas Recreation Area mentioned, "They nickel and dime a lot of things, showers pets."
  • Bring Your Own Water: Many campgrounds, like Wheeler Gorge Campground, don’t have water available. A camper advised, "Overall the campsite had a great vibe, but not having water was a bummer."

Camping around Maricopa, CA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful California outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Maricopa, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Maricopa, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 143 campgrounds and RV parks near Maricopa, CA and 13 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Maricopa, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Maricopa, CA is Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area with a 4.1-star rating from 14 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Maricopa, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Maricopa, CA.

What parks are near Maricopa, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Maricopa, CA that allow camping, notably Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument.