149 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
from $7 - $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"At the mentioned location we soon encountered a sign saying the motorized vehicles are prohibited from that point on."
"I’d suggest going a bit further in the plains on the main road and taking a further turnout to have some shorter grasses. really nice area though and no one around!"
from $40 / night
Check Availability"Town is close by. Fishing is on sight. Check out pictures on hipcamp."
"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"
"Nice sunset views, and trails nearby. Enjoyed hearing the coyotes sing at sunset. Clean bathrooms. Park-like setting."
"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"
from $30 - $154 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $30 - $154 / night
Check Availability"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"
GuideWe had a great spot near the river. The restrooms were clean and the hookups were great. The camp host was friendly and there were several people at the camp, but it was very quiet. We will be back.
RangerThis campground has many wonderful features, but also some issues. Here on a Friday night in July and all sites were taken - many family groups, here to enjoy their boats and jet skis on the lake. There are new bathrooms, that have separate toilet and shower rooms. They were clean when we arrived at 5pm, but by 9 pm the toilets were clogged and the shower rooms dirty. Grateful for our cassette toilet! Avoid the older buildings with toilets only. The women’s sink was clogged, the seats are metal and no latch or difficult to latch doors. The men’s were a clogged mess.
As one other reviewer noted, the ground is pocketed with ground critter holes. There are grassy areas to pitch a tent in most sites.
Our campsite was not clean when we arrived - bits of garbage, broken glass, dog poops throughout. We spent some time cleaning up so we and our dog could safely walk around.
I am sure it is a much more pleasant experience in the off season or mid-week. The lake is beautiful, many sites have new picnic tables and the new bathrooms and showers are nice when clean. The sites are well spaced, and when reserving, you can opt of shade, partial shade or no shade. All sites have electrical and water.!
TravelerThis is such a cute and non expensive spot. They allow RV's and Tent camping. It's a dry camp so no hook ups or showers. Fun hiking trails and animal friendly, with a river across from the camp ground.Each spot has a table and fire pit. Playground has only two swings and a 4 horse shoe pits. Only con is the highway is right by so you hear alot of the traffic during the day and a little through out the night. Over all we've loved it and the camp host is very friendly and keeps the property looking beautiful.
ScoutWe have camped at Carp for 30 years - brought our grandchildren this year - felt unsafe for the first time - and rangers blew us off causing us to have to camp next to an illegal homeless camper with a pitbull next to our 2 year old and 6 mth old - he screamed at all hours at his dog on a 20 ft leash - I heard say on his phone that his dog has mange - he was allowed to camp illegally in bicycle only camp site and next to the visitor center- without a tent and his worldly possessions spread out everywhere - when I complained ranger said he was sweet - I know bicycle campers rode by when they saw him in their site, pitbull and tarps and stuff spread all over site - I know others did not go to visitor center because of him - ranger told me he and his dog are “sweet” - we found him to be an intimidating freeloader - we left early
TravelerAnacapa loop is a good spot for tent camping. Trailers work, too. On busy summer weekends, the campgrounds can be loud because its so much fun. A lot of people come from inland where its hot. This loop has space, though. You will have enough room for 2-3 tents. It is easy walking distance to a playground, a big field, the beach, the little town. It will be super fun with bikes for the kids, beach toys, all day at the beach, or letting older kids do their own thing given the small town!
TravelerCarpinteria is a cute town with a great campground. To enjoy camping there, you do need to pick the right loop, right spot, or bring the right equipment. The loops vary. The good news is that even if you have a bad spot, you are easy walking distance to fantastic beaches and tide pools and a cute town. If you bring bikes, you can bike to everything and really explore. It's perfect for kids on bikes, as well. They go around the loop, or loop to loop with a bridge, or if older, they can go on the short trails or go into town on their own! It's really a great place, just plan on camping off-season or setting up alerts to grab canceled spots last minute.
ScoutGreat spot. Easy to get to in my car but definitely into the mountains so had to meander the mountain roads to get there. Gorgeous view along a wash. Easy enough to park. Very serene. One bummer is just the amount of sap if you park under the tree. I just moved the car over a bit. Enjoy!
ScoutI have stayed here in May June and July. The summer months have us switching spots or outright leaving for a day or two but the office is really accommodating, especially for longer term stays.
ScoutBooked last minute, got a great site. Just what we needed, some easy hook ups.
Camping near Maricopa, California ranges across elevations from 1,200 to 8,300 feet, creating diverse microclimates throughout the region. Summer temperatures in lower elevation sites regularly exceed 100°F, while higher mountain campgrounds can drop below freezing at night even in summer months. Road access varies significantly with seasonal conditions, particularly during winter storms when dirt roads become impassable.
Hiking access from camp: San Emigdio Campground offers numerous trails within a 15-minute walk from campsites. "Lots of cool trails within 15 min walk of camp sight," notes camper Stephanie L., who recommends watching for rattlesnakes while exploring.
Stargazing opportunities: Carrizo Plain National Monument provides exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. Jonathan E. reports, "The stars were also quite visible with minimal light pollution. The area is hilly and beautiful with enough flatness and openness to pitch a tent without issue."
Fishing on-site: Some properties like 10 Star Ranch offer fishing without leaving your campsite. William R. mentions, "This place is an oasis. Excellent water from the spigot. Fishing is on sight."
Wildlife observation: Campgrounds throughout the region provide opportunities to observe diverse wildlife. At KCL Campground, Chanel C. reports, "So much nature to see around! We saw kangaroo rats, bats, hawks, rabbits, ground squirrels (that are going extinct), and lots of fun insects. In the evening we heard lots of coyotes in the distance."
Quiet atmosphere: Campo Alto Campground receives high marks for its peaceful setting. "A great campground if you truly want to get away. This campground doesn't have much to offer in the sense of amenities but if you're looking for peace, quiet and few people then this is the spot," writes Lisa.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds feature widely spaced sites for privacy. At Songdog Ranch, Jenny S. found, "The sites are spacious with potable water and the chemical toilets are actually clean. The host is friendly and sells wood, if you don't bring enough."
Night sounds: Natural soundscapes enhance the camping experience. Michelle M. writes about KCL Campground, "It's an inspiring place for creativity. I was so happily surprised to hear a group of really excellent blue grass musicians playing from the campsite across from mine during the first few days when I arrived."
Sunrise views: Certain sites offer particularly good positioning for morning views. At McGill Campground, one camper reported their site (#56) was "in perfect alignment of gorgeous sunrises and sunsets" and recommended it as having a "FANTASTIC view, shaded, flat ground for the tent, plenty of space by the table and fire."
Ground conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven ground due to wildlife. At Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area, Bob H. notes, "Ground was rough due to holes made by squirrel population," while another camper mentioned, "The campground is full of pocket gophers and ground squirrels so lots of uneven ground."
Weather extremes: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. Jonathan E. at Carrizo Plain warns, "It was about 15 degrees (F) colder than was forecasted (20 F vs 35 F) at night, so be prepared to be a bit chilly if visiting during the winter."
Road conditions: Access roads to remote sites can be challenging. Gabriel R. warns about KCL Campground, "Because of recent rains, it made the dirt roads a bit muddy and difficult for my small car. Lost traction in a few areas and it can be a bit bumpy."
Water availability: Many sites lack reliable water. Stephanie F. notes about KCL Campground, "Be prepared to bring your own water, the single spigot isn't potable due to agricultural nitrate impact on the water table."
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area offers amenities that appeal to families. Gabby T. shares, "It's my second camping trip and I was happy to say this place made me feel safe. Family friendly clean it was great."
Trail exploration: Some campgrounds feature beginner-friendly trails. At KCL Campground, one visitor notes, "There are tons of trails and places to explore. We even got to explore the last standing structure of the original ranch."
Winter camping: Lower temperatures create more comfortable conditions for family camping. Cathy C. reports about Buena Vista, "We chose a water front non electric site, of which there are only a few, and enjoyed the birds and squirrels. Almost no one here."
Insect preparation: Flies and bees can be problematic in warmer months. A Campo Alto camper warns, "There's a large fly & bee population... the bees swarmed our dogs water & our hand water station. Leaving any uncovered water out for more than 2 minutes meant it was full of drowning bees."
Campsite layout: At Buena Vista, RV sites have a unique arrangement. Wendy S. explains, "The campsites are unique in that they are all pull through, but really pull along. There's lots of space and you are not on top of each other."
Late arrivals: Some campgrounds allow after-hours check-in. Danielle L. found at Buena Vista, "We brought our RV and we pulled in very late at night. But it worked out because we were able to park in a spot and hook up to the power and then pay for the spot in the morning."
Road clearance: High-clearance vehicles may be needed for certain locations. About KCL Campground, Michelle M. advises, "The 19-mile access road from highway 33 can be grueling in places with heavy washboard. But for the walks, stargazing, creative inspiration and abundant wildlife, the payoff is well worth the driving effort."
Group camping options: For RV groups, some sites offer shared arrangements. At Campo Alto, Lisa recommends, "We shared sites 9 and 10 with our friends. Those sites are perfect for friends and/or families to share. They are connected to each other and separated with a short driveway off the main campground road."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Maricopa, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Maricopa, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Maricopa, CA and 12 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 3.9-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Maricopa, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 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.
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