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The Best Camping in Ventura

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

Top camping spots in and near Ventura

  • 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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  • 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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  • Ojai, California

    Camp at Dennison Park in Ojai Valley

    Great little campsite very close to the town of Ojai.  My discovery of this gem was totally coincidental. I was trying to book a hotel room in Ojai; however, that particular weekend all the rooms that were within my budget were sold out. Instead of giving up, I looked for alternative options and ...
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  • Ojai, California

    Shelf Road Trail

    3.52 mi / 338 ft gain
    Shelf Road Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Ojai, California.
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  • Carpinteria, California

    Camp and Explore in Santa Cruz Campground

    5.0
    / 4 ft gain
    Santa Cruz Campground is nestled in Carpinteria State Beach, an easy drive from Santa Barbara, Ventura, or the greater LA area. Over a mile of beach front access allows for swimming, surfing, fishing, tide pool exploration, and picnicking.  There is an abundance of wildlife to see: seals, sea lio...
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  • Carpinteria, California

    Camp at Carpinteria State Beach

    3.7
    There are 2 campgrounds close to Rincón, but Carpinteria State Beach is a little bigger and easier to find a spot. There are 4 campgrounds: Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Miguel and Santa Rosa. Most of them are RV sites, but if you stay at Santa Cruz Campground you can set your tent right at the beach,...
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  • Ojai, California

    Camp at Rose Valley

    5.0
    Close to Ventura and Ojai, California, this spot is an easy weekend getaway from the hectic coast of Ventura. Follow Highway 33 east toward Ojai. This road will lead into the Los Padres National Forest and become very curved and sleep as it gets closer to Rose Valley. The sign for the Park with b...
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  • Ojai, California

    Matilija Falls

    5.0
    4.84 mi / 950 ft gain
    ...If you've read most of my blogs, you'll probably notice I have a fascination for waterfalls! I've done this hike multiple times, but it wasn't until this day where I saw these falls truly in action and what they're meant to look like. Getting here, you'll drive 13.4 miles north on highway 33 f...
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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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  • Ventura, California

    East Anacapa Island Trail

    2.46 mi / 295 ft gain
    East Anacapa Island Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Ventura, California.
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  • Ventura, California

    Hike the East Anacapa Island Trail

    2.4 mi / 334 ft gain
    To get to Anacapa Island, you must secure passage from Ventura via Channel Islands National Park concessionaire Island Packers. Private boaters are welcome to reserve a campsite, although be aware that there are no moorings available and few protected anchorages on Anacapa's shores.
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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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  • 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

    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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