The Best Camping near Long Beach, California
If you feel like you need to escape the city and spend a night under the stars, you should visit Southern California. With stunning areas of natural beauty like Joshua Tree National Park and Angeles National Forest nearby, Long Beach has plenty of options for those wanting to experience the great outdoors. Here are our favorite camping spots near Long Beach, California – bookable on Culture Trip. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.
Buttercup Group Campground, San Bernardino National Forest
Approximately an hour-and-a-half drive northeast of Long Beach, the Buttercup Group Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest is a perfect destination for a camping getaway. It’s in an isolated spot surrounded by pine trees. Surrounding the campground are several great hiking routes for all skill levels. The popular Big Bear Lake is just a short trek away.
San Onofre Bluffs Campground, San Onofre State Beach
Moro Campground, Crystal Cove State Park
Just a little farther down the coast from Long Beach is the Moro Campground which has everything you could want from an outdoor adventure. It has access to a pristine 3mi (5km) stretch of beach perfect for water-based activities, such as diving, swimming and surfing. For those wanting a slightly wilder experience, the 2,000 acres (809ha) of Crystal Cove State Park are available for wild camping, with many hiking routes leading to secluded areas.
Buckhorn Campground, Angeles National Forest
One of the lesser-known campsites near Long Beach on this list, but no less impressive, is the Buckhorn Campground in Angeles National Forest. With nearly 40 pitches available, there is no shortage of space and each one comes with a firepit and picnic tables. The site itself also intersects some of the best hiking routes in California, specifically the Pacific Crest and Silver Moccasin trails. Just make sure to lock up your food at night as bears are frequently spotted in the area.
Hidden Valley Campground, Joshua Tree National Park
If you’re looking for a slightly different camping experience, consider Hidden Valley Campground in Joshua Tree National Park. A longer drive outside Long Beach as you will be heading into the desert regions of California, the park offers scenes quite different to the coastal city, with its Joshua trees and arid landscape. Fantastic for climbers, Hidden Valley is among the most popular campsites in the park, so be sure to get there early.
Malibu Creek State Park Campground
Found in Malibu Creek State Park, this campsite has a variety of activities on offer. Complete with abundant wildlife, the campground is an excellent base for any animal enthusiasts or birdwatchers wanting to catch a glimpse. If you are looking for something to get your blood pumping, the camp is near some excellent mountain biking routes and rock-climbing faces. For film fans, the park was used extensively for filming before opening to the public in 1976, with the likes of the original Planet of the Apes (1968) being filmed on location.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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