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."
"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
ScoutIt’s very quiet out there and the host doesn’t do a lot of prying, pretty much kept to themselves the whole time , which I liked. The sene is pretty, lots of trees and thick mountains with lots of trails , also an out door theater down the road that’s apparently pretty old , so all around it was nice quiet peaceful place to camp.
ScoutReally incredible location, was snow to book last minute by calling and checking for availability. Can't reserve by phone but was able to confirm availability. Prob easier to do in off season, add it is Feb not the summer.
Pricing is 75 for closest to beach 65 to furthest in RV 40FOOT LIMIT super chill, quiet hours are 9pm Love the space, fire pits on the beach. Pet friendly
ScoutPretty good. Smells a tiny bit like black water fumes.
ScoutThe campground itself was pretty good, nice sized sites, and pretty clean save for the occasional beer bottle cap and the bird poop on the picnic table. It's free if you have the America the beautiful/interagency pass
The bad was that the toilets were brown instead of white, and I asked the ranger repeatedly to please clean them the week we were here. Speaking of the ranger, he was too nosy, wondering if we were homeless and how long we're staying exactly like the other reviews mentioned, but the real kicker is I went to hike the Whitakers peak via the oak flat trail which directs people to go through the boy's scout campground that is right above the oak flat thinking there is some type of easement to let hikers through between the national forest and the boy scouts. Nope, you're trespassing through minute you step on the boy's scout campground, and the caretaker's two huskies might come and attack your dog, so beware. Full story on Alltrails.
ScoutFriendly ranger. You have to have a national forest adventure pass even if you don't have a vehicle. Still worth the 14 day stay for no camping fees
GuideIt’s a great place to get away and hangout. The river access and waterfall were a lot of fun to explore and play In. They had fire pits and public toilets and food storage for bears.
TravelerNice clean sites, friendly staff. You can hear frogs and crickets and birds. There was a lovely warm breeze all night. Nice grills over the fire pits and nice picnic tables. Lots of families, some with better camping etiquette than others. Bring earplugs in case you get inconsiderate neighbors.
TravelerStayed here for a soccer game at dignity park. We ended up with a buddy site but that ended up not being an issue, as it still felt spacious. We have a 25 foot class C, and site was a good amount of space. Pool and hot tub were well maintained, as well as the bathrooms and showers. Location was decently walkable to the mall area of Long Beach, and an easy drive/uber to downtown Long Beach. We plan on being back for the World Cup in June.
RangerThis place is always packed and hard to get into, months in advance or sneak a night here and there, just too close to the Big City. But this place is an absoulute Sh!t Show, every type of person camper, families and on and on.... but the beach is spectacular and it is a Fun place to hang out....just be in the mood for the Show
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 55 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.
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