The best river, stream, or creek RV campgrounds near Santa Monica, California

If you're looking for an outdoor adventure near Santa Monica, California, Hipcamp offers over 2000 options for RV camping near river terrain. With options as low as $5 per night and an average price of $44 per night, you're sure to find the perfect spot to park your RV and enjoy the great outdoors. Some top campsites with hyperlinks include Cuyama Badlands (1681 reviews), Down-to-Earth Ecoshire (552 reviews), and Holcomb Valley Ranch (470 reviews). Popular amenities include toilets, pets, and trash, while popular activities range from snow sports and climbing to biking. Start planning your RV camping trip today!

91% (340)

Top-rated campgrounds

If you're looking for an outdoor adventure near Santa Monica, California, Hipcamp offers over 2000 options for RV camping near river terrain. With options as low as $5 per night and an average price of $44 per night, you're sure to find the perfect spot to park your RV and enjoy the great outdoors. Some top campsites with hyperlinks include Cuyama Badlands (1681 reviews), Down-to-Earth Ecoshire (552 reviews), and Holcomb Valley Ranch (470 reviews). Popular amenities include toilets, pets, and trash, while popular activities range from snow sports and climbing to biking. Start planning your RV camping trip today!

91% (340)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Old West Mountain Camping Near LA!

96%

(115)

34mi from Santa Monica · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Acton, CA

Learn more about this land:A vast expanse of oak trees, California Junipers and rugged, mountainous land running with jackrabbits, quail, and owls that is just 3 miles from Vazquez Rocks and the PCT, our ranch transports you. From the tent campsite, you look out for 20 miles and see nothing but nature across small mountains and canyons all the way to the peaks of Angeles National Forest in the distance. The campsite is a large flat area. For a trailer or RV it's a great place to park and the view is towards wide open spaces. With a tent or if you want more pure nature, you can drive out onto the property further towards the small ruin of the old homesteader's cabin or beyond. The property has a long-abandoned gold mine and circular arrastres where miners used mules to break up rocks. Nearby Acton has pick-your-own apples/pears/peaches at Bloom farms. We are at 3000 feet with strong sun during the day and cool mountains air at night. The camping is set away from structures, but if you want to stroll, closer to the ranch buildings, we have friendly small goats you can visit if interested and horses and a donkey to say hello to across the corral fence.

2. Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

98%

(66)

47mi from Santa Monica · 1 site · Tent, RV · Ojai, CA

Welcome to our tranquil ranch nestled among oak and pine trees with stunning views of the Topatopa bluffs. This site was created for the traveler passing through Ojai in mind—or those looking to visit Ojai in a cost-effective way. It is a spartan set up with the idea that visitors be mainly self-contained and Leave No Trace. While we don't yet have a compost toilet set up, we do provide a potable water hookup for your convenience. Please be mindful of your impact on the land and practice responsible camping during your stay. Pack out all that you bring in. No fires, not even portable ones. There are 4 permanent residents on the land, including me, who live within several hundred feet are in and out of the ranch daily. Our driveway passes near your campsite. So while you have privacy in the trees, you may have smile-and-wave distance interaction with other humans during your stay. There are also neighbors to the East several hundred yards away as well. A one-mile trail winds through the property that you are welcome to enjoy. Let me know if you are interested and I will show you were to find the trailhead. The path leads you to fascinating sites such as a tar caldera, Chumash cupules and mortars on boulders, and a tar marsh where wildlife thrives. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, botanist, birder, hiker, or simply seeking peace, this land offers something for you. We welcome guests to stay for a maximum of three days, but we're open to accommodating longer stays upon request. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the beauty of the natural world. We look forward to hosting you!

3. Cross Bull Ranch/CBR

97%

(309)

9.1mi from Santa Monica · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Topanga, CA

DEAR HIPCAMPER, "Welcome" To Cross Bull Ranch/CBR Where You Can Unplug & "Disconnect" from Technology & Devices because...WE HAVE A GREAT Connection With Nature HERE ON THE RANCH You Can Find Us @crossbullranchtopanga On Instagram! PERFECT FOR 1ST TIME CAMPERS, FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN & VETERAN CAMPERS TO PRACTICE & HONE THEIR SKILLS IMMERSED IN NATURE YET CLOSE TO ALL THE CONVENIENCES OF... "Home." CBR is A Secluded 16 Acre Eco-Village, Rural Rustic Permaculture & Preparedness Retreat & International Healing Center within Walking Distance to "Topanga Living Cafe" (TLC) & "Cafe' 27". Grab a Bullet Proof Coffee or Oat Milk Latte' with a Wonderful Organic Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch. "Pack Up" & "Head Out" for A Day of Adventure hiking trails, offroad mountain biking The Canyons or cycling along the Pacific Coast Highway, enjoy swimming in seasonal fresh water pools, food foraging, boogie/paddle boarding & surfing The Waves Of Topanga State Beach. While returning to Cross Bull Ranch/CBR Stop Off At The "Topanga General Store" or "Topanga Gourmet" to Pick Up Provisions to "Chill Out" Under The Stars at Your Campsite or One Of Our "Human Nests!" If You're "Lucky" It Will Be Low Fire Danger & We Can Make Smores in The Main Fire Pit Together! Enjoy The Sights, Sounds, Smells, Beauty & "Majesty" of Nature, Enjoy A Drink & A Nice Dinner at "Endless Color," "Then Canyon Bistro" or... The "Inn Of The Seventh Ray" in Town. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Sunday Brunch! Or Perhaps "IF" You're In Need Of "Healing" Set Aside 2 - 3 hrs. for Yourself and... Book A "Shamanic Somatic Healing Session" or "Plant Medicine Ceremony" Customized JUST FOR YOU with Your Hostess, Lisa. Details BELOW. Surprise loved ones or take a solo trip to Celebrate Life, Holidays, B'Earth Days, Anniversaries, Multi-Generational Family Gatherings, Reunions+++ ALL while... Safely "Social Distancing in Nature." Cross Bull Ranch was Originally A Chumash Indian Village. In 1926 "A Farmer" Named McDougal Came to CA from Santa Fe, NM in Search of A Better Life for He & His Family. Originally 40 Acres The Farm Provided ALL Produce, Dairy, Poultry & Beef to The Topanga Community via The "General Store" Until The End of WW2 IN 1945 when The American Public were Sold Post Military Chemicals as pesticides & fertilizers. It was Then That "Corporations" began Buying Up Fertile FarmLand, Clear Cutting, Mono-Cropping. Creating Corporate "Grocery Store" Chains DESTROYING "The Family Farm." My Son's Father & I Rescued This Land in 1998. It was Derelict. We were Handed A 1' HIGH FILE FULL OF Building Department "Violations" The Oaks were ALL Dying from Lack Of Fresh Air/Oxygen & Sunshine. We Removed (8) 5 TON DUMPSTERS/40 TONS OF GARBAGE INCLUDING: Cars, Car Parts/Tires, Toilets, Jacuzzi Tubs, Dishware, Newspapers, Utensils++. We Picked Up EVERY Chard of Glass from Broken Beer Bottles, EVERY Bottle Cap, EVERY Cigarette Butt. Which ARE NOT BIODEGRADABLE. It was A "Travesty." And... "A Labor Of Love." We IMMEDIATELY "Invested" $25,000.00 Clearing & Cleaning, "Healing" The Oaks. With Ropes NOT Spikes. We Bought A Brush Cutter & Cut Down Weeds TALLER THAN ME. At 1st you Couldn't EVEN See The Topography Of The Land. We Renovated an Existing Trailer Adjacent to The Farm House. The "Treehouse Trailer" as We Affectionately Call It Was Out Home for 7 Years While I Resolved A 1' High File Of Building Violations, Woke at 5:30AM EVERY MORNING To Direct/General Contract A Crew Of Talented Artisans from San Miguel Allende, Mexico NONE Of Which Spoke English (Soy Boriqua) & Who'd NEVER Built or Renovated A House Before. In 2009 after Separation, Divorce & Financial Devastation in '09/'10I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This "Dis-Ease" Ended Up Being "A Gift". It Lead me On "The Red Road" To Getting Baptized in The Native American Church in The Lakota Way, Taking "Refuge" in Tibetan Buddhism, Hosting Shaman & Healers from ALL OVER The World in Plant Medicine Ceremonies, Practicing Permaculture & Preparedness, Creating My Own Line Of "Cross Bull Ranch" Non-GMO Organic Food,Becoming A Certified Somatic Healing (Trauma Release) Practitioner &Ordained Minister.Until November of 2019 I had been Hosting Retreats, Workshops, Weddings++ In "Our Home." Until... covid. Similar to "My Prayer" 10 Yeas Ago Asking "God" To Send Healers Who Needed Land to Support Their Work In Exchange/Barter For me To Receive The Healing I Needed. Again "I Prayed" HARD & Divine InspirationCame To me Similar to "Food Being Medicine," that Pachamama, "Mother Earth" is The MOST Potent Healer. I Decided to "Open Up The Land" To Offer To "Others" to Leave Society & Devices Behind. Ground Themselves. FULLY IMMERSING Themselves, Family & Friends in Nature "Maskless." In Order To Breathe Fresh Air. Filling Their Lungs With Life Sustaining Oxygen & Bathe Themselves in Sunshine which Is A PowerFULL Disinfectant, Recharge "Their Souls" & Stimulating Their Third Eye/"Pineal Gland."Helping Others To Re-Boot & BOOST Their Immune Systems.Which is Of The UTMOST IMPORTANCE "Right Now." I Am Lisa Cianci and... I AM Looking Forward To Seeing YOU Here On The Ranch! Until Then... Take CareStay Safe & Well!

4. Cali Lake RV Resort

34mi from Santa Monica · 41 sites · Tents, RVs · Santa Clarita, CA

Cali Lake RV Resort stands out as a unique getaway nestled in a serene canyon within the Angeles National Forest, just outside Los Angeles, California. This family-owned and operated resort offers a peaceful retreat while being conveniently located near popular tourist attractions. Set on a picturesque lakefront property, guests can enjoy stunning mountain views that locals affectionately call Canyon Country. Our resort is the ideal destination for families seeking to unwind and reconnect with nature. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and breathtaking sunsets, Cali Lake RV Resort is just five minutes from Santa Clarita, making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors can explore nearby natural features, swimming holes, and a variety of outdoor activities, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone. In addition to its natural beauty, Cali Lake RV Resort has become a favored location for Hollywood movie and TV show productions. We are happy to accommodate film and music video projects, providing a unique backdrop for creative endeavors. For more information or to schedule a tour of our resort, please reach out to our management office at +1 (661) 492-8118. Our dedicated staff lives on-site and is always available to assist with any questions or needs you may have during your stay. Experience the tranquility and charm of Cali Lake RV Resort, where

5. Malibu Creek Orchard Retreat

92%

(19)

13mi from Santa Monica · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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. Prior to check-in guests will need to sign the property’s lease agreement which requires a $300 fully refundable security deposit hold on the travellers credit card. For larger groups of five guests and more the deposit will be 50% of the total rent.

6. Pink Palace at Storybook Farms

67%

(3)

42mi from Santa Monica · 4 sites · RVs · Leona Valley, CA

Learn more about this land:Dry creek bed a little hike down the hill. Surrounded by animals and hillsides we are afforded a beautiful sunrise and sunset daily. See the stars and hear nature just 10 miles away from overcrowded civilization and light pollution.

Public campgrounds near Santa Monica

We saw a lot of beautiful sunsets on our trip across the country, but nothing quite compared to finally arriving at the coast to this.

95%

(114)

Canyon Campground

26mi from Santa Monica · 130 sites · Tents, RVs · in Leo Carrillo State Park

Lightning Point Group Campground

29mi from Santa Monica · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

94%

(59)

Sycamore Canyon Campground

31mi from Santa Monica · 113 sites · Tents, RVs · in Point Mugu State Park

100%

(3)

Monte Cristo Campground

31mi from Santa Monica · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

100%

(1)

Coulter Group Campground

34mi from Santa Monica · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Angeles National Forest

100%

(1)

Meadow Group Campground

34mi from Santa Monica · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

The view of the sunset across the road from our site.

97%

(34)

Chilao Campground

34mi from Santa Monica · 84 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

92%

(12)

Horse Flats Campground

35mi from Santa Monica · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

Lots of picnic tables but very little shade.

100%

(4)

Bandido Group Campground

35mi from Santa Monica · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

90%

(43)

Buckhorn Campground

39mi from Santa Monica · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

The road to the campground and past it to the general store at the top of the mountain is so pretty.

86%

(7)

Coldbrook Campground

41mi from Santa Monica · 20 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

100%

(2)

Oak Flat Campground

42mi from Santa Monica · 27 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angeles National Forest

Stories from the community

m

mike

1 week ago

21 ft campervan

With kids

1 night at Old West Mountain Camping Near LA!

Great quiet spot, no one bothered us. Clean and easy to access. Beautiful. Took my daughter to Vasquez rocks and then camped here in our camper van. Quick and easy overnight from LA.

J

Julie

3 weeks ago

10 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

Easy to find, along gravel path. 12 minutes drive to centre of Ojai. Efficient directions and responsive host. No facilities so great for self sufficient camper vans.

T

Troy

3 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

We loved our stay on Peter’s land. Peter was incredibly hospitable and kind making us feel extremely welcome. We loved waking up to the Ojai sunrises and farm animals all around the property. It was a perfect, serene and peaceful spot to set up camp.

G

Grete

October 2025

16 ft car

4 nights at Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

Simple, no frills camping on a beautiful piece of land. Easy access to town and there’s a small (but well-stocked) general store about 1/2 mile away. No bathrooms, picnic table or amenities so best suited for travelers who just need a safe, quiet place to park a camper van or for tent campers who are comfortable with a minimalist set up.

R

Ryan

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

Great stay and a lovely sunset location. Would camp here again.

T

Taylor

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cross Bull Ranch/CBR

Lisa is a great host! I took my sons on a last minute "camping" trip over Labor Day weekend and we had a great time. We loved how close it is to civilization, but still had a true woodsy vibe.

C

Curt

August 2025

17 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Cross Bull Ranch/CBR

Lisa was very helpful and a good communicator. It’s a nice spot to camp!

Amir

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cross Bull Ranch/CBR

Great spot to hang out with family and friends. This place is sacred, gorgeous and extremely flammable! So keep your fire and sour drunk buddies out! Lisa is a great person. Would love to see her again.

p

patty

July 2025

18 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

Loved the setting and golden hour! Peter responded quickly with inquiries and we were able to find our spot easily. Quiet, with cows, sheep, mules and lots of birds.

Tracy

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

Such a magical little slice of Ojai Valley! I felt welcomed and at ease from the moment I arrived. Highly recommend if you’re craving connection to nature or a simple rest and reset. Thank you, Peter!

You can camp anywhere you'd like here :)

Brent

June 2025

19 ft Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cross Bull Ranch/CBR

our host was very kind, let us pick our spot with any of the open ones. my Son and I had the best fathers day here camping……… hope to be back one day :)

Thomas

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

This site was wonderful! It’s private and also tucked away from the main road enough that wildlife is active. Peter was a fantastic host. Highly recommend!!! 🏕️

Brian

May 2025

20 ft Class B

With kids

1 night at Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

Great spot. Quiet with good views. Tree cover during the daytime and good temperatures day and night. When we visit Ojai again, we'd definitely stay here.

L

Ludger

May 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

Perfect place to spend the night close to nature. Easily accessible and just far enough away from road and buildings. We stayed one night with our Jeep and Rooftop Tent and enjoyed the solitude. Sounds of frogs and owls at night and farm animals in the morning.

Anthony

May 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

Beautiful little private campsite, super easy to find and navigate. A lovely spot, would highly recommend.

C

Christine

May 2025

19 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

I enjoyed my campervan time. Directions were perfect. The view was so nice and beautiful. I felt safe. I only spent 1 night there so i did not hike or explore. I would definitely stay here again :-)

Paul

April 2025

16 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

We had a great visit! Perfect spot close to LA in the shade. Easy pull in spot for a camper or an RV. Peter is a great host, he does have dogs that are well behaved overall we had a quiet and restful stay.

K

Kelly

April 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

What a gem! Peter is very accommodating! We took our mini motorhome on it's maiden voyage. Everything worked perfectly! The spot was exactly as described. Very easy to follow instructions finding the spot. Beautiful views! Hiking Sisar and Cycling is very convenient from the ranch. I can't wait to come back. Thank you for everything Peter!

I

Ian

March 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cross Bull Ranch/CBR

Lisa set us up again for an amazing visit to her place this past weekend. We had warm heaters and clean bathrooms and made full use of the amazing space. The kids had a great adventure with the swing and running through the trails on the hill. What's great about the location is with how easy it is to get the central are in Topanga. On Saturday afternoon we took a field trip to the coffee shops, restaurants and had a great hike at Red Rock Canyon Park thanks to a recommendation from Lisa. We will all be returning back to Lisa's again this summer.

Jen

March 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Park At Tar Creeks Ranch

This is a comfortable, safe, and peaceful camping location close to nature yet within easy enough reach of downtown Ojai to start to feel like glamping. Loved staring at the stars at night, and hearing the surround-sound of frogs at dusk, coyotes in the evening, and all sorts of birds going about their business in the daytime. Peter is super warm, engaging, and at ease. He’s also responsive and was accommodating when I initially rescheduled my reservation. Highly recommend the guided nature hike, which is easily what made the trip unique and memorable. There is so much diversity and Peter’s knowledge and reverence of the land, flora and habitats, and Native American culture connect you with the rare specialness and vulnerability of the area.