Southern California’s landscape variance makes it a dream destination for those who love to spend their time outdoors. The incredible options can also make finding the right place to camp a bit confusing.
Below, you will find a collection of highly rated campgrounds that include a little bit of everything that Southern California offers, from deserts and lakes to the mountains and the sea. Keep reading for the ten best camping spots in Southern California.
» Check out the Best Beaches in Southern California.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
How to Choose a Camping Spot
There are dozens of options available for camping in California, including the relative comfort of RV parks, National Park campgrounds, and even open forest land that’s dedicated to walk-in camping.
Consider whether you would want to hike in to a spot or whether you’d like to have your car nearby with some creature comforts. Do you want to tent camp or RV camp?
Do some online research to find a spot that you like. There are websites dedicated to providing photos of campsites and the National Park Service website has photos of many campgrounds as well.
What Gear to Pack
I always recommend pulling out all your camping gear and having a look over everything before you pack it, just to be sure everything’s in order.
The last thing you want is to find the poles for the tent didn’t get packed! A few days before leaving, be sure to pull out all the gear and take an inventory. You can do that that with the help of this handy camping checklist.
- For comfort: Tent, sleeping bag, mattress, pillow, tarp for under the tent
- Practicalities: Lantern, first aid kit, bug spray, camp chairs
- For cooking: Camp stove, pot/pan, cups, utensils, ice cooler
Read also » 25 Best Small Towns in Southern California to Visit.
Camping Spots in Southern California
#1 Pineknot Campground, Big Bear
Pineknot campground is nestled in the forest at the foot of Big Bear’s Snow Summit Ski Resort lift. Due to this, it is highly popular for mountain bikers, hikers, skiers, and snowboarders who spend their days traversing the slope.
The campground is also only one mile from Big Bear lake, which hosts countless other opportunities for recreation, from renting a boat for the day, to fishing, to basking along the shore.
While Pineknot is primarily suited for tents, it can also accommodate RVs and trailers. Just be sure to book your reservation in advance, as this is a popular spot among southern Californians and visitors alike.
#2 Hermit Gulch Campground, Catalina Island
Suppose you are on the hunt for camping in a scenic location with plenty of amenities. In that case, this may be your sign to hop on the Catalina Express and make your way over to Southern California’s favorite island destination.
Hermit Gulch campground sits within the city limits of Avalon Harbor. It is within walking distance to its characteristic downtown area, making it easy to head into town for any groceries or even an ice cream cone on a hot day. The campground boasts many amenities itself, including the option to stay in tent cabins if you’re looking for an experience more on the side of glamping.
Many campers are adventurers taking a break as they complete the trans-Catalina backpacking trail along the island’s length.
#3 Jumbo Rocks, Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park can be daunting to those who are unfamiliar as they are faced with over 800,000 acres of land to explore and a ton of campgrounds to choose from. Jumbo rocks is an excellent option if you’re looking to get up close and personal with the area’s famous rock formations.
Jumbo Rocks campground allows visitors to pull up and camp nestled into these towering rock piles, offering a truly unique experience. The surrounding wildlife also offers sights that are hard to come by, including the otherworldly joshua trees that can grow up to 70 feet tall.
There is a fee to enter the national park as well as the cost for any camping, and it is recommended to book your stay as far in advance as possible, as campgrounds fill quickly in the months of more moderate weather. Be sure to come prepared for extreme heat or cold depending on the time of year, as the desert itself does not offer much warmth or shade.
#4 El Capitan, Santa Barbara
El Capitan State Beach Campground is the perfect mix between beach and hills as you sit amongst oaks and sycamores after a day of exploring tidepools. Campsites are spaced out along the bluffs above the beach, and a quick walk takes campers down to the sand to swim, fish, and play.
The campground is only 17 miles west of Santa Barbara, making for a quick day trip into the downtown area for food or shopping. El Capitan is a great middle ground between some of California’s most fun and unique beach cities.
#5 Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are one of California’s lesser-known natural jewels. While they are visible off the coast of the Ventura/Santa Barbara area, not many people realize they are accessible to the public for camping and educational purposes. Camping is available year-round on all five islands, and each island has one established campground run by national park services.
Island Packers is the official boat concessionaire offering year-round transportation to and from the islands and guided hiking and kayaking tours, bird watching, and whale watching. Once off the boat, there is no island transportation, and all campgrounds require you to carry your supplies in and out.
#6 Kirk Creek Campground, Los Padres National Forest
Kirk Creek campground is undoubtedly the most popular camping destination in the Lost Padres National Forest, and for good reason. The campsites are located on an open bluff 100 feet above sea level, offering some of California’s most spectacular views.
The campground is just 5 miles from Sand Dollar Beach, a vast, sandy beach known for its beauty. Many trailheads also lead up through the national forest from Kirk Creek Campground, offering scenic hikes.
If you are looking to book a spot at Kirk Kreek, make sure to do so far in advance, as it can be a very tricky venture. Once your site is secured, be sure to plan accordingly because the campground is known for its gangs of raccoons who will rifle through your belongings until they find snacks.
#7 Doheny State Beach and Campground
If you have been on the hunt for some kid-friendly camping, Doheny Campground in Dana Point is right up your alley. This small campground may be paved and a bit less wild than some of the others on our list, but it sits directly on the beach and offers miles of sand and ocean to entertain your family. Just walk down the beach a little, and you end up at Dana Point’s famous surf break and harbor full of restaurants and shops.
This campground is known for going all out on the 4th of July, boasting a parade and fireworks. The state park and surrounding area are incredibly bike-friendly as well, so don’t forget to pack your beach cruiser.
#8 Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park Campground offers not only some genuinely scenic views but also a variety of recreational attractions. Park visitors enjoy horseback riding, bird watching, fishing, and hiking. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy horseback riding, docent-led hikes along the creek, and summer campfire programs.
Many of Malibu’s famous beaches are also a short drive away, ensuring there is no shortage of activities for active campers.
#9 Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills is a popular camping destination just east of the Sierra Mountains. This scenic spot is most known for being on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management, meaning the dispersed camping is free. Campers can pull up where they like and get creative with their campsites.
Because this is not an official campground, it is important to follow “no trace” policies and pack everything you may need, knowing there will be no camp host or rangers. Alabama hills also tends to change drastically between its months of scorching heat and bitter cold, so research ahead of time what to expect.
#10 Wheeler Gorge Campground, Ojai
Wheeler Gorge Campground is located in the Los Padres National Forest, right outside of the town of Ojai. Ojai is known for its serene nature and residents who value preserving the wildlife in and around their home. This makes for typically very well-kept camping and recreation sites along with friendly campsite neighbors.
This campground can accommodate both tent and RV camping and allows pets and campfires. Drinking water is also provided. Nearby in the town of Ojai, you can do some wine tasting while you’re out of the day.
Conclusion
With so many great choices for camping spots in Southern California, you’ll be out there having a great time no matter where you choose to go camping. We love the opportunity to see and enjoy all these unique, spectacular places to camp.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.