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One of the best places for Malibu Camping is Malibu Creek State Park, just 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles, features hiking, fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, rock climbing and horseback riding opportunities. Fourteen-mile Malibu Creek is the principal watercourse of the Santa Monica Mountains that ends at Malibu Lagoon. There are 15 miles of streamside trail through oak and sycamore woodlands on chaparral-covered slopes. Following the trail along Malibu Creek State Park, the visitor will be treated to spectacular vistas, including volcanic rock gorges, scenic pools, and breathtaking views of the Las Virgenes Valley and Malibu Canyon. Previous to being opened to the public in 1976, the park was used extensively to film numerous movies and TV shows, such as Planet of the Apes and MAS*H. Most of the park's land holdings were donated by Bob Hope, with later significant acquisitions from Ronald Reagan and 20th Century Fox.
$45 - $225 / night
The Arroyo campground offers 79 campsites varying in size to accommodate RVs or tent camping for up to eight people per site. Reservations for individual sites can be made online, by phone or in person. The park offers eight large group campsites for parties of 17 or more and five equestrian campsites, each equipped with horse corrals, barbeques and fire pits. Reservations for groups of 17 or more can be made by calling the park office at (949) 923-2260.
$20 / 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
While the park does now have water, the showers remain closed. Water is limited, though, so please plan accordingly.
Caspers Wilderness Park is an 8,000 acre protected wilderness preserve nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. The park's many fertile valleys are overtly complemented by specimen groves of native Coastal Live Oak and magnificent stands of California Sycamore. These areas are further accentuated by seasonal wildflower displays and running streams. Wildlife is abundant and can be readily viewed from any of the park's numerous trails.
$20 - $25 / night
Tapo Canyon Regional Park is located in the midst of the rolling hills and canyons of the Santa Susana Mountains, north of Simi Valley. Hikers, equestrian riders, and mountain bikers enjoy this rugged and rural park, which features picnic areas, A group use area, playground, an equestrian arena, restroom and shower facility, and an RV campground with 16 full hook ups. Cell service is spotty depending on carrier.
Due to winter road damage, low clearance vehicles are not recommended. At a Glance: 5,000' elevation 26 campsites There is currently no piped water available at Horse Flat Campground. Please bring enough water for cooking, cleaning, drinking, and extinguishing campfires. Equestrian facilities include 4 corrals, hitching rails $12 per night per site. Campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. No reserving or holding of campsites allowed. Checkout/Change of day is at 11 am. Maximum RV length 20 feet - No Hookups What to Expect Horse Flats Campground offers 26 campsites with plentiful shade options at a lofty 5000-foot elevation. It also has accessible hiking opportunities such as the Silver Moccasin National Recreation Trail, some excellent areas for mountain bikers, and, as the name implies, equestrian resources that include with four corrals and several more hitching posts. It is an easy 90-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles up Angeles Crest Highway (HWY 2) to inhale crisp mountain air scented with Jeffrey Pines and Mountain Mahogany. Mt Hillyer's silhouette and various wildlife make for an excellent backdrop for a day hike. With it being only 18 miles as the crow flies from downtown, it makes for a quick easy getaway from the summer heat.
$12 / night
$100 / night
Legend
Three miles from a the grocery and only minutes from north LA, you'll find a basic campground with flush toilets, coin showers, and easily accessible hiking trails. The sites are basic with campfire pit and grill, open space for a tent or rv, and picnic table. The inner circle of sites abuts the bathrooms and is better for groups. The outer rings on three sides have nice views, but some sites on the south side are shorter and abut a fence.
We stayed in site 59 which had a really nice shade tree and great views of a meadow and the cliffs out the back of the site. The sites are fairly open and close to each other, so be prepared to hear everything, and because the campground is close to the city it is popular with groups and families.
The campground was under fire warning all weekend, but faux wood (javalog or duraflame) and charcoal was still allowed. The camphost sold Javalogs, and there were plenty of options at the nearby Albertson's.
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. It was easy to imagine you weren't anywhere close to the city. During a holiday weekend the trails were fairly busy with day-use hikers, but even then, it was easy to get away and be on trails alone if you wanted. There is also a visitor center in the park, but it has limited hours.
The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear. If you have a dog with you make sure they don't try join the pack. On a hike right out of the park a few hundred yards, I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek.
I'd recommend a visit if you're looking for a close to town escape.
Traveler
Clean, quiet campground located in one of the OC Parks, with plenty of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. I stayed here on a weekday, and there were a few couple of vacant campsites in my area, so it was an extremely quiet visit. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked for my stay. I didn’t use the showers since I was only staying one night, but I heard they were free!
Rangers were very friendly and firewood was only $5 for a decent bundle that lasted me over 2 hours.
The city of Rancho Santa Margarita is right up the hill, so you can grab food and any necessities if needed.
My site backed to the creek, so I never had people walking through my campsite.
My dog & I slept in my van, but there was room for multiple tents, and a decent amount of shade in my spot.
My spot didn’t have its own water spigot, but there was one at a site across from me.
I was fortunate that all of the campers around me were quiet and considerate. I know that it doesn’t always work out that way, and having obnoxious neighbors can really ruin your experience.
GuideGreat campground, Great spots but unfortunately bit expensive .Very disappointed about the rules regarding fire, but I understood. I left from the campground after the sunset...fire allowed only with courchal...
GuideSITE:
This site is great if you like hiking, biking, MTB, and running. It is very clean, and the showers are free and clean as well. It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds.
Free dump station.
SURROUNDING AREA:
There aren't too many shops in close proximity, but there are shops down the road a few minutes away if you need supplies.
ACTIVITIES
The campground is located next to Oneil Park, which is huge and great for bike and running. There are many hiking trails nearby in all directions. I usually ride to Caspers from the campsite or Trabruco creak up to Holy Jim.
TravelerMy 3 dogs and I stay here often, as it's the lowest cost in Orange County and allows dogs. It has several restrooms, showers, equestrian areas, nature trails and picnicking for day use too.
Scout
My boyfriend and I love this campground! It’s gorgeous and filled with trees, the rangers are awesome and there’s several hiking trails nearby. We will definitely be back
Scout
The Dyrt shows "Tent" sites, but it's only for RVs
ScoutGood campground, convenient location, nice WiFi. Sites are pretty close together, some sites had limited sun in December.
ScoutSite #13 Electric - plenty of room for four people in two tents with two trucks. Not camping-camping but great for an overnight when you just need to sleep under the stars. They sell wood for $5. Only real con was that we encountered a tarantula and had to remove it from our camping area. Great place for kids first camping experience.
LegendTucked on the outskirts of Mission Viejo is an oasis of green grass and groves of the twisting and searching limbs of Coastal Live Oak trees. If you stuck me in the middle of this park, I’d never know that I was miles away from the sprawl of suburbia of a major metropolitan area…shhh don’t tell anyone.
There are 3 campgrounds within this regional park -- one soley dedicated to RV's that require electrical hook-ups (Ortega Flats), a group campground (San Juan Meadow), and another which is a mix of tents and off-grid RVs (Live Oak). This review is specifically for the off-grid Live Oak Campground which s aptly named because you’ll find yourself enjoying the ample shade of these amazing arbors, but plenty of sun to run our solar powered system.
The campsites can be reserved but there is plenty of room for first-come first-served travelers as well. The sites offer enough space to tuck away a tent in the corner, or set up the longer trailer, as well as the typical picnic table and fire ring. Plenty of port o potties are scattered throughout the campground and served the large groups gathered here on Easter weekend. We indulged in making a fabulous brunch of Wood Fired Waffles to celebrate the holiday! As of April 2023, they were still experiencing a well water issue, so no water was available from the faucet, but the river running through the park was useful for obtaining water to wash dishes.
Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails meander throughout the park. The campground borders on a small creek for fishing, but is off-limits to wading and swimming because of the instability of the opposite bank. Keep an eye on the kids! Be sure to check out the volunteer-run Nature Center on the property which is full of great information about flora, fauna, and native history.
The closest store for firewood, and groceries is just a few miles back toward town. And, the closest beach is just about 30 minutes away, so a great option for a day trip.
Legend
Although it’s not the most scenic campground itself, the state park has plenty of beauty to offer on its hiking trails. Not a single other party at the campsite on a Tuesday in September. The facilities and grounds were well maintained. Pretty short hike from the parking lot.
ScoutAlways clean and safe. Has showers that are free. Has a crowd in summer but really nice in Spring and Fall. You can camp year round and you cannot beat the price. County operated by Orange County and people here have been great. If you want to eat out, restaurants and stores are just miles away but the campsite makes you feel so far away. Come sample some of Orange County’s best.
Traveler
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. I swear they could hear my morning alarm and squawked their disapproval. The camp host Shawn is AMAZING! Bathrooms are very clean. Showers are coin operated. 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. Make sure your reservations are complete online before arriving. The Rangers check the spots multiple times a week. The kids enjoyed the playground and fields. It's not uncommon to see and hear movie/TV production crews at the filming locations along the road. Pet friendly but be careful at night. Mountain lions were spotted while there.
RangerSure, here's the review of Sea Breeze at Seal Beach:
I recently stayed at Sea Breeze at Seal Beach and I must say, it's my favorite RV resort on a military installation. The security is tight, as it should be, which made me feel safe and secure during my stay.
The campground itself is very nice, well-kept, and has large spaces for RVs. It was also surprisingly quiet, which allowed for a relaxing stay. I will definitely stay here again and look forward to my next visit.
One of the best things about Sea Breeze is its location. There are plenty of restaurants close by, as well as the beach. It's a great spot to stay if you want to be close to the water and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Overall, I would highly recommend Sea Breeze at Seal Beach to anyone looking for a great RV resort. It has everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay, and the location can't be beat. Whether you're traveling alone or with family and friends, this is a great option for a safe and relaxing vacation.
ScoutNice, small campground with hiking trails easily accessible. It was green and lush in the campground and the hillsides after a lot of rain. The sites are nicely spaced out. The sites with the best views are 59, 61 and 63.
Guidethis area is emaculately kept. we enjoyed roaming throughout the various areas of the Park. No water as of March 2023 but stable electricity and clean dump area
GuideA well kept secret with one drawback; everyone has to have an ID card to get on the base or be pre approved by base security.
LegendCleanliness: 10/10 Privacy: 0/10 Location: 5/10 nice park but super close to the street and other vehicles. Service: in some areas, one bar (att) Area: close to food etc just right down the hill. I used to live in this area, had no idea this was here. If you need something in this area this is a good spot, but I wouldn’t stop by choice if you could keep going somewhere more interesting.
Don’t forget quarters for showers! Wonderful playground if you have kids. Lots of grass for dogs too
LegendCleanliness: 10/10 Privacy: 0/10 Location: 5/10 nice park but super close to the street and other vehicles. Service: in some areas, one bar Area: close to food etc
ScoutTo be honest was looking for a spot to park overnight and I saw this spot open and I am thankful for this camp ground for being open at late hours thank you seriously thanks
TravelerPark for $7/night at Trippet Ranch and hike one mile to the campgrounds. It’s an easy hike and very quiet. Nice views during the day. Currently closed for repairs though.
TravelerThis campground is clean and quiet and the gate is open late (until 10:00pm) so you can check in late if need be. This place is a little expensive ($45/night plus online booking fee), but it’s very clean and well maintained. Showers are coin operated and cold. Flush toilets and sinks are available as well.
GuideWe absolutely loved coming here for a little get away right outside of town. Sights were really nice a few bugs but what’s new. We really enjoyed our sight as well. Will definitely be coming back!
GuideHad a great stay here, bathrooms are clean as well as the sights were nice and very spacious. Only drawback was the bugs but it wasn’t enough to change my opinion on this place. People were respectful who camp here as well as close to town.
Guide
Bring some bug spray if you’re bugged by bugs. Other than that there was plenty of space for plenty of campers.
TravelerNo individual campsites. They’re set up in groups 2, 3 or 4 But it’s probably never a problem as this place doesn’t seem to get lots of visitors. It is a nice place and campground with lots of trees that provide some shade during the day. Sadly (because of our ongoing drought) trees and vegetation are in great need of water. I’d love to come back here after a rainy day.
Bring lots of mosquito repellent. You will need it.
ScoutNice area. No water right now. Quiet. Port-a-pottys are maintained.
Horse camping in California offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds that cater to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to saddle up and enjoy nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rancho Palos Verdes, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rancho Palos Verdes, CA is Malibu Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rancho Palos Verdes, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
