12 campgrounds with availability next weekend
The South Gate area in Los Angeles County provides access to a variety of established campgrounds primarily catering to RV travelers, with limited tent camping options. Golden Shore RV Resort in Long Beach offers full hookup sites with amenities including showers, toilets, and water connections. Several military facilities like Los Alamitos Army Campground provide camping for eligible service members. Most local campgrounds feature developed sites with electric hookups, water access, and designated parking areas rather than primitive camping experiences.
Reservations are essential at most campgrounds in this urban region, particularly during summer months when beach locations like Dockweiler Beach RV Park reach capacity. "RV Park very close to downtown Long Beach. Nice restroom and laundry facilities. Pool and hot tub are clean," noted one camper about Golden Shore RV Resort. The camping landscape consists primarily of paved or concrete pads in urban settings rather than natural terrain. Most sites maintain year-round operations with minimal seasonal closures, though Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground closes during December. Security considerations factor significantly into site selection, with several campgrounds offering gated access.
Campers report mixed experiences with overnight parking at retail establishments, which some travelers attempt to use as alternatives to established campgrounds. A visitor commented that at one location, "Security is very good and felt very safe, especially considering the location." Urban noise affects many camping areas, with railroad, highway, and industrial sounds mentioned in reviews of multiple locations. Proximity to beaches and coastal areas represents a significant draw for many campers, with Dockweiler Beach RV Park allowing beach fires—a rarity in Southern California. The campground landscape ranges from basic parking lot environments to more developed facilities with pools, laundry services, and recreational amenities. Both RV-specific parks and mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, though large vehicle accommodation is more common than tent camping options.
"However, you do get some road noise if you stay on the road side"
"This park is close to the action in Long Beach. Easily walkable or there are always E bikes and scooters to rent right outside the gate. Also, really appreciated that this RV park was gated."
from $80 - $85 / night
"The most fantastic thing about this RV spot is the location - directly facing a large, beautiful, clean beach with built in fire rings, a very long bike bath and bike rental kiosk."
"One of the only in Southern California/Los Angeles area where you can have a fire on the beach."
from $65 - $80 / night
"Awesome park, clean, level paved pads with a parking space..nice amenities, small NEX nearby. Wildlife reserve adjacent to the park made it nice for walking the dogs, too"
"Very clean, cement slab, walking paths well lit and near to many areas to explore. Wetlands on the base and birds galore."
"Our experience at Bonelli Bluffs Campground was mostly positive, but there were a couple of aspects that could be improved."
"The views around the outskirts of B loop are just lovely, the staff has been so friendly and helpful (we’re RV newbies and had a ton of questions) the store was stocked with all of the little things we"
from $76 - $88 / night
"Beachfront camping in the heart of southern California. Concrete/asphalt sites with water electric and dump station. Adjacent to PCH so road noise but steps away from great sand beaches."
"Super convenient beach front parking with good restrooms and outdoor showers as well as a beach path perfect for walking, biking, rollerblading, etc."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $60 - $70 / night
"Nice bathrooms and hot showers with laundry on location. Good amount of space between sites. Very short drive or 20ish minute walk to Disneyland. Extremely helpful and kind staff."
"Park is within walking to the Disneyland park. The tent sites are very small with a picnic table and AstroTurf."
from $70 - $95 / night
"Anaheim transit makes on-demand stops her to Disneyland as well as Garden Walk. Very helpful, friendly staff. Many residents mixed with overnight era or vacationers. "
"First time staying here, it will be our place to stay in California."
from $75 - $90 / night
from $0 - $1000 / night
"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."
"Trees lovely gardens to walk the dogs. Commerce walking distance. I’m staying 8 more days.✌️"
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $45 - $225 / night
ScoutBeautiful spot on seal Beach naval weapons command base. A bit pricey, but has showers and free laundry facilities seems to be on the flight path to John Wayne Airport beautiful grounds must have a DBIDS card to get in and out of base if not military.
TravelerNice place, can be noisy as it is right next to downtown. Only one building with toilets and showers
ScoutQuaint, super friendly staff, level campsites. Will definitely be back!!
ScoutSite is clean, many activities on weekends They also add 1000lb or catfish and trout weekly depending on season. Members were friendly. Downside is wifi when the campsite is 75+ full and only about a dozen paved spots. Major are gravel and dirt.
GuideThis is a small campground with a lot of sites packed into it. Thankfully, it was not a full house for any of the days I was there. You can literally hear everything everyone says, every snore, every zipper, every time someone rolls over on their air mattress. There are no sites that are private. That said, I liked the place a lot.
The rangers were super nice and kept the bathrooms clean and stocked and calmly lit at night (not a blazing light). The showers were just the right temperature and cost 25 cents a minute (the first 60-90 seconds are waiting for the hot water).
Each site has access to a food/toiletry storage box. The upper loop sites have their own boxes (I think some of the lower loop sites share bigger boxes), and you can bring a lock (or buy one at Vons) and put anything you want in there or you can use the pay lockers (1.50).
You can definitely walk to town. It will take you 20 minutes, 30 if you are slower paced. The walk back is harder as it is up hill.
I do not recommend site 29, as it has no shade and it is no larger nor more private than the rest of the sites. My site was adjacent to 29 and shaded, the sites directly across from me had even more shade. There are lots of trees in the campground.
TravelerNice spot with great hiking. Limited facilities. No hookups. $1 for 2 minute shower (tokens).
TravelerIsolated, hurtful. I guess Surf Outpost is another name fo Malibu RV Park, or Malibu Beach RV Park, with the same address of 25801 PCH. I found them condescending, rude, with that look I get when I'm there but not welcome. Pay money, then leave, and if I leave well, then people don't need to admit to themselves they were brackishly rude, and can pretend they're having a nice day. It's Malibu. I thought it would be better. Then, in discussion, it became clear my impression was correct. I guess I'm too short, as my nose was not high enough. I'm really not exaggerating. Or I would have been welcome I'd been a better sort. Well, I'm honest, clean. I follow rules. Am quiet. I'm nice, inclusive. I pay the bills. But I have to also be the right sort? i was truly offended.
TravelerI went there to see, before making a reservation. I found the trailer park—maybe 100 old mobile homes—but I never found an RV park. I didn’t see anything to see. The “pool” was empty. The office was locked, and it wasn’t lunch. Just kinda not happening. I left a message to call me with the answering service, but I never got a call back.
TravelerI was lucky to find this place. It’s well run, comfortable, friendly. Nice spots.
Campers visiting South Gate, California will find several established RV parks and limited tent camping options within 20 miles. The region consists primarily of urban or suburban environments with coastal access points to the west. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F with occasional periods of dense coastal fog, particularly in May and June. Winter camping remains viable with daytime temperatures typically staying above 60°F.
Beach activities: 0.5 miles from sites at Dockweiler Beach RV Park: The campground provides immediate beach access with fire rings. "The park is right next to the beach, walk 1 minute and you're there. There's also a bike path that goes for miles both north or south - great for an early workout," reports a camper.
Hiking trails: Within 30 minutes at Millard Trail Campground: This primitive campground offers trail access to Millard Falls. "About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that," notes one visitor.
Water recreation: At Bonelli Bluffs: The park provides multiple water activities beyond standard camping. "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more," says a camper who frequents the area.
Direct beach access: Waterfront camping at Dockweiler Beach offers unique ocean experiences not found at other urban locations. "We parked right by the Pacific Ocean, watched planes from LAX fly overhead, and soaked in a stunning sunset. It was the ideal place to settle into our campervan life," explains one camper.
Clean facilities: Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground maintains well-kept amenities despite high usage. "Very clean! The boardwalk was endless and great to walk the dog and go for a run! Restaurants all around to have dinner at!" notes a visitor.
Urban convenience: Campgrounds provide access to city amenities while still offering camping experiences. "Very well maintained campground. The spots are groomed and clean when you come in. Great Long Beach location, a nice bike ride along the beach to Naples and the Queen Mary," reports a camper at Golden Shore RV Resort.
Aircraft noise: Proximity to LAX affects several camping locations. "We loved this spot next to the beach. We got used to the planes, but they are certainly jarring at first," notes a Dockweiler Beach camper. Another adds, "Planes are loud but fun. We had a dry campsite a bit further from the airport, so the plane noise was much less."
Limited privacy: Most campgrounds feature close quarters with minimal separation between sites. At Anaheim Harbor RV Park, "The standard sites are essentially a large parking lot in a paved parking lot. The deluxe feel more like an RV site with a picnic table and grass."
Security considerations: Vehicle security requires attention at some locations. At Millard Trail Campground, campers advise: "Make sure to leave your car doors unlocked, and nothing of value inside. You'd rather have someone root through your car and walk away empty handed than have a window broken and items stolen."
Pool access: Several RV parks offer swimming options when beach conditions prove challenging. "Heated pool, spa was hot. Nice little store with everything you need. Staff was very friendly and helpful," reports a visitor to Orangeland RV Park.
Theme park proximity: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for major attractions. At Anaheim Harbor RV Park, "We walked to and back from Disney. Super easy. It's a mile each way," notes a camper who appreciated the urban access.
Seasonal considerations: Facility availability varies with weather and holidays. "The most fantastic thing about this RV spot is the location - directly facing a large, beautiful, clean beach with built in fire rings, a very long bike bath and bike rental kiosk," explains a Dockweiler Beach visitor.
Site selection: Request specific sites when making reservations for better experiences. "Best sites are 125-128," advises a Dockweiler Beach RV camper about the dry camping section.
Parking requirements: Urban RV parks often have strict policies about additional vehicles. One camper warns, "If you are in anything other than a motorhome you will need to pay for your vehicle to park! The 40ft RV length restriction includes the length of the hitch."
Off-season advantages: Winter months provide more availability and lower rates. "We've stayed here about 3 times. Last few times has been lovely. The location they placed us in was where we were last year and it's perfect!" writes a Golden Shore RV Resort visitor who returns regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best RV parks near South Gate?
For RV camping near South Gate, Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground offers beachfront sites with water, electric hookups, and a dump station. Located steps from sandy beaches, it provides easy access to Long Beach and is relatively close to Disneyland. Another excellent option is Dockweiler Beach RV Park, which features direct beach access with clean, spacious sites. For those seeking more urban amenities, Golden Shore RV Resort near Long Beach provides full hookups and is big-rig friendly while still maintaining proximity to South Gate.
Is South Gate listed on The Dyrt camping app?
Yes, South Gate is listed on The Dyrt camping app as a location reference point for finding nearby campgrounds. While South Gate itself is not a campground, The Dyrt uses it as a geographical marker to help users discover camping options in the surrounding area. The app shows several campgrounds within driving distance of South Gate, including Bonelli Bluffs and Little Jimmy Trail Campground. The Dyrt's comprehensive database makes it easy to filter results based on amenities, ratings, and distance from South Gate.
What are the top-rated camping sites near South Gate?
The top-rated camping sites near South Gate include Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park, a hidden gem offering access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views and perfect for families. O'Neill Regional Park is another excellent choice, featuring clean facilities, free showers, and extensive trails for hiking, biking, and running. Though tucked in a canyon, expect some road noise. For a more secluded experience, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park offers an oasis of green grass and Coastal Live Oak trees that makes you forget you're near a major metropolitan area.
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