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
TravelerGood for what it is. There’s not a lot of trash but some. It’s nice to be able to walk to the beach and there’s water spouts to clean your feet. The bathrooms are pretty clean, didn’t use the showers though. It’s a bit noisy with highway traffic and the occasional train. It’s pretty open so there’s no privacy to any site. I stayed at 103 which was a big mistake because there is no shade at that site.
TravelerThis is a great family oriented campground. They have two nice pools one for adults and one for families. They have a nice size laundry room that stays clean. They have several bathrooms and showers throughout the campground. We stayed all the way in the back of the campground and it was nice and quiet!
TravelerI stay at Foster Red Mountain campground. It was in a nice location. Certain sites are very close to the main road, check the map to stay in a quieter space. There were TONS of bugs. It looks like no one has tended to the grounds in a year. Ground loaded with dead leaves and likely the cause for all the bugs. You open your tent for one second and they’re all trying to get in, would be better if they had a shower. Overall nice area and campsite.
TravelerI had a nice stay. Noticed they had one random night available on a Monday. There were at least 3 other empty sites. I don’t know why people don’t cancel their reservation if they’re not going to come. There are very few sites here. I did smell what I thought might be the bathrooms quite a bit wafting through my campsite. They don’t smell bad when using them though….. so maybe it was one of the nearby rvs?? Not sure. Love that the beach is dog friendly. Many other beachfront campsites in SoCal have beaches that are not dog friendly. Next to the highway but all you can mostly hear are crashing waves. Very chill.
ScoutThis campground is well maintained. There is a dump station nearby. Great place to stop heading over the Grapevine.
GuidePerfect last minute late night hold over stop
ScoutI 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 not forget Malibu Seafood is right next door! It’s pricey but you can buddy up with people the tent sites are big and permit more than one!
Newish to California and spending the summer on the coast, next up is Thornhill for a little on-the-beach camping :)
It’s been chilly so being protected by the canyon is pretty sweet. I’m coming back!
TravelerThis is a great campground, pricey though at $41 a night+$2.50 for pets. There are water spigots at every site and there are RV hook ups if you have an RV. There are hot showers that take quarters. It gets hot, and it's full of insects, but very beautiful place surrounded by farms and fresh produce.
ScoutExtremely clean facilities, check in after hours was a breeze and very well explained. Only potential downside is the highway noise.
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
According to TheDyrt.com, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
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.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
Keep Exploring
