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The Best Camping in Malibu

Looking for the best camping in Malibu? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Malibu. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top camping spots in and near Malibu

  • Malibu, California

    Camping at Leo Carillo

    4.5
    Leo Carrillo State Park has 1.5 miles of two sandy beach areas, tide pools, and numerous coves and sea caves. This year-round paradise offers privacy and ocean access for anglers, divers, surfers, wildlife watchers, beachcombers, and campers. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds. The park a...
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  • Agoura Hills, California

    Camp at Malibu Creek State Park

    5.0
    Malibu Creek State Park boasts over 8,000 acres of oak woodlands, grassy hills, dramatic peaks and serene meadows. It's an outdoor lover's paradise and only a short drive north from most of Los Angeles. Before it was a park, the land was owned by 20th Century Fox Studios and used in productions...
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  • Agoura Hills, California

    Rock Climbing in Malibu Creek

    A great day trip! Referred to by many as the "Yosemite of Southern California," Malibu Creek offers a huge selection of bolted sport routes on generously pocketed volcanic rock. This is the perfect place to bring a first time climber or even your most seasoned climbing buddies. Routes range from ...
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  • Malibu, California

    Camp at Point Mugu's Sycamore Canyon Campground

    The beach at Point Mugu State Park is just far away enough from the bustling town of Malibu and its popular beaches to feel like you are still secluded with nature. A great way to be close to the beach at Point Mugu State Park and access it easily whenever you want would be to camp at the Sycamor...
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  • Malibu, California

    Sycamore Canyon

    5.96 mi / 217 ft gain
    Sycamore Canyon is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Malibu, California.
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  • Malibu, California

    Camp at Thornhill Broome State Beach

    5.0
    Take PCH through Malibu towards Oxnard and the campground will be on your left. There is no day use here and you can drive right to your campsite.During the summer, make reservations or arrive really early to nab a site. Spaces can fill up quickly.There is access to a hiking trail across PCH.
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  • Malibu, California

    Camp at Point Mugu State Park's Thornhill Broome Campground

    5.0
    Beach camping in California seems elusive these days, but we were able to pitch our tent just feet from the surf! We stayed for two nights and felt like we had our own private stretch of beach. First, you'll want to make reservations at www.reserveamerica.com. It was fairly easy to reserve a spot...
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  • Malibu, California

    Backpack to the La Jolla Valley Walk-In Camps

    5.0
    10 mi
    Hello Friends! I just took a really chill overnight backpacking trip to the La Jolla Valley Backcountry campsite and I’m going to give you some details so you can have as nice of an outing as I did!The trailhead is conveniently just off of the Pacific Coast Highway, across the street from the Tho...
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  • Malibu, California

    Santa Monica Mountains Backbone Trail

    64.18 mi / 12910 ft gain
    Santa Monica Mountains Backbone Trail is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near Malibu, California.
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  • Topanga, California

    Topanga Canyon Loop

    10.35 mi / 1549 ft gain
    Topanga Canyon Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Topanga, California.
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  • Malibu, California

    Hike Point Mugu Peak

    4.5
    2 mi / 1250 ft gain
    Point Mugu State Park offers some amazing rolling mountains, sweeping meadows of tall grass, and beautiful coastal views. I suggest going in the spring. I recently went, and the wildflowers were blooming everywhere. There are campgrounds available in different parts of the park that you can make ...
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  • Los Angeles, California

    Backbone Trail from Will Rogers to Stunt Road

    16.53 mi / 4137 ft gain
    Backbone Trail from Will Rogers to Stunt Road is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near Pacific Palisades, California.
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  • Ventura, California

    Hike to Cavern Point & Potato Harbor

    5 mi
    Tucked away in the Pacific Ocean just 25 mile from the coast, the Channel Islands are one of Southern California’s hidden gems. With towering cliffs and isolated beaches that hug the coast, this place makes you feel worlds away from home. Channel Islands National Park is comprised of five islands...
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  • Ventura, California

    Camp at Scorpion Ranch, Channel Islands NP

    4.0
    0.5 mi
    Accessible only by Ferry, this little known national park is a backpackers dream. You can catch the ferry out of Ventura or Santa Barbara, only a short distance from LA. The ride to the island is around 1 hour.We chose to take Island Packers Ferry out of Ventura to Santa Cruz Island. The ferry le...
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  • Ventura, California

    Backpack to Del Norte Campground on Santa Cruz Island

    5.0
    7 mi / 700 ft gain
    Del Norte Backcountry Campground is located on Santa Cruz Island, one of the islands that makes up Channel Islands National Park. It is California's largest island and is almost three times the size of Manhattan. The easiest way to get to the island is to take Island Packers, a ferry service that...
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  • Ventura, California

    Camp at the Water Canyon Campground in the Channel Islands NP

    1.5 mi
    You can get a wonderfully detailed description of what to expect from the Channel Islands/Santa Rosa Island and how to get there from fellow Explorer Michael Wigle's "Beach camp on Santa Rosa Island" adventure (which I highly recommend you check out for the information and the photography https:/...
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