Leo Carrillo State Park Campground in Malibu offers tent and RV camping options 20 miles from Thousand Oaks. The campground sits in a canyon with shade trees and provides beach access via a 10-minute walk. Summer temperatures in the region typically reach 85-95°F during daytime hours, while winter nights can drop to 40-45°F with occasional rain.
What to do
Beachfront exploration and tide pools: At Leo Carrillo State Park, campers can discover marine life along the shoreline. "The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access... 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, who recommends bringing "a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff."
Water activities on Lake Casitas: Located about 25 miles from Thousand Oaks, Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers fishing and boating options. One visitor noted, "The lake offers fishing and boating, no body contact. There are several campsites around the lake. Some lakefront and some wooded." For families with children, "the most fun is the water park. You can take a break from the heat and tube down the lazy river."
Canyon hiking opportunities: Trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty weave through the canyons near Thousand Oaks. At Malibu Creek State Park, visitors appreciate the accessible paths. "The state park is a former movie set and 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."
What campers like
Spacious camping areas with amenities: Malibu Creek State Park Campground gets high marks for its layout. "The sites are fairly basic, but they are spacious and have some privacy from neighboring sites. They come with a picnic table and there are coin-operated showers nearby," reports one camper. Another mentions, "The campsites are pretty standard, but they are spacious and have some privacy from neighboring sites."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the region offer chances to observe local fauna. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear," notes Ryan W. At Ventura Ranch KOA, "Peacocks roam the grounds" and create a unique atmosphere, although one visitor warns they "can be very intrusive!"
Proximity to both nature and conveniences: Campers appreciate being able to enjoy natural surroundings while staying close to necessities. "Three miles from a grocery and only minutes from north LA, you'll find a basic campground with flush toilets, coin showers, and easily accessible hiking trails," shares a camper about Malibu Creek State Park. Another notes, "There is a Ralph's just up the street, so you'll never be far from anything you'd need."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Camping experiences vary significantly by season. "It is much nicer and greener during the Spring or Fall," says one camper about Malibu Creek State Park. Another warns, "I came here during the summer and it was extremely HOT. Typically during the summer season, I like to find campgrounds that have a lot of lush trees so we can be under the canopies and stay cool."
Facility limitations: Kenney Grove Park has specific facility restrictions campers should note. "There is no dump station on site. Sites are various sizes," reports Martha H. Another camper mentions, "There are hot showers that take quarters. It gets hot, and it's full of insects, but very beautiful place surrounded by farms and fresh produce."
Reservation requirements: Most glamping and upscale camping options near Thousand Oaks require advance booking. "It was a nice experience, however it is only available to the military and their families," notes one visitor about Point Mugu Recreation Facility. For Lake Casitas, a visitor advises: "Just book well in advance for summer weekends and maybe bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers numerous options for children. "The Park has a tiny water park. Cute and perfect for families with small children," shares one parent. Another camper adds, "My teens loved being able to ride their bikes around," highlighting the variety of age-appropriate activities available.
Wildlife education opportunities: Families can turn wildlife encounters into learning experiences. "We watched seals, ducks and more swimming around the beach. We practically had it all to ourselves," writes a visitor to Point Mugu. At Ventura Ranch KOA, the resident peacocks fascinate children, though one camper warns to "store your food properly" as wildlife can get curious about unattended items.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Kenney Grove Park includes "a nice park, but small, for the little campers" and "a playground with an old school merry-go-round within sight of where our spot was," according to one visitor who adds, "The kids had plenty of room to run around and get dirty."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV campers should carefully review site specifications before booking glamping in Thousand Oaks, California. "Some of the sites are a lil different with their arrangements. Smaller sites with only 30amp services. Some have full hookups.... most don't," notes one RVer about Kenney Grove Park. Another camper cautions, "I wouldn't suggest for really large campers. But for a van, we had power, water, bathrooms and off season prices."
Hookup availability: Utility connections vary widely between campgrounds. At Oak Park, visitors appreciate that the site "provides a pretty nice location close to home with electric and sewer hook ups." For Leo Carrillo State Park, a camper notes, "There are flush toilets, hot showers, water, a dump station and a little campground store."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present terrain difficulties for RVs. A visitor to Ventura Ranch KOA reported, "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." Bring leveling blocks or ask about terrain when making reservations.
