Glamping near Universal City offers various accommodations combining comfort with natural surroundings. Sites range from 45 minutes to just over an hour from the city center, positioned among the mountains and canyons of the Angeles National Forest and surrounding areas. Winter temperatures can drop to the 40s at night in higher elevation sites, while summer brings 90-degree days at lower elevations.
What to do
Kayaking at Castaic Lake: The lake permits water recreation including boating and kayaking with designated launch areas. "I enjoyed seeing all the ducks on the lake," notes a visitor to Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, which offers both upper and lower lake areas for different water activities.
Waterfall hiking: Several sites provide access to seasonal waterfalls within short hiking distances. "A 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that," reports a camper from Millard Trail Campground.
Beach access camping: Some coastal glamping options offer direct beach proximity. At Canyon Campground, "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."
What campers like
Privacy in natural settings: Despite proximity to urban areas, several sites offer secluded spaces. "The campground is situated at a popular trailhead, and there is lots of good hiking nearby," mentions one Millard Trail visitor, while another noted site 13 at Little pine campground "feels more secluded than other sites on the campground."
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper at Millard Trail reported, "I have woke in the morning to deer on several occasions," while another observed that "wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear" at Malibu Creek.
Reliable amenities: Most glamping sites maintain basic facilities. "Our campsite & the bathrooms were clean & well maintained," notes a Castaic Lake camper. Another visitor to Canyon Campground observed, "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."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant seasonal variations. At Malibu Creek State Park Campground, a camper 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."
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary by location and season. "Camp fire pits but check for permits," advises a Millard Trail visitor, while others note complete fire bans during high risk periods.
Vehicle access limitations: Many glamping sites have specific vehicle access rules. "Parking is about 150 yards away, down a hill, so be prepared to haul your gear," reports a Millard Trail camper. At Canyon Campground, a visitor cautions, "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!"
Security awareness: Certain areas require additional security precautions. A Millard visitor warns, "Make sure to leave your car doors unlocked, and nothing of value inside. You'd rather have someone root through your car and walk away empty handed than have a window broken and items stolen."
Tips for camping with families
Bring wagons for beach gear: When glamping near beaches, prepare for transporting equipment. "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff," recommends a Canyon Campground visitor.
Wildlife education opportunities: Many sites offer wildlife viewing for children. At Malibu Creek, "the kids loved searching for hermit crabs and sea anemones," while another camper mentions the "wildlife is abundant" with opportunities to see various birds and mammals.
Noise considerations: Some locations experience noise from nearby infrastructure. At Dockweiler Beach RV Park, "the planes are certainly jarring at first" due to proximity to LAX, though one family noted, "We had a dry campsite a bit further from the airport, so the plane noise was much less."
Tips from RVers
Park selection for RV size: Carefully research site dimensions before booking. A visitor to Malibu Creek notes it's "Best for tents, tight for RVs," while another recommends "site 59 which had a really nice shade tree and great views of a meadow and the cliffs out the back of the site."
Dry camping options: Some parks offer non-hookup areas with more space. At Dockweiler, "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."
Hookup availability: Amenities vary significantly between sites. "Each site have full hookups and sewer," notes a visitor to Bonelli Bluffs, while others mention parks with limited or no hookup options requiring different preparation.
