Camper Champ

Angeles National Forest

Distance from Los Angeles: 16 miles (about 20 minutes)

Entrance Fee: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year). America the Beautiful Pass also accepted

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Angeles National Forest begins just 16 miles from downtown Los Angeles, making it the backyard playground of choice for locals and motorhome vacationers alike. The massive 700,000 acres features a range of topography, from the towering San Gabriel Range to high desert terrain.

Not only does Angeles National Forest provide outdoor recreation close to the city, but it also has TONS of RV-friendly campgrounds. Sites are primitive, with no hookups available anywhere within the forest and few campgrounds offering perks like running water or flush toilets. In addition, most sites are relatively small, so be sure to read the fine print for each campground. Reservations are not available, even during the peak summer season. Keep an eye on conditions, as winter weather and fires often cause closures. In addition, you may want to map out where each campground is located, as some are quite a ways from LA proper. Some campgrounds charge a small fee, while others require a valid America the Beautiful Pass, which also covers the entrance to any US National Park or Federal Land for one year.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Angeles National Forest:

• Chilao Campground
• Monte Cristo Campground
• Crystal Lake Recreation Area Campground
• Los Alamos Campground
• Oak Flat Campground (currently closed until further notice)
• Coldbrook Campground
• Horse Flat Campground
• Lake Campground
• Buckhorn Campground
• Appletree Campground
• Peavine Campground
• Sawmill Campground
• Southfork Campground
• Mt. Pacifico Campground

Joshua Tree National Park

Distance from Los Angeles: 131 miles (about 2 hours 15 minutes)

Entrance Fee: $30

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Featuring other-worldly rock formations and the iconic trees for which the park was named, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular parks in the system. Hiking, rock climbing, and photographing the unique landscape are some of the most popular pastimes here. Due to extreme temperatures, the best time to visit Joshua Tree is anytime other than the summer.

There are eight developed campgrounds at Joshua Tree, all of which can accommodate motorhomes. Some campgrounds require reservations, while others are first-come-first-served. Reserved sites cost $35 per night, while first-come-first-served sites are $15 per night. There are no hookups in the park, but some campgrounds do have dump stations and running water. Check out the NPS website for more details about each campground and reservations. If you can snag a spot at one of the campgrounds, consider yourself lucky - these spots fill up quickly!

RV-friendly campgrounds at Joshua Tree National Park:

• Black Rock Campground
• Cottonwood Campground
• Indian Cove Campground
• Jumbo Rocks Campground
• Ryan Campground
• Belle Campground
• Hidden Valley Campground
• White Tank Campground

Death Valley National Park

Distance from Los Angeles: 216 miles (about 3.5 hours)

Entrance Fee: $30

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Death Valley National Park is one of the most fascinating outdoor areas in the nation. Spanning over 3 million acres across California and Nevada, Death Valley is the largest national park outside of Alaska. This massive area is all about contrast, with scorching summer temps and snow-capped peaks in the winter. You’ll likely want to avoid these extreme months and plan a trip for the shoulder seasons instead. When the temperatures cooperate, there’s much to do here, including hiking, stargazing, mountain biking, and more.

Even with the extreme weather, there are always at least a few options for overnight camping with your motorhome. Winter (October through April) is the busy season, and sites can be reserved for Furnace Creek Campground up to 6 months in advance. All other sites are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Only a few campgrounds remain open during the hot summer months (May through September), and all sites are first-come-first-served during this period. Overnight fees vary by campground but start at $14 per night (Wildrose is free). Visit the NPS website for reservations and detailed information about each campground.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Death Valley National Park:

• Furnace Creek Campground
• Texas Springs Campground
• Sunset Campground
• Stovepipe Wells Campground (privately owned)
• Wildrose Campground
• Mesquite Springs Campground

Note that most California state and national parks and their campgrounds are open year-round, but are subject to closure due to wildfires and other inclement weather. Be sure to check the park’s official page before heading out.

Malibu Creek State Park

Distance from Los Angeles: 34 miles (about 35 min drive)

Entrance Fee: $12

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Malibu State Park is a popular RV camping destination in the Santa Monica Mountains, just a short drive from Los Angeles. The park is surrounded by beautiful oak and sycamore trees and is home to a variety of wildlife. There are also a few hiking and biking trails throughout the park, as well as a fishing pond and a playground for any kiddos you have along on your motorhome holiday. Overall, Malibu State Park is an excellent place for RV campers to relax and enjoy the great outdoors while conveniently located near the city of Los Angeles and the beach.

The park offers over 60 campsites, many of which are suitable for RVs, and features a variety of amenities, including restrooms, coin-operated showers, and a dump station. The nightly rate at Malibu Creek State Park campground is $45/site, and the maximum trailer length is 30 feet. Reservations are available and can be made up to 6 months in advance.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Malibu Creek State Park:

• Malibu Creek State Park Campground

Bolsa Chica State Beach

Distance from Los Angeles: 33 miles (about 36 min drive)

Entrance Fee: $15

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Bolsa Chica State Beach is another beautiful campervan holiday destination on the outskirts of LA. Situated along a stunning stretch of coastline with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, this is a popular getaway for those seeking to reconnect with nature without venturing too far off the beaten path. Popular pastimes here include swimming, surfing, fishing, and simply bumming on the beach!

The Bolsa Chica State Beach campground has over 50 sites, all of which can accommodate campervans up to 40 feet long. This is the ideal spot to park your motorhome overnight near LA if you want to be close to the beach without all the sand, as sites are situated on the pavement. There are hookups at each site, and nightly rates range from $60-$70 dollars. Additional campground amenities include flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and a dump station. Reservations are highly recommended at this popular beach, especially for weekends and holidays.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Bolsa Chica State Beach:

• Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground

Leo Carrillo State Park

Distance from Los Angeles: 43 miles (about 50 min drive)

Entrance Fee: $12

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Leo Carrillo State Park sits along Malibu’s coastline, just west of Los Angeles along the scenic Highway 1. The park boasts stunning ocean views, beach access, and giant sycamores surrounding the campgrounds. There are also several hiking and biking trails throughout the park and opportunities to swim, surf, beach comb, or simply relax and enjoy the ocean views.

The campground has over 100 sites and offers restrooms, showers, and a dump station. Some sites have additional amenities such as hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecue grills. Prices range between $45-$60, depending on available amenities. Note that most sites can only accommodate motorhomes under 31 feet. Reservations are available online.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Leo Carrillo State Park:

• Canyon Campground

Point Mugu State Park

Distance from Los Angeles: 47 miles (about 55 min drive)

Entrance Fee: $12

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Navigate your motorhome west along the breathtaking Highway 1 and you’ll run into Point Mugu State Park. This is another coastal park less than an hour outside of Los Angeles, making it the perfect place to park the campervan overnight. In addition to the beachy shoreline, visitors can enjoy over 70 miles of hiking trails that meander through rocky bluffs, rugged hills, river canyons, and lush valleys sprinkled with sycamores, oaks, and even a few native walnut trees.

There are two RV-friendly campgrounds at Point Mugu State Park, one directly in front of the beach and one in a lush, forested area further from the coast. Both are relatively primitive without hookups, though Sycamore Campground has flush toilets and coin-operated showers. Prices vary between $35 and $45 per night, and reservations are available online.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Point Mugu State Park:

• Sycamore Campground
• Thornhill Broome Campground

Crystal Cove State Park

Distance from Los Angeles: 50 miles (about 50 min drive)

Entrance Fee: $15

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Crystal Cove State Park sits about an hour south of Los Angeles on the outskirts of Laguna Beach. The park features more than two miles of sandy beach, gorgeous cliffside hiking trails and epic bird-watching opportunities.

One of the campgrounds here is motorhome friendly, making it a great spot to park your campervan overnight if you want to stay close to LA. There are over 50 sites, about half of which are premium hookup sites. The campground also offers hot showers (coin-operated) and flush toilets. Site lengths and prices vary, so check the specifics before you book your site.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Crystal Cove State Park:

• Moro Campground

Doheny State Beach

Distance from Los Angeles: 60 miles (about 1-hour drive)

Entrance Fee: $15

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Situated in Dana Point, about an hour south of Los Angeles, Doheny State Beach is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a break from city life. The beach attracts hordes of surfers, and it's also a great spot for scenic picnics thanks to its 5-acre lawn.

There’s a campervan-friendly campground on the southern end of the beach, with more than 100 sites. There are no hookups, but the campground does have coin-operated showers and flush toilets. Most sites can accommodate motorhomes measuring 40 feet or less, but check the details before you reserve. Nightly prices vary between $50 and $65; the more expensive ones offer sweeping ocean views.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Doheny State Beach:

• Doheny State Beach Campground (North and South Loops)

Carpinteria State Beach

Distance from Los Angeles: 84 miles (about 1 hour 20 min drive)

Entrance Fee: $10

Operating Hours & Seasons: Open daily year-round

Escape the hustle and bustle of LA and discover the beauty of Carpinteria State Beach, located between the city centres of Santa Barbara and Ventura. This state park is a true gem, boasting a mile of sandy shoreline, terraced bluffs, and dune areas that offer endless opportunities for swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring, and RV camping.

There are two motorhome-friendly campgrounds available at Carpinteria. Both offer a variety of sites, from basic parking spots to premium hookup sites. Prices range accordingly. Both campgrounds sit close to the beach, though neither are located directly on the sand. Motorhomes must measure 35 feet or less to fit into the sites at both campgrounds. Reservations are available online.

RV-friendly campgrounds at Carpinteria State Beach:

• San Miguel Campground
• Santa Rosa Campground

Note that most California state and national parks and their campgrounds are open year-round but are subject to closure due to wildfires and other inclement weather. Be sure to check the park’s official page before heading out.