Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Port Hueneme? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Port Hueneme, including sites, reviews, and tips. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your California tent camping excursion.
Fantastic ocean views and relaxing beach time is practically guaranteed at Scorpion Canyon Campground, the most family-friendly campsite on Santa Cruz Island. Set on the eastern part of the island, the campground is a short hike from the pier and is sheltered from harsh ocean winds. The largest of California's Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island is one of the five islands that make up the Channel Islands National Park. The island is rich in cultural history, magnificent landscapes, and unique flora and fauna. Native American Indians inhabited the island for over 10,000 years and Europeans explored and ranched on the island for over 150 years. Over 600 plant species, 140 land birds, 11 land mammals and a handful of amphibians and reptiles call the island their home. The island fox and island scrub-jay are exciting finds, as they're unique to the island, found nowhere else in the world. For more information about Santa Cruz Island visit: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/santa-cruz-island.htm .
With its easy beach access and generally good weather, this area offers the most recreational activities in the park, including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island. Guided kayak trips and kayak rentals must be arranged before arriving on the island. For more information about recreational activities in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/index.htm.
The beach near the campground is a mix of sand and rocks, and faces the Santa Barbara Channel. The campground is located in a valley with a mixture of trees and shrubs. Rugged mountain peaks rise above the campground to 1,808 feet.
Hiking options are unlimited and offer spectacular coastal views. Try the 2 mile round-trip Cavern Point Loop hike for views of the island's mountain peaks, and the southern California coastline. This popular hike takes you past antique ranching equipment and historic buildings for a taste of island ranch history. For more advanced hikers, tackle the 7.5-mile round-trip hike from the campground to Smugglers Cove.
$15 - $40 / night
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairwell from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views. Anacapa Island, the closest Channel Island to the mainland of California, is comprised of three islets (appropriately named East, Middle, and West Anacapa Islands). Waves have eroded the volcanic island, creating towering sea cliffs, sea caves, and natural bridges, such as forty-foot-high Arch Rock -- a symbol of Anacapa and Channel Islands National Park. Exploring East Anacapa's two-mile trail system allows visitors to experience the island's native vegetation, wildlife, and cultural history. The islands' native vegetation is recovering slowly with the help of the National Park Service's restoration efforts. This recovery, along with the removal of nonnative predators, has aided in the reestablishment of nesting land birds and seabirds. The island is one of the most important seabird nesting sites within the Channel Islands. While the steep cliffs of West Anacapa are home to the largest breeding colony of endangered California brown pelicans, all the islets of Anacapa host the largest breeding colony of western gulls in the world. The rocky shores of Anacapa are perfect resting and breeding areas for California sea lions and harbor seals. Anacapa's rich kelp forests (ideal for kayaking, snorkeling, and diving) and tidepool areas provide visitors with the opportunity to meet some of the resident ocean animals up close. Anacapa Island has a rich human history as well. Shell midden sites indicate where Chumash people camped on the islands thousands of years ago. In addition, visitors can view the 1932 light station. The original lead-crystal Fresnel lens, which served as a beacon to ships until an automated light replaced it in 1990, is on exhibit in the East Anacapa Visitor Center.
With two miles of hiking trails, ocean access nearby the campground, and generally good weather, Anacapa Island offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. In summer, rangers lead an underwater video program. The program includes live video footage of sea life which is projected for visitors to see. It's a great way to stay dry while viewing colorful sea creatures. Since Anacapa Island is a cliff island, access to the water is only at the Landing Cove via a dock. There are no other accessible beaches unless you have a watercraft. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island. For more information about recreational activities in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/index.htm.
Waves have eroded the 5-mile volcanic island, creating steep, towering sea cliffs, sea caves and natural bridges. Much of the year, the island vegetation looks brown, but the winter rain brings brightly-colored terrain. The altitude is low and ranges from sea level to 250 feet.
The Landing Cove near the campground is an ideal place for swimming, diving, snorkeling and kayaking, but there are no lifeguards on the island. The island is also home to just over two miles of trails that meander to dramatic overlooks and magnificent coastal views. All hikers must stay on the trails for visitor safety and to protect fragile vegetation and nesting seabirds. No off- trail hiking is allowed.
$15 / night
La Jolla Group
$225 / night
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date. Are you searching for a weekend getaway with mountain overlooks and sunny, sandy beaches? Your vacation destination may be a short drive from Los Angeles, California! Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers many opportunities to shake off the stresses of city life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in July and August. From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain retreat.
Tucked in the canyons above Malibu and nestled below majestic Boney Mountain, you will find Circle X Ranch. This former Boy Scout camp offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. Journey to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and see several of the Channel Islands on a clear day. Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a creekside picnic. Reserve the Group Camp and listen to coyote songs at night.
Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a picnic at the trailhead next to the campground. Grotto Trail 3.5 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous; no bikes, no horses. This trail traverses hillsides and leads down to the West Fork of the Arroyo Sequit. The trail is downhill from the Ranger Station, which means an uphill return. The Grotto area is rugged terrain; be careful and wear appropriate hiking attire. The last 1/8 mile is through an unimproved streambed and dogs are not allowed. The Ranger Contact Station can provide you with free hiking maps of Circle X Ranch. A publication of park-led activites for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is also available. Vists to nearby Malibu and the Pacific Ocean are just a short drive way.
$35 / night
For a truly remote getaway full of backpacking and breathtaking scenery, take a backcountry trip to Santa Cruz Island's Del Norte Campground. Del Norte is currently the only backcountry campground on Santa Cruz Island. The National Park Service opened this backcountry site in recognition of its rare wilderness values. As you explore these wild areas, please take the responsibility to help us protect and preserve these delicate natural resources for future generations. While backcountry camping is an incredible experience, it is not for the inexperienced backpacker. Due to difficult weather, rugged terrain, and off-trail hiking, backcountry camping is an arduous endeavor and should be undertaken only by experienced, well-conditioned backpackers. To reach this backcountry site, visitors will backpack along a historic ranch road/trail through a series of canyons and ridges, to a vista about 700 feet above sea level. This moderate to strenuous 3.5-mile hike from Prisoners Harbor travels through island oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub plant communities.
From Prisoners Harbor, the shortest route to the Del Norte Campground is 3.5 miles via the Del Norte Trail. Follow the Navy Road out of Prisoners Harbor for 1.5 miles (600-foot elevation gain; strenuous). This gravel road is still used daily by vehicles, so please use caution while hiking along it. During winter and spring, visitors need to be prepared for a wet creek crossing at Canada del Puerto in Prisoner's Harbor.At the signed turn-off for Del Norte Trail, leave the gravel road and continue east (left) along the trail for 1.8 miles. The trail winds up and down two canyons (Ca__ada del Agua and Ca__ada del Muro)) to the signed junction with the Del Norte Road that leads .2 miles to the campground. The longer route (5 miles), which provides views of the south side of the island, follows the Navy Road as it climbs 1,200 feet over 4 miles and eventually reaches the junction with the Del Norte Road. At the signed junction, turn north (left) and descend 1 mile to the campground.From Scorpion Anchorage, Del Norte Campground is approximately 12 miles via the Navy Road.Beach access is at Prisoners Harbor. There is no access to the beach at Del Norte Campground.Recreational activities on Santa Cruz Island include hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and wildlife/wildflower viewing. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island. Guided kayak trips and kayak rentals must be arranged before arriving on the island. For more information about recreational activities in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/index.htm .
Del Norte is nestled in a shaded oak grove and provides scenic views of the island's pristine coastline. The largest of California's Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island is one of the five islands that make up the Channel Islands National Park. The island is rich in cultural history, magnificent landscapes, and unique flora and fauna. Native American Indians inhabited the island for over 10,000 years and Europeans explored and ranched on the island for over 150 years. Over 600 plant species, 140 land birds, 11 land mammals and a handful of amphibians and reptiles call the island their home. The island fox and island scrub-jay are exciting finds, as they're unique to the island, found nowhere else in the world.
$15 / night
$150 / night
2800-foot elevation. 27 campsites. No water. Vault toilets. Campsites are first come - first served. RV's to 18'.
Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required, but the camping is free if you have one.
$5 / night
Now Open
Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
The park is located entirely within the Los Angeles city limits and is considered the world’s largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city. Excellent recreational opportunities for hikers as well as mountain bikers (restricted to fire roads) and equestrians.
The park is bound on the south by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, on the west by Topanga Canyon, and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Numerous geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations.
$7 / night
At an elevation of 7,000 feet, Reyes Peak Campground, rises above the Sespe Wilderness and is situated along a ridge with spectacular views of the Cuyama Badlands on one side and the Pacific Ocean from the other side. On clear days you can even see some of the Channel Islands!
Several trails leave the Reyes Peak Campground area. Chorro Grande Trail is located at the gate just past the last campsite. Raspberry Spring Trail will lead you north on a short one-half mile walk through the pines. It starts at the parking area on the western edge of the campground. The Reyes Peak Trail (23W04) is moderately difficult. It leads eastward into the Sespe Wilderness for 5.8 miles to the Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail (22W03). Remember, no mountain bikes are allowed in the wilderness.
The landscape includes Jeffrey pines, sugar pines, white fir and ponderosa pines. Wildflowers are abundant in the spring and early summer. Be dazzled by lupine, false lupine, scarlet bugler and many others. Keep your eyes open for red-tailed hawks soaring above the trees. If you are lucky, you may see a California condor! Other birds in the area include woodpeckers and chickadees. Deer, bear, and coyote also live in the area.
Hiking trails, biking and fishing are within 30 minutes. Take a day trip south along Hwy 33 to the Rose Valley Road (6N31) to the Piedra Blanca trailhead where three trails can be accessed, all located across Sespe Creek. The Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail (22W03) in the Sespe Wilderness will lead you to nearby massive white rocks, called Piedra Blanca! It is an easy walk for the first three miles. A principal attraction to this section of the Sespe is Rose Valley Falls. This trail to the falls begins just before you enter Rose Valley Campground. Follow it for a short half-mile and you will be at the base of the falls. The cliffs at the falls are arkosic sandstone and crumble easily, so tread lightly. Rose Valley Falls is the tallest waterfall in the range and while it is an easy hike to the base of the 100-foot tall lower tier of the waterfall (0.8 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain), it is adventure to reach the more impressive upper tier. Please do not climb around on steep sections or get close to the edge. You will need to park outside Rose Valley Campground to hike the trails. Another trail, the Sespe River Trail (20W13) will lead you downstream into the Sespe Wilderness. You will find some swimming holes along this walk. Remember, no mountain bicycles allowed on wilderness trails. If you would like to go on a mountain bicycle ride, take the Middle Sespe Trail (22W04) that leads up river eight miles to the west to Middle Sespe Trailhead.
$30 - $34 / night
Legend
We stayed here in June as part of a 3 week camping trip. Foster Residence was the closest to a city that we've stayed in, and that was apparent during the stay (i.e. we had 2 fuel canisters stolen, odd people obviously tweeking coming in the middle of the night and screaming obscenities the next morning, a couple families setting up next to us for the weekend for late night partying, lots of road traffic, etc.).
There are some reviews for this campground under Foster Park Campground. That is a separate campground right next to this one separated by a little nature trail. The same camp host manages both. Foster Park CG is RIGHT next to the road. But it does have a swing set with like one swing if that sways you. Foster Residence is otherwise the better choice.
The tent sites are further back into the trees and there is a lot of shade. When we pulled in, there was an oak branch down on top of our fire pit and picnic table. We tried to get the host, but he was unavailable. The next morning he stopped by and said he'd get maintance. I told him they can leave the wood next to the fire pit and we could burn some of it, and that's what we did. That came in handy because there were tons of biting flies. The smoke helped to control them while we were at the campsite. And on the subject of little flying things, there are also a lot of wasps in the area that LOVE meat. So if you are going to try to cook meat, just be aware that they will consider it theirs lol.
The bathroom is separated into male and female and the female has 2 toilet stalls with flushing toilets and stall doors that work and lock. Also a sink with running water, coconut-smelling hand soap, and hand dryers with warm air. I'm assuming the mens is similar.
The tent sites do not have electricity (normal for a tent site). We stayed for 6 nights and on the last morning we received a notice from a "park ranger" that privacy tents are not allowed due to sanitary concerns? That's like national park-level control-freakness there. There IS full cell service at site 14 and other random places in the campground area. There are no showers, no store, and there is plenty of potable water.
Overall, it was nice being able to tent camp so close to the beach (the reason we came to the area was for my son to take surf lessons... we live in the Midwest) and also not be IN the city. But the area was definitely not my kinda bag. Still, if I had to go back to the area, I'd probably stay again.
Legend
The Point Mugu NAS campground is part of the military MWR program, therefore you need to be active duty or retired from one of the uniformed services, or be sponsored by someone who is.
The campground is located right on the beach overlooking the iconic Point Mugu rock to the south, and a nice quiet estuary to the north that is full of birds, seals, and other wildlife. There is a whole spectrum of camping and lodging options svailable, from simple basic tent camping, to reserving one of their yurts, to car or RV camping with full hookups, to cabins and even a very nice beach motel. All are location by the base MWR outdoor recreation facility which has all kinds of beach and camping gear available to check out, like snorkels and surfboards and more, and staff to advise about local hiking and recreational trips in the area.
The tent sites are very basic and very close together, but the surroundings are worth it! We didnt stay in one of the yurts but hope to next time, they are beautiful and a nice intermediate option between tenting and motel. The RV area is heavily used but clean and nicely maintained, and in a beautiful location right on the beach!. The beach motel iis adjacent, and the cabins are located in a much more secluded area off on their own to the east.
The beach is beautiful, clean and well maintained and not as heavily used as the nearby state beaches off base, which is a real treat
There are a few base eateries and a grocery store on the base just a few minutes drive away so it is easy to restock provisions if needed.
The hiking opportunities within even half hour drive off base from the campground are amazing, lots of state parks, national forests, state beaches, nature preserves and more with incredible hiking trails. This location is also very convenient to Ventura where you can catch a national park ferry to the Channel Islands for day trips.
This campground is highly recommnded, and our favorite go-to place to stay whenever we are in the LA area!
Legend
Carpinteria State Beach Campground is a one of our frequently visited “staycation” spots. 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.
The campground is pretty large, and caters mostly to RVs and trailers. There are loops within the campground that are essentially just asphalt lots with small dirt spaces for fire pits and picnic benches - these are intended for RV campers, but we have tent camped there in a pinch. Since we are tent campers we do prefer to camp in the grassy tent sites, but they are limited in number and tend fill up quickly. Because of the moderate year-round weather, Carpinteria State Beach Campground stays pretty full all year long!
The campground has full hook ups, clean plumed bathrooms, and coin-operated showers. There are grocery stores and conscience stores within short walking distance for anything you might need. Train tracks run directly behind the campground, so there is some noise pollution from the passing trains.
The campground is at the very end of downtown Carpinteria, right next to the ocean. There are no “ocean front” sites, but the beach is a quick 1-minute walk from essentially anywhere in the campground. Some small sandy dunes separate the campground from the beach, and there is an accessible paved boardwalk running along the length of the dunes. There are beautiful tide pools just south of Carpinteria State Beach Campground that are a must see. Check the tide charts on the internet to visit the tide pools at low to mid tide.
While we really enjoy camp cooking, we tend to opt to walk into town to eat when camping in Carpinteria. Linden Avenue is right next to the campground, and is the main street in downtown Carpinteria. There is a wide variety of restaurants, breweries and coffee shops downtown. Island Brewery CO is a local favorite just on the edge of the campground - while I don’t think they have food available (yet), their beer is GREAT! Their avocado beer is a must try - I know it sounds weird, but it’s delicious (and doesn’t taste like avocados)! Rincon Brewery is a few blocks up from the campground, and also has great beer, and TASTY FOOD!
CAMPSITE SPECS
Fees: $45/night (normal campsite)
Plumbed Toilets: Yes
Drinking Water: Yes
Showers: Yes (coin-operated)
Picnic Table: Yes
Firepit: Yes
Cooking Grate: Yes
Shade: No
Cell Service: Yes
Animal Bins/Food lockers: No
Trash: Yes
Guide
Located right off highway 33 in Ventura California. This campground sits were the historical town of Foster Park once stood, which was torn down to build the highway. There are actually two campgrounds here separated by an abandoned road, Red Mountain and Foster Park residence campground. We stayed at the residence campground which offers some nice primitive tent sites. With lots of Boulders and old tables and abandoned buildings this campground was perfect. Foster park bowl, an old abandoned amphitheater is just a short walk away. Campground sits in close proximity to either Ventura or Ojai. The campground host was nice and friendly. All the tent sites were unoccupied so we were the only ones there which was great.
Scout
Rv and tent camping along with quarter operating showers. fairly close to the fairgrounds as well.
Scout
Very Rugged Camp Ground presented with all that you need for comfortable tent camping. Plus fishing is good!
TravelerThis is a nice little spot, close to town, but not as close to the train as some of the other Southern California state beaches. The campground hosts went above and beyond to keep the bathrooms clean and even provided nice soap. The tent camping spots were a pretty good size for beach camping.
Scout
Booked a last minute trip and was not disappointed. This KOA site was great. You can either tent camp or RV. I tent camp and the sites were clean and spacious. Great shaded areas. Lots of trails and activities for both kids and adults. I took my two dogs and they loved it. My family stayed at one of the RV sites and had a great time too. Peacocks live there! They roost in the trees and just mingle with the campers without a care in the world. There is a store that sells firewood and other items you may need. Definitely going back!
Scout
Small quiet ,off road but highway noise. Very friendly camp host, Ojai just a few miles away, no full hookup, clean bathroom no showers. Good views from tent sites-not RV sites.
Ranger
The first thing you should know about Tapo Canyon Park is that for actual tent camping, you will be in either decomposed granite or concrete. The second thing is that there is no cell service and no phone landlines there.
The park is very nice, and very well maintained. There is a large grass area with an upgraded playground, ample covered picnic area for large groups, and an archery range (private, but open to the public on Saturdays).
The archery range is one of the best in California. There is a members area and the original range is open to the public on Saturdays from 9-1, with a nominal $5 fee.
The campsites are designed for RVs. I have camped here in a tent and there is no way to drive a stake into the ground. The sites are fairly large and well spread out for an RV lot.
Each site has a fireplace, picnic table, and full hook ups. There is not much shade. The sites are very well maintained daily by the camp host Terri.
At night you can hear the coyotes calling as they roam the rugged hills, but don't worry it's a very safe park.
I would give the park 4 stars for camping in an RV, 2 stars for tent camping, the facility as a whole is probably a 4.
TravelerThis is a great camping spot. The beach is across the street. Facilities are closer then that. The Navy Exchange down the street has camping supplies. The cost for a tent site is $10. An unbelievable place.
Scout
Our campsite & the bathrooms were clean & well maintained. However the location of tent camping v RV camping is awful. We are tent campers and had a nice spot with a beautiful lake view BUT the RV site was directly in front of the lake between our tent & the lake! So when a monstrous RV drove in all we could see was the side of the thing & we had to go around it to enjoy the view.
Guide
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. Pool and clean bathrooms available, host also mentioned it has WiFi access.
Daily rates started at $65 a night, which was a little out of my budget, but if you’ve got the money and you’ve got the rig I’d totally recommend staying here!
TravelerNestled between Ventura and Santa Barbara just north of Los Angeles is this picture perfect State Beach campground. This location has both full hook-ups as well as tent camping right up to the coast This campsite also has showers availa le and restrooms There are plenty of miles of bike trails as well as hiking tails to the Bluffs that overlook a sea lion protected sanctuary But the most glorious reason to come here are the breath taking sunsets viewable from your own campsite
Traveler
This campground is a great site to meet up with friends that don't always get out and go exploring as it's a nice campground off a main road through the Ojai area.
We booked a site here while driving through and spent a weekend catching up with friends that were able to drive up in a small car and join us.
Beautiful wooded area with a nice stream that passes through. Good flat soft ground to tent camp and a great spot to throw up some hammocks and relax!
LegendRolling Oak Woodlands. Shade. Solar will be available in some sites. Note: sites near the road are near the highway -road noise.
Tent site loop appears to be very nice and away from the highway. Trailer/ RV sites:. Our site, #1, looks down on day use parking area. Sites 2,5 and 6 are clustered together. Site 4 is one of the nicer RV sites - farthest RV site from the road and somewhat private.
General: Quiet. Bathrooms are fine. There is some road noise during the day, I anticipate little at night.
GuideBeing that we chose this camp site last minute is a total score. Large sites, full hookup options and 10 minutes from the beach. Camp host were very nice and accommodating. Some sites are close to the 33 highway so you will have road noise but we are used to Rincon. There is tent camping in the higher sites. Covered with plenty of mature trees for nice shade. Clean restrooms but no showers. Campground is very close to the Ojai-Ventura bike trail. Hiking trails all over and did I say 10 minutes from the beach!!! We stayed with our 2 toddlers/teen and had a blast. Only odd thing is that some sites hookups are backwards. No biggie. We just ran our lines under our rig. We would definitely stay here again.
Traveler
The campground itself does not have much to offer. It is small and quiet with a vault toilet. It is surrounded by burn scars so that is unfortunate but the scenery is still beautiful. We enjoy tent camping with minimal amenities and easy hiking trails for kids. The trail that starts in this campground and leads you to the waterfall is a pleasant surprise. It is completely unexpected, you feel like you're at a waterfall in Hawaii, it's a beautiful must-see. Most sites have little to no shade or privacy. We were there in April and it was too hot for our liking with no tress/no shade at our site. It is a small campground so even if full it wouldn't feel crowded. Most of the traffic is foot traffic from day hikers coming through to get to the waterfall.
GuideThis is a nice campground. Very close to the city but still with visiting. I’m a van camper so I rented an RV site because I wanted shade trees. The tent camping sites in the first section have very little shade. Maybe one or two sites have shade. You definitely have to bring a canopy. I camped there in Nov2020 it was a nice getaway. The view of the lake is beautiful. I enjoyed seeing all the ducks on the lake. Each campsite has a table and fire ring. The bathrooms have flush toilets and the campground is kept clean and trash cans are emptied daily. It has a fish cleaning area with running water too. Must put away all your food because the raccoons will get into it. Overall it’s a nice local place to camp if you live in Santa Clarita, Ca.
Guide
This is a great campsite if you want to get out during the winter, but don't want to get stuck in deep snow. It's also great for beginners. The second time I visited this campsite, I brought a friend who was coming out for his first backpacking trip. The trail to get here is technical enough to be challenging and fun, without the high altitude lung busting that is usually necessary for dense tree areas.
When you get there you'll find several fire rings that can be used during safe seasons. Be sure to check with the Los Padres National Forest site to make sure you can have an open fire.
The creek here runs year round, so you can expect to find easy water access throughout the campsite.
Another big plus is the abundance of trees in this area. This worked out beautiful for my friend and I as we were hammock camping. But there are tons of tent sites available here too.
Guide
I have been camping here for many years. The sunsets are always beautiful and the weather is usually awesome!
The shoreline may be covered in rocks or not, it depends on the tides and the past storms. This is not a great swimming beach but if relaxing, short walks and sunsets are your thing, it’s a great spot.
The ocean has some resident sea doggies and dolphins which are always fun to watch! Might even spot a 🐳 whale at the right time of year!
The campground is getting smaller as Mother Nature has been taking her beach back. Previous storms have taken a lot of the north end and a couple on the south end.
The toilets are out houses and there is some water across the campground road. The camp host has wood for sale. The highway can be loud at times but it will quite down at night so you can hear waves and rocks rolling. Oh and bring your own shade. Winds can kick up so be prepared!
I have an RV but if you tent camp, watch the tide water marks and monitor your distance or you might just get wet! LOL.
Happy Camping! 🏖⛺️
GuideQuick and easy is my trips to Thornhill Broome!
5 miles north of Neptune’s Net, Los Angeles/Ventura county line at Point Magu Rock!
Depending on the time of year, the beach may be very rocky or it may be smooth. This is not a great beach to swim and if you tent camp, be sure to know where the high tide line is!
The bathrooms are out houses. No showers but there is water facets scattered across the road. This is dry camping only but you can dump after your stay at Sycamore Cyn campground which is only a mile or so away.
This campground is a line of spaces right on the beach and up against PCH. The car noise does slow down at night so you can hear the waves crashing!
The winds can kick up pretty good here also! Be prepared to baton down the hatches!
There are dolphins and seals that swim back and forth. Pelicans and sea gulls. If you’re really lucky, you might see whales!
There’s a camp host selling wood but nothing around unless you drive back to Neptune’s.
Dogs need to be on a lease...despite my video! LOL
You will be sited if they catch your dog off lease!
Traveler
Tried this campground out for a single day/night of camping for my family of 4.
Location - 5 out of 5 Great location in terms of close to home (40 minutes from Bakersfield). 1.5 miles from Pyramid Lake for a day trip.
Campground - 3 out of 5. $20 per night, by all means, this is only regards to the tent camping not the people or bathrooms etc. We camped in Loop 4 camp 72. While I was towards the end of the campground, very little shade was available. Prepare to bring multiple ezups for shade. Tent was easily put up as ground is soft. This camp was overrun by fire ants, so had to carefully move around their nest. There was a small section in between some trees that allowed us to get some shade, maybe even a small tent fits there. Bathrooms are flush toilets and very clean. No showers available to my knowledge. Camping came with a cement picnic table and a fire pit.
The 2 points off was just because of the shade situation. I did go through the campground all together to see which sites were more shaded and out of all of the sites perhaps 4 had some trees with good shade.
If you are looking for a weekend getaway from the city, good place to come. Just come prepared with multiple shade apparatus.
**My pictures were taken after 6pm when the sun is behind the mountains.
RangerA fun place to camp and surf! This campground is literally on the beach, along the PCH with picnic tables and fire rings it’s one of the few on the beach that actually allows fire. There’s not much to this campground, it’s simple and straight to the point... just surf and sand. If you’re looking for more you will be disappointed. Sites are fairly close together with limited options for RV’s but if you’re tent camping and don’t mind neighbors, it’s just enough. Sites run approximately $35 a night for a standard site, depending. There’s a camp host and ranger at the entrance but keep in mind they lock the gates for vehicles entering at night and if you leave you can not get back in until they re-open next day! Doesn’t matter if you have a pass or not you can not re-enter and there is no permitted parking on the highway as a backup option. This campground is vulnerable to flooding, due to location. Some photos have been included of the campground when it’s flooded as well, so that it may give travelers a better idea of what they may encounter if conditions aren’t exactly in their favor. But if you’re just looking for a simple night on the beach with friends like us, some surf and a beer... this will do the trick!
Traveler
I really liked this place, and would definitely go back. This is on the smaller scale of campgrounds, which is very nice. Less chance of drunk, noisy neighbors. When we went, us, and the other family we went with, were the only ones in that particular section. The kids had plenty of room to run around and get dirty, and there was a playground with an old school merry-go-round within sight of where our spot was. RV’s are allowed as well, but those sites are separate from the tent sites, which is nice too. The drive was 45 minutes to an hour from our house, which was great. You don’t have to go far to go camping. The one drawback was the camp host. We always bring our dog with us, who is a diabetic alert service dog for our two boys. This particular person kept telling us that the dog had to be on a leash, and that he was not allowed in the playground area. We explained to her that he was a service animal, and is allowed under the ADA to go anywhere. She wasn’t having it. Hopefully this person’s time as the host is over, because this really is a great spot.
LegendThis is a small Ventura County campground close to Ojai. We stayed in #9, which is in an odd spot right in the middle of the tight loop. If we’d had our awning out I think bigger vehicles would have knocked into it as they made the loop around us, and the loop is so tight that you can’t really do it without backing up and repositioning yourself. I’m surprised there’s no length limit for this campground, not because of the size of the spots, but because of the small loop. #9 is also unlevel and our blocks weren’t enough to fix it. Sites 1 and 2 are off by themselves on the other side of the campground, so it would be a good setup for a group of friends but too awkwardly close to each other otherwise.
The dry camping/ tent sites are off on the other end, and though we usually prefer these sites to full hookup sites, I don’t think they’d work for an RV. The spots are small, all dirt, all in a row, and parking would be awkward. #14 is kind of a walk-up situation, where you park along the road and set up camp down by the creek.
There’s no dump station here. There are garbage and mixed recycling dumpsters. Host on site. No onsite payment, you have to reserve online. We paid $42/night for a full hookup site, plus a $10 reservation fee, plus $2.50 per pet per night.
Good Verizon service but ATT was usable but pretty weak.
LegendIn looking for some places to camp near Santa Barbara when I was there for work, I explored all the listings which said “camping”. This like in many locations was a bit deceiving as camping means different things to different people.
Let me start off by saying this is a RV site only, not a tent site therefore it offered no services that applied to me as a tent camper. However like always I chose to explore the site anyway, because I do have friends in the traveling life who do have RVs.
This place targets the more long term campers. As Santa Barbara is vacation destination they encourage the person who is wanting to spend anywhere from a month or more and even do long term site leasing. It is basically a place you can rent a slot and have water, sewer and trash just like an apartment, but you are in charge of your own electric which is already run to each site as well as cable or internet.
The sites were nothing super exciting in appearance and didn’t offer much shade around the facility but they did have the pool which was a big bonus. It is relatively small so there is no way staying here you wouldn’t know your neighbors.
You are minutes from the beach which is a HUGE bonus of this site as well as access to the golf course and resorts so it is like resort living on a more realistic budget. I could see this being a great option for full timers for sure.
Again though, this place isn’t really for a short time stay for an RV and does not accommodate tents whatsoever.
TIPS:
Discover the beauty of tent camping near Port Hueneme, California, where stunning landscapes and unique experiences await outdoor enthusiasts. From serene island getaways to scenic mountain retreats, there’s a perfect spot for every camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Port Hueneme, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Port Hueneme, CA is Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park with a 4.8-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Port Hueneme, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 38 tent camping locations near Port Hueneme, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
