Sycamore Canyon Campground California
Sycamore Canyon Overview
Sycamore Canyon Campground (in Point Mugu State Park) has 58 campsites and is about 1/2 mile inland from the ocean in a pretty canyon of giant Sycamore and Oak trees. The sites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs (up to 31 feet). All campsites are on the reservation system (site assigned on check in), with the exception of the hike/bike campsite. There is a limit of 8 people and 2 vehicles per campsite. Each campsite also has a table, fire ring and grate.
Click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button for Sycamore Canyon reservations. Then search for “Point Mugu SP” on the ReserveCalifornia site. Campsites reserved through ReserveCalifornia site are the ones you will be assigned at check in. Check in starts at 2pm and check out is at 12pm.
Sycamore Canyon Campground has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers (tokens available for purchase), a nature center and an RV dump station. There are no hookups here. Overflow parking is available. Cell service is fair.
You might also like Leo Carrillo State Park or Thornhill Broome Campground.
Sycamore Canyon – Point Mugu State Park Area Recreation
Point Mugu State Park is located on Highway One up the road from Malibu. The park features 5 miles of ocean shoreline and 70 miles of hiking trails along the beach and in the Santa Monica mountains. You’ll find rocky ocean bluffs, sandy beaches, rugged hills, two river canyons, grassy valleys and even the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness area. Outdoor recreation includes horseback riding, hiking, biking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. You can also hike or drive about 1/2 mile to the ocean (Sycamore Cove) and also enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking and beach combing. You can also spot some whales during migration season.
Make a Reservation for Sycamore Canyon
Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service Fair
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Equestrian trail
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Grills
- Hike/Bike Campsites
- Nature Center
- Overflow Parking
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
- Showers
- Trash Collection
Activities
- Beach
- Beach Access
- Beach Combing
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Creek
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Nature Trails
- Photography
- Stargazing
- Surf Fish
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Walking Trails
- Whale Watching
- Wildlife Viewing
Malibu, California 90265
310 457-8143
Lat / Long:
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- California Beaches
- California State Beach
- California State Park
- Creek
- Ocean
- Point Mugu State Park
- Southern California
Campsite Types
- ADA
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
58
Campsite Vehicle Size:
Up to 31 feet.
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
30
Sycamore Canyon Comments & Reviews
Visited Sycamore Canyon Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Sycamore Canyon?
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Just got home from our very first family trip, and I’m so glad that we chose Sycamore Canyon. The campgrounds are well maintained and very contained. Our neighbors were great, we invited the two neighboring sites over for s’mores, and just had a blast. The bathrooms were very clean, all the fountains worked.
There was a fire a couple of months (or maybe even a year) back, so the amount of wildlife (i.e. snakes) was just nonexistent. The trails are busy with mtn bikes and day hikers, but there wasn’t really a moment I felt like we were close to a high-use trailhead.
The rangers circle through on a regular basis, and the park host was always very welcoming. Skip buying firewood at the grocery store, and buy the wood there for $7/bunch.
Would love to go back at any moment. We enjoyed the day hiking, hearing the waves crashing, and just a lot of peace and quiet.
FYI – you’ll only get cell service if you stay in the day use area. There was *NO* cell coverage in the canyon or up on any of the trails.
Showers were a $1, bring a bill…the token machine for the shower didn’t show a spot to insert coins.
My brother and I spent two nights camping at Sycamore Canyon campground in August of 1972 after I graduated from college . While climbing one of the giant sycamore trees, a fellow camper said there was a guy there who knew me, and it was someone I had just graduated with, and I did not see him again until our 50th graduation reunion from Wilkes College in Pa this past October. Small world JJSL.
That IS a small world – amazing!
I’ve been reading conflicting reports about site assignments for Sycamore Canyon. Are the site-specific reservations, or are they assigned upon arrival by the camp host?
Hi Annie,
As far as we know the campsites at Sycamore Canyon (Point Mugu State Park) are site-specific through ReserveCalifornia. You can access by clicking on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button from the Sycamore Canyon campground page.
Looking for a more recent update on this. Want to confirm site(s) reserved are sites given at check-in before reserving online. Looking to get 2-3 neighboring sites and am unsure of arrival time. Thanks!
Hi Cory,
Sycamore Canyon (Pt. Mugu State Park) Campsites reserved through ReserveCalifornia site are the ones you will be assigned at check in. Check in starts at 2pm and check out is at 12pm.
How many trailers or Rv’s can be on a site. Also, are campsites assigned at time of reservation or on arrival.
Hi Norma,
Sycamore Canyon campground in Pt. Mugu State Park allows 2 vehicles and 8 people per site. The vehicles would include your RV or car and the towing vehicle. You can click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to check availability, pricing and make a reservation. Campsites are assigned at time of reservation (not arrival).
Hi. We are having a heck of a time trying to make any reservations for Sycamore Canyon. The Website Reserve California doesn’t even recognize that park. Is there a phone number to make reservations?
Hi Pamela,
For Sycamore Canyon (and Thornhill Broome) – use ‘Point Mugu SP’ when searching in ReserveCalifornia.
The reserve California system needs to go to a 24 hour reserve and put all campsites online. This thought of any “walk up” first come doesn’t work. Right now their are 5 spots open for Sycamore canyon tomorrow and the system won’t let me reserve them. I have a four year old daughter, I am not going to pack up the car and get there and then take the risk of them not having a spot. Make it were if someone books less than 48 hours and doesn’t show they lose all their money.
Good afternoon, Is the beach a walking distance from sycamore canyon campground?
Hi Connie,
You can access the beach from Sycamore Canyon campground via a trail that goes under the highway. Depending on the campsite, the walk would be anywhere from about 1/4 mile to 3/4 of a mile to the beach. There’s also a day-use parking area next to the beach, but you’ll need to pay extra to park your vehicle there.
Hi – We have stayed at Leo Carrillo and they have “wells” or “fountains” to wash hands and/or pots and pans at the actual camp sites. Is this the same for Sycamore Canyon – I see that there is “Drinking Water” listed but not sure what that means – should we be bringing our own water? Also…I heard the beaches are dog friendly (on leash of course) is that correct? Thanks in Advance!
Hi Shanna,
Sycamore Canyon campground (Pt. Mugu State Park), has water basins/sinks outside of the restrooms. There are also water spigots throughout the campground.
Wondering where site 26 is on the map…I reserved 25/26 as they were shown together on the map where I reserved them…but they don’t seem to be and on the map shown here 26 doesn’t exist. Hope you can help shed some light on that for me 🙂
Hi Hila,
As you pointed out, the Sycamore Canyon campground map we have doesn’t include site #26, but it is there. According to ReserveCalifornia – it is to the left of site #25 (when looking at #25).
Are they still taking reservations for tent sites?
The reservation site says reservation restriction.. Is it still open?
Hi David,
Sycamore Canyon campground (Point Mugu State Park) is open for camping and taking reservations. The campground pretty much looks sold out through Labor Day though. You can try our Campsite Assist tool and get notified if a cancelled campsite becomes available. There is a one time fee for the service and scans will run continually depending on the package you pick.
Is a trailer and a tent allowed on a single camp site as long as the number of occupants is 8 or less
Hi Lee,
Yes – you’re correct. You can have a tent and trailer in your campsite, as long as you don’t exceed 8 people.
Hi,
Are there any hike in/bike in campsites available?
Hi Jonathan,
Yes, there are campsites designated for hikers / bikers. They are first-come, first-serve.
Should I fill up my RV water before arriving or are is there water available to fill-up?
Hi Robert,
Yes, I recommend you fill up your water tank before arriving at Sycamore Canyon campground. It isn’t allowed at the campground.
Hi, no question was asked about my motorhome having a slide. Is that an issue? It is only 7 1/2 feet wide, with a 30 inch slide
Hi Cindy,
You were probably talking with ReserveCalifornia as it is the company that handles reservations at Sycamore Canyon (Pt. Mugu State Park). Most, if not all, of the Sycamore Canyon campsites are pretty wide and your slide out RV will be fine (to fit).
I’m going camping at Sycamore Campground. Do the fire pits have a grate so you can cook hot dogs on them if you wanted to?
Hi Tessa,
Yes all of the fire rings/pits at Sycamore Canyon campgorund have a grate so you can cook some hot dogs or other food! Have fun!
I have severe copd and require oxygen supply 24/7. Are there any disabled area sites with power standard power hook up for a rv rental to be able to plug in a portable oxygen concentrator or any other camp sites in the area. It’d be for 2 nights. Thank you in advance
HI Richard,
Unfortunately Sycamore Canyon campground does not have any campsites (ADA or other) with electric hookups.
Hi, Wondering if you think site 46 has roughly adequate space for 3-4 small tents? (7 people) Thanks!
Hi Avalon,
Might be able to get 3 tents in campsite #46 since it has some room to the left of the parking spur. Not sure about 4 tents though. Keep in mind that there is a limit of 2 vehicles and 8 people per campsite.
Hi
Wanted to know if there is a lot of room between campsites; the map show that they may be closely packed together, but checking on covid safety. Thank you
HI Sarah,
The campsites are right next to each other, but most are fairly large. The distance between the table/fire ring area could range from about 50 to 80 feet, depending on the campsite.
When I put in the length of our small RV (20 ft) in the reserve website many of the campsites get blacked out, but looking at the photos, there should be plenty of room. Comments?
Hi R. Hobbs,
Not sure what to say. Most sites at Sycamore Canyon can accommodate a small RV (up to 20 feet). I’d maybe just roll the dice and not include your RV length – see what’s available, then check the photo to make sure it looks good.
Do any of these campsites have ocean views?
Hi Vicky,
Unfortunately none of the Sycamore Canyon campsites have ocean views. You’ll need to walk about 1/2 mile from the day-use parking area under the freeway to get to the beach and see the ocean.
Hello, I booked site SC3. Based on the photo, it is fairly big. The reservation system allowed me to book only, if I chose “tent”, there was no option to chose RV. Is this site OK for RV?
Hi Arthur,
Yes – you can park an RV or trailers in Sycamore Canyon site SC3. The site can take up to three vehicles. Pad length is 31 feet and all wheels must be on the pavement. Have a great trip!
Hello, I am booked at Sycamore Canyon Campground, site #29. Can this spot accommodate 3 regular sized vehicles? And if not, can our 3rd car park in the overflow lot overnight?
Thank you!
Hi Mel,
Yes you can park 3 vehicles in Sycamore Canyon campsite #29. FYI – only 1 vehicle is included in your fee so you’ll need to pay an extra (per night) fee for each additional vehicle. I’m not sure what the extra fee is, but it may be around $12 per vehicle per night.
I have seven children, the youngest is only 1, and the oldest 13. If the limit is 8 people per site, would I really have to reserve two sites for two parents and seven children? Thanks for the info.
Hi Todd,
The final call is up to the ranger and/or camp host. Generally they won’t do a head count (unless it’s way over the limit) and I’m almost sure they’ll give you a pass since your youngest is only 1.
Is there parking space for 2 cars and a 12 foot travel trailer at site #11? If not, is there overnight additional parking available for the extra car?
Hi Margie,
Sycamore Canyon campsite #11 can accommodate up to 3 vehicles and 8 people. Your 2 cars and trailer should fit fine in the parking pad area. Not sure if all three can be parallel parked, but you can park two parallel and the third across the front of the parking area.
Hello! Is the potable water at Sycamore Canyon Campground still available? (Even during these COVID times?)
Yes it is.
Hello! I am looking to reserve 2 sites next to each other. I have reservation for sites 55/56 but am considering changing it to 12/13. Could you please tell me which of the choices have better shade and space and grade?
Much appreciated.
Hi Shay,
We don’t actually have an employee on site at Sycamore Canyon campground, but going off the photos and our general knowledge of the campground/sites – campsites 55/56 are along the creek and have more shade than sites 12/13. Sites 55/56 have a little larger parking area. The ‘camping area’ is large in sites 12/13. Both sites are relatively level, but 12/13 are probably more so. Hope this helps!
Can’t wait for our stay! Can you tell us where the drinking water stations are located?
HI Camper,
You’ll love the campground – very nice. For sure there is water at each of the bathrooms and you can click on the ‘Campground Map’ button to see where those are located. There are also a few water spigots scattered throughout the campground, but I’m not sure where those are located.
Are we able to visit the campsite prior to our reservation date? If so, what do we need to do to visit?
Hi Shalonda,
Yes, you can visit Sycamore Canyon campground before you visit. You’ll need to pay the ‘day use’ fee (around $8 to $10). Then you can walk the campground, trails and visit the beach. You’ll park your car in the day-use parking lot.
Hey there! My girlfriend and I are heading out there on Thursday for the first time. Is there anything super obvious that we should bring along? I saw people saying that you shouldn’t bring firewood to the campsite. Is it still available for purchase at the site? Thanks for the help!
Hi Michael,
Nothing comes to mind on super obvious stuff you should bring along to Sycamore Canyon campground. They do have showers (tokens you can purchase at the campground). They do sell firewood (camp host). Have a great time!
That’s great. We’ll buy wood when we arrive. Is there an electrical outlet available to blow up an air mattress? Thanks for your help!
Last January 11, we reserved Campsite #15 for 7-11-21 thru 7-16-21 12pm checkout, and the info said SCSC (31ft), and we figured it was31ft from the back of the parking pad out to the street section and would park our tacoma truck along the side of our 26ft long trailer, back edge to front tongue ball post. After seeing several youtube videos with people passing by our #15 parking area, I question the space available for our trailer and truck not to stick out into the street area. I did see one large trailer parked horizontally along the street with its back right at the line of #14 parking area, and their truck parked at an angle in front on the left, partly on pavement and partly on dirt, so people could still drive by. Wondering if ever there are any cancelations near our time where we can trade into the campsites 41 – 57 area with our 26ft trailer, after seeing more larger trailers over there in the youtube videos? Maybe only know when we drive in on Sunday July 11th? Thanks.
Hi Christopher,
You can check from time to time at ReserveCalifornia.com (Point Mugu State Park – Sycamore Canyon) to see if a site opens up. You can also try our Campsite Assist tool. It notifies you (text & email) if/when a campsite becomes available on the dates you want to camp.
We have campsite #15 reserved for 5 nights in July with people in the trailer and campsite. We will have our trailer and tow vehicle a truck to fit in the campsite parking area. Two of our party want to bring their car instead of being in our truck. Is there any parking space nearby or overflow parking in the campground area for their second car?
Hello,
I have an upcoming reservation for campsite #56. Can this site accommodate two 6-person tents? By the looks of the campsite picture, it seems like there is more surrounding shrubbery at this particular site. Thanks!
Hi Aaron,
We took the Sycamore Canyon pictures this year – so they are current. And you’re right, it looks like the shrubbery will make it a little tight for two six-person tents. They may work if you can move the picnic table.
Can you park 2 rvs on one site?
Hi Jeniece,
Each campsite can accommodate up to 2 vehicles and 8 people. Two (2) RVs are allowed, so long as they fit. You can check the size limits of each campsite at ReserveCalifornia.com.
My 7 year old granddaughter saw #58 and asked where she’s suppose to play with all those bushes, is there a play area? Thanks.
Hi Sylvia,
Well I agree with your granddaughter – who wants to play in a bunch of bushes! There is not a playground / play area at Sycamore Canyon Campground. Your best best is to take the short drive (1/2 mile) over to the day-use parking lot and then over to the beach.
Loved the camp grounds and beach but we stayed at site #16 and it is essentially a single car only site. The smallest site at the campground. Plus the road was right next to it so not very safe for young children with cars rushing by. There’s a rattlesnake nest also at this site. While I would 100% come to this campground again, I would not recommend site #16. It is very narrow and small, not for a small trailer.
Can anyone tell me what parking for a day hike would cost if I am not planning to camp overnight?
Hi Mark,
The day-use parking fee is $12 per car per day at Sycamore Canyon.
I plan to stay at a campground that accommodates two vehicles, but I am afraid a friend is stopping by one night and bringing a third vehicle. Will this be a big problem?
Hi Devon,
Overflow parking is available at Sycamore Canyon campground so your friend can park their car in the overflow flow area for the night.
thank you for the article
You are welcome Zidane!
You are welcome Zidane!
I have reservations for next weekend. I have stayed at Leo carillo and was wondering if this site as a store as well. Not sure if I should stick with Leo carillo or sycamore canyon.
Hi Tiffany,
Leo Carrillo State Park campground does have a camp store. Sycamore Canyon Campground (Point Mugu State Park) does not.
Hello,
We have reserved SCSC campsite #3 in Sycamore campground. I understand only 1 vehicle is included in the reservation and the campsite parks only two cars. There is a possibility that we arrive with three vehicles. I am wondering if it is possible to park the third vehicle somewhere in the campground. Happy to pay for the additional fees. Thanks!
Hi Kian,
Overflow parking for a 3rd vehicle is available at Sycamore Canyon Campground in the Day Use parking lot. There is an extra fee (per 24 hours) – payable at the parking lot kiosk. Have fun!
awesome!