RV camping in Lake Casitas with a private bathroom
Cast a line or set up your tent at this sprawling Ojai-area reservoir.
95% (3971 reviews)
- Lake Casitas
95% (3971 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Lake Casitas
Dog-friendly getaways
Star Hosts in Lake Casitas
12 top RV sites in Lake Casitas with a private bathroom
94%
(356)
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 !!"
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from
$69
/ night
94%
(84)
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.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
Trash
from
$45
/ night
92%
(42)
Rancho de Granville
6 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Oak View, CA
Sandy yard, a tent spot with privacy near San Antonio Creek ! Challenge a friend to game of horseshoes or darts. Your neighbors are the friendly horses and the curious chickens! This was the original stage coach stop between Ventura and the small community of Nordoff (Ojai) the old bunkhouse and barn remain!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from
$65
/ night
99%
(3980)
Cuyama Badlands
28 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents164 acres · Cuyama, CA
If you've ever wondered what it might be like to camp on the moon, this is it. Completely removed from civilization and surrounded by a barren nature that is alive with the subtle presence of the universe. Seasonally, Spring wildflowers burst across the landscape. Cave paintings of Chumash Indians remind us of those who lived before us. This is where the deer and the antelope play.
Our Carrizo Camp is surrounded by the Carrizo Plains National Monument. This is truly a get away from it all camping. That's it. You, the coyotes and your own private moon.
Our Songdog Camps are sparsely scattered atop a 200 foot mesa that looks west over a valley offering stunning desert sunsets.
Our Ranch House and Glampsites are available on occasion. This is our home but we love to share our life in the outback. We believe it will give you a better appreciation of life's simpler side.
This land was sparsely populated by the Chumash Indian and is evident by the numerous cave painting that remain here near the Caliente mountain. In the era of the California Missions, this land was a part of the Spanish land grants. Currently the property is privately owned and is adjacent to large sections of publicly held lands.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from
$20
/ night
95%
(638)
Blue Sky Center
31 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents267 acres · New Cuyama, CA
1948- On January 1, 1948 a wildcatter named George Hadley, who had been oil prospecting in the valley for 10 years, made the first oil strike in the Cuyama Valley. Richfield Oil Company soon moved in and extracted nearly 300 million barrels of oil in just a few short years. To accommodate an exploding workforce in the early 1950s, the company built the town of New Cuyama, its infrastructure, public buildings, the Cuyama airstrip (L88) and all the industrial structures that are now home to Blue Sky. Richfield Oil Company, later merging with Atlantic Oil Company forming the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company (ARCO), created high-paying jobs, a safe and prosperous community, and developed schools, churches, and recreational areas for the employee-residents.1973- With dwindling production in the area and new discoveries in Alaska, Atlantic-Richfield Oil Company put the town of New Cuyama and its associated infrastructure up for sale. Word of an entire town for sale made its way to entrepreneur, Russell O’Quinn of the Foundation for Airborne Relief (FAR) and Mildred Dotson, a wealthy widow from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The two worked together to acquire the townsite and adjacent land. O’Quinn, an aviator, inventor, and test pilot, aspired to use the New Cuyama airstrip and facilities as a base for humanitarian relief and a non-profit trade school. Though not fully realized, FAR’s primary vision included utilizing converted military aircraft to airlift food and medical supplies to developing countries and global disaster areas. Dotson had loftier goals. Her plans included an 18-hole fly-in golf course, expansion of the Buckhorn Restaurant and Motel, and a 40- to 50-acre lake for amphibious landing and water sports. 1986- Another visionary, Harry Kislevitz, inventor of the popular design tool Colorforms® and founder of Future City/Villages International, sought to develop the site as a “City of Friendship,” an all-electric village of 5,000 earthen homes. The dwellings were to be designed by Nader Khalili, an Iranian-born architect who specialized in earthen structures, worked with NASA on prototypes for lunar homes and received an award from the United Nations for his work towards the development of low cost, sustainable structures for human shelter in impoverished and disaster prone environments. One 628-sq-ft Khalili prototype remains on the property today ("the Cantina"). Khalili went on to form the California Institute for Earth Art and Architecture, Cal-Earth, in Hesperia, CA.1993- Recognizing the transformative potential of clean, solar power and the attractiveness of a rural destination, entrepreneur Mike Nolan worked to develop the Solar Skypark and Big Sky Guest Ranch with Santa Barbara Architect, Barry Berkus. The Sky Park included plans for sixty-five fly-in residences on one-acre lots powered completely from clean, solar energy. The Big Sky Guest Ranch was intended to function as a clubhouse for Skypark residents complete with an equestrian center, a small subsistence farm, pool and plenty of enriching recreational activities. 2012- At the end of 2011, the Zannon Family Foundation made a long-term investment in acquiring the New Cuyama Airport property with the vision of rehabilitating the site to be a low-cost resource for programs and organizations working to advance sustainable living practices and technologies. Plans began soon after towards developing a framework and organization to develop the space and coordinate with prospective programs and institutions. In 2014 Blue Sky Sustainable Living Center ("Blue Sky Center") received 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status, endeavoring to reclaim this property for the public good. Today, Blue Sky Center provides unduplicated services and technical assistance to support small businesses and entrepreneurs as well as the local food system, with core work focused on community research and advocacy led by Cuyamans. Learn more on our website and consider supporting our community work with your donation or by hosting your next special event here!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from
$35
/ night
98%
(565)
Private Beach Farm
4 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Goleta, CA
This is an incredibly historic site in Santa Barbara history. 2 tribes of Chumash Indians lived here for 10,000 years. This is where Spain landed and began colonizing the area. In the 1950's and 60's, this was the site of the World's largest orchid farm. There is a book called The Royal Rancho, if you are a history buff.
We are a farm on the beach just North of Santa Barbara and Goleta, Ca. You will camp in a historic, glass greenhouse with incredible ocean views. Inside is a cob pizza oven that works awesome. (Bring your own firewood),,, a place to pitch tents and tiny artistic structures to explore. You will have a private bath and shower (Primitive, no electricity, but the hot shower has the best view in the world of any shower!) Bring your own toiletries and whatnot.
Private beach access from our property. We have a barnyard with a multitude of farm animals. Limited electricity in greenhouse (A couple of extension chords). The fire ban is ONLY for open campfires. The pizza oven and YOUR bbq or propane flame is fine. If you are camping during the rain, be advised, it gets wet in the greenhouse. It's an antique after all!
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from
$200
/ night
88%
(152)
Gracewood Santa Barbara
1 site · RV, Tent54 acres · Goleta, CA
This is an historic ranch with buildings dating from the 1880's to the mid 1930's and then some newer and spacious structures. See management for tours, history and accessibility to some structures and areas. This is a working ranch with a fascinating heritage going back three owners to an impressive land grant. There are 6 miles of trails and roads on the ranch shared by vehicles, hikers and equestrians. A map can be provided which will insure that neighboring properties are not trespassed on. All visitors to the ranch must have checked in with the office and management. There is an extra charge of $40.00 per person per day coming onto the ranch whether they are spending the night or just visiting. This charge is beyond and in addition to the charge made for the first four individuals on the reservation for each day. We find that many of our regular clients on the ranch are very friendly and helpful.
Only 1 site is exclusively available right now
Come stay at our rustic campsite under some large oak trees next to a little open area by an ecological pond on our working ranch!
With 54 acres for our horses and avocados, we welcome guests to camp on a somewhat private part of the ranch (on occasion, equestrians may ride by). We can accommodate up to 8 more campers depending on the group type. We love welcoming families to the ranch, but like to approve larger groups ahead of time!
At the campsite you'll find picnic tables, a fire pit for small fires, and running water.
Minimal 110 Volt electrical outlet is at the campsite.
There is a fully functional unique bathroom made out of a converted horse trailer with a toilet and sink a few hundred yards from the site. Walking around the property, you'll see an activity barn and a historic 19th century cottage which houses a private library. Permission may be granted for entry if requested. There is an outdoor shower at the campsite with cold water only. Some firewood may be provided at no cost.
Campers, making reservations during months when the otherwise beautiful weather becomes cooler, should be aware that because of the proximity of a wind machine which makes a noise like a helicopter about 300 yards away from the campsite, on a neighboring property, may interrupt an otherwise peaceful and quiet experience.
The wind machine comes on automatically when the temperature drops to around 37 degrees so that avocados in the orchard do not suffer from a freezing temperature. Please note the trigger temperature for the machines is taken at individual low points on the adjacent property and may reflect as many as 6 degrees lower than what is found on forecast sites.
This machine probably might turn on maybe 7 nights in a year and only during the cold winter months.
Headlamps are a great idea, otherwise, flashlights for sure.
Minimal 110 V. electricity at campsite.
The library and restroom are a little ways away from the campsite
have lighting but it is very dark between the campsite and those facilities.
We are located only two miles to the ocean beaches and about a mile to a major shopping center. UCSB is just minutes away. Bicycling is very easy as all roads and access are flat.
Please return all furniture to the place(s) from which it was moved and thank you for putting out your fire(s) and carrying out your trash to the dumpster.
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
Cooking equipment
from
$160
/ night
99%
(121)
Campsite 3 & 4
2 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Cuyama, CA
Every campsite has its own picnic table, fire pit with grill, a large trash can, and a kitchenette table, a rustic outdoor loo, and gorgeous 360º view. They are semi-secluded and spacious. There are many hiking trails near by, a vast riverbed to explore, and a quail guzzler to check out! The absolute best part is the night sky views of the Milky Way.
Pets
Campfires
Trash
Cooking equipment
from
$55
/ night
100%
(1)
EAGLE ROCK NEST
2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Topanga, CA
The Nest is located at the end of the road very close to Eagle Rock and Santa Ynez waterfalls right off Musch Trail, bordering the state park.we have a toilet and 2 large picnic tables also have some water but not for drinking... amazing views, many hiking trails and lots of bunnies and other animals...
Pets
Potable water
Trash
from
$65.50
/ night
87%
(85)
Happy Tales Camping
10 sites · Lodging, RVsNew Cuyama, CA
An old Native American Village was once on this property. It is said that an agent supplied the allotment of meat and beans at which they had a B-B-Q and all the Natives died from poison beans except for one girl. Some said you can hear the cries of women and child at night.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from
$25
/ night
75%
(4)
Malibu Creek Orchard Retreat
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Calabasas, CA
A retreat in a steep canyon with beautiful ridgelines in the Malibu Creek area. Private camp spots and hidden trails away from it all, but yet so close. Only 30 Minutes from the Santa Monica Pier or 15 Minutes to the beaches of Malibu, still it feels like being a world away. You wouldn't expect nature to be so pristine and exciting that close to the city.
Pets
Campfires
Trash
Cooking equipment
from
$175
/ night
100%
(68)
Campsite 1
1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · Maricopa, CA
Every campsite has its own picnic table, fire pit with grill, a large trash can, and a kitchenette table, a rustic outdoor loo, and gorgeous 360º view. They are semi-secluded and spacious. There are many hiking trails near by, a vast riverbed to explore, and a quail guzzler to check out! The absolute best part is the night sky views of the Milky Way.
Pets
Campfires
Trash
Cooking equipment
from
$55
/ night
Available this weekend
Under $50
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
RV camping in Lake Casitas with a private bathroom guide
Overview
Just outside of Ojai in the hills of Ventura County, Lake Casitas is a massive reservoir that provides drinking water to residents of the region while offering excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, and shorefront camping. Run by the municipal water board, the Lake Casitas Recreation Area has 13 campgrounds with a mix of simple tent sites, electric sites, and full hook-up sites, plus two group camps, a bike rental shop, a bait shop, a cafe, and two boat ramps. While visitors aren't allowed to swim in the lake, there is a water park right by the lake with a lazy river and splash playgrounds for kids.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for RV campers: Fox Campground (Campground F) has sites with full hookups and 40-foot concrete parking pads.
- Best for anglers: Angler Campground (Campground A) is situated right next to a boat ramp and bait-and-tackle store.
- Best for families: Mallard Campground (Campground M) has a playground and is right by the model airstrip.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- You can reserve your campsite up to 90 days before your departure date either online through the Casitas Municipal Water District, over the phone, by email, or even in person.
- Summer weekends fill up early, so book as soon as you can to guarantee a spot.
- A two-night minimum applies on weekends, and a three- or four-night minimum applies during public holidays.
- If campsites are sold out for your preferred date, plenty of options sit in the immediate area, including Ventura County-run campgrounds, campsites in Los Padres National Forest, and privately owned Hipcamps.
When to go
Lake Casitas is a year-round destination, but the best months for camping are from April through October, when there's little chance of rain and temperatures are pleasant. Note that the campgrounds are often at capacity during the summer, so visit before Memorial Day Weekend or after Labor Day to avoid crowds. Anglers should note that the lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout at various points throughout the year. Night fishing is allowed on select evenings every month, weather permitting.
Know before you go
- The lake is used as a source of drinking water. Therefore, swimming and other body-contact activities aren't allowed.
- You can pick up groceries and other supplies in Ojai, a 10-minute drive from the park entrance.
- You can buy shower tokens through a machine at the guest services building. Bring cash (bills only).
- Due to droughts in the area, many of the trees in the lake are dry, which increases the likelihood of branches falling. Make sure to camp away from any potential limbs.
- Bears have been spotted in the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, so it's vital that you secure your food and cookware in your car when not using it.
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.