Dog-friendly a-frames near Arcadia
Waterfalls, canyons, and Pacific Ocean views—Arcadia campers can experience it all.
- Arcadia
Popular camping styles for Arcadia
Dog-friendly a-frames near Arcadia guide
Overview
Arcadia sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers stunning views year-round. Stay in town and visit Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, where peacocks roam free. Or travel west toward Malibu for beach camping and hiking in Topanga State Park. A bit north, primitive tent campgrounds and RV parks are available at Saddleback Butte State Park, where campers can explore granite mountains and Joshua trees. Or stop by Big Santa Anita Canyon for birdwatching and swimming by the Sturtevant waterfalls. Central to everything Los Angeles has to offer, Arcadia is a perfect home base for active campers.
Where to go
Big Santa Anita Canyon
About 15 minutes north of Arcadia in the Front Country, Big Santa Anita Canyon (popularly known as "The Canyon") features miles of trails and lots of camping options. Primitive tent campsites are first-come, first-served—free permits may be required to camp. Among the six campgrounds in the canyon, many are equipped with picnic tables, firepits, concrete pads, and wood grills. After setting up camp, birdwatch or splash in the Big Anita Creek, or discover the beauty of the Sturtevant Falls along one of the 12 hiking trails.
Saddleback Butte State Park
An hour and a half north of Arcadia takes campers to Saddleback Butte State Park. Saddleback Butte is a granite mountain top that towers thousands of feet above Antelope Valley. Take the 2.5-mile hike to the peak on trails lined with creosote bushes and Joshua trees. Equestrians can ride on horse-friendly trails throughout the valley, as well. Pet-friendly campsites are first-come, first-served and can accommodate tents, RVs, and travel trailers up to 30 feet. Many campsites in the park also have fire rings and BBQ grills, as well as shade and wind blocks.
Topanga State Park
Topanga State Park sits in the Santa Monica Mountains near the Pacific Ocean. Explore geological formations like earthquake faults and marine fossil beds. Then hike some of the 36 miles of open grassland trails surrounded by live oaks. Mountain biking and horseback riding trails are also available—many lead to stunning Pacific Ocean views. Since Topanga Canyon is within Los Angeles limits, some trails, like the unpaved Mulholland Drive or Eagle Rock, offer views of the city. In nearby Malibu, campers can sightsee and beach camp at several campgrounds that offer drinking water, fire rings, RV hookups, showers, and flush toilets.
When to go
Campers can visit Arcadia year-round. The city has hot, arid summers with clear skies and very low humidity. Average temperatures are in the 80s. Long, cool winters are moderate and mostly dry. November through mid-March see average temperatures below 70°F. Campers may want to return in spring and fall to experience migratory wildlife, as well as desert, mountain, and valley foliage blooms.
