Glamping near Simi Valley, California sits at elevations ranging from 700-1,000 feet, where average summer temperatures reach 85-95°F between June and September. Oak Park offers one of the closest luxury outdoor accommodations, featuring both RV and glamping options within a 10-minute drive from Simi Valley's downtown area, providing direct access to hiking trails without needing to travel far from urban amenities.
What to do
Trail exploration at Malibu Creek State Park: Explore former movie set locations and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park 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," notes Ryan W. from Malibu Creek State Park Campground.
Bird watching at Lake Casitas: Observe local waterfowl species around the recreational area. "We were tucked into a surrounding of trees and a lake view. Highly recommend this campsite," shares Stephanie M. who visited Lake Casitas Recreation Area. The lake provides multiple observation points where visitors can spot various bird species in their natural habitat.
Beach activities at Point Mugu: Access quiet beaches with fewer crowds than public beaches. "Beautiful Beach! Great place to go fishing, watch Sea Lions and Birds. Walking my dog on the beach. Watching the sun rise and beautiful sunsets," writes Ronna S. about her experience at Point Mugu Recreation Facility.
What campers like
Private beach access: Enjoy exclusive shorelines without public crowds. At Canyon Campground, "You get access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you. Perfect place for families or even RVs," says Angelica G. of Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground.
Unique wildlife encounters: Observe peacocks and other animals at glamping sites. "This KOA site was great. You can either tent camp or RV. I tent camp and the sites were clean and spacious. Great shaded areas. Lots of trails and activities for both kids and adults. Peacocks live there! They roost in the trees and just mingle with the campers without a care in the world," reports Jessica R. after staying at Ventura Ranch KOA.
Hot showers available: Find campgrounds with clean shower facilities. Kenney Grove Park offers "nice hot showers that take quarters. It gets hot, and it's full of insects, but very beautiful place surrounded by farms and fresh produce," according to Annie G. These facilities make transitioning from glamping to exploring more comfortable.
What you should know
Train noise concerns: Some sites experience railroad disruption. At Soledad Canyon, "It's very very close to railroad tracks and at night the loud train kept waking us up," warns Elizabeth C. Similarly, Melissa M. notes about Oak Park: "This site provides a pretty nice location close to home. The train however is also close and very loud!"
Limited swimming access: Not all lakes permit swimming. Lake Casitas doesn't allow body contact with water, only fishing and boating. At Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, one visitor notes: "Swimming only allowed at their 'swimming beach' and only while life guard on duty. And to use my inflatable kayak, I have to use their boat launch and pay a $9.00 fee."
Fire regulations vary: Check current fire restrictions before arriving. Some parks only allow artificial logs during high fire seasons. At Malibu Creek State Park, "The campground was under fire warning all weekend, but faux wood (javalog or duraflame) and charcoal was still allowed."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Look for sites with child-friendly play areas. Kenney Grove Park offers "a nice park, but small, for the little campers," according to a visitor named Bower. While some equipment may be dated, kids typically enjoy these facilities regardless.
Water recreation options: Find campgrounds with splash areas during hot months. Lake Casitas features a water park that's "Cute and perfect for families with small children. My son is 11 and all he could do was the lazy river," according to Yenyfer B.
Activity schedules: Check campground calendars for organized children's events. At Ventura Ranch KOA, there are "lots of fun activities for kids, like crafts, making your own rocket to launch, etc. It is not the place to come, if you want a quiet, mellow place to read a book!" shares Christina S.
Tips from RVers
Hookup verification: Call ahead to confirm operational hookup status. At some parks like Soledad Canyon, "Most of the park's electric and some sewer connections didn't exist or were 'down' for repair," notes Lori J. This verification prevents surprises upon arrival.
Site selection for shade: Request spots with tree coverage when possible. At Lake Casitas, "We selected our campsite based on the map and online photos. We couldn't have been more pleased with the location we chose!! Our space was F-11 and after driving through all of the campgrounds, and there are many, we felt that the Fox site was best suited for us," shares Bower.
Dump station locations: Note available sewage facilities before booking. Kenney Grove Park visitor Martha H. points out that "There is no dump station on site," requiring RVers to plan accordingly for longer stays.
