Camping spots near Thousand Oaks, California offer year-round access to both mountainous terrain and coastal environments. The area sits at the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains with elevations ranging from 700-2,800 feet, creating diverse microclimates for campers. Winter nights typically drop to the 40s, requiring proper insulation, while summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F at inland campgrounds.
What to do
Archery lessons: Try Tapo Canyon Park's weekend archery range. The park offers public access to one of California's best archery ranges on Saturdays from 9am-1pm for just $5. A reviewer noted: "The archery range is one of the best in California. There is a members area and the original range is open to the public on Saturdays from 9-1, with a nominal $5 fee."
Tide pool exploration: Visit Leo Carrillo State Park for accessible marine life viewing. The tide pools are a 10-minute walk from most campsites. "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," shares a camper.
Mountain biking: Access trails directly from Sycamore Canyon Campground. The campground connects to numerous mountain biking routes suitable for various skill levels. A camper reports: "This is a great campground for anyone wanting to do some camping and mountain biking. In addition, you're right next to the beach!"
What campers like
Beach access at multiple levels: While some campgrounds offer direct beach camping, others provide easy access with fewer crowds. At Thornhill Broome Beach, "you're literally camping directly on the beach. To avoid large crowds you can easily drive into these sites on off seasons in late Spring and Fall. The weather is perfect and you're literally camping directly on the beach."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area hosts diverse wildlife viewing possibilities. "We watch seals, ducks and more swimming around the beach. We practically had it all to ourselves," reported a visitor to Point Mugu Recreation Facility. Another camper at Malibu Creek State Park mentioned: "On a hike right out of the park a few hundred yards, I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek."
Token shower systems: Most state park campgrounds in the region use coin-operated showers. A Leo Carrillo camper noted: "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." Bring quarters for all state park campgrounds in the area.
What you should know
Cell service varies significantly: Coverage can be spotty throughout camping areas near Thousand Oaks. At Kenney Grove Park, "T-Mobile cell service worked well," while at Tapo Canyon Park, "Do not expect cell service. I could only work from this spot by placing my mobile HomeFi router on top of the camper. Our Verizon phones were paper weights."
Train noise at certain campgrounds: Some camping locations experience regular train disturbances. A camper at Oak Park mentioned: "This site provides a pretty nice location close to home. The train however is also close and very loud!" Consider this when selecting sites for light sleepers.
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Campfire policies vary by location and current conditions. Malibu Creek State Park often operates under fire warnings: "The campground was under fire warning all weekend, but faux wood (javalog or duraflame) and charcoal was still allowed. The camphost sold Javalogs, and there were plenty of options at the nearby Albertson's."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly facilities. Ventura Ranch KOA offers extensive kid activities: "From zipline obstacle courses to tie dye classes, this KOA easily occupies kids and has teepee and cabin rentals available for glampers, but nice showers, clean bathrooms and a roomy pool area really make this campground 5 stars."
Beach gear transportation: When camping at beach-adjacent sites, plan for carrying equipment. A Leo Carrillo visitor advised: "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff."
Wildlife awareness: Teach children proper wildlife safety. At Leo Carrillo, campers reported: "Also spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly." Another camper at Tapo Canyon warned: "Mountain lions were spotted while there. Pet friendly but be careful at night."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds near Thousand Oaks have uneven terrain. At Malibu Beach RV Park, a camper noted: "Our lot was secluded, private and close to the entrance/exit. The only thing was the unlevel ground we were on. Our RV was a simple 30' rental without any leveling."
RV height restrictions: Some coastal access points have vehicle height limitations. A French-speaking camper warned: "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" This indicates vehicles must be under 8 feet tall to access certain beach areas.
Hookup positions: Older campgrounds may have unusual utility layouts. At Kenney Grove Park: "The full hook up sites are for Model A's. So hook ups are on the opposite side and really close to the 'entrance' so we couldn't back in, we had to parking our towing vehicle in the general parking area."
