Dispersed camping near Piru, California primarily centers on Los Padres National Forest, which spans elevations from 1,800 to over 8,800 feet across rugged terrain. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations. Most camping areas require Adventure Passes for vehicle parking, available for $5 daily or $30 annually from forest service offices or select retailers.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Hiking to Chorro Grande trail provides access to Oak Camp, located about 1.5 miles from the trailhead. "This site is next to chorro grande trail which is about a 9 mile hike. After your long hike of you want to rest go up the mountain site across and it's an awesome place to camp out," notes Jessica P. about Los Padres NF - Dispersed Camp.
Swimming holes: During spring and early summer months, several creek areas offer natural swimming opportunities. At Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon, camper robherr notes, "This is a fairly easy hike through what would not be considered a typical hike. It starts off going through Thomas Aquinas College, winding through horse property and oil fields, before finally opening up into Santa Paula Canyon."
Stargazing and city views: Several overlook areas provide exceptional night sky viewing combined with city lights below. "Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that. Next night we moved to the other look out," reports Nicole D. who camped at Angeles Crest Overlook.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Many dispersed sites experience significant differences in traffic and noise levels depending on day of week. "During the week it's more quiet. Close to town so that is a plus. Would recommend to smaller vans or car sleepers," advises Nicole D. about camping at Angeles Crest Overlook to LA.
Morning views: Scenic vistas are particularly remarkable during early daylight hours. Mareike W. found that Morrow hill dispersed offered a "Great view in the morning, beautiful. Would def come back" despite challenging road access.
Accessible wilderness: Several areas provide wilderness experiences within reasonable distances from civilization. "I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so," reports Jaydon C. about their Angeles Crest experience.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Adventure Passes are required for parking at most sites. "We had a great and quiet night up there in our 21ft RV. But the road is a little tricky and we almost wouldn't have driven there. Make sure, you really stay at the place up the hill (coordinates) otherwise the landlord will clarify that you're on private property," warns Mareike W. about specific boundaries at Morrow Hill.
Restricted camping zones: Not all roadside areas permit overnight stays. Paul O. cautions about Los Padres NF - Dispersed Camp: "There is a nice hike-in campsite about 1.5 miles up the Chorro Grande trail called Oak Camp. I think the other review here might be unintentionally implying that camping along the 33 is allowed. It isn't."
Security concerns: Some roadside parking areas experience traffic throughout the night. "There's a white van that teams up with a black truck they tried to break in my car while I was sleeping. It is very dangerous and luckily I carry at all times and have cameras," reports Joseph R. about Angeles Crest Overlook.
Tips for camping with families
Trail camping accessibility: When camping with children, consider distance and terrain difficulty. "This is a fairly easy hike through what would not be considered a typical hike...when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there," shares robherr about Chorma Camp in Matilija Wilderness.
Wind exposure: Some sites experience significant wind, affecting tent setup and comfort. Robherr notes about Chorma Camp: "Situated high on a bluff it gets lots of wind, and with very little shelter around to break it, if you camp here you will get the brunt of it."
Pack out trash: Popular areas often suffer from litter issues. "Please pack out your trash. Because this hike is local and easy, there are many party people that frequent the area and leave their trash," advises robherr regarding Big Cone Camp.
Tips from RVers
Road clearance requirements: Forest roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. At Morrow Hill, Mareike W. reports: "We had a great and quiet night up there in our 21ft RV. But the road is a little tricky and we almost wouldn't have driven there."
Overnight parking limitations: Many overlooks function primarily as viewpoints rather than dedicated camping areas. Andrew S. notes about Angeles Crest Overlook: "This is literally just a roadside pull-off. Only really useful in a pinch. No space for a tent. Sleep in your vehicle."
Cell service availability: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "Unfortunately I didn't have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary," reports Jaydon C. about Angeles Crest Overlook, contrasting with Iris A.'s experience at the same location: "There are no toilets, campfire sites or shade but good cell service."
