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Camping options around Piru, California include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and access types. Lake Piru Recreation Area serves as the primary destination, offering both tent and RV sites with hookups, while nearby Kenney Grove Park and Tapo Canyon Park provide additional developed camping areas. The region contains a mix of water-oriented recreation sites and more secluded canyon locations, most within 30 minutes of Piru proper, with several campgrounds featuring full hookups for recreational vehicles.
Seasonal considerations play a significant role in the camping experience near Piru. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, making spring and fall ideal for tent camping. "The lake can be a bit choppy mid morning to afternoon, we tried canoeing on it. Although it was fun it was a workout getting back to the shore," noted one visitor about Lake Piru. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though water levels at Lake Piru fluctuate significantly due to drought conditions, affecting water recreation opportunities. Cell service varies considerably throughout the region, with AT&T providing the most consistent coverage, while other carriers have limited or no service in canyon areas such as Tapo Canyon Park.
Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities as a highlight at most established campgrounds near Piru. Lake Piru Recreation Area receives positive feedback for its spacious sites and wildlife viewing opportunities, with several visitors noting regular deer sightings in the campground. Proximity to Los Angeles makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations, resulting in crowded conditions on summer weekends but relatively quiet weekdays. As one camper observed, "I spent a couple months here, off season and rarely did I have neighbors except maybe on a weekend. Most of the time it was 90% empty." Bathroom and shower facilities at most campgrounds are well-maintained, though showers typically require quarters. The balance of natural setting with accessible amenities makes the Piru area appealing for both experienced campers and those seeking more comfortable outdoor accommodations.
"Enjoy a walk around the lake, or head out onto the water for wakeboarding."
"We were placed away from all the tent campers. Staff was friendly and helpful. Tighter spots for anything over 25ft. ONLY AT&T works. Wifi is $9/day for one device."
from $38 - $50 / night
Check Availability"It’s tucked away from the street and you almost wouldn’t know it’s there! Loved this small and well kept campsite. Some of the sites are very small."
"Ok, so first off driving into this place feels a little "Texas Chainsaw" but don't worry, its fine."
"This is a very nice campground near everything but still away from it all. No issues parking our 42' 5th wheel here. Clean and quiet despite the peacocks. They can be rather loud when startled."
"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.
The campground is small, quiet and very well-kept."
"Gorgeous location right on the lake, the waters clear and there’s a generous amount of trees surrounding for shade."
"Just a 1 min walk down the hill to the lake - a perfect place to have my morning coffee! They allowed pets which is awesome. Super quiet, lots of stars, and a beautiful view. Couldn’t ask for better!"
"It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."
"The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."
from $45 - $225 / night
Check Availability"Stopped here overnight from San Diego traveling up to Northern California. Nice little spot past the craziness of LA. It’s just off the highway which makes it an easy stop."
"*** this review refers to the Oak Flat campground along the Sespe trail and is accessible by backpackers only, 7 miles from Piedra Blaca parking lot***."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"It was a quick drive up the coast and onto this hidden gem. You get access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you. Perfect place for families or even RVs."
"Nice big spots, close to the beach. Very quite. Needs to reserve at California State parks website. Dump station and water fill up on your way out not on the campsite, but thats no issue for us."
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Our lot was secluded, private and close to the entrance/exit. The only thing was the unlevel ground we were on. Our RV was a simple 30’ rental without any leveling."
"Feels far from everything, but is only a short drive from LA/SFV. The adjacent town of Santa Paula is a great place to spend time."
"A little remote and you have to drive to the nearest town(s), but clean grounds and nice site. Very easy to book online. The RV park is pretty large so it's a nice daily walk."
"I didn’t actually stay here as I was looking for a tent camping spot, but I did drive around the facility and it was super clean and looked like a great spot if you’ve got an RV."
"It seems the campsite attracts a rowdy crowd but that's expected so close to the city. Still, noisy neighbors was definitely the most negative aspect of our stay."
"On a Sunday night most sites are empty and our site, away from the road, is pretty quiet The full service sites were mostly full and unshaded and there was a big and loud group."
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.
ScoutLove this place so much that our family canceled reservations at two other places to spend a few extra nights. The views are fantastic, the bathroom and showers are so clean, and the delicious seafood restaurant a walk down the hill is just a bonus. Staff were kind and helpful at check-in. It's a great base camp to explore the LA area. We tent camped here 20 years ago and when we came back this time with our RV it was even better than we remembered.
Scoutdon’t try to reach out to this park via phone with any questions, they won’t answer you. they won’t even answer the phone when their own reservation agents are calling them. gates close strictly at 10 so if you’re camping here make sure to show up by then. showed up at 9:58 after leaving a music festival early to make sure i made it on time, and their staff was immensely rude to me about not making it on time. the morning staff is incredibly nice, apologizing for the problems and giving me advice. the night staff though has a problem and they take it out on their visitors. for how rude they were to me, somehow the campsite across from me showed up at 11pm, so seems like they pick and choose who to give problems. avoid camping here. campsites are very close together and nothing special.
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!
LegendGeneral: Two sections: RV camping and dry camping
Site Quality: If you have a larger RV and/or need hookups, you will be in a parking space with ZERO privacy between spaces (it is literally a parking space!). If you have a small RV or van conversion (smaller than 19 feet), there is dry camping. Concrete driveway; minimal privacy but a direct view of the beach. You must have a bed, dinette, sink, and small water supply to be in these spots. A concrete picnic table is included in each site.
Bath/Shower: Six-digit codes (that change regularly) needed to enter (and a different one for each bathroom). One all-in-one with a sink, toilet, urinal, and diaper changing station. The other has two shower stalls, two toilets, and one sink. The shower in the one closest to the dry camping area left much to be desired. I couldn’t get the ADA-accessible shower to work, and the other one had a push-button flow that took some time to get warm and had to be repeatedly pushed to complete the shower. Hooks and bench are outside the shower stall, compromising privacy. My biggest disappointment, however, was that there were NO electrical outlets. I took a chance and walked to the other end of the campground (by the entrance and full hookup sites) where I discovered the bathroom was much nicer. Not only did it have electrical outlets, but it looked like the showers were much nicer.
Activities/Amenities: You are right on the beach! There is a paved path for walking, running, or bicycling. Laundry was temporarily out of order when we were there.
There are very limited options for camping in this area, and the price was $55/night for dry camping. You are in the direct flight path of LAX, so have earplugs at the ready if the sound of jet planes overhead is not your thing!
The Piru area camping experience centers on a cluster of campgrounds at various elevations ranging from 900 to 1,800 feet across Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Seasonal temperatures fluctuate dramatically with winter lows occasionally dipping below freezing and summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F. Most campgrounds in the region sit within 20-30 minutes of Piru proper, with several offering mountain views contrasted by nearby agricultural landscapes.
Hiking nearby trails: At Malibu Creek State Park, explore former movie sets on accessible trails. "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," notes a visitor who enjoyed spotting abundant wildlife including a pair of bobcats near a running creek.
Archery lessons: Tapo Canyon Park offers weekend archery opportunities for families. "There is archery with lessons for kids on the weekends. Very fun! If you are new to RV camping, it's a good place to practice," explains a regular visitor who appreciates the facility's beginner-friendly approach.
Wildlife viewing: Visit the aviary and watch for peacocks at Steckel Park. "When you drive in you pass by a large aviary (yup you read that right!) and apparently there's wild peacocks that live here too!" One visitor was particularly delighted by "A family of 2 peahens, a peacock, and 3 babies hung out near the creek. Beautiful birds."
Privacy options: Kenney Grove Park offers secluded sites in less crowded sections. "We picked a site towards the back (which actually once you drive through is closest to the main street but no street noise whatsoever). Our area was a bit more spread out than the central area which was louder and felt more crowded as we walked through," explains one camper who appreciated the park's layout.
Outdoor recreation: Lake Piru Recreation Area provides multiple activities beyond just camping. "Great campground outside LA. Weekly/monthly rates. 120 day max per year, seasonal limits. Full hookups at about 10-15 sites and the other 160 Mostly water/electric. Deer in site nightly, many movie companies film here at and around the lake. Boating, fishing, disc golf," notes a long-term visitor.
Budget-friendly options: Oak Flat Campground provides affordable access with the Adventure Pass. "Free with the purchase of the adventure pass. I was here during the week and it was quiet and uneventful. Plenty of shade and simple. A bit of traffic noise but not too bad," reports one camper who stayed during a longer journey through Southern California.
Limited cellular coverage: Service varies significantly by location and provider. At Tapo Canyon Park, "DO NOT expect cell service. I could only work from this spot by placing my mobile HomeFi router on top of the camper. Our Verizon phones were paper weights."
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations before planning campfires. At Oak Flat, a recent camper noted: "You cannot have any cooking or fires right now. Only cooking inside."
Permit requirements: Several campgrounds require passes or permits. For Oak Flat, "You do need an Adventure pass to stay here, available at the 76 gas station near by - $5 a day or $30 for the whole year. FYI NO water available tho, so pack it in and pack it out."
Wildlife precautions: Mountain lions have been spotted at multiple campgrounds. A Tapo Canyon visitor warns, "Pet friendly but be careful at night. Mountain lions were spotted while there."
Playgrounds and activities: Ventura Ranch KOA offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "They have a very large jumping pillow for kiddos, my 6 year had a blast playing on it. They also have a zip line, but it was damaged in the large fire last year, and is being fixed currently. There is a stream that runs thru the property, it was fun to explore."
Swimming access: Lake access policies differ across campgrounds. At Castaic Lake, one frustrated visitor noted, "Swimming only allowed at their 'swimming beach' and only while life guard on duty. And to use my inflatable kayak, I have to use their boat launch and pay a $9.00 fee."
Wildlife education: Take advantage of bird viewing opportunities. At Steckel Park, families appreciate "walking around the creek for an hour" and observing the peacocks, while Malibu Creek State Park visitors note "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear."
Bring quarters for showers: Most campgrounds with shower facilities require coins. At Kenney Grove, "Shower houses were lovely for a vanlifer like me; bring your quarters as they are coin operated."
Full hookup availability: Valencia Travel Village provides complete RV amenities. "Plenty of spots around the grounds with 30 and 50 amp hook ups. WiFi is included with 3 pools and a hot tube, small store, and a really nice laundry facility."
Dump station access: Check if on-site dumping is available. At Kenney Grove, one RVer noted "There is no dump station on site," while Ventura Ranch KOA visitors warn of "currently no dishwashing station and no dumping of grey water except at the dump station at the front of the camp."
Site layout considerations: Pay attention to hookup placement when reserving. At Kenney Grove, "Note, the full hook up sites are for Model A's. So hook ups are on the opposite side and really close to the 'entrance' so we couldn't back in, we had to parking our towing vehicle in the general parking area."
Length restrictions: Some of the best places to camp near Piru, California have size limitations. At Tapo Canyon Park, "No issues parking our 42' 5th wheel here," but other campgrounds may have more limited space for larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the camping options at Lake Piru Recreation Area?
Lake Piru Recreation Area offers spacious campsites with ample distance between neighbors. The recreation area features standard campsites suitable for both tents and RVs. The lake's convenient location makes it one of the closest lake camping destinations to surrounding communities. While Piru is smaller compared to other lakes in the region, its accessibility is a major advantage for weekend getaways. The campground's layout provides a comfortable camping experience with enough space to enjoy outdoor activities.
How much does it cost to camp at Lake Piru?
Camping fees at Lake Piru Recreation Area vary by season and site type. For more budget-friendly alternatives in the region, consider Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake, which offers dry camping at approximately 90 sites with water spigots available in common areas (though not for permanent hookup). Another economical option is Dennison Park, which features varied site sizes and configurations at reasonable rates through the Ventura County reservation system. Always check official websites for current pricing as rates may change seasonally.
What amenities are available at Lake Piru campgrounds?
Lake Piru Recreation Area provides fire rings/grills and picnic tables at each campsite. The campground features nice bathrooms with coin-operated facilities. Some sites offer partial shade for comfort during hot days. For those seeking alternative options in the region, Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area offers large camping areas with some fenced sections that include picnic tables and pergolas, making it ideal for groups who want privacy while still enjoying shared spaces.
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