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
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.
GuideStopped in while passing through. It was memorial day weekend and Rec.gov showed 4 sites first come first serve. The entire park had otherwise been reserved. The camp host was nice and tried to push back a little saying she didn't have any spots but I showed her the app and the reservation sticker she put therefor the site for somebody the next day so it all worked out. Bathrooms were clean and they had water points around the sites. Sites were not in the best of shapes and could use someone walking around with a weedeater. Close to the boat launch which would be handy for some.
ScoutTook my partner here for her first camping trip, we had a blast. Plenty of firewood for sale from camp host, flush toilets, potable water from spigots. Definitely a good entry to camping. Close to pyramid lake about 2 miles.
ScoutThis campground is in a pretty canyon with beautiful trees. The staff is super friendly. The problem is, we were in a tent trailer and they have tons of extremely outdoor peacocks. They are beautiful, but screech VERY loudly. They poop everywhere, even on top of our trailer. Our camp site hadn't been picked up at all. There had been a party and confetti. Wrappers etc. were left in the dirt. The bathrooms (too few) were not cleaned and were very old and not kept up. Hard sided rvs would do better at this campground.
LegendJudging by the shape of the office, this place was a 60’s or 70’s KOA back in the day. The trees and bushes are fantastic. However just as our population has gotten larger over the years, so have the RVs. For a 43 footer this place is TIGHT. If you have a big rig, prolly not the best idea. But if you have a 28 footer, this place is Six Stars!!!! It has a pool and spa, great dog walking area. Propane and store are on site
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 122 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.
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