Topanga campgrounds provide varied terrain from canyon to beach settings. Sites range from primitive trail camps to full-service RV parks with oceanfront views. The Santa Monica Mountains location creates moderate year-round temperatures with summer highs around 85°F and winter lows rarely below 40°F.
What to do
Hike extensive trail systems: Malibu Creek State Park offers trails with unique features for hikers of all levels. "There is a primary trails were open fire roads with off-shoots to lakes, pools, meadows, and more. It was easy to imagine you weren't anywhere close to the city," notes Ryan W.
Explore tide pools: At Point Mugu State Park, beach access provides excellent marine discovery opportunities. "The campground is right next to the beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you," explains Angelica G., who appreciates the peaceful coastal setting.
Try archery: Tapo Canyon Park offers weekend archery lessons for visitors. "There is archery with lessons for kids on the weekends. Very fun! If you are new to RV camping, it's a good place to practice," according to a camper from Simi Valley.
Beach camping experience: Thornhill Broome Beach provides direct oceanfront sites. "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," reports Erin G.
What campers like
Proximity to wilderness and urban amenities: Malibu Creek State Park Campground offers rare urban-to-wild transition. "Three miles from a the grocery and only minutes from north LA, you'll find a basic campground with flush toilets, coin showers, and easily accessible hiking trails," says Ryan W.
Ocean views from elevated positions: Many campers prefer the panoramas from Malibu Beach RV Park. "I have been on a 3 month trip and stayed at 22 different campgrounds. Malibu RV Resort has the best views for the price, hands down," writes Michael M.
Canyon settings with shade: Leo Carrillo State Park offers cooler camping options. "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool," reports Alfred, who appreciated the natural cooling during hot weather.
Easy backcountry access: For those seeking simple backpacking near Topanga, Musch Trail Camp provides accessible wilderness. "Musch Camp is an easy one mile hike from from the Trippet Ranch Parking Lot in Topanga State Park," notes Erik M., highlighting its convenience for overnight hiking trips.
What you should know
Vehicle restrictions: Some areas have height limitations for larger vehicles. "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" warns a visitor at Leo Carrillo State Park, noting the height restriction for beach access.
Wildlife precautions: Rattlesnakes and other wildlife require awareness. "Rattlesnake warnings are posted everywhere in camp," reports John B. about Tapo Canyon Park. Other campers mentioned bobcats and mountain lions in the area.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. "Cell service is virtually non-existent in the canyon, but you can get signal up at the beach if needed," notes Alfred about Leo Carrillo, while others report no service at all in some locations.
Shower systems: Most state park campgrounds use token-operated showers. "Two tokens for a dollar, two minutes of hot water per token. It took most of the first two minutes waiting for the water to get hot," explains Heather G., suggesting campers budget accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Leo Carrillo State Park Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "The kids enjoyed the playground and fields," mentions April Y., who found the campground accommodating for children.
Beach exploration activities: Families often favor coastal camping areas. "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 Alfred.
Supply proximity: Many Topanga area campgrounds have nearby shopping. "As a bonus, there is a Ralph's just up the street, so you'll never be far from anything you'd need," notes Jean, who stayed at Malibu Creek State Park with multiple family members of different ages.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy the animal spotting opportunities. "There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear," reports Ryan W., noting the abundance of wildlife visible from camp.
Tips from RVers
Site selection at beach locations: Dockweiler Beach RV Park offers different site types with varying benefits. "The RV park has a hookup area and a dry camping area. The hookups are full of large rigs, very close one with another, in a parking lot style. The dry camp provides much more space, but only relatively small RVs," advises Ignasi M.
Parking assistance at tight parks: Some RV parks offer parking help for tight spaces. "This isn't a self-park park...the spaces are so close together that they use a cart to park you," explains Donna H. about Hollywood RV Park, noting the staff assistance for navigating compact sites.
Full hookup options: Several campgrounds provide complete services. "Good size campsites. Full hookups, Public Restrooms and nice playground area," reports Larry B. about Tapo Canyon Park, appreciating the comprehensive amenities.
Noise considerations: Aircraft noise affects some coastal campgrounds. "We loved this spot next to the beach. We got used to the planes, but they are certainly jarring at first," shares Tyler G. about Dockweiler Beach, referencing the nearby LAX flight path.
