Point Mugu State Park Camping
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Overview
A brief introduction to Point Mugu SP
If you're looking for an unforgettable camping experience along California’s Pacific Coast, Point Mugu State Park camping offers stunning scenery, diverse activities, and well-equipped campgrounds. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, Point Mugu State Park provides two main camping options: Sycamore Canyon Campground and Thornhill Broome Campground, both perfect for campers seeking outdoor adventures, beach access, and scenic hiking trails.
Sycamore Canyon Campground: Camping in the Heart of Nature
Sycamore Canyon Campground is nestled in a scenic canyon filled with towering sycamore and oak trees, just ½ mile from Sycamore Cove Beach. This campground features 58 campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs (up to 31 feet). Each campsite is equipped with a fire pit, picnic table, and access to drinking water, flush toilets, and token-operated showers.
Key Features at Sycamore Canyon Campground
Campsites: 58 sites for tents, trailers, and RVs (up to 31 feet)
Amenities: Fire pits, BBQ grills, picnic tables, drinking water, hot showers, restrooms with flush toilets
No hookups or dump stations, but RVs are welcome
Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on a leash in campsites but not on trails or beaches
Activities: Hiking, beach access, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and more
Cost: $45 per night for standard campsites, $10 for Hike & Bike sites
Sycamore Canyon offers easy access to more than 70 miles of hiking trails in the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area. Outdoor activities include mountain biking, whale watching, bird watching, and wildlife spotting. Whether you're looking to hike through the rugged hills or relax on the beach, Point Mugu State Park camping at Sycamore Canyon has something for everyone.
Thornhill Broome Campground: Beachfront Camping at Its Best
For those who prefer camping right on the beach, Thornhill Broome Campground is a great choice. Located along the Pacific Coast Highway, this campground features 62 primitive sites along the ocean, offering campers direct beach access and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. While this campground is more primitive than Sycamore Canyon, it provides a unique beach camping experience.
Key Features at Thornhill Broome Campground
Campsites: 62 oceanfront sites for tents and RVs (up to 31 feet)
Amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, water spigots, portable toilets (no showers or day-use facilities)
Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leashes throughout the campground and beach
Cost: $35 per night
Thornhill Broome is perfect for those who enjoy surf fishing, beachcombing, and relaxing by the water. However, it can get windy in the afternoons, so it's recommended to bring extra stakes to secure your tent.
La Jolla Group Campsite
For those planning a large group camping trip, La Jolla Group Campsite is located across from Thornhill Broome. This tent-only site can accommodate between 9 and 50 people and offers picnic tables, fire rings, and BBQs. For smaller groups, Point Mugu also has backpacking campsites in La Jolla Valley, accessible by a 2½ mile hike.
Key Features of La Jolla Group Campsite
Capacity: Up to 50 people
Cost: $225 per night for the group site, $10 for backpacking sites
Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms (no water at backpacking sites)
Access: Short walk from parking lot or a 2½ mile hike for backpacking sites
Activities at Point Mugu State Park
Point Mugu State Park camping provides access to a wide range of activities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts:
Hiking: With over 70 miles of trails, including easy walks and challenging hikes, you can explore the scenic canyons, hills, and ocean views.
Beach Activities: Enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing, and sunbathing at Sycamore Cove Beach or Thornhill Broome Beach.
Mountain Biking: Sycamore Canyon offers some of the best biking trails in the area.
Wildlife Viewing: Spot dolphins, deer, coyotes, and birds like pelicans and shorebirds.
Whale Watching: During migration seasons, Point Mugu is an excellent spot for whale watching.
Point Mugu State Park Camping Reservations
Reservations for Point Mugu State Park camping are highly recommended due to the popularity of the campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays. You can make reservations up to six months in advance through ReserveCalifornia.
Reservation Details
Cost: $45 per night at Sycamore Canyon, $35 at Thornhill Broome
Online Reservations: Available at ReserveCalifornia.com
Phone Reservations: Call (800) 444-PARK (7275) between 8 AM and 6 PM
Cancellation Policy: A $7.99 fee applies to cancellations, and cancellations made after 6 PM the day before arrival will forfeit the first night’s fee.
Point Mugu State Park Camping Rules and Tips
Max RV/Trailer Length: 31 feet
Max People per Site: 8
Max Vehicles per Site: 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle; additional vehicles incur a fee
Quiet Hours: 10 PM to 6 AM
Firewood: Available for purchase to prevent the spread of invasive species
Pets: Dogs must be leashed at all times and are not allowed on trails or beaches
Why Choose Point Mugu State Park Camping?
Camping at Point Mugu State Park offers an unbeatable combination of beach access, scenic hiking, and outdoor activities for campers of all levels. Whether you're staying in the shaded Sycamore Canyon Campground or camping beachfront at Thornhill Broome, you'll be surrounded by nature and have easy access to some of California's most beautiful coastline.
Book your Point Mugu State Park camping trip today and experience the beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean in one unforgettable adventure!
ARE Point Mugu State Park campsites SOLD OUT?
We can help! Many campsite reservations are cancelled daily. Just tell us when you’d like to camp at Point Mugu State Park, and how long you want to camp for. We’ll text you when a suitable spot opens up!
Scan for cancellationsContact Point Mugu State Park
- California State Parks
- Booking site: https://reservecalifornia.com/Web
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Other nearby parks
Open to camping at other nearby parks? Here are a few other parks you'll find in the vicinity.
Reviews
Camper reviews for Point Mugu SP
Perfect spot tucked off Hwy 1
The Sycamore Campground is a great option for campers looking for a convenient beachside location but tucked away from the traffic on Hwy 1. The campsites were plenty large and well-equipped. The hosts were very friendly and always had firewood stocked. The beach directly across the street has picnic benches and was quite lovely as well.
Miles and miles of incredible trails just off the back of the campground. A mountain bikers haven! Offers terrain for all levels.
Jen Rose reviewed Point Mugu SP
on May 31st, 2023
The Beach. That's it.
Bring you sunshades, sunblock, and a rake. There's absolutely no natural shade here, but who cares. Get into the ocean and shut it. Set a timer to remember to put on sunblock, because from sunrise to sunset - it's just pure sun.
Cell service is no good. That's fine. Bring a book.
Sand is going to get everywhere. There's no flush toilets - it's all portapotties. There are no hookups. If you have solar panels, you are going to live your best life.
The surf is awesome, that's why you camp here. Spend your days in the water, play on the beach, and build cairns with all the rocks on the beach.
People get weird about the boundaries of their campsite. if it gets weird, talk to the ranger (who swings by on a regular basis), let them handle the weirdo neighbors. The kids will run all over the place, and will run thru your site. You can either be the person who's going to be okay with it - OR grumble to yourself. You are in Southern California at the beach. Shut up and watch the waves.
Ginny Brideau reviewed Point Mugu SP
on March 9th, 2023
No cell service, clean bathrooms, and all the beaches
This campground is north of Leo Carrillo, and is the opposite of LC. There’s no store. You have to cross the PCH to get to the beach, and none of the sites have hookups.
You will get sets of very well maintained bathrooms, showers, and access to a progression of trails for those on bike or foot.
Hike/Bike spot is tucked behind the unofficial RV area. This often turns into invites to Hike/Bikers for them to join an RVer for dinner or S’mores.
Ginny Brideau reviewed Point Mugu SP
on March 6th, 2023
Map
View a map of Point Mugu SP
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