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The best camping near Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Castaic Lake adventure.

86% (11 reviews)
86% (11 reviews)

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

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Community favorites near Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

93%
(59)

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.
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$45
 / night
100%
(13)

Camp RainDale

4 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 is 1 Camp site 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 and, activities to do like playing horseshoes in the horseshoe pit.
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$35
 / night
100%
(5)

Lone Juniper Ranch

4 sites ¡ Lodging250 acres ¡ CA
You will fall in love instantly Camels, Llama ,Guanaco, donkeys, hammock a firepit and grill in the back yard. Book a wood fired sauna (extra)A Perfect mountain cabin retreat next to Tejon Ranch!The private, 100 + acre, mountain-top experience offers a 360-degree view of beautiful Southern California scenery, Super Bloom, Ideal for star gazing and hiking, amazing sunrises/sunsets.This is a 4 seasons paradise!Situated only 8 minutes off Rt. 5, this retreat is quite accessible (4-wheel drive necessary during wintertime snows.
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$125
 / night
100%
(13)

Malibu Mountain

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents13 acres ¡ Malibu, CA
Welcome to Malibu Mountain, 13 acres of natural land at the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains. Bordered on two sides by national parkland, you will find peace and nature in abundance, along with incredible views across the Conejo Valley to the Topa Topa mountains. The Backbone Trail is at the end of the driveway, with the trailheads to Echo Cliffs (rock climbing) and Sandstone Peak just a few minutes drive up the road. PCH is 12 minutes down the mountain for quick access to Malibu beaches and surf spots. The campsite is extremely private and well-insulated from other humans. There is a small community of homes nearby, the closest being about 1/8 mile away. The neighbors are all up on the mountain for the same reasons- peace, serenity, nature, open space, fresh air, and starry skies. Wake up to watch the sun rise over the hills and the mist burn off in the valley below! We purchased the property for our family as an escape from the noise and hustle of modern life. The property is fully off-grid, and someday we'd love to build a cabin and small farm. It's truly an oasis tucked up in the hills.
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$75
 / night
94%
(347)

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 !!"
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$69
 / night
92%
(77)

Nomad-NeXus @ArtFarm Nature Space

35 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres ¡ Leona Valley, CA
Nomad-NeXus @ ArtFarm Nature Space offers the best of both worlds: Amazing Nature , bright stars and serenity , a fun creative vibe and good people and blazing fast internet connection for digital nomads and young entrepreneurs who are looking for a space to connect with nature and the world at large all at once, bridging the gap between Nature and Technology, Freedom and Community , hard work and inspiring moments with inspiring and positive people. ArtFarm Nature space is the perfect space for Digital Nomads and Creative entrepreneurs to immerse themselves in Nature while enjoying the benefits of an instant community of inspired people who love to connect, collaborate and create ! we would love to meet you
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$48
 / night
100%
(24)

Terra Vivus

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents1 acre ¡ Lake Hughes, CA
Welcome to a great balance of being away from civilization, engulfed in nature with peace and quiet yet also being 30 minutes away from the nearest city. Terra Vivus is Latin for "The Earth is alive." Chipmunks, crows, doves, crickets, coyotes, sparrows and many other creatures call this land home. This is protected land called a Significant Ecological Area mostly because of the thousands of Joshua Trees. 25% of all revenue goes to restoring, preserving and enhancing the existing ecosystem. Come experience and contribute to the preservation of this beautiful landscape. It can be windy at times, in order to mitigate this I recommend using your car(s) to block the wind. Local markets also sell neck gaiters for face protection. Release your inhibitions to wind! There's about .4 miles of dirt road to get to the property, there are some dips to watch out for but I come out here in a little Prius so it's manageable. Overall, there is an element of seclusion but occasionally people do drive by on the dirt road. I would rate the cell phone service a 7/10, it's pretty solid but can go out at times.
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$25
 / night
96%
(83)

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.
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$20
 / night
83%
(33)

California Poppy & Wildflower Field

17 sites ¡ RVs, Tents2 acres ¡ Lake Hughes, CA
***CALIFORNIA POPPIES & WILDFLOWERS ARE CURRENTLY STARTING TO BLOOM THROUGHOUT THE ANTELOPE VALLEY. SUPERBLOOM IMMINENT! 2024 The wildflower and poppy season generally runs early March to end of April. Camp amidst the flower fields on our gorgeous rolling hills and views as far as the eye can see! **Amazing Stargazing! No light pollution! One of the best places near LA to enjoy the constellation covered night sky! 2.5-acre desert property in the foothills near the Antelope Valley California Poppy reserve, with stunning stargazing, sunsets, and sunrises year round and overflowing with millions of blooming wildflowers in the Spring. The property is filled with endless, amazing panoramic mountain, hill, and valley views. Tons of dirt roads and trails through the hills in total raw natural beauty for you to explore and enjoy the true beauty of nature, just a little over an hour from Los Angeles, and still in LA County. Immerse yourself in this secluded sanctuary and untouched nature, leave refreshed and ready for all that life has in store. We have amazing camping at this site and our other properties year round. Please ask us about our other Hipcamp listing "High Desert, Joshua Trees, and Views", only 20 minutes north of this one! Also, we offer monthly and annual memberships with major discounts, as well as Unlimited camping passes! Follow Us @CaliforniaCampingClub ***Some things to please be aware of: - This is off grid camping! No markers or specifically defined campsites are present, we provide exact GPS coordinates. All sites are dispersed camping in the wildflower fields! We intentionally leave the property unaltered to preserve the raw natural beauty. - Our site is about 2 miles from the nearest paved road (HWY 138) It’s all dirt roads to get here off of HWY 138, through the hills. For years we have found 2WD is more than sufficient to get here, as long as you drive slow, and don't stop on hills you should be fine. However, some campers have found that not to be the case for them and wanted 4WD, so come prepared either way. - If you are unfamiliar navigating using GPS coordinates or with off grid camping, our location may be hard to find and may not be a good fit for you. - It can get very windy sometimes so come prepared to snuggle up in the back of your car or camper and enjoy the stunning stars, sunrises, sunsets and views. - It is considerably easier to navigate with a little daylight. - We are happy to provide you with a map as well upon request, which seems to be the most direct route. Feel free to reach out and we will help you with whatever you may need, just ask! Thank you and we hope you enjoy your stay! :)
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$65
 / night
94%
(118)

Organic Farm Camping in Bakersfield

11 sites ¡ RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ CA
In 2013, I left a corporate career in search of something more meaningful. Yearning to connect consumers back to their farmers, I started a farm in my hometown of Bakersfield Our farm experience offers a no-fuss stay on a real working farm approximately 15 miles south Bakersfield. 20 acres surround you, bounded by the Tehachapi Mountains and within the San Joaquin Valley. Sites are perched on the edge of the pond, stocked with fish. Each site offers a good amount of shade for a portion of the day and has its own picnic table, water spigot and fire pit. Campers provide firewood. There is one shared, plumbed bathroom between campsites and one shared outdoor shower (with hot water). There's no electricity at your rustic home away from home, but the evening stars light up the sky. We have the following sites available: Bring Your Own (BYO) Tent Van Parking (No RVs, Trailers or Trucks with Campers) We are an organic working farm - no pesticides or herbicides are sprayed on the farm or around the camp areas. Depending on the day you stay, we may have more activity than others. We have staff on and off the farm coming and going from the farmers markets we participate in. We have working dogs that love to keep predators away at night by barking if they sense any around. We have roosters that crow, lizards, bugs and insects, bull frogs in the pond, California King snakes, and lots of birds/hawks/owls. We do our best to create an environment for all the creatures to live and thrive in the environment that's natural to them.
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$42
 / night
94%
(32)

Magic Door Stargazer's Retreat

14 sites ¡ RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Elizabeth Lake, CA
***Wildflowers are blooming all over! Book now to witness the upcoming Superbloom!!**Discover Magic Door Stargazer's Retreat, situated in the serene wilderness of Antelope Acres, California less than 90 mins outside of Los Angeles. Our quaint and peaceful campsite provides a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience beneath the vast night sky. Being less than 4 miles away from the famous flowers Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, 10 miles to the charming Lake Hughes, and 12 miles Joshua Trees in Arthur B. Ripley State Park, Magic Door is a perfect midpoint to explore all this area has to offer. Our grounds comprise five individual campsites and a dispersed camping area, each outfitted with a solar lamp to help guide your way. There's plenty of space at each site for your tent and/or one vehicle. We also have an outhouse shared amongst the sites.  During daylight, soak in the beauty of the Mojave Desert's natural landscape. Watch out for the local wildlife like quail, roadrunners, and jackrabbits. As night cloaks the desert, you're presented with a mesmerizing spectacle of a starlit sky, making it a dream location for stargazers. During the spring you will be immersed in a sea of wildflowers. Adding a unique allure to our campsite is the 'Door to Nowhere'. This freestanding door amidst the desert makes for a whimsical photo opportunity and a conversation starter. Please note, our amenities are basic to preserve the authentic charm of the surroundings. There no fire pits on site, and we encourage campers to bring along any additional necessities, including extra lighting, for their comfort. Immerse yourself in the calming stillness of the desert, under a canopy of twinkling stars, and make unforgettable memories at our Hipcamp site in Antelope Acres. Book your stay now for an unparalleled camping experience at Magic Door Stargazer's Retreat. We're just getting started and would love your feedback!
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$39
 / night
99%
(95)

The Hilltop Getaway

1 site ¡ Lodging3 acres ¡ Lake Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to The Hilltop Getaway! One of the coziest glamping spot near the Alpine Butte, Palmdale with Joshua Tree landscape just an hour from LA. The amazing 360 view from the jumbo rocks mountains on valley with Joshua Trees will make your memories unforgettable. We also have a great landscape for your spectacular photo shoot. If you’re looking for a place to hike, relax, refresh and recharge yourself, you found the place! The Hilltop Getaway! Enjoy your life! While The Hilltop Getaway is private and secluded, it is close to most stores you might need. Palmdale is a 10-minute drive and has a Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Ross, restaurants, fast foods, banks, and more. Additionally, you can visit a lot of unique places just few minutes from us like Antelope Valley Indian Museum, Four Aces Movie Ranch, Movie Set Diner, Club Ed Movie Set, El Mirage Dry Lake, Kill Bill Church, Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Joe Davies Heritage Airpark, Blackbird Airpark, Dry Town Water Park On our space you'll find 1. Bar/Kitchen area offers a four-burner gas grill with one side burner, kitchen table, sink with foot water pump, bar counter with four chairs on the bar deck; 2. Classic wood picnic table 3. Patio equipped with wood chairs and bench for lounging around our fire pit, lounge chair for sunbathing 4. Hammock for relaxing and stargazing 5. Toilet/Shower cabin. There is Thetford Porta Potti flush toilet, sink with foot water pump, mirror, Eccotemp hot shower We provide towels and soap for you. 6. The Geo Dome Tent 23ft (7M) is equipped with everything you would need for a comfortable glamping experience Geo Dome: - Queen bed with memory-foam mattress and bedding - Two Convertable Tri-Fold Sofa Beds - Twin Tufted Back Convertible Sofa - Foldable Camping Cot - Hammock Chair Swing - Dining Set - Nightstands - Full Length Floor Mirror - Kitchen Island with kitchen utensils, pots, tableware - Mini Fridge with Top Freezer - Free WiFi - Projector Screen - Video Projector (for rent) - Bluetooth Sound System - Power Station EcoFlow Pro for charging and power devices - Evaporative Air Swamp Cooler - Propane "Pleasant Hearth" Heater 30,000 BTU (Propane gas is include) - Solar lights and battery powered LED Camping Lantern - Fresh towel-Fresh linen- Books and games for entertainment - And plenty of safety amenities such as: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, etc. Please note - the water in the tank is not drinkable and has a distinct taste - please bring drinking water. Small amenities such as a first aid kit, flashlights, and lanterns are all available to you in the tent for a safe and comfortable stay. Please plan for a “leave no trace” style camping and to take your trash with you upon check out
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$185
 / night

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

  1. You can reserve a Castaic Lake campsite using the County of Los Angeles online reservation system.
  2. 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.
  3. Some paved campsites are strictly for RVs. Permitted RV lengths vary by campsite.
  4. 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.

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