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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
Gate may be closed due to High Fire danger. Elevation: 1900-Foot ElevationAmenities: 6 hike-in__campsites- Picnic tables and campfire rings, vault toilets, no piped water.__Seasonal stream water may be available (treat before using). However, water flow may be low or non-existent due to reduced rainfall.Hiking: Just a short hike__to the 50' Millard Falls. __Fees: Camping - Adventure Pass/America the Beautiful Pass Required. Campsites are first come-first served. No reserving or holding of campsites allowed._ Day use -__Adventure Pass/America the Beautiful Pass Required.Millard Trail Camp may occasionally be closed due to bear activity. Be Bear Aware.
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
Water is from a stream - come prepared with your own or have a way to filter/purify
5 Hike-in campsites- Picnic tables and campfire rings, vault toilets, trash receptacles, no piped water available. Seasonal stream water (treat before using). However, water flow may be low or non-existent due to reduced rainfall. Please bring enough water for cooking, cleaning, drinking, and extinguishing campfires.
Equestrian: Hitching Rail (52 linear feet).
Gould Mesa Trail Camp is a hike-in campground located 2 miles from Ventura Street on the Gabrielino Trail. Being only a few miles away La Canada-Flintridge, it offers a quick-respite for the weary hiker. Those choosing to start in Altadena near the Jet Propulsion Laboratories will walk through riparian groves along a tranquil steam surrounded by steep ridges. The trek to Gould Mesa Trail Camp is 5.1 miles round trip with 300 feet of elevation change.
Joshua trees 50 miles closer to LA than the Joshua Tree National Park! This is 2.5 acres of protected Joshua Tree lands in the Antelope Valley north of LA, between the snowy Tehachapi Mountains, and the rolling green foothills of the also-snowy San Gabriel Mountains. My first time out there I saw BOTH ENDS of a rainbow in front of the snowy Tehachapis!! Super dark skies, and a million stars at night. It feels like the wild west out here. Think long dirt roads, tumbleweeds, bones, and maybe some old bullet shells (there's no shooting allowed on the property anymore). The property itself is along a dirt "road" called Avenue C, but I'd be shocked if you encountered anyone driving along there. Except possibly another group of campers. This land used to be the domain of the Ketanemuk tribe, which I think means People From The East. In the summer they would go up and hunt and get pine nuts in the Tehachapi Mountains, and acorns from the oak trees in the San Gabriels. It's about a 20 minute drive from the town of Neenach (pronounced Nee-nack), where there's a general store and a cafe. They make a great breakfast burrito. A few minutes from the State Poppy Reserve, which blooms in the spring with miles of California poppies. If you have a larger group or event in mind, get in touch! We can figure out how to accommodate you.
$25 / night
Please note: There are no RV sites only one camper van site. The parking is on a hill and you walk in your gear.
This is a great spot for a group who doesn’t mind getting out of the way of people in exchange for a short hike. Parking is a short but steep hike away from the campsite, and it is unlikely that you’ll see any other campers during your stay. The weather is warm, the sunsets are epic and the views are spectacular looking towards Angeles crest national forest. We do have stoves however open fires aren’t allowed within the city limits, and it is a very high fire area. Stoves and fire extinguishers are available for the cost of fuel as well as full camp gear if you are worried about not having stuff. From the campground you can hike some awesome trails, and be able to really get out in nature. There is water a 100 ft away, and there is a bathtub for the adventurous bather that overlooks the city. There is one restroom as well as one shower stall and a small kitchenette shared with 2 other campsites. We like city locals looking for a place to test out backpacking and camping gear while being 5 min driving distance to a Starbucks.
This LA based bohemian homestead farm is a great camping stop. We have 20 hillside acres nestled in the hills of Sunland / North Los Angeles, CA We have tent only sites with picnic benches, flat soft campsites, no fire pits, but amazing views of the valley and mountains. Great for a short getaway in the LA area.
$50 / night
$5 / night
Guide
Ranger woke me up early asking for a permit. He was not agro, as I didn't look like I bum I think that helped. He explained a shell station off the 176 nearby sells $5 day passes and $30 annual.
Scout
Rude and not pleasant employee no compassion, whatsoever noisy, and a lot more never coming back
Guide
First, I imagine this place was so cool in the 80’s. You can see the bones that it was built around. It’s just a touch run down. That said, the bathrooms were really clean. The showers were quarter showers, but seemed fine. For December it was pretty quiet. The spaces are different, some shade some not. I wouldn’t suggest for really large campers. But for a van, we had power, water, bathrooms and off season prices.
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.
Scout
FYI- camping is limited to 14 days at a time 28 days a year, must access via publicly open roads, stay on designated trails, and take all your trash with you there are no trash cans no trash removal.
ScoutDitto what others say…clean, great noise, pricey $142/night for Sprinter, laundry is being remodeled right now
Scout
This location is conveniently situated near the heart of Los Angeles, making it an ideal spot for those looking to explore the city’s many attractions. The facilities are well-kept, with clean restrooms and a friendly staff always ready to assist. However, the noise from nearby https://blockblast.link/ may be disruptive for those in search of a quiet getaway, so it's worth considering if peace and quiet are a priority before booking.
Scout
Everything was fine. We stayed for 1 night to Visit L.A. . It was clean and the Staff was very nice. We called a night before and got a Site for our RV.
Traveler
This is a wonderful campground if you're looking to escape the crowds elsewhere. We were in spot 4 which was right next to the check in board. Despite the close proximity to the road the site was very big and had plenty of trees to throw our hammocks up and relax. Next time we would likely pick spots 6-8 or 13-17 as they were a little further into the campground and away from the main road.
There is plenty of firewood to gather but I may suggest a small hatchet.
The vault toilets were clean enough for vault toilets.
My husband and I stayed Saturday to Monday and found that only a few hunters were left Sunday night and Monday morning and we enjoyed walking through the campground and checking out all the small viewpoints through the trees to the valleys below. The group sites looked spacious and awesome as well!
Pine Mountain Club was close, quaint, and the people we met were friendly.
We are keeping this spot in our back pockets for the next time we want to escape the busy city life!
TravelerThis place offers a convenient location near the heart of Los Angeles, making it an excellent base for exploring the city's attractions. The facilities are well-maintained, with clean restrooms and helpful staff who are eager to assist guests. However, noise from the surrounding area can be an issue, so those seeking a peaceful retreat might want to consider this before booking.
Scout
The post fire which burned the area of 10,000 acres on June 15, 2024 has caused this area to be closed until further notice. We went to camp but were turned away. Be aware. Otherwise would have been a great place to stay as I have been there before
Guide
This is a nicely maintained municipal water reservoir with a very large lake. No swimming allowed, but boating is. Go figure.
There are campgrounds with hookups that are only available for RVs. There is one Campground -Indian- that has a mixture of tent and RV sites with hookups available but it was under maintenance when I was here this weekend. So all the rest of the areas that do have hookups do not accommodate my truck and tent rig. And there are no 110V or 30a outlets available for people who are traveling light -with solar and a minimum amount of panels, where you might need to plug in once in awhile- they can't cover you here. Too bad no one thought of that when they were designing this place, because it's an awfully big place with a lot of sites.
So we're leaving today to find another place to weekend.
But two nights next to the lake, in the campground called Mallard was lovely as can be. Next time I'll come out with more panels to keep my pair of EcoFlow RiverPro solar generators topped up.
Legend
We loved camping here. The whole area has a really peaceful and mellow vibe. We reserved site #49 which was plenty big enough for our 26ft class c, but the drive through the campground to get to the site was a little narrow and tight, wouldn't recommend for larger RVs. This end of the campground is right next to the emergency exit, too, but they keep that gate locked, otherwise it would be an easy swoop in. Camp host was really nice, campground was huge, nice that there's a creek running through it which comes in handy in the hot summer months. You have to drive over some creek runoff at parts, no problem.
There's zero cell reception in this entire area, the roads leading up to the campground as well.
Fees are $35 or $37 for weekends/holidays. Pricey for what you get and for what we're used to paying for a forest service campground.
Guide
Grounds seem well kept, the gravel was raked at our site when we pulled in. Restrooms are ok, the issue was that the lock them up at 10:00pm and don’t open until 7:30am. It would be so simple to put a code lock on the doors. You have to pay for WiFi, and the laundry machines are paid for by using a credit card for pay cards and the machine was out of cards. The only way to use it was to create an account with some vendor online! In the morning there were planes taking off, towing gliders, which was interesting to watch
ScoutStayed for two months without any issues
Traveler
Loved the quietness of this campsite. No water, no dump station, only portable bathrooms on site from what we can see. We were in an RV so we didn't mind at all. Went to Sycamore campground to fill up on water. Youre packed right on the beach next to the sand. Combo of tent and rv campers. Wifi is great at this location. We have tmobile
Traveler
No tmobile wifi. we dropped by to fill up water since we were camping at thornhill Broome. Water refill was free. We didn't dump there. Can't comment on anything else.
Guide
There are 21 campsites and not all have tree’s but its walking distance from the creek. Its nestled between mountains and the night sky is gorgeous. We saw wild ducks too and some other desert critters. Has it not been for the nasty animals called inconsiderate humans blasting their music and fighting amongst themselves bringing their family drama until 6am, the camp site would have been marvelous. No ranger to domesticate those animals and remind them of quiet hours. Another group even brought a dj and karaoke. Seriously, no consideration for the rest of the campers. They want to get away from the hustle and bustle and be with nature but they can’f live without the modern day amenities and bring that noise we are all trying to escape to a place of nature. They even had BB guns and shooting them within the campsite. Idiots. The day the ranger did come by he was giving tickets to vehicles with no pass. Wish he came at night when he was most needed. Bathrooms are poorly maintained too. Never coming back for an overnight stay, a day trip will suffice.
Guide
Visiting family in Santa Ana and LA. Not to far for them to come to us and all to go to beach. Park clean and well maintained, personnel very kind and friendly Beautiful view from our site on area B. Crowded on weekend, much less during week Campground is not associated to adjacent Frank Bonelli Regional. Charge $12 to enter with vehicle but no fee to ride in on bikes
Traveler
Just stayed 8/15-18/24, although hot during the day, it was the getaway we needed. The Burkhart trail to the waterfall was beautiful. Clean campsites. Some neighboring camps were louder than you'd hope but it is what it is. Our second trip here and will return for sure.
TravelerNice campground a little bit outside of Hollywood but with a very helpful camp host
Legend
I haven't stayed in this campground, but I added it to the Dyrt so people can find it as an option if they are searching for large group camping. You MUST call in advance to get permission and reserve for group camping.
Things to do:
visit the Placerita Canyon Nature Center, including live animal exhibits
Ranger-led educational programs
hike to waterfalls: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/placerita-canyon-and-waterfall-trail
Legend
I came across this group campsite while on a long hike with a friend. I had no idea it existed, so I'm adding it to the Dyrt so more people can find it if they are looking for a group campsite. You can reserve it for large groups of 10-50 people. Some of the communal areas and fencing looked like it could use some resfreshing. Facilities available: Drinking Water, Flush Toilets, Showers, Tent Spaces, and Fireplace.
I recommend visiting in the spring, when things are greenest, and there are beautiful wildflowers.
ScoutCrowded sites, horrible check in, rude people, owner is extremely unpleasant
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...
Traveler
We stayed in Loop A on a Thursday night in July. For us, it was a convenient overnight stop. It was a lot less crazy/ crowded than we expected for an LA County campground in the middle of summer! This site is on the lagoon, not the main lake, but had nice views and a good breeze in the heat. Very minimal space, not much shade. But the real issue was that the bathroom stalls in our loop (A) had no doors. I also doubt they are cleaned daily, though it wasn't terrible. Being close to the city, there were a ton of people meandering around, but they all seemed to be doing their own thing (e.g fishing or just walking), few suspicious characters. Lots of families and kids made it feel fairly safe for an urban campground. Not our favorite, but we would stop over here again in a pinch.
Traveler
I love finding a camping spot last minute and it turns out to be amazing! Dennison Park Campground did not disappoint! Although there are beautiful upper campground spots that Overlook Ojai Valley, I chose, from the choices I had, a spot that looked spacious and offered the most shade. Nestled in the middle of upper and lower campsites, I found it to be a quiet reprieve from our day's activities -- the campfire always the highlight for me. The camp host, Dane, was friendly, helpful, and a joy to chat with. He also gave us some suggestions of other county parks to check out the next time we venture to the Ojia area! We will definitely be back to camp here!
Nestled near Santa Clarita, California, tent camping offers a refreshing escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Santa Clarita, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Santa Clarita, CA is Oak Flat Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 67 tent camping locations near Santa Clarita, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
