Camping Near Los Angeles
Escape to the wild beauty of Los Angeles camping, where rugged mountains and coastal views create the perfect retreat.
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5 Best Campgrounds Near Los Angeles, CA
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Malibu Creek State Park
Calabasas, CA
Located just a short drive from Los Angeles, Malibu Creek State Park offers a peaceful getaway with scenic views of the Santa Monica Mountains. Popular for hiking, rock climbing, and bird watching, this campground is perfect for nature lovers seeking an escape from the city.
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Leo Carrillo State Park
Malibu, CALeo Carrillo State Park features a beautiful beachside campground with access to tide pools, hiking trails, and coastal caves. It’s a favorite for beach lovers and surfers, providing the perfect blend of ocean and mountains within reach of Los Angeles.
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Dockweiler State Beach
Playa del Rey, CADockweiler State Beach is one of the few campgrounds in the Los Angeles area that offers beachfront RV camping. It’s popular for its proximity to the beach and nearby bike paths. With the waves just steps away, this campground is perfect for seaside enthusiasts.
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Los Angeles KOA
Pomona, CAThe Los Angeles/Pomona KOA offers both tent and RV camping with full amenities. Located close to the Pomona Fairplex, it’s an ideal base for visitors looking to explore nearby attractions like the LA County Fair or take day trips into Los Angeles.
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Crystal Lake Recreation Area
Azusa, CACrystal Lake Recreation Area is the closest campground to Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. Surrounded by forested mountains, this campground is perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to escape the city and enjoy nature.
5 Hardest-to-Book Campgrounds Near Los Angeles, CA
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Leo Carrillo State Park
Malibu, CADue to its stunning coastal location, Leo Carrillo State Park is one of the hardest-to-book campgrounds near Los Angeles. The scenic beaches and popular hiking trails make it a favorite destination, often requiring reservations well in advance.
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Malibu Creek State Park
Calabasas, CAWith its popularity among hikers and nature enthusiasts, Malibu Creek State Park fills up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Its proximity to Los Angeles and scenic beauty make it one of the most coveted spots to reserve.
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Crystal Lake Recreation Area
Azusa, CACrystal Lake Recreation Area is known for its limited availability, making it difficult to secure a reservation. The combination of forested surroundings and access to hiking trails makes it a popular destination for campers looking for solitude near Los Angeles.
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Refugio State Beach
Goleta, CAJust a short drive from Los Angeles, Refugio State Beach is a popular destination for families and beachgoers. Its limited availability and stunning beachside views make it one of the hardest spots to book in the region.
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Sycamore Canyon Campground
Malibu, CASycamore Canyon Campground is a hidden gem in the Santa Monica Mountains. Its popularity among campers looking for a secluded experience in nature makes it a difficult spot to secure, especially during the summer months.
5 Best Campgrounds for RV Camping Near Los Angeles, CA
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Dockweiler State Beach
Playa del Rey, CADockweiler State Beach is perfect for RV campers who love the ocean. With beachfront sites and easy access to Los Angeles attractions, it’s a top pick for RV enthusiasts who want to enjoy the beach and city life.
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Malibu Beach RV Park
Malibu, CAMalibu Beach RV Park offers incredible ocean views and full hookups for RV campers. Located in the heart of Malibu, this campground is perfect for those looking to enjoy the beach, nearby hiking trails, and all the amenities of RV camping.
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Los Angeles KOA
Pomona, CAThis KOA is a favorite for RV campers visiting Los Angeles. With full hookups, a pool, and access to local attractions, it’s an ideal location for those looking for a comfortable base to explore the city and surrounding areas.
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Point Mugu State Park
Malibu, CAPoint Mugu State Park offers RV campers a scenic coastal camping experience with access to both the beach and hiking trails. The campground is popular for its beautiful sunsets and natural surroundings.
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Castaic Lake RV Park
Castaic, CALocated just north of Los Angeles, Castaic Lake RV Park offers full hookups and a peaceful setting near the lake. It’s a great spot for RV campers looking to enjoy fishing, boating, and hiking in a quiet environment.
5 Best Campgrounds for Tent Camping Near Los Angeles, CA
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Sycamore Canyon Campground
Malibu, CASycamore Canyon offers a peaceful and secluded tent camping experience in the Santa Monica Mountains. The campground is surrounded by lush vegetation and is just a short hike from the beach, making it a favorite for nature lovers.
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Crystal Lake Recreation Area
Azusa, CACrystal Lake is perfect for tent campers who want to escape the city and enjoy the tranquility of the San Gabriel Mountains. The campground is known for its peaceful environment and proximity to hiking trails, providing a serene retreat.
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Malibu Creek State Park
Calabasas, CAMalibu Creek State Park is a favorite for tent campers who enjoy hiking and exploring the outdoors. The campground offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains and access to hiking trails that wind through the park’s natural beauty.
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Saddleback Butte State Park
Lancaster, CALocated in the Mojave Desert, Saddleback Butte State Park offers a unique tent camping experience with stunning desert landscapes. The campground is quiet and perfect for those looking for solitude and star-filled night skies.
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Point Mugu State Park
Malibu, CAPoint Mugu State Park offers tent campers a coastal camping experience with access to beautiful beaches and hiking trails. The campground is ideal for those who want to enjoy both the ocean and the mountains during their stay.
Camping near Los Angeles guide
While Los Angeles is renowned for its entertainment industry and urban landscape, it's also a gateway to incredible outdoor adventures. The city's unique layout connects various neighborhoods and communities, offering diverse experiences from comedy clubs to professional sports. For outdoor enthusiasts, California camping opportunities abound throughout Southern California, from oceanfront spots at Point Mugu State Park to the serene wilderness of the Angeles National Forest.
Common Questions About Camping Near Los Angeles
Are there beachfront camping options in Los Angeles?
Beach camping opportunities exist near Los Angeles, though most sites are located just outside the city limits. Coastal camping becomes more accessible in nearby communities like Santa Barbara and Newport Beach. For RV enthusiasts, Dockweiler State Beach offers exclusive motorhome camping, while Point Mugu State Park's Thornhill Broome Beach Campground welcomes both RVs and tent campers with beachfront sites. Additional RV parks & camping facilities can be found at various state beaches along the coast.
What are the regulations for car camping in Los Angeles?
Car camping within Los Angeles city limits is generally restricted, with regulations frequently updated. While parking 500 feet from residential areas and schools might seem permissible, overnight vehicle camping faces significant restrictions and time limitations. For a safer and more enjoyable experience, consider camping in nearby areas like Malibu or Oxnard.
Where can I find free camping near Los Angeles?
Free camping options exist on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands near Los Angeles, though some areas may require permits. Many sites in the Angeles National Forest offer free, first-come-first-served camping. Popular free camping destinations include Anza-Borrego Desert State Park's primitive sites and, for those willing to travel, the scenic Alabama Hills and Sequoia National Forest.
What are the best places to purchase camping equipment in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles offers numerous retailers for outdoor and camping gear. REI's Santa Monica location provides comprehensive camping supplies, while multiple sporting goods stores like Dick's are conveniently located in Glendale, El Segundo, and Torrance. Local specialty shops such as Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co. and Texino Camp Store offer unique selections. Premium outdoor brands including Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and Fjällräven maintain storefronts in prime locations across the city, ensuring you can find everything from basic camping essentials to specialized glamping gear.
What camping experiences are available in Angeles National Forest?
The Angeles National Forest offers extensive camping opportunities with numerous established campgrounds. Visitors can stay up to 14 days at first-come, first-served sites, though a parking fee typically applies. It's essential to monitor Forest Service wildfire notices and consider purchasing an Adventure Pass for dispersed camping. The forest provides easy access to both river camping spots and scenic mountain locations.
What unique camping options exist near Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles area offers diverse camping experiences beyond traditional tent sites. Visitors can explore cabins in the mountains, stay in yurts at state parks, or experience luxury glamping near Big Sur. The region also features treehouses for unique forest stays and lakeside camping opportunities in surrounding natural areas.
California's Central Coast
The Central Coast region stretches from Ventura to Monterey, offering diverse camping experiences along California's stunning shoreline. The southern portion features abundant beachfront camping, particularly suitable for RV enthusiasts. Heading north towards Big Sur, campers discover forested sites, natural hot springs, and some of the Pacific coast's most spectacular ocean vistas.
Coastal Southern California
Beyond Los Angeles County's impressive selection of beaches and campgrounds, the southern coastal region offers exceptional outdoor experiences. Notable destinations include Crystal Cove State Park and San Elijo State Beach in Encinitas, featuring prime oceanfront camping. The area extends through Dana Point and La Jolla, offering diverse camping options along the scenic coast.
The Mojave Desert
During cooler months, consider exploring the Mojave Desert's unique landscape. This vast region encompasses the iconic Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park, offering distinctive desert camping experiences. The area provides access to remarkable natural formations and stargazing opportunities unique to the California desert landscape.
Los Angeles welcomes campers year-round, featuring mild winters and warm summers. Swimming enthusiasts should plan summer visits when Pacific waters provide refreshing relief from the heat. Spring and fall offer fewer crowds, though beach lifeguard services may be limited outside the June-August peak season. Be prepared for the characteristic "June Gloom" - a period of morning overcast typical to the Southern California coast.