Campgrounds along the Santa Monica Mountains coastline provide both beach and mountain access for visitors, with notable options including Leo Carrillo State Park, Point Mugu State Park, and Malibu Creek State Park. These established campgrounds accommodate tent campers and RVers seeking Pacific Ocean views and mountain terrain. Sycamore Canyon Campground features shaded sites under mature trees, while Thornhill Broome Beach Campground offers direct oceanfront camping on the sand. The area also includes several group camping areas like Circle X Ranch Group Campground and La Jolla Group Campsite, which serve larger gatherings in more primitive settings.
Access to campgrounds varies significantly by location, with some sites requiring reservations well in advance, particularly for weekend stays. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, though hookup availability differs between locations. Malibu Beach RV Park offers full hookups for RVs, while more rustic sites like Danielson Group Multi-Use Area provide minimal facilities. Summer temperatures typically remain moderate due to ocean influence, but winter camping can bring cooler nights and occasional rain. A visitor noted, "Small quaint BEAUTIFUL not extremely well known. And The Beach... THE BEACH People. It's the best of all worlds. Camping, hiking, animal watching, fishing."
The proximity to both mountains and ocean creates unique camping experiences throughout the Santa Monica Mountains area. Several campers highlight the dual landscape as a primary draw. "Southern California is one of the few places where you can enjoy the beach, the desert, and the mountains all in one day," mentioned one reviewer about Point Mugu State Park. Sites at Thornhill Broome Beach allow visitors to pitch tents directly on the sand with unobstructed Pacific views. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with multiple reviewers mentioning dolphin sightings from beachfront sites. During peak season, campers should expect moderate crowding at the more accessible locations, while the primitive backcountry sites remain quieter alternatives. Token-operated showers, picnic tables, and beach access tunnels are available at several locations, though amenities vary considerably between developed and primitive camping areas.
$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."
"Nice big spots, close to the beach. Very quite. Needs to reserve at California State parks website. Dump station and water fill up on your way out not on the campsite, but thats no issue for us."
$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."
$30 / night
"If you’re looking for a campsite off the beaten path with gorgeous views and some unique exploring nearby, this is it. I stayed here in a 22 foot RV at one of the hookup sites."
"Incredible drive through vineyards, citrus tree farms just to get to the Salton Sea. Such a cool place to stay and see. Nice, paved short trail to the beach."
"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
ScoutGreat camping experience. They have both electric and non-electric sites for campers and Tents. Just a walk or a bike ride to the ocean. The one really cool thing that this park has are Groves of sycamore trees all over and Coastal Oaks like I've never seen before.
TravelerThe only thing to do here is hike and the trails are not well marked. Tried to get to MASH site and almost missed it do to lack of trail markers.
The bathrooms are clean but no soap or way to dry hands.
Visitors center is a hike and only open on weekends if volunteers are available.
RV dump station usage is not included in site fee. Extra $10 per dump
Most of sites are not even close level!
TravelerBooked this campsite the night before our trip as a last second decision. It was spring break, so we were surprised to be able to find anything open. We arrived to a campground with only about half the campsites occupied. Our site was backed up against a creek and tons of trees. You could hear the water rushing by and the frogs croaking through the night. It was so peaceful. Ojai was absolutely wonderful, and less than a 5 minute drive… we rode horses, hiked, and shopped. At lake casitas we kayaked, hiked, and play disc golf. We also drove to Ventura and spent some time on the beach there. Definitely recommend this campground!
ScoutWe are staying in a site in site with no services which are spacious and shaded. On a Sunday night most sites are empty and our site, away from the road, is pretty quiet The full service sites were mostly full and unshaded and there was a big and loud group.
ScoutA hikers dream . This campground has several trails and there are many others within minutes away. Showers are token however machines are right there. Fire pits on every site as well as concrete picnic tables. Malibu Beach is 15 to 20 minutes away right on Pacific Coast Highway.
Rangers were all amazing. They actually came by last night around 9 PM and told me quiet time was at 8 PM so I guess I had them backwards. I thought it was 8 AM to 10 PM but it’s actually 10 AM to 8 p.m. Firewood is available from the Camp Host who incidentally was amazing in helping and answering a lot of my questions
If I was to critique anything, it would be how short the sites are my rig is 31 feet and I have a I don’t know maybe seven or 8 foot overhang from the last wheel if I didn’t have that there’s no way I would’ve fit and then the distance from here to the side across from me is pretty short so you have to Jimmy in and out if there’s somebody there, but that was the only thing that I could say that was negative and it really isn’t negative it just fact.
GuideThis was one of those campgrounds that just gets the basics right. Easy check-in, level site, picnic table in good shape, and enough privacy that we didn’t feel like we were camping in someone else’s backyard. We had a short walk to water, beautiful sunset views, and surprisingly little noise at night. Would definitely come back for a low-stress trip.
ScoutGreat staff, clean, right on the beach, can hear the waves and walk right over onto the sand. Great beach spot, although backing in a trailer is a bit of a challenge/its a bit tight, but doable. Nice place to stay. Will return.
TravelerThis is a very fun place to stay at. They have a lot of cool things for the kids to do like arts and crafts movie nights and a playground. All the employees are very helpful. The convenience store has everything that you need for camping. Me and my family will definitely be coming back to this place.
GuideStayed at Site 90, which might be the best in the whole park. Huge space, tons of shade, and a really cool, large sycamore tree. No power or water at the site, but there was a water spigot nearby. We stayed Monday–Friday and it wasn’t overly crowded during the week. Friendly neighbors, lots of families, and none of the classic“LA” rude or loud campers. The camp store was really convenient, and the staff were very nice and helpful. The beach is about a 5-minute walk—our kids loved the tide pools and caves. Definitely check the low tide times before you go. Very limited Verizon service, which is a plus in our book. Overall, a really good experience. The family and I will be back.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area campsites span over 154,000 acres where coastal sage scrub meets chaparral habitat. Located just minutes from Los Angeles, these camping areas provide diverse terrain with elevations ranging from sea level to 3,000 feet, creating microclimates that keep summer nights cool even when inland areas bake. Most campsites require advance reservations up to six months ahead due to their proximity to urban populations.
Explore tide pools: At Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground, the beach access provides excellent marine discovery options. "The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access- it's about a 10-minute walk from most sites, and you can explore some amazing tide pools and caves once you get there. The kids loved searching for hermit crabs and sea anemones," notes Alfred.
Take advantage of rental equipment: The military recreation facility offers extensive gear for those eligible to use it. One visitor to Point Mugu Recreation Facility shared, "Lots of beach equipment; Tents, coolers, cook stoves...Surfing gear and bikes to rent. Indoor giant TV to watch and gather with other patrons inside the MWR."
Watch for wildlife: The area hosts impressive animal viewing opportunities along the shoreline. At Point Mugu Recreation Facility, one camper reported, "We watch seals, ducks and more swimming around the beach. We practically had it all to ourselves."
Private beach access: Many campers appreciate the relative seclusion of certain beach areas. "You get access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you. Perfect place for families or even RVs," writes Angelica about Malibu Creek State Park Campground.
Canyon camping with shade: Unlike exposed beach sites, some campgrounds offer protection from the sun. At Leo Carrillo, a camper mentioned, "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool."
Group camping facilities: For larger gatherings, specialized sites provide appropriate accommodations. One visitor to Danielson Group Multi-Use Area described it as perfect for "family style tent camping. 15-40 ppl. Young kids to elderly adults. Everyone always loves it! Facilities are clean and well maintained... electricity on light poles, running water, use of massive fireplace, lots of shade, plenty of tables."
Token shower system: Several campgrounds use pay showers. "Facilities were decent- bathrooms were kept fairly clean and showers worked well, though the token system ($2 for 2 minutes) takes some getting used to," reports a Leo Carrillo camper.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Leo Carrillo, "Cell service is virtually non-existent in the canyon, but you can get signal up at the beach if needed."
Campsite differences: Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park offers varied terrain options. "Campground is beautiful!! Spacious campsites with fire pits, and clean bathrooms (bring your own hand soap). Be aware of the limited hours for entering with a vehicle (8am-10pm)."
Bring appropriate gear: Beach access often requires additional equipment. An Alfred advises about Leo Carrillo: "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff."
Consider spring visits: Timing affects both comfort and scenery. Les notes about Danielson: "I recommend visiting in the spring, when things are greenest, and there are beautiful wildflowers."
Reserve well in advance: Competition for sites intensifies during peak periods. "Book well in advance for summer weekends and maybe bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper," suggests a Leo Carrillo visitor who noted weekend crowds from nearby Los Angeles.
Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds provide only partial services. At Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park, one RVer noted: "This campground is primarily setup for RV use, but allows for tents... Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. (After a quick walk of the campground it looks like many of the fire pits no longer have a functional grill)."
Vehicle height restrictions: Some areas have clearance limitations. At Leo Carrillo, one camper warned: "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!"
Dump station availability: Sewer options vary between parks. A Leo Carrillo visitor mentioned, "There aren't sewer or water hook ups, electrical only, but for me that's perfectly fine for a long weekend or short week with 2 kids and 2 adults. They do have 3 dump stations, too, so that made it nice!"
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 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and 7 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 56 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Keep Exploring
