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Musch Trail Camp

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<p>Musch trail camp is a small campground located in the eastern part of the Santa Monica Mountains of Topanga State Park.

This campground is about a mile hike in from the park’s entrance.

Here, campers can camp in style under eucalyptus trees and enjoy amenities such as water, restrooms, and picnic tables. There are 6 campsites here making it a small, intimate setting in an open area beside the trail.

The campground here is definitely underutilized, so we like to think of it as our little secret.

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13 ratings · 10 reviews

Molly M.

March 21, 2018

Super easy for a weekend get away out of los angles. Not super remote and there are hikers walking by in the morning but not a ton. Super beautiful and the times ive been there there have been few other campers so there was lots of room. Definitely recommend!!

Joseph K.

July 20, 2017

Potable water is available Fire is not allowed (stove okay) sites are small and not very private When you put the destination on your GPS, dont type "musch hike in camp", type in "Trippet Ranch." This will get you to the parking lot where you can pay for parking and camping permits through the automated machine.

Amanda F.recommends

June 20, 2017

If you want a small taste of backpacking and getting out of the city this is it. I've camped here twice while doing a workshop in pacific palisades so I hiked in at night each night . It's safe I believe but a little unnerving ! The first time was so quiet and peaceful . The second time an entire Boy Scout group was camping and running a muck screaming playing tag with apparently no parents taking into consideration the other campers . So it's a gamble but worth it if you happen to be there in a quiet night. I recommend trying to hike up to eagles rock to watch the sunrise . It's incredible. Do NOT follow the google maps . It leads you up an extremely dangerous narrow dirt road on the side of a mountain and I assumed I was being lead to the wrong place so I had to back my van down maybe a quarter mile before being able to turn around . Scariest thing I've ever done . Now I see on here that there are parking spaces and it is a way to get there but I'd recommend just heading to the paved entrance to Topanga park .

Reza Z.

June 20, 2017

Went here for my first backpacking experience. Loved it. Paid $10 for parking and $7 for the overnight stay at the parking lot machine, then hiked the mile up to the trail camp. There are about 8 spots, as well as 2 sinks and toilets which are clean as well. Half of the camping spots are a bit shaded, while the others are in sunlight most of the day. I went on a Tuesday night and there were many spots available. The hiking here is also amazing, especially the hike from Trippet Ranch to the trail camp, and then onward to Eagle Rock, where the views up top are amazing. The west side of the trail loop is rather ‘primitive’, which I love. On the other side of the loop is a fire road, with more foot traffic, and its more maintained.

Davy G.

December 5, 2016

Great spot if you're looking to stay near the city and escape for a night. It's a hike-in only camp so no bro's with car stereos blasting and 30 cases of beer! Very quiet with a great hike and perfect sunset view. If you don't have a car and want a big day adventure you can take the bus to the Getty Villa and hike in! (about 3 hours)

Max K.

December 5, 2016

Perfect middle-ground between an off-the-beaten-track camp site and a glampsite! Great toilet and basin facilities, water taps and near the ranger station (for safety...!). But you gotta hike a bit to get here so can't bring too much stuff. Lovely sunrises and beautiful hikes for the afternoon. Come here to get away from LA for a night. Completely resets you!

Sarah G.

July 20, 2016

A quiet and cozy escape! A hike-in trail leads you to a serene little clearing with running drinking water, bathrooms, and I think even horse tie ups. There are 8 sites surrounded by eucalyptus trees and large oaks (my favorite part of the Malibu woods). Wake up and check out the Eagle Rock (I think it's called?) trail--about a mile and a half. Excellent quick getaway if you're itching to escape the city. And hey, if you don't want to pay for parking, you can find some spots near a different entrance (where google maps will take you). Get there early, there are only about 2 or 3 spots.

Ben W.

June 19, 2016

Yeah, this campground is pretty lame, really. It does have nice amenities, but it's so accessible from Topanga Village, it will be the very off night when you find it a secluded secret gem. Last night we had to share the campground with a group of Japanese millennials who threw a mini-Coachella for themselves all night, complete with oonz music on a stereo, led lights and a full cooler of booze they humped up from the parking lot. They would not call it quits, even after repeated pleas from the other campers. Yes, the bathrooms are nice, yes, the downed tree log furniture is cool, but it's also a scrubby, dust-choked douche-magnet. Caveat emptor.

Yannick W.

March 13, 2016

Very nice, very serene. Price is currently $7 per person

Aja P.

November 29, 2015

Visting LA but don't have a friend to crash with and aren't a hotel person? (me neither. showers? who needs them.) Musch Camp could be your savior. It is not easy to get there--GPS sends you into a neighborhood with extremely steep, narrow, and windy streets and there is nowhere to park but those steep, narrow, and windy streets if you listen to the robots. DON'T DO IT. Approach from the south, through the actual Topanga State Park, and hike in about 2 miles, where you'll find concrete bathrooms. Hang a right and pitch in one of the 8 sites under the fragrant eucalyptus.

Your guide to camping in Musch Trail Camp

Overview

Biking

Topanga State Park offers bikers more open road than the city limits normally allow. Free from the ever frustrating stoplight, this park is practically an oasis for the area’s bikers. The trails here vary from fire roads to single tracks meant for mountain bikes. The fire roads the park offers are manageable for new bikers, though most of the more well renowned trails are better suited for advanced riders. The park’s rugged terrain creates the perfect atmosphere for an epic ride through California’s wilderness.

Hiking

If you’re looking for a hike close to the Los Angeles city limits, Topanga state park is calling your name. Topanga has 36 miles of winding trails that lead hikers through open grassland, live oak forests and past incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. The park’s trails also get major kudos for the pretty amazing geological formations found on several of the trails. Since the park itself is situated in between canyons, the trails here can have earthquake faults, marine fossils and volcanic intrusions (which is, let’s be real, pretty awesome). Our favorite hiking destination here is Eagle Rock, a 1,957 ft high summit that may just leave you humming the Lion King intro and feeling as though everything the light touches is your kingdom.

Horseback riding

Topanga State Park is an impressive place to enjoy on horseback. If you’ve always wanted to try trail riding but don’t have the horsepower (get it?), you can hop on a guided trail ride with nearby Los Angeles Horseback Riding , and let them lead the way! Most riders opt for a ride that takes them to a breathtaking overlook with an all encompassing view down the valley on one side, and a view of Topanga park on the other. Take the ride at sunset and you may just forget you aren’t starring in a John Wayne movie.