Best Camping in and near Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

86% (11 reviews)

Take advantage of lakefront camping a short jaunt from the heart of Los Angeles.

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Stay at a public campground in Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

86%

(11)

Castaic Lake Campground

50 sites In Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

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$20

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Top-rated campgrounds near Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

93%

(347)

Malibu Beach RV Park

298 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Malibu, CA

Malibu RV is set on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California. Founded in the 1970s, Malibu RV offers RV Sites, Van Sites and Tent Camping, a communal ambiance, and a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of your travels along the California Coast. Whether you are a digital nomad, a surfer looking to shack up for the night, or an adventurer looking for an extended stay, we would love to have you.

98%

(196)

Camp RainDale

6 sites · Tents30 acres · Santa Paula, CA

There is a road that leads to the site when you enter the gate the road runs between the stream and the mountain there are 4 Camps to choose from so far. Many more on the way and you can ask if you would like to camp somewhere else on the property and we can work it out. The site runs along a flowing stream consisting of paths from camp to stream. There are many trees enclosing the entire camping area.

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Arber-Moore's Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Oak View, CA

Beautiful natural campsites in the Valley of the Moon (Ojai Valley). Our sites are within an eighth of a mile of walking, running, biking, and riding trails from Ojai to the beaches of Ventura. On many days you can experience Ojai’s famous pink moments. You can hike the trails above Ojai, boat, eat, or picnic at Lake Casitas. Travel to nearby Ventura to shop, fish the pier, or take a deep sea fishing charter or Island charter to Whale watch or fish around the Channel Islands. Please note the aerial view of the camping area recently placed by Hipcamp is NOT AT ALL REPRESENTATIVE of the current camping sites and shows a photo that is many years old when the site was merely land. That photo is without any of the existing amenities or improvements. The actual sites are all Larger than Federal Park and Statepark guidelines, with averages of 20'x30' for campsites and 20'x40' for a long RVCampsite. We have planted many young trees and continue to plant trees and native shrubs around and near the sites. We have picnic tables, table coverings, fire pits, and camping rugs/footprints. There is also an outdoor shower, a shower tent with hot water, and an upgraded porta-potty with a sink. Note: During times when high heat is predicted, we strongly recommend that our Hipcampers bring pop-up shade tents or canopies for their sites. The Hipcamp is adjacent to our working ranch, and any photos of old sheds, trucks, a wood lot, or other equipment are NOT on the Hipcamp, but you will drive past that property to get to the separate Hipcamp area. Wineries, Farmer's Markets, Craft Breweries, dispensaries, and more are within 10 to 15 minutes of our site. Our location allows moments when you may see Hawks, Owls, Geese, Swallows, Robins, Bluebirds, and more. We offer both tent and RV camping. The Majority of our Guests love it here: "Vivian and Dave were exceptional hosts! Easy to contact and find our way to their property. Also gave us a plethora of places to go and things to do in the Ojai area. The area was open and spacious, and many trees and upgrades were in the works to make future stays more user-friendly. Big pluses were the shower and toilet facilities—much appreciated !!"

97%

(109)

Camping @ Quail Run Ostrich Ranch

8 sites · RVs, Tents62 acres · Lake Hughes, CA

Run by three generations, our ranch has been in our family for more than 70 years. We opened our doors to the public in 2014 to help support feeding our animals, bred and rescued, after the Powerhouse Fire almost burned us out. We’ve survived a county quarantine(2018-2019), the COVID Lockdowns (2021-2022), the Lake Fire (2020), and the Hurricane Kay burn scar debris flow and flood (9/11/22), depending on hard work and strong family and community bonds. In addition to camping and educational tours, we host private and community events, grow & sell produce and eggs, hatch and sell chicks, rescue ratites, and support the local bee population (which gives us RAW honey to sell), and are working to open a private U-pick-by-appointment orchard. We are all animal lovers, and conservationists, and try to do our part to ensure our children inherit a healthy and viable world. This is our home where we live, work, love, and play. We enjoy sharing our space with visitors who we hope learn about ostrich and make some great memories.

94%

(190)

Organic Farm Outside of Bakersfield

13 sites · Tents20 acres · CA

LOCATION INFORMATION Our farm experience offers a no-fuss stay on a real working 20 acre farm approximately 15 miles south Bakersfield with easy freeway access. Sites are perched on the edge of the pond – enjoy catch and release fishing or spend some time on the provided paddle boards or kayaks. Most of our campers are road tripping, getting away from LA, or are looking for a stopover on their way to/from Yosemite, Sequoia, Joshua Tree, etc. We are in a desert climate – cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Each site has a small table, water spigot with potable (aka drinkable) water, picnic table and fire pit ring (you provide your own wood). All sites are BYO (bring your own) tent or you can sleep in your car. Certain sites have height limitations and cannot accommodate pop up tents or trucks with campers – you’ll see these limitations in the campsite names. There is one shared indoor toilet and one outdoor shower that has hot and cold water. You may be greeted by our 3 working dogs - they're big, but friendly and love visitors. We offer a self check-in. Guests can begin checking in anytime after 1pm and checkout is at 11am. If you are going to arrive after quiet hours (10pm), we request that you respect the other guests who may be sleeping and do not disturb them. RULES 1. Pets are not permitted. You will be asked to leave (with no refund) if you bring a pet. We have working dogs and it is an unsafe environment for your pet. 2. No fireworks or anything else that involves fire outside of the firepit. 3. 1 tent (any size) and 1 vehicle are permitted per site - with the exception of site 4, which fits 2 tents and 2 cars. If you are part of a group/larger family and you need multiple tents, you will need to book multiple sites. 4. No tents, tarps, or canopies may be set up on our grass/lawn area. 5. Absolutely no feeding the farm dogs any food or treats. 6. At checkout, we ask guests to dispose of all trash in the dumpster located near campsite 5, wet down any hot coals, wipe down your tables and if you’ve moved any tables/chairs or used the paddle boards/kayaks to put them back. 7. Quiet hours observed between 10pm-7am. 8. We provide shampoo/body soap for the shower and do not allow outside bath products in the shower. 9. No moving or relocating the firepit SPECIAL HELPFUL NOTES 1. You may wander the property, but campers are not allowed in the pasture, barn, or on farm equipment and vehicles. We do not offer farm tours at this time. 2. There is no electricity or wifi at the campsites. Cell phone service for all providers is great. 3. You're welcome to hang your hammock if you have tree straps - no nailing or screwing anything to the trees. 4. Paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing (catch and release) are permitted however campers do so at their own risk. 5. We have working dogs who bark if predators are near, bullfrogs who croak at night and roosters that crow in the morning. Earplugs are recommended if you're a light sleeper. 6. There is a Walmart, Lowes, Albertsons and Vallarta market all located within 20 minutes of the farm for any firewood, ice or other items you need. 7. Do not leave your shoes or trash on the ground and accessible to animals. Between the dogs, wild cats, coyotes, foxes, skunks, racoons, squirrels, etc. they will go missing or you'll find a big mess in the morning. 8. We are a true working farm and we operate 7 days a week. This means any day of the week, we may be doing tractor work, fixing irrigation, mowing the lawn, weed eating, chain sawing, or any number of other activities that it takes to keep a farm operating and the camping area looking clean and nice. We also have staff coming and going in the early hours for farmers markets. 9. The campsites are cleaned every Monday and Thursday. We love our trees for the shade they provide and so do the birds – which means there’s bird poop (part of nature). If this is going to bother you, bring a tablecloth or towel. 10. We are on well water, during the summer months, let the water in the faucets run for a couple seconds to release the sulfur smell. 11. We do not provide electricity to charge electric vehicles. 12. We have security cameras throughout the property and placement is in accordance with California laws.

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Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

1 site · RV, Tent13 acres · Ojai, CA

Welcome to our tranquil ranch nestled among oak and pine trees, offering a serene getaway with stunning views of the Topatopa bluffs. Our site is the perfect place to disconnect and immerse yourself in nature, with five ephemeral creeks meandering through the 13-acre property. As a Leave No Trace environment, we ask that all guests come fully self-contained. While we don't yet have a compost toilet set up, we do provide a potable water hookup for your convenience. Please be mindful of your impact on the land and practice responsible camping during your stay. There are 4 permanent residents on the land, including me, who are in and out of the ranch daily, and our driveway passes near your campsite. So while you have privacy in the trees, you may have smile-and-wave distance interaction with other humans during your stay. A one-mile trail winds through the property that you are welcome to enjoy. Let me know if you are interested and I will show you were to find the trailhead. The path leads you to fascinating sites such as the caldera of a tar volcano, ancient Chumash cupules and mortars on boulders, and a tar marsh where wildlife thrives. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, botanist, birder, hiker, or simply seeking peace, this land offers something for you. We welcome guests to stay for a maximum of three days, but we're open to accommodating longer stays upon request. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the beauty of the natural world. We look forward to hosting you!

90%

(76)

The Lodge at Deer Creek

2 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Malibu, CA

At The Lodge at Deer Creek you'll be nestled between mountains and the pacific ocean. Surround yourself with nature and its music on this 25 acre ocean view property. Grab a surf or paddle board and head to the beach or zen out amongst the greenery. Grocery, restaurants, and retail are a beautiful drive along the coast.

95%

(11)

Red Tail Ridge

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Topanga, CA

20 acres of beautiful land. 360 views of mountains and ocean from every point on the property. There are many flat areas and nooks for camping found throughout the property, as well as a yurt, a double-decker bus, and an airstream. You enter through a iron gate and first come onto a big central flat pad with ocean views overlooking Saddle Peak and the San Gabriels. There are two 40 foot shipping containers on the flat pad, this is your spot, looking out towards the ocean. There is wooden furniture outside so you can lounge and enjoy the views. If you continue down the drive to the right of the central flat pad, you come down to a point that looks straight towards Saddle Peak. On the way to the point you will find a double-decker Crown bus and an Airstream that can accommodate campers. At the end of the point there is a 20ft diameter traditional Mongolian yurt and wraparound deck. If you go back up to the central flat pad and continue on down the drive to the left, you will find more beautiful and secluded spots down by the well house. There are a few meadows to explore as well as the ever present view of the ocean. There is plenty of wildlife around the property including deer, bobcats, hawks, owls, ravens, foxes, rabbits, and much more... On this vast property there are regular camping and RV spots as well as a yurt, a double-decker bus, and an airstream for campers.

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(77)

AntFarm LA

6 sites · Tents20 acres · Los Angeles, CA

NOTE: THIS IS A PARK AND HIKE-IN TENT-ONLY STAY. You must park by street and hike-up. You will not sleep in vehicle/RV. My wife and I built this place with the help of our 2 toddlers, our friends, and our team of shovels.

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(7)

Rosemead Near Los Angeles

5 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Rosemead, CA

Experience Los Angeles from the comfort of your own RV! Our expansive lot in Rosemead, CA, provides the ideal base for exploring the city. Enjoy the privacy and convenience of parking on our secure property, free from the unpredictability of Airbnb or hotels. With amenities including water and electrical hookups, as well as 24/7 security cameras, you can relax and feel at home. We also offer flexible monthly rental options for extended stays.

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(232)

A Unique Mountain Retreat

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Tehachapi, CA

The title says it all this property is truly A Unique Mountain Retreat that will give you the peace, quiet and tranquility you are looking for. An energy efficient Uniquely designed home that is off the grid and has a very green footprint with solar and windmill to charge batteries. Oak and pine tree covered acres with fitness and nature trails around the property. Each level campsite with picnic table is designed for privacy with plenty of distance between sites and mountain views in every direction, along with an optional gas log fire pit and BBQ. There is plenty of clean, non potable drinking water, custom built toilets and optional hot showers, limited electrical use, cell phone charging and low power use devices as I am off grid. There is a fitness and nature trail on the property and Pacific Crest trail is approx 20 to 30 min drive, Mountain park which has many miles of hiking trails and an Indian reservation with hikes to many petroglphs. Things to see are the World famous Tehachapi railway loop, historic downtown, vineyards, mountain spirit center a Buddhist temple, glider rides, bicycle riding and fishing. There is cell service around the property but intermittent at the campsites.

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Tiny Home Cabin in the Hills

1 site · Lodging4 acres · Sunland, CA

On the hillside of rural Shadow Hills in Los Angeles known as "Horse Country", most residents work in the film and TV industry in an area described as "close but a world away from the studios"!With views of the hillside and neighboring horse arenas and barns, you'll forget that you're still in Los Angeles and Disney studios is a mere 15 minutes away!

The best camping near Castaic Lake State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Just outside of Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, Castaic Lake State Recreation Area offers a huge range of on-site activities, including hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, a visitor center, and plenty of picnic space. However, the biggest draw is the park's two lakes: Lower Lake, ideal for swimming and non-motorized water sports, and Upper Lake, which is generally used for sailing, jet skiing, and fishing. There’s also a campground with 65 sites right by the shore along with restrooms and a dump station, but note that many of the campsites are strictly for RVs.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve a Castaic Lake campsite using the County of Los Angeles online reservation system.
Campsites can be reserved up to 90 days in advance. If planning to visit during the peak summer season or if you have a particular type of campsite in mind, it’s wise to reserve as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Some paved campsites are strictly for RVs. Permitted RV lengths vary by campsite.
If you can't secure a spot at Castaic Lake, you might have better luck at Oak Flat Campground, a first-come, first-served Forest Service campground a 15-minute drive away.

When to go

Camping is available year-round at Castaic Lake, but the best (and busiest) time to visit is in the summer, when high daytime temperatures make the park an especially attractive option for cooling off. The swimming areas are open seasonally, usually from May or June until the beginning of September, but the weather stays warm for much longer, and temperatures don’t really start to dip until well into autumn.

Know before you go

You can pick up groceries and supplies in the nearby city of Santa Clarita, a 10-minute drive from the park.
There's a shop selling tackle and bait on-site and the lake is regularly stocked with bass. You can bring your own boat or rent one right at the park.
Dogs are allowed at the park, but are not permitted to enter the water.
The park is wheelchair accessible, and has ADA restrooms, campsites (#C05 and #C06), and parking.
All watercraft must pass an inspection prior to launch, and must be completely dry to be inspected.