Point Mugu State Park Camping
Ventura County
9000 W. Pacific Coast Hwy.15 miles south of Oxnard, CA 457-8143
Day use per vehicle: $12Gate locked: 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM
Sycamore Canyon Campground
- 56 campsites for tents or RVs up to 31′
- Restrooms with flush toilets, showers
- Fire ring, picnic table
- 62 primitive campsites for tents or RVs up to 31′
- Chemical toilets
- Several accessible sites
Camping Fees and Reservations
Reservations are NOT site specific. Campsites will be assigned upon arrival. It may bepossible to preview the campground and request a particular open campsite upon your arrival.
- Sycamore Canyon: $45
- Sycamore Canyon Hike & Bike Sites: $10
- Thornhill Broome Beach: $35
- La Jolla Group Site: $225
- La Jolla Hike-in Site: $10
- Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia:or call 444-PARK between 8 AM and 6 PM
La Jolla Group Campsite
The La Jolla Group Campsite at Point Mugu State Park is a walk-in, tent-only site for between 9 and 50 people. The campsite is located across the Pacific Coast Highway from the Thornhill Broome Campground. The group site can accommodate up to 12 vehicles . The distance from the parking lot to the campsite is about 25 yards. At the campsite are picnic tables, fire rings, BBQs, and restrooms. The campsite is a little more than a mile from the beach. Fees: $225 per night
Key Point Mugu State Park Campground Regulations
Check Point Mugu State Park for any campground updates.
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Sycamore Canyon Campground And Thornhill Broome State Beach Campground
Located inside Point Mugu State Park, these campgrounds are the perfect home base for visitors. Thornhill Broome offers the best views of the sea. In fact, each of the 75 campsites overlooks the water. Facilities are basictheyre limited to drop toiletsbut the proximity to the water is a big advantage if youre hoping for a morning bodysurfing session. Sycamore Canyon provides more perks, including hot showers, flush toilets, and an RV sanitation station. Families love the nature center that sits just inside the entrance. This is a great option if youre hoping to hike. Plus, the beach is directly across the highway. Both campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 31 feet long. Prices start at $35 per night make sure to reserve well in advance.
Channel Islands National Park
Location: 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001
Distance from campus: 27 Miles
Close to the California mainland yet worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompassesfive remarkable islands and their ocean environment–protecting a wealth of naturaland cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has preserved unique animalsand plants found nowhere else on Earth and helped maintain a place where visitorscan experience coastal southern California as it once was.
Tent camping is available year-round on all five islands in the park, though the Scorpion Canyon campground on Santa Cruz island is by far the most accessible. Theeasiest method of transport to the islands is through an Island Packers cruise. In addition to Park Ranger programs, Channel Islands Adventure Company also leads recreation activities on Santa Cruz island.
Location: 1190 E. Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
Distance from campus: 43 Miles
Los Padres National Forest encompasses almost two million acres of central California’sscenic coast and transverse mountain ranges. The southern portion lies within thenearby Santa Ynez Mountains. The Ojai Ranger District is closest to Cal Lutheran and includes the Matilija Wilderness and the Sespe Wilderness.There are five campgrounds in the Ojai portion of the Los Padres Forest, includingreservable campsites at Wheeler Gorge and first-come, first-served campgrounds atMiddle Lion, Pine Mountain, Reyes Peak and Rose Valley.
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Point Mugu State Park Field Trips
School and youth group reservations are currently closed.
Self-guided reservations only are currently being offered.Reservations are required. Approved K to 12 schools may have parking fees waived. Parking fees are waived only for K to 12 schools on a principal approved field trip. All other groups must pay parking fees upon entrance to the Park. Sycamore Canyon Guided Wild AdventuresGuided nature hikes at Sycamore Canyon immerse students into the vast wilderness of Point Mugu State Park. Park staff and docents will guide students on a one to two mile hike through the canyon along trails and fire roads. Depending on the grade level, programs focus on animal and plant adaptations, Native Americans, water cycle, geology, or ecology. Students will learn about nature and themselves from this incredible adventure of hiking one of the largest parks in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Self-Guided Exploration Teachers may bring students on their own to Sycamore Canyon or Sycamore Cove Beach. An interpretive guide of hike and safety suggestions will be sent upon request.
Contact Parks Interpretive Specialist:
Why We Liked It
If you are searching for an overnight adventure, this is it! Simply by driving 30-45 minutes north of Santa Monica, youre able to escape the city and get away from it all! This beach camping adventure provides a fun way to connect with nature, experience Malibus beautiful beaches and backcountry and also step back and unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.
If you go for one night or an entire week, this Malibu camping adventure will open your eyes to the beauty of raw California land and adventure!
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General Camping Information For
Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.
In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.
Enjoy a campground within walking distance of the beach.
Find campground amenities like a camp store and campfire center.
Explore great beaches all along the coast.
Sycamore Cove Beach at Point Mugu State Park
Relax in Your Campsite
Light Up Your Camp
Point Mugu State Park Camping Day Use Activities
07/27/2020 by DayTrippen
Located in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Southern California, Point Mugu State Park, also known to locals as Sycamore Canyon features more than 70 miles of hiking trails and five miles of pristine ocean shoreline surrounded by the rocky bluffs and jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area.
The natural environment creates a variety of adventures for swimmers, surfers, anglers, cyclists, hikers, and photographers, within the park. The park can be easily accessed from the north in the Native American Indian Culture Center and from the south by historic Pacific Coast Highway.
Dont forget to check out the Satwiwa Cultural Center while youre visiting the park. The entire area was once home to a thriving Chumash community, and the center provides a great idea of what life was like for original Californians.
There is usually a traditional Chumash dwelling, constructed near the center, and they often have lectures and workshops. Once youve grabbed your hiking map from the Center, youll want to hit the trails. To get to the trailhead, drive up Highway 1 about 32 miles from Santa Monica. Walk past the campground entrance through the campground to a locked gate. The trail begins on the other side of the gate.
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La Jolla Backpacking Campsites
Besides the group site near the highway, Point Mugu State Park maintains a cluster of back country campsites inLa Jolla Valley. The shortest hike to the campsite is about 2½ miles from the trailhead near theLa Jolla Group Campsite described above. The campsites are situated under the shade of oak trees.Register at the iron ranger at the trailhead. A vault toilet is provided, but campfires are not allowed. Since it isa dry camp, you will need to pack in your own water. Dogs are not allowed
Big Sycamore Canyon Campground
Because of its proximity to beaches in Point Mugu State Park and in nearby Malibu, Sycamore Canyon Campgroundfills up quickly as reservations become available. Reservations can be made up to 7 months in advance. New reservationsare released in one month blocks on the first of each month, year-round.
Campsites are for up to 8 people, 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle or trailer. Additional vehicles will be charged an extrafee.
Showers at Sycamore Canyon have switched to a token system. A one dollar bill fed into a token machine willproduce 2 tokens. There are outdoor sinks with cold water.
Suggestions and Comments from Previous Campers
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Californias Point Mugu State Park: Ideal For Outdoor Activities
There are plenty of excellent locations for outdoor activities in Californias Santa Monica Mountains with Point Mugu State Park, which is about 15 miles from the city of Oxnard, being one of the most popular and scenic.
This wonderful park is home to about 5 miles of beautiful Pacific Ocean shoreline, sandy beaches and dunes, rocky bluffs, and rugged hills.
There are also grassy valleys, two river canyons, meadows, and dozens of oak, walnut, and sycamore trees. For those who love outdoor exercise hiking youll be pleased to hear there are about 70 miles worth of hiking trails as well as swimming, mountain biking, and body surfing opportunities.
Most campers stay overnight at the Big Sycamore Canyon Campground. Youll likely need a reservation if you plan on camping out in the summer because the beach is so popular. Its an ideal place for trailer camping as long as your unit doesnt exceed 31 feet in length. Its also a pretty popular park in the off-season, especially with hikers and bikers. Because its located on the famous Pacific Coast Hwy, the views are stunning.
The campsites are given out on a first come, first serve policy if you dont have a reservation and theyre not all filled up for the night. Most of the sites have some shade and youll also find showers and flush toilets on site.
Lake Casitas And Lake Piru Complete Information
For comprehensive information about Lake Casitas, Lake Piru, Lake Cachuma, and all of California’s most popularlakes, see
Location: On the north shore by the marinaPhone: For Information 649-2233, for Reservations 649-1122Campground Facilities: Playgrounds, Showers, RestroomsCampsites: All campsites come with Picnic Tables and Fire Rings
Lake Piru – Olive Grove Campground
Location: 40 miles east of Ventura, 0n the west shore of Lake Piru near the marinaInformation and Reservations: 521-1500 Campground Facilities: Hot Showers, Piped Water, Restrooms, Dump Stations, WiFi Campsite Amenities: All campsites come with Picnic Table, Fire Ring with Grill Top
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Point Mugu State Park Hiking
The trail follows the canyon on a gentle northern path across Point Mugu State Park. To hike the trail, follow the creek. Winter rains can cause the stream to rise to make crossing difficult. Underground water keeps much of the creek-side vegetation green year-round, so this is a great place to hike any season.
One-half mile from the campground, youll spot Overlook Trail, which switchbacks to the west up a ridge and then heads north toward the native tallgrass prairie in La Jolla Valley. Make a note of this trail, because its an optional return route.
A second half-mile of nearly level canyon walking brings you to another significant hiking trail that branches right-Serrano Canyon Trail an absolute gem with great views.
Another comfortable mile of walking beneath the sycamores brings you to a picnic table shaded by a grove of large oak trees. The oaks might be the right turnaround spot for a family with small children. The total round trip distance would be a little over four miles, so plan accordingly.
Continuing up the canyon, you will pass beneath more of the giant sycamores and soon arrive at Wood Canyon Junction, the hub of six trails that lead to all corners of the park. Bear left on signed Wood Canyon Trail, and in a short while, you will reach Deer Camp Junction. Drinking water and picnic tables suggest a lunch stop.
Point Mugu State Park
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Point Mugu State Park Campgrounds
Point Mugu State Park Campgrounds are located along the southern coast of Ventura County, close to many popular beaches. Sycamore Canyon Campground is the most popular of the two campgrounds in the park. Campsites are inland, only a 3-minute walk from Sycamore Cove Beach. Favorite surfing destination County Line Beach is nearby and busy Zuma Beach is only a short drive south.
Sycamore Canyon Campground has 31 campsites for RVs, trailers, and tents. The campground includes a Hike & Bike Site as well as a La Jolla Group Campsite.
Point Mugu State Park Campgrounds include a second campground – Thornhill Broome Campground. Thornhill Broome’s 62 primitive campsites are in a row along the edge of the beach. It can become very windy there. Water, picnic tables, fire rings, and portable toilets are provided.
| Point Mugu State Park Campground Basics | |
|---|---|
| Point Mugu State Park Campgrounds Location: | 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, 15 miles south of Oxnard |
| Camping Season: | |
| 2 Fee per night for additional vehicles | |
| Pets: | |
| Point Mugu State Park Information: | 457-8143 |
| Reservations at Point Mugu State Park Campgrounds | |
|---|---|
| Reservations available | Reservations are available year-round up to 6 months in advance of arrival date. |
| Maximum Vehicle Length: | |
| or call 444-PARK between 8 AM and 6 PM | |
| Check-in, Check-out: |
Thornhill Broome Beach, one of two Point Mugu State Park Campgrounds
Ventura County Beach And Lake Attractions
Visitors to Ventura County find beautiful beaches as well as sparkling lakes. Point Mugu State Park Campgrounds are close to the beach and within a short driving distance of many coastal attractions.
- Explore Channel Islands Harbor where you can rent a boat or take a cruise out to the Channel Islands.
- Visit the Flight 261 Memorial Sundial at Hueneme Beach.
- Enjoy swimming, surfing, and fishing at Emma Wood State Beach.
- Head out wildlife viewing along the Ventura River estuary.
- Surf the point at El Capitan Beach, Mondos, or Rincon Point.
- Spend the afternoon kiteboarding at Leadbetter Beach.
- Fish for monster bass at Lake Casitas.
- Enjoy the calm waters of beautiful Cachuma Lake.
- Experience excellent pier fishing off the Gaviota Pier.
- Take to the air hang gliding at Douglas Preserve near Arroyo Burro Beach.
- View the Harbor Seals near Carpinteria Beach.
- Watch some exciting and competitive beach volleyball at East Beach.
- Kayak along the Santa Barbara coast.
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When To Go
Spring/Fall: The summer months are often sold out at Point Mugu State Park. The early Spring and late Fall months provide a more open experience as children are back in school and there are less summer vacation campers.
If you want to have a higher chance of the campsite not being crowded, try a mid-week camping experience or go during an Indian Summer day in the Winter months.