Canyon Campground

Star4.38
226 reviews
35000 West Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Family FriendlySwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

39 ft

Price

$45 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

135 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens California State Parks site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Canyon Campground
$45.00 - $60.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Camping fees range from $45 to $60 depending on site type, with an additional $8.25 reservation fee. Parking fees are $12 per day for standard...
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Standard Site Fee$45.00
Hookup Site Fee$60.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$225.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Reserve California
Provider
(310) 457-8143interp@parks.ca.gov
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What Campers Say

4.38

Recommended

Based on 226 reviews

114 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanshadebeachfriendly

Some mention

cell service

"User reviews are generally positive, highlighting the campground's cleanliness, proximity to the beach, and friendly staff. Some complaints focus on restroom cleanliness and cell phone service issues."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

35000 West Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265

Canyon Campground

35000 West Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265

Driving directionsTake the 101 freeway and exit at Kanan Road. Go south onto Kanan Road. Turn right onto Mulholland Highway. Keep left to continue on Encinal Canyon Road. Turn left to stay on Encinal Canyon Road. Turn right onto CA-1 N, Pacific Coast Highway. 2.3 miles down, the park entrance will be on your right.
The campground is accessible via paved roads; vehicles with less than eight-foot overhead clearance can enter the North Beach parking lot. Seasonal closures may occur due to weather or flooding.
Nearby places
Santa Monica (28 miles, approximately 40 minutes) Thousand Oaks (33 miles, approximately 45 minutes) Oxnard (15 miles, approximately 30 minutes) Ventura (37 miles, approximately 50 minutes)
Nearby supplies
The campground has an on-site store with essential items, snacks, and drinks. Vintage Grocers in Malibu is approximately 28 miles away and provides deli and grocery items.

Best Time to Camp at Canyon Campground

Year-round sunshine and gentle ocean breezes create an idyllic Mediterranean climate that makes every season camping season. While winter brings refreshing mild temperatures perfect for hiking the canyon trails, summer delivers those quintessential California beach days that dreams are made of. Nature occasionally reminds visitors of its power through seasonal tides and rare canyon flooding, adding an element of raw beauty to this dynamic landscape where mountain streams meet the sea.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season with events, food trucks and beach access—very appealing but busier and crowded.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 5% in CA

Mild Mediterranean fall, quieter beaches and great hiking—excellent shoulder-season appeal.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.5 / 5
Top 7% in CA

Wildflower displays and Nicholas Flat seasonal pond make spring especially attractive.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
4.0 / 5
Top 12% in CA

Open year-round with mild winter temps ideal for hiking; occasional weather closures possible.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day and holiday weekends are considered peak season.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round, but closures may occur due to weather conditions (e.g., flooding).
  • Current Alerts: Seasonal flooding may close certain areas or trails. Fire restrictions vary by day and are posted at the entrance.

About Canyon Campground

Nestled where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, Leo Carrillo State Park's Canyon Campground invites adventurers to experience the best of Southern California's natural beauty. With 135 thoughtfully positioned sites tucked among towering sycamores and winding canyon trails, this coastal gem serves as your gateway to both mountain adventures and beachside exploration. Whether you're gathering with family at one of the spacious group sites or seeking solitude in a secluded family spot, you'll find yourself immersed in a landscape where rugged canyons give way to pristine beaches just moments away.
Canyon Campground accommodates a variety of camping styles, including tent sites, RV hookups, and group camping. Primitive camping is not explicitly mentioned.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 15 consecutive nights.

Amenities available

Showers
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings
Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Canyon Campground offers a range of activities that appeal to nature enthusiasts. Hiking trails, including the Yellow Hill Trail and Nicholas Flat Trail, provide various difficulty levels. Tide-pooling, wildlife viewing, and beach-related activities such as sunbathing and boogie boarding are popular. Interpretive programs like Junior Ranger activities are available seasonally. User reviews highlight the proximity to the beach and the chance to see falcons and owls.
HikingThe Yellow Hill Trail offers panoramic views, and Nicholas Flat Trail leads to a seasonal pond. A nature trail loops near the campfire center. Trails vary in difficulty—gentle to strenuous—and feature diverse plant and animal communities.
FishingFishing is permitted with a valid California fishing license. Target species include kelp bass and California sheephead. Ocean conditions should be assessed before fishing.
SwimmingSwimming is available at designated areas on North Beach. Safety measures, including lifeguards, are in place.
BikingBiking is limited to paved roads within the park. Riders under 18 must wear helmets, and bikes used after dark require lights.
BoatingNon-motorized boating such as kayaking and paddleboarding is available. Designated areas should be observed.
Wildlife viewingCommon wildlife includes scrub jays, deer, and raccoons. Raptors such as falcons and owls are frequently sighted.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include rattlesnakes, ticks, poison oak, and seasonal flooding. Visitors should exercise caution around tide pools and rocky areas.
Active AlertsSeasonal flooding may close certain areas or trails. Fire restrictions vary by day and are posted at the entrance.

Weather at Canyon Campground

Reviews

4.4
226 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Canyon Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews are generally positive, highlighting the campground's cleanliness, proximity to the beach, and friendly staff. Some complaints focus on restroom cleanliness and cell phone service issues.
Review Summaries
Based on 226 reviews

What Campers Love

Friendly rangers, clean facilities, proximity to the beach, and shaded campsites are frequently praised.
Based on 226 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include restroom cleanliness, lack of Wi-Fi, and poor cell phone reception in certain areas.
Based on 226 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring an extension cord for electric hookups. Choose shaded sites for comfort during summer. Plan activities like tide-pooling during low tide.
Based on 226 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer sees peak activity, with interpretive programs and family-friendly events like food trucks and live music.
Based on 226 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'One of the best campsites I have been to so far! It is quiet and calm, spent a day relaxing at the Malibu beach.' - Weekend Camper 2. 'The campground is cute and has a little shop that can sell...
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Based on 226 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #42 received positive feedback for its proximity to a dog-friendly beach. Sites closer to the western entrance are noted for better cell phone reception.
Based on 226 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible campsites (#2, #4, #33, #47, #57, #79, and #119) and trails are appreciated by users with mobility challenges.
Based on 226 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed on leashes in the campground and on North Beach. Multiple users praised the pet-friendly amenities of the campground.
Based on 226 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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