Best Campgrounds near Summerland, CA

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Summerland. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Summerland, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Summerland, California (144)

    1. Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    47 Reviews
    Carpinteria, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 968-1033

    $45 - $180 / night

    "We live in nearby Santa Barbara, but will use Carp State Beach as a midway meeting point when friends from Southern California and Central California meet up."

    "I naively thought the campgrounds wouldn’t be open to capacity and I was hoping for camping not so close to other campers."

    2. Lake Casitas Recreation Area

    39 Reviews
    Oak View, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 649-2233

    "This campground is located in Santa Barbara County just west of Ojai. Beautiful mountain scenery. It’s great for tents and RVs.

    The lake offers fishing and boating, no body contact."

    "A nice feature, (we did not take advantage of), is there is a water slide park near the entrance. As far as I know, this is a separate fee, but nothing astronomical."

    3. Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Summerland, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 966-9954

    "We needed an overnight in Santa Barbara and chose this convenient location. Yes, there is highway noise but it is like white noise to me."

    "It's right in the city - near to the beach and zoo (biking distance for us).  Only flaw is it's right next to the freeway.  But it's ideal if you want to visit Santa Barbara!"

    4. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

    57 Reviews
    Santa Ynez, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 686-5055

    "We stayed during the recent storm of the century in Central California so weren’t able to take advantage of what the park has to offer. The sites are very long and not too jammed together."

    "As with many southern California lakes, there is no human contact with the water due to it being a reclamation center. Unlike many other southern California lakes, this one has a pool!"

    5. Rincon Parkway RV Overnight

    17 Reviews
    Oak View, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    $43 - $47 / night

    "127 Slanted or parallel dry camp asphalt spots located along the Pacific Ocean and PCH approx 8 miles north of Ventura and 20 miles south of Santa Barbara off the Seaside Exit."

    "We had a dog and newly walking baby with us, so we REALLY had to keep an eye on both of them.  We brought little baby gates which helped. "

    6. Emma Wood State Beach

    26 Reviews
    Ventura, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 585-1850

    $40 / night

    "There are no toilet facilities here (there are some portapotties at the entrance though - those might be for staff though.).  

    The only "amenity" this place offers is trash and recycling bins.  "

    "We parked next to the sea wall great view of the ocean. Ocean almost comes to your door step"

    7. Wheeler Gorge Campground

    30 Reviews
    Ojai, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $34 - $74 / night

    "Of course fire, candles and bug spray help but because of the nice creek nearby its kind of unavoidable. With that said, the bugs go night night at dark and a big fire helps."

    "We reserved site #49 which was plenty big enough for our 26ft class c, but the drive through the campground to get to the site was a little narrow and tight, wouldn't recommend for larger RVs."

    8. Faria Beach Park

    12 Reviews
    Oak View, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 654-3951

    $30 - $65 / night

    "Dolphins passing by constantly, small campground so few people around even when full. Limited hours but cute little cafe. Quarter hott showers and clean bathrooms. It was 70’ in December."

    "Location: right off the highway, don’t hear the highway though, low traffic and loud waves Cleanliness: sites and bathrooms kept very clean. Bathrooms/showers: great and clean !!"

    9. El Capitán State Beach Campground

    46 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 585-1869

    $45 - $320 / night

    "It's convenient, easy drive-up and set up tent camping. The campground and the bathrooms are well taken care of and clean. It's also nice that the beach is nearby."

    "This campground doesn’t feel too much like you’re out in the wilderness, but it is on a cliff above the beach on California’s central coast so who’s to complain?"

    10. Los Prietos

    12 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $40 - $44 / night

    "We took a small drive and we must’ve seen 60 more turkeys crossing the road.

    We stayed in the smaller loop and loved it. Every campsite up there was taken and it didn’t feel crowded at all."

    "In walking the campground there are some spaces I definitely wouldn't want, but there are some great spots here. The outer campsites have plenty of space, privacy, and tree coverage."

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Showing results 1-10 of 144 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Summerland, CA

909 Reviews of 144 Summerland Campgrounds



Guide to Summerland

Camping near Summerland, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Boating and Fishing: At Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, you can enjoy boating and fishing. One reviewer mentioned, "The lake is perfect for boating... kayaking, canoeing, fishing or sailing on the lake is the perfect way to spend the afternoon."
  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Leo Carrillo State Park. A visitor noted, "Great location for beach, biking and hiking. Less than 1/2 mile to the beach, hiking and MTB/gravel trails accessible from the campground."
  • Beach Time: Jalama Beach County Park is perfect for a day at the beach. One camper said, "Jalama Beach offers great walks along a long beach that is nestled in a cozy bay."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Wheeler Gorge Campground, have limited facilities. One camper noted, "No running water available; fire ban... a lot of the sites are very close together."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Expect crowds at popular spots like Malibu Creek State Park Campground. A visitor said, "The campground was full but not too noisy."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially at Wheeler Gorge Campground. One camper shared, "They let us know there was a bear in the area... cleaning up all of Bucky's messes."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Cachuma Lake Recreation Area that offer activities for kids. A reviewer said, "The flush bathrooms are clean and spacious."
  • Plan for Beach Days: Make sure to pack beach gear if you're heading to places like Jalama Beach County Park. One camper mentioned, "Great sunsets and wide sandy beach."
  • Bring Entertainment: Since some campgrounds have limited activities, bring games or books. A visitor at Leo Carrillo State Park noted, "Amazing place to camp... but difficult to find availability."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Sycamore Canyon Campground said, "The spaces are pretty small, so they are not meant for large RVs."
  • Be Ready for Limited Hookups: Many campgrounds, like El Capitán State Beach Campground, don’t have electric hookups. One camper noted, "Can be slightly noisy if your side is on the back side by the freeway."
  • Plan for Waste Disposal: Some campgrounds, such as Lake Casitas Recreation Area, have sanitary dump stations. A visitor mentioned, "Easy to dump at dump station."

Camping near Summerland, California, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Summerland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Summerland, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 144 campgrounds and RV parks near Summerland, CA and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Summerland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Summerland, CA is Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach with a 4.2-star rating from 47 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Summerland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Summerland, CA.

What parks are near Summerland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Summerland, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.