Top Camping Destinations Near Los Angeles

The City of Angels is heaven for a weekend warrior, with thousands of enticing options for wilderness lovers looking to escape the big city. Most adventurers blast off to far-flung locales like Mammoth Lakes or Yosemite, driving 5-6 hours and losing precious weekend time in the process. However, what if you’re sick of the driving grind? Or the Sierras are socked in with late-season snow? This guide presents five favorite camping destinations within a two-hour drive of Los Angeles.

Buckhorn Campground, San Gabriel Mountains

Best for: Forest and mountain lovers

Distance from Los Angeles: 50 miles

Buckhorn is one of those magical, woodsy slices of the San Gabriel Mountains that makes visitors feel like they’ve teleported deep into the Sierra Nevada. Set at an altitude of 6,300 feet, Buckhorn offers a breath of fresh, alpine air that feels lightyears away from Los Angeles’ smog. Open spring to late autumn, this first-come, first-served campground features 38 car camping sites (three of which are ADA accessible) under a deep green canopy of incense cedars and ponderosa pine trees. Vault toilets and drinking water are available. Therefore, it’s advisable to go early as sites often fill up on weekends.

This is the ideal place to lounge in a hammock, savoring your favorite novel, prepare meals on the adjoining picnic table, or share spooky stories around your campfire ring. For adventurous types eager to explore, there are abundant options on the nearby trail system. The Pacific Crest Trail cuts right through neighboring Islip Saddle and serves as a gateway for several high peaks like Mt. Baden Powell. For a more leisurely excursion, hikers can enjoy the 3-mile round trip trek to Cooper Canyon Falls.

Gaviota State Park, Santa Barbara

Best for: Secluded beach-seekers

Distance from Los Angeles: 127 miles

Sand, surf, solitude. Gaviota State Park near Santa Barbara offers some of the best beach camping in SoCal, without the crowds. Here, visitors can sip coffee and embrace the morning with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from the high cliffs just beyond the campground. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, with communal bathrooms, showers, and drinking water just a short walk away.

One of the most unique features of the area includes the long wooden railroad trestle towering over the beach below. A short, steep trail leads downhill from the campground to perfect picnic spots on the beach. Mountain explorers will also want to check out the striking view from the summit of Gaviota Peak or the trail to the nearby wind caves. Round off your day with a long soak in Gaviota Hot Springs.

Serrano Campground, Big Bear

Best for: Lakeside lounging

Distance from Los Angeles: 98 miles

Just steps away from the deep sapphire waters of Big Bear Lake lies Serrano Campground, a wooded paradise for campers seeking shade under a fragrant pine forest. This 109-site area feels like a retreat from Los Angeles while equipped with modern conveniences. Each campsite is furnished with a simple fire ring and picnic table, while the campground itself offers RV hookups, bear boxes, firewood sales, drinking water, showers, and flush toilets. Thus, it provides an enjoyable camping experience without sacrificing comfort.

The Big Bear Discovery Center is less than a mile away, making this area fantastic for families and fishermen. While it’s outside the hustle and bustle of the nearby town, it is conveniently close for quick trips for dinner or groceries. Avid hikers can explore the 5.3-mile (round trip) trek to Bertha Peak on the Cougar Crest Trail for impressive views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Little Jimmy Trail Camp, San Gabriel Mountains

Best for: Beginner backpackers

Distance from Los Angeles: 54 miles

Little Jimmy is, without a doubt, the most enchanting of the hike-in campgrounds in the San Gabriel Mountains. It requires a beautiful, 2-mile alpine jaunt uphill to reach, but once established, the magic of the forest envelops you. Open to backpackers only, this site includes 7 sites containing bear boxes, pit toilets, fire rings, and vintage backcountry ovens. Nestled under towering Jeffrey and fragrant ponderosa pine trees, Little Jimmy is a perfect haven to relax, hang a hammock, and enjoy the sounds of birdsong while sipping coffee. A short, .25-mile hike leads to perennial Little Jimmy Spring, providing drinkable water once filtered.

This campground also serves as a great launching point for hikers eager to summit local peaks. Witness the electric orange glow of sunset from Mt. Islip or embark on an early morning hike along the Pacific Crest Trail to conquer Mt. Hawkins, Throop Peak, and Mt. Baden Powel in one thrilling day. In the evening, unwind tentside and prepare a backcountry feast while enjoying the night sky.

Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

Best for: Adventurous island hoppers

Distance from Los Angeles: 66 miles + 1 hour ferry

Experience the sharp spray of salt in the air and wake up on a remote bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. That’s the lure of camping on Santa Cruz in Channel Islands National Park. However, reservations are highly sought after and fill quickly. Here, visitors have two primary options: embark on a 3.5-mile (one way) trek from Prisoner’s Harbor to the backcountry camp or opt for a half-mile stroll to the more developed campground called Scorpion Canyon, which is reopening in summer 2020. Adventurous campers need to bring their food and water to Del Norte Campground, while those staying at Scorpion benefit from accessible potable water and pit toilets.

From December to February, visitors might spot Gray Whales breaching during the ferry ride, while February to April showcases vibrant wildflowers blooming across the lush hillsides. As the largest island in Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz is an ideal location for hikers seeking solitude, free from vehicles and civilization. For an added thrill, consider booking a kayaking tour from a local company to explore the area’s enchanting sea caves.