Westlake Village camping options span from mountain sites to beach locations with terrain ranging from rocky coastal bluffs to inland valleys at elevations between 400-1,500 feet. The Mediterranean climate provides mild year-round camping conditions with coastal areas typically 10-15°F cooler than inland sites during summer. Fire restrictions typically limit campfires to established fire rings during non-red flag conditions.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: At Malibu Creek State Park Campground, access multiple trails directly from your campsite. "We stayed in site 59 which had a really nice shade tree and great views of a meadow and the cliffs out the back of the site," notes a camper. The park features former movie set locations along easily accessible fire roads with trail offshoots to lakes and pools.
Explore tide pools: The beaches near Thornhill Broome Beach offer excellent tide pool exploration. "The views from the beach are amazing! There are rocks to the left and right that are fun to explore," explains one visitor. Morning low tides typically provide the best viewing conditions for hermit crabs and sea anemones.
Wildlife observation: Multiple campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities. "During a holiday weekend the trails were fairly busy with day-use hikers, but even then, it was easy to get away and be on trails alone if you wanted," reports one Malibu Creek camper. "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."
What campers like
Proximity to amenities: Tapo Canyon Park provides camping with civilization nearby. "Go here to relax and disconnect! Large grassy area for picnicking etc. Small park area for the children. And a really amazing looking archery zone that the public can use on Saturdays for a mere $5," writes one camper. The park combines nature access with family-friendly facilities.
Flexible setup options: Many campgrounds accommodate various camping styles. At Musch Trail Camp, backpackers enjoy accessible wilderness camping. "Musch Camp is an easy one mile hike from the Trippet Ranch Parking Lot in Topanga State Park... The cost is $7 per person per night. You can pay at the Entrance Station at the Trippet Ranch Parking Lot or the Iron Ranger at the camp," explains a visitor.
Natural sound environment: Despite highway proximity, several beach campgrounds offer pleasing acoustics. At Thornhill Broome, "next to the highway but all you can mostly hear are crashing waves. Very chill," writes one camper. Another notes, "The sound of the surf lulled us to sleep and we woke up to dolphins playing a few yards from shore."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during weekends and summer. "We noticed they had one random night available on a Monday. There were at least 3 other empty sites. I don't know why people don't cancel their reservation if they're not going to come. There are very few sites here," explains a Thornhill Broome camper.
Vehicle access limitations: Some campgrounds have specific entry/exit restrictions. At Point Mugu State Park, "be aware of the limited hours for entering with a vehicle (8am-10pm)." For Thornhill Broome: "They lock the gates for vehicles entering at night and if you leave you can not get back in until they re-open next day!"
Ground conditions: Surface types vary significantly between campgrounds. At Tapo Canyon Park, "for actual tent camping, you will be in either decomposed granite or concrete... I have camped here in a tent and there is no way to drive a stake into the ground." Rocky beach areas may require equipment adaptations: "You setup your tent right on the beach (there are plenty of large rounded rocks to use in place of steaks)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several area campgrounds offer playground facilities. At Tapo Canyon Park, "there is a playground and large covered picnic area. First come first serve camping, decent sized spots with shade, fire pits, and water." Another visitor mentions the "wonderful playground" as a key amenity for families with children.
Beach-focused activities: For families seeking water activities, Malibu Beach RV Park offers convenient beach access. "Perfect weekend getaway for the family! Loved the store and how close to the beach this place was," writes one camper. The park sits on bluffs overlooking the Pacific with a "park to lounge or play games on the cliffs edge."
Bathroom facilities: Family campers often prioritize clean restroom access. At Musch Trail Camp, campers find "bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks as well as a water spigot." One visitor notes: "Did not expect the bathrooms to be very clean. They have running water to flush the toilets, and to wash your hands."
Tips from RVers
Space considerations: RV sites vary significantly in size and accessibility. At Tapo Canyon Park, sites are "designed for RVs. The sites are fairly large and well spread out for an RV lot." However, at Malibu Creek State Park, one RVer notes it's "best for tents, tight for RVs."
Hookup availability: RVers should research hookup options before booking. At Malibu Creek, there's "no hookups so this is boondocking at its best." Meanwhile, Tapo Canyon offers "full hook ups. 15, 30, 50 amp electrical, water, sewer, but no phone or internet." Many RVers report the trade-off between amenities and natural settings: "Great spot for beach day use."
Parking assistance: Some RV parks provide unique parking support. At Hollywood RV Park, "the spaces are so close together that they use a cart to park you," and "Steve the owner is amazing and the team will take your rig on a forklift to your site and fully set you up."
