There are several camping options, but Meadow Group Campground, at 5,300 feet above sea level, is an excellent choice for a weekend escape with your buddies. The dry, desert climate makes this an ideal winter getaway to check out the National Park and enjoy all of the surrounding wilderness. Oddly enough, one of the very best things about living in L.A. is how quickly you can embark on a road trip(or even a day trip) and get out of L.A. for a much-needed respite. 6 hrs by car from L.A. (dog rules vary by campground)Arguably one of the most iconic stretches of coastline in the world, the Big Sur area is a car campers paradise. Leo Carrillo State Park 35000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 Point Mugu State Park 9000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 Hidden Valley (44 sites), White Tank (15 sites) and Belle Campgrounds (18 sites) are first-come, first-served. Edit: That sucks you can't budget more than $2 for the use tax on camping in a national park, but there are about 2 weeks per year with no entry fee so that can re-allocate some of your funds. If your water supply is running low, go to a nearby creek, but always remember to treat before tasting. Cars parked at this campground must have an Interagency or Adventure Pass. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Los Angeles. (If this sounds like more of a punishment than a vacation to you, check out Californias best campgrounds teeming with amenities here.). Thoughmany sites have firepits for hanging and cooking, youre never too far away from a cheap and delicious tacos and mariscos stand. Be sure to book sites in advance as reservations fill up super fast in spring and summer. Newcomb's Ranch in the Angeles National Forest, Buckhorn Campground in the Angeles National Forest, Crystal Lake Recreation Area Campground in the Angeles National Forest, Bear Canyon Trail (aka Old Mt. On-premise, there are also showers and drinking water. Campground reservations required; find more information here. There are amenities galore here; in case you forget something, theres a store located in the campground, and if youre staying for a few days, the site offers several token-operated showers.Campsites are available for reservations. Number of Sites: 58 Hiking in the area is wonderfulfrom one-mile nature trails to all-day hikefests, theres something for every adventure level nearby. Philadelphia 76ers Premier League UFC. Heron Lake State Park Campground is located in Rio Arriba County in northern New Mexico and is the perfect place to kayak, sail, windsurf, fish, and explore hiking trails around the lake's perimeter. Visitors should check the Angeles Forest website, which will be updated. 1hr 20mins by car, dog friendly (on leash)Though none of them are directly on the beach, Leo Carrillo State Park has more than 130 campsites with ridiculously easy access to the beach, just on the other side of PCH in Malibu. The most popular camping spot (and also the largest) in the area is Serrano Campground, located just steps from the lake and right next to the Alpine Pedal path for strolls and bike rides. Having endless miles of space to choose from can seem daunting, so its always good to start with a map and a call ahead to the nearest ranger station. Dispersed camping is free, but there's also a nearby first come, first serve campground with a fee that offers showers and flush toilets. I am Ted Mosby from Cleveland, Ohio. Its also suitable for small groups. Meadow Group Campground - Angeles National Forest Miles from Downtown L.A.: 41 Number of Sites: 2 (Site One accommodates 24 people, Site Two up to 80 people) Situated at 5,200 feet above sea level, Meadow Group Campground is a great choice for a weekend getaway for you and your friends. VisitAngeles National Forestfor more information. Region: Los Angeles and Vicinity Scenic rating: 10/10. This is the essential information before you head out! 4hrs 50mins by car, dog friendly (on leash)Mammoth is a snow bunnys paradise, but it also makes for an incredible camping destination in the warmer months. If you need a break from all the partying, the campground is a half-mile from the Silver Moccasin Trail, a 53-mile hike that runs through the heart of the Angeles National Forest. Inside the main state park entrance and just to the south (left turn) is a paved parking lot that is dedicated to RV campers. Not only are there no pools or playgrounds, dispersed camping offers no bathrooms, water, or garbage facilities. Miles from Downtown LA: 50 Given this, it is important to do your part when camping here and always leave your campsite in better condition than when you found it. One notable National Forest to mention here is Angeles National Forest, located just outside of Los Angeles. Try another? To make it a loop, backtrack from the summit of Mount Islip, and head down the Windy Gap trail to the campground. Use the custom map layers to find public land, download offline maps, and navigate to your perfect dispersed campsite. The sites here can get crowded, so be strategic when selecting and reserving your lot to make sure you get as much or as little privacy as you want. You snake up the slope, taking in the amazing vistas from the canyons rim, then swing left down the hill and right downstream. Local Scoop: Just a mile up the road is the PCH Sandhill, a 200-foot tall sand dune that rests at the base of a cliff. Black Rock Campground ConsultReserve Californiafor reservationsandSan Jacinto Mountainsfor more information. Upper Switzer Site The tall trees around this area provide plenty of shade and perfect space for dispersed camping. The road to the campsites can be rough, and high clearance is recommended. Grab a burger and some of their killer fries, and check out the parade of motorcycles outside. Regardless of where you camp here youll need to come prepared with all of your own water and also be sure to pack out all trash and waste. If you pack it in, you pack it out! This includes where you can legally camp, what the various rules are, and what to bring. Be sure to have the name of the campground you want to reserve. Each campground comes with a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box. There are a variety of hikes that start right at the campground, but if youre looking for a challenging day out, head up the Hawkins Trail to the ridge. Dispersed Camping California By Sara Sheehy With its 840 miles of coastline, beautiful mountains, and fun cities, California is at the top of many people's adventure lists. You also cant revisit the exact same spot within one calendar year; this helps keep human impact on wildlands to a minimum. The best dispersed campsites are located south of the parks, just off of Cottonwood Springs Road. From here its easy to rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the lakekeep an eye out for the white-domed solar observatory perched at the waters edge on the north shore. Walk down to the Crystal Lake Caf near the campgrounds entrance. The site is best suited for tent campers and it is not recommended to bring your RV or large trailer here given the size of the campsites and the lack of a turnaround. The official guide to Los Angeles. Camping is allowed on Public Lands in California for no more than a period of 14 days within any period of 28 consecutive days, unless otherwise identified. Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you have any questions and be sure to tell us about your trip! And Dockweiler is only open to RV's if you are looking for a place to pitch a tent. When you think about visiting Los Angeles, camping may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Offering RV camping in two campgrounds and dispersed camping for the more adventurous RVer. Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon There are 380 tent and group campsites available year-round at San Mateo Campground, which is set back from the beach. BARSTOW. There are 250 developed campsites with 54 electric sites, perfect for RV camping. When searching for a good campsite ourselves, we prefer to use a combination of several online apps/websites along with publically available USFS/BLM maps. When youre done, fill the hole with dirt, and take your TP with you to properly dispose of as garbage. If you want to be able to run out to the beach every morning, Dockweiler RV Park might be the right choice for you, but if you want to be close to Disneyland, you may want to choose Anaheim RV Park. Our favorite of these is Hardin Flat Road, located just a short drive from the Big Oak Entrance Station on the west side of the park. Situated at the base of the 10,064-foot Mount Baldy, the highest point in the San Gabriel Mountains and in Los Angeles County, this campground is a great basecamp for some challenging hikes. However, youre relatively close to civilization and there are a few RV and developed campgrounds nearby. Theres plenty to explore in the area, like nearby El Capitan State Beach (also a good place to camp) and a trail to a painted Chumash cave. This is a great place to camp as there are many sites the further back on Hardin Road you head. Do not camp within 200 feet of a water source. This area has seen an increase in pressure as people look for . While these apps and websites are a good starting place for finding dispersed campsites in California, we always cross reference the information with public agencies maps and resources. There are also a handful of other challenging trails near the campground, including the 12.3-mile Bear Canyon Trail (aka Old Mount Baldy Trail), which is one of the most strenuous climbs in the San Gabriels. Rumpl Puffy Blanket - The coziest camp blanket out there. Find the best options for camping near Los Angeles, from stunning seaside locales to beautiful, nature-surrounded sites. It is a space where you can camp, as long as you bring everything you need to be self-sufficient. The trail is a moderately difficult 5.8 miles out and back with 1,800 feet of elevation gain. From the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Joshua Tree National Park, California is filled with beautiful destinations, sunny days, and plenty of those Beach Boys vibes. south on County S3, then right on Yaqui Pass Rd., the drive 4 miles to the open area to the east. The park does take reservations, so call in advance to check availability. If you know how to safely build and extinguish a campfire, always follow posted restrictions regarding open flames (this includes charcoal grills.) Most sites first-come, first-served, some offer reservations. Located in Sequoia National Forest, the river has nine designated dispersed campsites that offer the opportunity to camp right on the river and enjoy some of the incredible recreation in the region. A separate area for adults with a private swimming pool is situated on the opposite side of Soledad Canyon RV Resort. Gaia GPS - Download offline maps for easy navigation! Los Angeles; FIFA World Cup; Madonna; Insider Inc. Turkey; Germany; Manchester United F.C. Regardless of where youre looking to pitch your tent, there are bound to be options to plan a free, dispersed camping trip. R. RVs parked at The Alabama Hills free campsite. Site one is $36 per night, whereas site two is $120 per night. You can cross reference the two and often see areas that have established campsites in Google Maps.