Camping near Thousand Oaks ranges from RV sites with full hookups to tent camping at coastal and mountain campgrounds, with most options within a 30-minute drive along the Pacific Coast Highway corridor and surrounding mountains. Campers can choose from sites like Leo Carrillo State Park, Point Mugu State Park, and Oak Park, which offer varied accommodation options including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and in some locations, cabins or glamping facilities.
Reservations are strongly recommended for most developed campgrounds, particularly during summer months when coastal sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though winter camping may bring cooler temperatures and occasional rain. Oak Park provides electric and water hookups with picnic tables and fire pits, while coastal campgrounds like Leo Carrillo offer proximity to beach access and tide pools. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better connectivity at sites closer to populated areas. A camper noted, "Little pricy but the campground is well maintained. The bathrooms are maintained and there are plenty of them in the campground. Fresh water spigots at each site."
Several mixed-use campgrounds near Thousand Oaks accommodate both tent and RV campers with varying levels of amenities. The Malibu area campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for their proximity to both mountain trails and beaches, with many sites featuring fire pits and picnic tables. Coastal campgrounds like Leo Carrillo State Park and Point Mugu State Park provide beach access within walking distance of campsites, though they tend to be more expensive than inland options. A visitor commented, "Easy to set up camp, great view! Fire pit at each site, firewood for sale at the camp host site." Campers seeking more budget-friendly options might consider Oak Park in Simi Valley, which offers well-maintained facilities with shade trees, though some reviews mention train noise. Most established campgrounds in the area provide drinking water, toilets, and trash collection, with shower facilities available at select locations.
$45 - $60 / night
"It was a quick drive up the coast and onto this hidden gem. You get access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you. Perfect place for families or even RVs."
"The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool."
$45 - $225 / night
"It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."
"The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."
$35 / night
"Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in souther California. I have to note the bathrooms are absolutely terrible."
"You are so close to the water and there is plenty of space between you and your neighbor. When we were there many people had RVs so there were only a few tents."
$45 / night
"Fantastic body surfing, some good surf waves up the highway a bit. There is a backpacking access site as well up the canyon about 3 miles."
"If you love Fall and trees and the California golden sun... this place is the place to be! It has it all in one."
$80 - $300 / night
"I absolutely love this campground, it’s perfectly situated in between the Malibu pier area (to your left) Dume, Zuma, and more beaches (to the right), + a lovely small beach across the street… oh let’s"
"This is a great little campground just north of Malibu, California, and right off of the 101. So yes, the freeway is RIGHT. THERE."
$30 / night
"If you’re looking for a campsite off the beaten path with gorgeous views and some unique exploring nearby, this is it. I stayed here in a 22 foot RV at one of the hookup sites."
"Incredible drive through vineyards, citrus tree farms just to get to the Salton Sea. Such a cool place to stay and see. Nice, paved short trail to the beach."
"The tent sites are very basic and very close together, but the surroundings are worth it!"
"This is a wonderful campground right next to the beach however it is only available to the military and their families."
"This is a very nice campground near everything but still away from it all. No issues parking our 42' 5th wheel here. Clean and quiet despite the peacocks. They can be rather loud when startled."
"This campground happens to be very close to home so we went here to try out our brand new pull behind camper trailer for the very first time.
The campground is small, quiet and very well-kept."
"It’s tucked away from the street and you almost wouldn’t know it’s there! Loved this small and well kept campsite. Some of the sites are very small."
"Ok, so first off driving into this place feels a little "Texas Chainsaw" but don't worry, its fine."
"Also multiple hiking trails right from the grounds, and some playgrounds and basketball courts. Feels very family friendly. First come first serve spots and you make reservations online."
TravelerThis is a very fun place to stay at. They have a lot of cool things for the kids to do like arts and crafts movie nights and a playground. All the employees are very helpful. The convenience store has everything that you need for camping. Me and my family will definitely be coming back to this place.
GuideThis was one of those campgrounds that just gets the basics right. Easy check-in, level site, picnic table in good shape, and enough privacy that we didn’t feel like we were camping in someone else’s backyard. We had a short walk to water, beautiful sunset views, and surprisingly little noise at night.
GuideStayed at Site 90, which might be the best in the whole park. Huge space, tons of shade, and a really cool, large sycamore tree. No power or water at the site, but there was a water spigot nearby. We stayed Monday–Friday and it wasn’t overly crowded during the week. Friendly neighbors, lots of families, and none of the classic“LA” rude or loud campers. The camp store was really convenient, and the staff were very nice and helpful. The beach is about a 5-minute walk—our kids loved the tide pools and caves. Definitely check the low tide times before you go. Very limited Verizon service, which is a plus in our book. Overall, a really good experience. The family and I will be back.
TravelerCamping at the beach in LA! Large country campground that has sites designed for motorhomes and sites designed for travel trailers and fifth wheels. It asphalt campsites, but you’re at the BEACH! My only complaints are the electrical was not working properly, (I had to connect to 30A instead of 50A), and people don’t pick up after themselves.
Scoutfirst, as a drop in you can‘t stay more then two nights even if they have room!
second, annually pool maintenance in spring break! without information when checking in, and it’s not a cheap one and i chose it for the pool! no information no discount, had to beg to at least get a poolchair, so much gras to chill no chairs!
third the showers are only dripping and i was the only one showering! again, not a cheap place!
and fourth, WIFI does never connect, really for a campground with this price, every cheap one has better WIFI and some people need it as internationals!
TravelerThe bathrooms and showers are very dirty. That’s probably related to the fact that it’s a huge campground, but when you pay $50 you also expect more than that. We’ve definitely seen much nicer places for $50. I certainly wouldn’t take a shower there.
On top of that, they gave us a campsite that didn’t exist. After that, we were offered to sleep in a parking spot that was some kind of late parking. Someone came and knocked the next morning saying we had to leave right away, even though our slip said 12:00 checkout.
I definitely won’t be coming back.
RangerVery tropical, and a nice cool place to walk and chill to get out of the Hot Ojai Sun. The campground is very small and primitive and tough to get spots Thursday through Sunday if you can its pretty fun but can turned int a little party place on weekend nights and quite a but of craziness... But a weekday, after a good rain, pretty magical, and lots of hiking out of he CG and lots of hiking and VERY close to the Piedra Blanca Trailhead and Sespe River
RangerOverall the CG is fine everything you need just fine, Location is okay Beach 5 miles away many trails to hike and the Valley shopping and other Typical So cal things are 20 minutes away and L.A. is 35 minutes away (with no traffic). but That locaion is what makes the death of this place.with over 1 million (not exaggerating) having immediate access to this place and it not over all restful experience, and is just too darn PEOPLY!!
GuideNice sea front (big rocks, sand at low tide). Gravel pads which are better than many other "parking lots" on the coast, but still closely spaced. Only one "family shower" for the entire campground and toilets are a bit old and therefore dirty-looking. Had a good time, perfect spot for doing a channel island day trip
Camping spots near Thousand Oaks, California offer year-round access to both mountainous terrain and coastal environments. The area sits at the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains with elevations ranging from 700-2,800 feet, creating diverse microclimates for campers. Winter nights typically drop to the 40s, requiring proper insulation, while summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F at inland campgrounds.
Archery lessons: Try Tapo Canyon Park's weekend archery range. The park offers public access to one of California's best archery ranges on Saturdays from 9am-1pm for just $5. A reviewer noted: "The archery range is one of the best in California. There is a members area and the original range is open to the public on Saturdays from 9-1, with a nominal $5 fee."
Tide pool exploration: Visit Leo Carrillo State Park for accessible marine life viewing. The tide pools are a 10-minute walk from most campsites. "The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access- it's about a 10-minute walk from most sites, and you can explore some amazing tide pools and caves once you get there. The kids loved searching for hermit crabs and sea anemones," shares a camper.
Mountain biking: Access trails directly from Sycamore Canyon Campground. The campground connects to numerous mountain biking routes suitable for various skill levels. A camper reports: "This is a great campground for anyone wanting to do some camping and mountain biking. In addition, you're right next to the beach!"
Beach access at multiple levels: While some campgrounds offer direct beach camping, others provide easy access with fewer crowds. At Thornhill Broome Beach, "you're literally camping directly on the beach. To avoid large crowds you can easily drive into these sites on off seasons in late Spring and Fall. The weather is perfect and you're literally camping directly on the beach."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area hosts diverse wildlife viewing possibilities. "We watch seals, ducks and more swimming around the beach. We practically had it all to ourselves," reported a visitor to Point Mugu Recreation Facility. Another camper at Malibu Creek State Park mentioned: "On a hike right out of the park a few hundred yards, I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek."
Token shower systems: Most state park campgrounds in the region use coin-operated showers. A Leo Carrillo camper noted: "Facilities were decent- bathrooms were kept fairly clean and showers worked well, though the token system($2 for 2 minutes) takes some getting used to." Bring quarters for all state park campgrounds in the area.
Cell service varies significantly: Coverage can be spotty throughout camping areas near Thousand Oaks. At Kenney Grove Park, "T-Mobile cell service worked well," while at Tapo Canyon Park, "Do not expect cell service. I could only work from this spot by placing my mobile HomeFi router on top of the camper. Our Verizon phones were paper weights."
Train noise at certain campgrounds: Some camping locations experience regular train disturbances. A camper at Oak Park mentioned: "This site provides a pretty nice location close to home. The train however is also close and very loud!" Consider this when selecting sites for light sleepers.
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Campfire policies vary by location and current conditions. Malibu Creek State Park often operates under fire warnings: "The campground was under fire warning all weekend, but faux wood (javalog or duraflame) and charcoal was still allowed. The camphost sold Javalogs, and there were plenty of options at the nearby Albertson's."
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly facilities. Ventura Ranch KOA offers extensive kid activities: "From zipline obstacle courses to tie dye classes, this KOA easily occupies kids and has teepee and cabin rentals available for glampers, but nice showers, clean bathrooms and a roomy pool area really make this campground 5 stars."
Beach gear transportation: When camping at beach-adjacent sites, plan for carrying equipment. A Leo Carrillo visitor advised: "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff."
Wildlife awareness: Teach children proper wildlife safety. At Leo Carrillo, campers reported: "Also spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly." Another camper at Tapo Canyon warned: "Mountain lions were spotted while there. Pet friendly but be careful at night."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds near Thousand Oaks have uneven terrain. At Malibu Beach RV Park, a camper noted: "Our lot was secluded, private and close to the entrance/exit. The only thing was the unlevel ground we were on. Our RV was a simple 30' rental without any leveling."
RV height restrictions: Some coastal access points have vehicle height limitations. A French-speaking camper warned: "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" This indicates vehicles must be under 8 feet tall to access certain beach areas.
Hookup positions: Older campgrounds may have unusual utility layouts. At Kenney Grove Park: "The full hook up sites are for Model A's. So hook ups are on the opposite side and really close to the 'entrance' so we couldn't back in, we had to parking our towing vehicle in the general parking area."
Frequently Asked Questions
What tent camping facilities can I find in the Thousand Oaks area?
Tent campers near Thousand Oaks have several excellent options. Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach is a popular choice with good facilities, though sites can be closely packed. Each campsite includes a fire ring/grill and picnic table with restrooms nearby. Tapo Canyon Park offers another good tent camping option with water and toilet facilities. For a unique experience, Leo Carrillo State Park features a beautiful canyon setting with shade trees ideal for tent camping. Most tent sites in the region include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water. Restroom facilities vary by location but are generally well-maintained. During summer and holidays, reservations are essential as these popular sites fill quickly. Weekday camping typically offers more availability and a quieter experience.
Where are the best camping sites near Thousand Oaks?
The Thousand Oaks area offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground is a hidden gem up the coast with access to a beautiful beach and gorgeous California hill views, perfect for families. Malibu Creek State Park Campground provides another outstanding option with scenic surroundings and good facilities. For those willing to drive a bit further, consider Santa Cruz Campground at Carpinteria State Beach or Dennison Park in Ventura County. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak season (spring through fall), so book well in advance. Sites typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities.
Are there any secluded or private camping spots around Thousand Oaks?
For more secluded camping near Thousand Oaks, Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area offers large, spacious sites where you don't have to be right next to other campers. Some areas are fenced with picnic tables and pergolas for added privacy. Dennison Park also provides a more secluded experience with varied site sizes – look for site 15 and similar larger spots when booking online through the Ventura County website. For those seeking true seclusion, the Los Padres National Forest has dispersed camping options in more remote areas. Be prepared for minimal amenities at these more private locations – bring your own water supply and be ready to pack out all trash to preserve these natural settings.
What RV camping options are available near Thousand Oaks?
Malibu Beach RV Park offers premium RV camping with ocean views and full hookups just a short drive from Thousand Oaks. For a more affordable option, Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake provides about 90 dry camping sites with water spigots available in some areas (though not for permanent hookup). Many sites can accommodate larger RVs and are less crowded during weekdays and non-summer months. For beachside RV camping, check out Carpinteria State Beach, which caters well to RVs but fills quickly during peak season. Most RV sites in the region require reservations, especially during summer months. Be prepared for varying levels of hookups – some offer full services while others are dry camping only. Many sites have fire rings and picnic tables.
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