One of the best and most popular outdoor activities that humans engage in is camping. It is a great way to unwind, have fun, bond with family and friends while spending some time in nature and basking in the sunlight. When you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of LA life, camping should be at the top of your list because just outside the bubbling city of LA, there are various campsites that you will find worthy to camp in.
Do not forget, though, that the world is in the middle of a pandemic; many campgrounds require that you make a reservation before you visit. As you read this article, you will find some great campsites that take a maximum of 2 hours to get there from LA, where you can have the best time of your life and get some R&R squared away.
Dockweiler Beach State Park
This park is the closest campground to the LA area. You can be at this park within 25 minutes. Though not serene as you still get to hear some LA traffic buzz, you still experience the blue water beach, paved bike path, and the expanse areas for playing and relaxing. Because of the proximity of this beach park to LA, it is usually fully booked all year round, but when you get to snag a slot, you will be among the people enjoying the 118 beach-side parking lots. The park provides water, electrical, and sewage hookups for RV campers.Malibu Creek Campground
This is one of the best campsites for beginners who are still skeptical about traveling long distances and hope to camp somewhere close to the city. Depending on the route you take from LA, it takes 40 minutes to reach the great Malibu Creek Campground, which has 63 campsites. If you are a lover of wilderness, it is also a superb choice for you. For runners, bikers, and mountain climbers, over 15 miles of creeks run along Malibu Creek for you to enjoy any activity you choose to do.Bolsa Chica Campground
Bolsa Chica is a multifunctional campground, just 40 minutes away from LA. You get to experience nature to the fullest, swimming, surfing, playing volleyball, bicycling on paved paths, and any other game or just sitting back and watching the sunset. Around the campground area is where the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is located, so you get to see a natural bird preserve. The campground is located around a beach area, so you get to swim and do some ocean fishing too. However, it only allows RVs and trailers on the campground, which has over 50 campsites, providing water and electrical amenities to campers.Crystal Cove State Park
This is another exciting campground to explore as a fun group or family. It is a 70-minute drive from LA and features hike trails, the famous Laguna beach, and other historic sites. If you want to enjoy the fun experience, then you should rent the vintage rustic coastal cottages on the coast. There are 58 campsites on the Moro campground with a picnic table and pit toilet. You can also rent RVs, trailers, tents, and van campers at the campground, but there is no water. You have to come with your supplies.Leo Carrillo State Park Campground
This is a campground for experiencing nature at its best. The drive from LA to Leo Carrillo will take between 65-75 minutes, depending on the route you choose to use. The best side attraction here is the beach within walking distance where you can relax, surf or fish. It is also not far from Santa Monica Mountains, a perfect spot for hiking or mountain biking along cleared paths. If you are an early riser, you can watch the sunrise from the ridge using the Nicholas Flat Trail. The campground has 138 campsites, provides picnic tables, fire rings, showers, and flush toilets for campers.Buckhorn Campground
This is the perfect spot for campers that want to do some fun hiking. The drive from Buckhorn to LA is about 75 minutes. The campground has 38 campsites and boasts many shade areas and trail roads like the ones connecting Buckhorn to Silver Moccasin and Pacific Crest.Crystal Lake Recreation Area Campground
If you want to enjoy solitude hikes, you have to visit this campground just 80 minutes away from LA, depending on your driving route. It has 36 campsites, including cabins. You get to explore multiple trail roads from the campground to Hawkins Trail, Mount Hawkins, Mount Islip, Windy Gap, and the Totonga Nature Trail. The campsite has fire pits, a BBQ box, drinking water, and flush toilets. Also, there is a cafe at the camp entrance where you can eat or get supplies.Sycamore Canyon Campground
You can get to experience all the outdoor fun you have been craving at this campground, which is just 80 minutes from LA, depending on your driving route. It is situated around Point Mugu State Park. This is a favorite campground for mountain bikers, hikers, runners, and swimmers. It has 58 campsites, provides picnic tables, fire rings, coin-operated showers, and drinking water for campers.Manker Flats Campground
This is a perfect campground for severe hikers and takes about 80-90 minutes of car ride from LA to reach there. It is situated at the base of Mount baldy and has 21 campsites with a mind-blowing view of surrounding mountains and valleys. Hiking around here can take you to the Bear Canyon Trail, Ice Canyon Trail, Ice House Saddle, San Antonio Falls Trail. The campsite provides water, fire rings, and flushed toilets, and picnic tables for campers.Meadow Group Campground
This is one of the perfect spots for a summer or weekend getaway, though it will take over 90 minutes to get to this campsite from LA. The meadow group campground has 1004 campsites with a magnificent view of the mountain from several vantage points. There are two sites on this campground, which are part of the Angeles National Forest and boast good shade areas from the bright sunlight, and it has open spaces with picnic tables where you can sit and watch the sunset. It is not far away from the silver moccasin trail if you feel like hiking and has good fire pits for campfires and late-night fun and dancing.Mount Pacifico Campground
If you want an austere campground, all you need is a 90 minutes car ride from LA to the Mount Pacifico Campground; it takes about 90 minutes. It is located on the summit of mount pacifico and has a magnificent view of the Mojave Desert to the north. There are only ten remote campsites, no water or hygiene facilities on the ground, which means you have to bring all your supplies and care packages. The severeness starts 10 miles to the campsite. You either hike or bike as no car is allowed at that point.Mountain Oak Campground
This is another getaway location for fun lovers. You can be at the campground within 90 minutes, depending on the route you take from LA. You get to pick a preferred spot from 17 campsites with enough trails to hike, access to drinking water, flush toilets, and grocery stores where you can get firewood for your campfires.