The sprawling city of Los Angeles is known as a concrete jungle and metropolis. However, drive outside of the city limits, and you’ll find plenty of options for spectacular camping near the City of Angels.
The country’s second-largest city is one of the most popular destinations for visitors during any time of year, given its year-round warm weather. If you want to stay close to the action, there are places to park your RV, trailer, or pitch a tent, close to the city. To make your trip to LA even more exciting, take some time to check out the local hot springs.
Los Angeles’ Top Tent and RV Campgrounds
With nearly 4 million people in the city and even more in the surrounding sprawl (13+ million in the metro), you’ll find endless things to see and do, as well as traffic and faces. Because of Cali’s popularity, it’s best to book any reservable campsites well in advance. The state beaches typically can be reserved 6 months ahead of time on a rolling basis, while other campgrounds may vary.
Here are the best and closest campgrounds to Los Angeles, CA, in order of proximity:
Henninger Flat (16 miles)
Henninger Flat is a campground that sits high above sea level in the San Gabriel Mountains. It’s a trail camp surrounded by a scenic pine forest and mountain views for miles in every direction. After arriving at the visitor’s center, campers will be directed to a campsite with a panoramic view.
The campground is separated into three different tiers, depending on your length of stay and the size of your group. Make sure to check on the on-site lookout tower for breathtaking views of the San Gabriels.
- Closest Town: Altadena, CA (2 mi)
- Specs: 30 single tents or group-sized tent sites.
- Amenities: Fire rings, grills, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water.
- Reservations: No reservations. First come, first served.
- Address: 2260 Pinecrest Dr, Altadena, CA 91001 (Map)
Gould Mesa Trail Campground (16 miles)
Gould Mesa Trail Campground is a short two-mile hike from Ventura Street on the Gabrielino Trail. It is a superb spot for a weekend getaway or just an overnight stop after a long day of hiking. The campground is small, offering secluded peace and relaxation for visitors.
Located within the Angeles National Forest, this campground offers scenic views surrounded by mountains and luscious towering trees. Keep in mind that all water comes from a stream, so bring your own water or bring a purification system.
- Closest Town: Flintridge, CA (6 mi)
- Specs: Five hike-in campsites for tent camping.
- Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and seasonal stream water.
- Reservations: No reservations. First come, first served.
- Address: Gould Mesa, Arroyo Blvd, La Canada, Flintridge, CA 91001 (Map)
Millard Trail Campground (16 miles)
The Millard Trail Campground is situated beside the trailhead of Millard Falls, within the San Gabriel Mountains. While it’s often thought of as a day-use site or picnic area, the campground is perfect for a quaint overnight stay. The campground sits beside a flowing stream, offering a gorgeous backdrop among the surrounding mountains. There is a small hike required to get to Millard Trail Campground, but it’s only about a quarter mile long.
- Closest Town: Altadena, CA (4 mi)
- Specs: Six hike-in tent campsites
- Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets (no piped water).
- Reservations: No reservations. First come, first served.
- Address: 4041 Chaney Trail, Altadena, CA 91001 (Map)
Bear Canyon Campground (20 miles)
Bear Canyon Campground is the ideal way to get up close and personal with the great outdoors. Perfect for nature lovers, this campground is very small and secluded while still offering just enough amenities to make it approachable for beginners. It can be reached from Tom Sloan Saddle or Switzer Falls Trailhead, as well as from nearby Altadena. Bear Canyon is an ideal place for an easy hike or a short weekend trip if you don’t have time to get too far out of the city.
- Closest Town: Altadena, CA (9 mi)
- Specs: 3 hike-in campsites.
- Amenities: Picnic tables and fire rings.
- Reservations: No reservations. First come, first served.
- Address: Bear Canyon Campground, Altadena, CA 91001 (Map)
Dockweiler Beach RV Park (20 miles)
Dockweiler Beach RV Park is the only recreational vehicle campground on the beach in all of Los Angeles County. Situated on Dockweiler Beach, campers can enjoy coastal and panoramic views of Malibu and Catalina Island. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the RV park all year round.
The RV park offers full hookups, as well as dry sites, and a pump-out station. The surrounding areas offer visitors plenty to do, such as swimming, fishing, and all manner of beach sports. If you don’t feel like exploring, spend a relaxing night using the BBQ grill offered at each site.
- Closest Town: El Segundo, CA (2 mi)
- Specs: 137 sites for RVs, motorhomes, and trailers.
- Amenities: Showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, picnic tables, and BBQ pit.
- Reservations: Yes, by calling 800-950-7275 or 301-322-4951. Online reservations at apm.activecommunities.com/…
- Address: 12001 Vista del Mar Playa del Ray, CA 90293 (Map)
Hollywood RV Park (22 miles)
Hollywood RV Park is the perfect place to base yourself while touring or visiting Los Angeles. If you want to park your rig somewhere convenient while exploring the City of Angels, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in LA culture than basing yourself near Hollywood.
It’s very close to dozens of famous landmarks within Los Angeles and has beautiful scenery surrounding the park. You’ll find every basic amenity available while you get the feeling of Old Hollywood, touring the scenery of the park.
- Closest Town: Van Nuys, CA (<1 mi)
- Specs: RV sites with full-hookups 50 amp
- Amenities: Wi-Fi, gym
- Reservations: Yes, call 818-785-0949 or visit hollywoodrvpark.com/reservations
- Address: 7740 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406 (Map)
Golden Shore RV Resort (24 miles)
Golden Shore RV Resort is your home away from home in Long Beach, California. This water-oriented park comes with all the amenities that allow you to feel just at home. It’s even just within walking distance from downtown. The resort is a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city but still be right in the middle of all of the action.
There are plenty of amenities to occupy visitors, such as a heated pool, dog run, firepits, and its own convenience store. Venture outside, and you will find all the exciting attractions of Long Beach just outside your backyard.
- Closest Town: Long Beach, CA (>1 mi)
- Specs: 98 RV sites, full hookups
- Amenities: Wi-Fi, heated pool & spa, laundry facilities, showers, restrooms, store, pet-friendly, horseshoes, shuffleboard, dog run, bike path access
- Reservations: Yes, call 1-800-668-3581 or visit goldenshorervresort.com/reserve-now-1
- Address: 101 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA 90802 (Map)
Malibu Creek State Park (25 miles)
Malibu Creek State Park is the best camping in all of the Malibu region. The state park is home to the premier water course in Santa Monica, the 14-mile-long Malibu Creek. The course starts at the Santa Monica Mountains and ends at Malibu Lagoon.
Hiking, bird watching, fishing, biking, climbing, and horseback riding opportunities are available for visitors, in addition to the surrounding area attractions. The park has also been featured in various movies and tv shows, such as Planet of the Apes and M*A*S*H, offering loads of photo opportunities for film and TV fans.
- Closest Town: Calabasas, CA (7 mi)
- Specs: 56 tents, RV, dispersed, and group sites.
- Amenities: Restrooms, showers, fire pits, bike and hiking access, guided tours.
- Reservations: Yes, call 1-800-444-7275 or visit reservecalifornia.com/Web/#!park/670
- Address: 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302 (Map)
Malibu Beach RV Park (31 miles)
Malibu Beach RV Park is open all year round and is known for being the place “where summer spends the winter.” It’s the only RV park in the city of Malibu and offers oceanside or mountainous views for all visitors.
The park’s main objective is to provide value and relaxation to visitors of Malibu. While it has almost anything you can possibly need, the surrounding area has dozens of other activities and attractions within walking distance.
- Closest Town: Malibu, CA (3 mi)
- Specs: 142 RV sites with full hookups and 35 tent sites.
- Amenities: Restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, convenience store, Wi-Fi, cable/tv hookup, and picnic tables.
- Reservations: Yes, call (800)- 622-6052 or (310)-456-6052 or visit resnexus.com/…
- Address: 25801 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 (Map)
Musch Camp Trail & Horse Camp (34 miles)
Musch Camp Trail & Horse Camp is located in Topanga State Park within the Santa Monica Mountains. The entrance to the campsite is about a mile hike from the main entrance. With only eight sites available, this simple campground allows for a more intimate and relaxing setting.
This campsite tends to be underutilized and is a secret spot for many travelers. Showers and restrooms are available, in addition to all the other attractions that the state park has to offer. This off-the-beaten-path location is perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers seeking a peaceful and serene time away from the fast-moving pace of Los Angeles.
- Closest Town: Topanga, CA (4 mi)
- Specs: 8 tent sites
- Amenities: Restrooms and Showers.
- Reservations: No reservations. First come, first served.
- Address: 20828 Entrada Rd, Topanga, CA 90290 (Map)
Camp Williams Resort (38 miles)
Tucked away in the San Gabriel Mountains, Camp Williams Resort is the perfect escape from Los Angeles. The campsites start right on the banks of the San Gabriel River East Fork, surrounded by towering oak trees. Tent, dispersed, RV, group, and equestrian campsites are all available but do note that this is a popular spot for Angelenos and visitors alike.
Camping is available year-round, with fishing and hiking opportunities as well. Camp Williams is a perfect spot to relax and take in the magnificent mountainous views while breathing the fresh air away from the city.
- Closest Town: Azusa, CA (15 mi)
- Specs: Full hookups. group & tent sites are available, cabins for rent, dump station
- Amenities: Restrooms, showers, walking paths, picnic tables, space for slide-outs, café, general store, pet-friendly.
- Reservations: Yes, call (626) 910-1126 or visit campwilliams.com/contact-us/
- Address: 24210 E Fork Road, Azusa, CA, 91702 (Map)
Coldbrook Campground (42 miles)
Coldbrook Campground is situated on the North Fork of the San Gabriel River within in San Gabriel Mountains. It’s just 4 miles upstream from where rainbow trout are abundant in the summer, offering ideal fishing conditions for visitors. Coldbrook Campground is a campsite for the spring season only.
The campground is a perfect starting point to multiple trailheads in the area, such as Smith Mountain Trailhead, The East Fork Trail, and Upper Bear Creek Trailhead. Come prepared with enough water for personal usage or a way to purify the stream water.
- Closest Town: Azusa, CA (18 mi)
- Specs: 22 tent campsites
- Amenities: Fire rings, vault toilets, seasonal stream water.
- Reservations: No reservations. First come, first served.
- Address: Coldbrook Campground, San Gabriel Canyon Rd, Azusa, CA 91702 (Map)
With the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountain Ranges as your playground, you’ll find incredible outdoor opportunities in the City of Angels. Yes, by all means, check out the big tourist draws and take lots of photos. After a long day of exploring, though, the best way to relax is by sitting fireside while camping near Los Angeles.
If you’ll be heading to the Bay area, consider one of the campgrounds close to San Francisco to complete your itinerary.