Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$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."
$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."
$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."
$45 - $225 / night
"It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."
"The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."
$80 - $300 / night
"I absolutely love this campground, it’s perfectly situated in between the Malibu pier area (to your left) Dume, Zuma, and more beaches (to the right), + a lovely small beach across the street… oh let’s"
"This is a great little campground just north of Malibu, California, and right off of the 101. So yes, the freeway is RIGHT. THERE."
"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."
$75 - $85 / night
"The Lodge at Deer Creek is new to the Dyrt and has the perfect location where the mountains meet the ocean. Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!"
"Its only a short 5 minute windy road drive from pch and you still get cell service."
$35 / night
"We arrived in the middle of the night: easy parking short walk and easy access to the campground. The view is fantastic, the site is very close to the highest point of Santa Monica mountains"
$150 / night
GuideYou must ferry to the island, hike in sites. Have tent pads and picnic tables. Remote.
TravelerWe got lucky with a premium spot that opened up on the beach front. It was a gorgeous place to wake up! Definitely a festive tailgate-style vibe in the parking lot. You are close to your neighbors with no privacy but it was a great first stop for us out of LA. Easy walk into town for breakfast burritos!
ScoutThey have ports potty’s and a nice stretch of beach between houses that you can enjoy privately
GuideFirst of all, staff was amazing. We were originally supposed to arrive on a Tuesday and we’re not able to make it. Staff shifted our reservation instead of us eating the missed night cost. Also super accommodating allowing us to extend a day longer last minute. Park is tight quarters with 200 spots. Two laundry rooms/bathrooms with showers on site, plus a cute little dog park! We stayed for three nights. Every “road” in the park is themed with California or Hollywood themed decorations and murals. We were parked right next to a Mister Roger’s mural across from the laundry/bathrooms. My only complaint in the noise level at times which is not from the park itself. Helicopters would fly over randomly, sometimes at night and it could be annoying when trying to sleep. Otherwise, absolute GEM of a place!
ScoutDisabled Veteran from the area so getting on base was a breeze. Our trailer is 36ft so parking our long bed dually on the site took some space, but there is extra parking if you don’t mind a short walk. There are parks located throughout the base and the bowling alley is super cheap for unlimited bowling. There is a movie theater on site but limited on how many movies are showing.
TravelerCampsite are close together but the view & vibe are awesome. Clean excellent facilities with hot & cold showers. Camp sites are packed, but I car camp so had no issues.
LegendSo the good first, Quiet, not many ppl in the fall/winter months. Sites are large, dumpsters, vault toilets, close to town amenities. We felt safe staying here. Met nice campers.
The crappy. Yes you can hear the humm of the freeway from further away. Didn’t bug us, but some it does. There is micro trash everywhere. No one cleans the sites, leaves are outta control on the ground. You cannot have any cooking or fires right now. Only cooking inside. The single bathroom is cleanest. The Ranger was super rude He asked way too many personal questions and kept wanting to make sure we weren’t “homeless”. He doesn’t understand the difference between vagrants and choosing to not live in bricks and sticks. He wanted to know exactly how many days we were staying and what day and time we were leaving. You can stay up to 14days and no reservations required.
It is only free if you have your America The Beautiful Pass, otherwise it’s 5.00 a night And you have to buy that at the Shell Gas Station down the pass.
TravelerNice place very close to the beach with amazing Pacific view. All connections in place; sites very close to each other; a bit loud due to airport nearby. Very friendly staff. In overall good experience and recommend it :)
ScoutI love Carp State Beach campground. The proximity to everything Carpinteria is within a short walking distance. Staff and venue are amazing.
Camping near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, California, offers a unique blend of nature and adventure. Just be prepared for the quirks of each campground, and you'll have a great time!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers a wide range of camping options, with 125 campgrounds and RV parks near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 53 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
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