Best Campgrounds near Port Hueneme, CA

The coastal region surrounding Port Hueneme, California features a diverse array of camping options within a 30-mile radius, primarily focused on beachfront and ocean-view experiences. Point Mugu State Park, located just south of Port Hueneme, offers both Thornhill Broome Beach and Sycamore Canyon campgrounds with direct beach access and canyon settings. The Point Mugu Recreation Facility in Port Hueneme itself provides full-service camping with hookups for RVs, tent sites, and cabin accommodations. Ventura County's coastal campgrounds extend north to Emma Wood State Beach and Faria Beach Park, where campers can experience oceanfront RV camping with minimal amenities but maximum proximity to the Pacific.

Reservations are essential for most coastal campgrounds, particularly during summer months when beach sites fill months in advance. Many campgrounds in the region operate year-round due to Southern California's mild climate, though winter can bring occasional storms and rain. As one camper noted at Faria Beach Park, "Dolphins passing by constantly, small campground so few people around even when full." Train tracks run parallel to several coastal campgrounds, creating occasional noise disruption, though many visitors report the sound of waves drowns out passing trains. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans possible during high fire danger periods. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the coastal areas but can be spotty in canyon locations like Leo Carrillo State Park.

Beach access dominates the camping experience in this region, with tidepools, wildlife viewing, and ocean recreation serving as primary attractions. According to a visitor at Emma Wood State Beach, "At high tide the ocean comes right up to your doorstep, watch where you park if you don't want the waves crashing and splashing all over your rig and camp area." Campground amenities vary widely, from the minimal facilities at Emma Wood (RVs only, no restrooms) to the full-service hookups at Ventura Beach RV Resort. Highway noise affects some locations, particularly those closest to Pacific Coast Highway. For those seeking alternatives to coastal camping, Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers lakeside sites about 20 miles inland with fishing, boating, and family activities including a water park during summer months.

Best Camping Sites Near Port Hueneme, California (135)

    1. Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park

    36 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $35 / night

    "Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in souther California. I have to note the bathrooms are absolutely terrible."

    "You are so close to the water and there is plenty of space between you and your neighbor. When we were there many people had RVs so there were only a few tents."

    2. Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park

    34 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $45 / night

    "Fantastic body surfing, some good surf waves up the highway a bit. There is a backpacking access site as well up the canyon about 3 miles."

    "If you love Fall and trees and the California golden sun... this place is the place to be! It has it all in one."

    3. Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $45 - $60 / night

    "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."

    "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool."

    4. Emma Wood State Beach

    27 Reviews
    Ventura, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 585-1850

    $40 / night

    "There are no toilet facilities here (there are some portapotties at the entrance though - those might be for staff though.).  

    The only "amenity" this place offers is trash and recycling bins.  "

    "We parked next to the sea wall great view of the ocean. Ocean almost comes to your door step"

    5. Point Mugu Recreation Facility

    13 Reviews
    Port Hueneme, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 989-8407

    "The tent sites are very basic and very close together, but the surroundings are worth it!"

    "This is a wonderful campground right next to the beach however it is only available to the military and their families."

    6. Lake Casitas Recreation Area

    39 Reviews
    Oak View, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 649-2233

    "This campground is located in Santa Barbara County just west of Ojai. Beautiful mountain scenery. It’s great for tents and RVs.

    The lake offers fishing and boating, no body contact."

    "A nice feature, (we did not take advantage of), is there is a water slide park near the entrance. As far as I know, this is a separate fee, but nothing astronomical."

    7. Ventura Beach RV Resort

    15 Reviews
    Ventura, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 643-9137

    "The Ventura Beach RV Resort is very nice and a short bike ride or walk from the beach or town. Stay away from the sites in the first row closest to the freeway as those tend to flood."

    "Walking distance to beach. Taken well care of. Nice store on grounds. Pool and spa on site."

    8. Rincon Parkway RV Overnight

    17 Reviews
    Oak View, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    $43 - $47 / night

    "127 Slanted or parallel dry camp asphalt spots located along the Pacific Ocean and PCH approx 8 miles north of Ventura and 20 miles south of Santa Barbara off the Seaside Exit."

    "We had a dog and newly walking baby with us, so we REALLY had to keep an eye on both of them.  We brought little baby gates which helped. "

    9. Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    50 Reviews
    Carpinteria, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 968-1033

    $45 - $180 / night

    "We live in nearby Santa Barbara, but will use Carp State Beach as a midway meeting point when friends from Southern California and Central California meet up."

    "I naively thought the campgrounds wouldn’t be open to capacity and I was hoping for camping not so close to other campers."

    10. Faria Beach Park

    12 Reviews
    Oak View, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    $30 - $65 / night

    "Dolphins passing by constantly, small campground so few people around even when full. Limited hours but cute little cafe. Quarter hott showers and clean bathrooms. It was 70’ in December."

    "Location: right off the highway, don’t hear the highway though, low traffic and loud waves Cleanliness: sites and bathrooms kept very clean. Bathrooms/showers: great and clean !!"

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Recent Reviews near Port Hueneme, CA

820 Reviews of 135 Port Hueneme Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Malibu Beach RV Park

    Great Family Vacation

    Perfect weekend getaway for the family! Loved the store and how close to the beach this place was. Will definitely be coming back!!

  • 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.

  • B
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Tapo Canyon Park

    Favorite spot near LA

    The Camp Hosts here are Very Friendly and welcoming, the campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon.

  • 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!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Great trip/great site!

    This place is great! We stayed on site 59 and it had so much space you can fit a ton of people on the site. We had a beautiful, big tree and a great view in the back of the site. Site 62 had the most beautiful view but no shade, but I want to book it for the cooler months. Showers and bathrooms were pristine!! Can’t wait to go back!

  • 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 Port Hueneme

Camping near Port Hueneme, CA, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a beachside retreat or a forest escape, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

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... kayaking, canoeing, fishing or sailing on the lake is the perfect way to spend the afternoon."
  • Beach Access: Thornhill Broome Beach is right on the beach. A camper shared, "Can't beat camping on the beach... All the camp spots are right on the beach."
  • Hiking Trails: Malibu Creek State Park Campground offers great hiking trails. One visitor noted, "There are great hikes just off the campsite with amazing views over the state park and the Pacific Ocean."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views at Malibu Beach RV Park. One guest said, "Every spot has a great view of the Pacific Ocean from high upon a cliff!"
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer from El Capitán State Beach Campground mentioned, "This campground is clean and quiet... very clean and well maintained."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Lake Casitas Recreation Area is great for families. A camper noted, "This is a huge place, with lots to do... good for families or big groups."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Wheeler Gorge Campground, have limited facilities. A visitor mentioned, "No running water available; fire ban... the vault toilets are fine."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Campgrounds can get busy, especially during summer. One camper at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area said, "It was off-season, so I imagine it would be an entirely different experience in the summer when all amenities were offered."
  • Noise Levels: Some sites are near highways, which can be noisy. A reviewer at Point Mugu State Park noted, "The campground was full but not too noisy."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Carpinteria State Beach, where kids can enjoy the beach. A family shared, "The beaches are always nice... Carp itself is one of my favorite little towns."
  • Plan Activities: Bring bikes for trails or beach games. One camper at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "The trail that goes to the end of the campground is always a fun bike ride."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks on hand can keep everyone happy. A reviewer at Lake Casitas Recreation Area said, "The camp store offers enough grocery supplies in case you forgot something."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have small sites. A reviewer at Leo Carrillo State Park noted, "The sites are small. It is very difficult to back in to a spot when you have campers across from your campsite."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Be prepared for limited amenities. A camper at Wheeler Gorge Campground mentioned, "No water and the vault toilets are fine."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Campgrounds like Malibu Beach RV Park are close to local attractions. One visitor said, "The park was beautiful and so was the location... the staff was friendly."

Camping around Port Hueneme, CA, offers a variety of experiences, from beach fun to forest adventures. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Port Hueneme campground located?

Port Hueneme is located on California's southern coast in Ventura County, between Oxnard and Malibu. The area offers several camping options nearby, though not directly in Port Hueneme itself. The closest dedicated facility is Point Mugu Recreation Facility, which serves as the primary campground option near Port Hueneme. For those seeking alternatives, Emma Wood State Beach is located just north in Ventura, offering oceanfront camping with convenient access to the Port Hueneme area. Both locations provide strategic bases for exploring the coastal region while enjoying proximity to Port Hueneme's amenities.

What amenities are offered at Port Hueneme camping sites?

Camping options near Port Hueneme offer various amenities to enhance your stay. At Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach, you'll find basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and showers. The campground caters to various camping styles with sites that accommodate both tents and RVs. Another nearby option, Dennison Park, provides fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. Sites vary in size and terrain, so checking dimensions when reserving is recommended. Many campgrounds in the area provide water spigots in common areas rather than individual hookups. Amenities typically include trash service, though specific offerings may change seasonally.

Are there RV parks available in Port Hueneme?

Yes, there are RV accommodation options near Port Hueneme. Rincon Parkway RV Overnight provides oceanfront RV camping along the coast between Ventura and Port Hueneme, offering big-rig-friendly sites with spectacular ocean views. For those seeking a more developed facility, Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area offers spacious camping areas that easily accommodate RVs with ample separation between sites. Some areas include fenced sections with picnic tables and pergolas. Both locations are reservable, though availability varies seasonally with higher demand during summer months. While hookups may be limited at these locations, they provide convenient access to Port Hueneme's attractions.