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
Activities In The Park
Notable Campgrounds
- Best for beachside views: Thornhill Broome Beach Campground has 46 primitive tent/RV sites right by the beachfront.
- Best for family campers: Sycamore Canyon Campground has 57 shady tent/RV sites with hot showers and a dump station.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
California weather means camping is a year-round activity at Point Mugu State Park, although the campground at Thornhill Broome is subject to closures during the rainy season . Summer is the most popular time for the beach, but its easy enough to escape the crowds in the surrounding mountains. Wildflowers bloom in the highlands from February through April, and dolphin and whale sightings are most common through winter.
Know Before You Go
Camping In The Santa Monica Mountains
National Park Service
Are you searching for a weekend getaway with mountain overlooks and sunny, sandy beaches? Your vacation destination may be a short drive from Los Angeles, California! Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers many opportunities to shake off the stresses of city life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is the only campground the National Park Service operates in the Santa Monica Mountains. Visit recreation.gov to make reservations for this 10 person minimum group camp.
Other agencies in the mountains offer camping as well. From Topanga State Park to Point Mugu State Park, there are a variety of campgrounds for you to enjoy. Night may find you stargazing deep within a sage-scented canyon, or listening as the waves break against the sandy shore. Savor the peace and solitude on your own, or share the fun of camping with family and friends.
When you go camping in the park, please observe the following safety tips and regulations:
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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.
Point Mugu State Park
AmenitiesSeptember 16, 2020 – reviewed by Rich WilsonWonderful SpotMarch 15, 2020 – reviewed by BakersCamping On The Beach March 3, 2019 – reviewed by DaveWhales!September 9, 2018 – reviewed by EllenNice 1st Time Experience January 25, 2018 – reviewed by ChugchugGreat Camping By The OceanSeptember 8, 2017 – reviewed by BrandonFall Short Of Expectation In serviceAugust 6, 2017 – reviewed by OGCMay 16, 2017 – reviewed by ClockmanRelaxing Place!
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Find The Best Camping In California
- Campgrounds all along the Ventura County coast
- Beach camping from San Diego to Humboldt
- And everywhere else up and down the Golden State
Complete campground information, including fees, reservations, photos, facilities, and nearby recreation.
21 miles from Surfrider BeachRV Sites: Concrete patios, full hook-ups, cable TV, WiFiAmenities: Restrooms, laundry, recreation hallRates: $$
Valley Trailer Villa RV Park
2371 East Ventura Blvd., Oxnard, CARV Sites: 30 amp, full hook-upsAmenities: Laundry available, dump tankRates: $
255 Burnham Rd., Oak View, CA 649-9103RV Sites: 60 RV sites, WiFi, full hook-UpsAmenities: Laundry, hot showers, restrooms, picnic area
Evergreen RV Park
2135 North Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard, CA 485-1936RV Sites: 94 sites with full hook-ups , up to 42′, WiFiAmenities: Reading room and lounge, laundry, soda machine, restrooms, hot showers, picnic areaRates: $$
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Ocean Safety
California State Parks and Recreation cautions that “large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly.“Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety
What People Are Saying About Point Mugu State Park
This beautiful CA State Park is the western most point in Malibu. Such a wonderful place. You can hike, camp on the beach, or just come for the day. Loved Mugu beach, the last beach part of Point Mugu State Park. Thornhill Broome beach is an awesome beach that allows overnight camping. RVs and trailers everywhere Don, Trip Advisor Review
Location
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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
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
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Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite
Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.
Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.
This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
La Jolla Backpacking Campsites
Besides the group site near the highway, Point Mugu State Park maintains a cluster of back country campsites in La Jolla Valley. The shortest hike to the campsite is about 2½ miles from the trailhead near the La 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 is a dry camp, you will need to pack in your own water. Dogs are not allowed
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Point Mugu State Park Camping Day Use Activities
06/15/2022 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 the historic Pacific Coast Highway.
Dont forget to check out the Satwiwa Cultural Center while 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 near the center, and they often have lectures and workshops. Youll want to hit the trails once youve grabbed your hiking map from the Center. 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.
Point Mugu State Park Camping
There are two campgrounds at Point Mugu State Park. Thornhill Broom Beach Camping, where you park your RV or pitch your tent directly on the beach. Sycamore Canyon Campground features views of the ocean. There are no basic amenities there are some restrooms and showers. Its a bit on the ruffling it side but still enjoyable.
One of the many reasons people come to the Point Mugu State Park is to watch the millions of monarch butterflies that migrate south to the damp coastal woodlands of Central and Southern California in the fall.
The park is one of the best places in Southern California to observe the arriving monarchs with their beautiful brownish-red wings and black veins. The campground is located in Big Sycamore Canyon at Point Mugu State Park. Point Mugu SP Campground Reservations
Overall, Point Mugu State Park is secluded and quiet. At night, you will fall asleep to the sound of crickets and frogs. While it is frigid even in the summer, the rest and peace away from the city make it worthwhile.
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Key Point Mugu State Park Campground Regulations
Check Point Mugu State Park for any campground updates.
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.
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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. Please note this trail because its an optional return route.
A second half-mile of nearly level canyon walking brings you to another marked 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 slightly 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 the signed Wood Canyon Trail, and you will reach Deer Camp Junction in a short while. Drinking water and picnic tables suggest a lunch stop.