Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
12 mi south · National Park Service
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails.
Outdoors
Camping near Simi Valley
Campgrounds and camping areas near Simi Valley on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
24campgrounds and camping areas
12 mito the closest
4within 30 miles
November–Maybest months
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Closest picks
Pyramid Lake - Emigrant Landing Day Use Area
26 mi north · USDA Forest Service
This facility does not accept reservations. Emigrant Landing is the largest day use recreation area on beautiful Pyramid Lake. Located just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, it is the perfect getaway without the long drive.
Pyramid Lake - Los Alamos Campground
26 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Los Alamos Campground is located 90 minutes from Los Angeles, offering a restful experience without the lengthy travel time.
Map of all 24 places
Map of 24 places loads as you scroll.
Within 30 miles (4)
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Pyramid Lake - Emigrant Landing Day Use Area
This facility does not accept reservations. Emigrant Landing is the largest day use recreation area on beautiful Pyramid Lake. Located just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, it is the perfect getaway without the long drive.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Water sports
Pyramid Lake - Los Alamos Campground
Los Alamos Campground is located 90 minutes from Los Angeles, offering a restful experience without the lengthy travel time.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (18)
Middle Lion Campground
Leave the city vibe behind as you meander down a winding, partially paved, narrow road that leads you into wooded Middle Lion Campground and day use area. Relax next to the running creek, take a refreshing dip, or hike the nearby trails.
- Biking
- Camping
Rose Valley Campground
Break free from reality and take a scenic cruise along fabulous Highway 33 for a short drive from Ojai to Rose Valley Campground and Day Use Area.
- Biking
- Camping
Sawmill Campground
5200-foot elevation. 8 sites. No water. Vault toilets. Campsites are first come - first served. RV's to 16'. Must access this campground from Pine Canyon Road due to washout on 7N23. Can not access from Old Ridge Route.
- Camping
- Picnicking
Lightning Point Group Campground
Lightning Point Campground sits at an elevation of 6,100 feet, about 25 miles southeast of Palmdale and roughly 35 miles north of the San Fernando Valley.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Holiday Group Campground
Holiday Group Campground is a relaxing location to enjoy nature all year long; a quick escape from the bustle of the city. It provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking and horseback riding.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
Wheeler Gorge
Wheeler Gorge Campground is a great place for families to explore the Los Padres National Forest all year long. Informative tours of the area are led by forest rangers at the nearby visitor center.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Lake Casitas
Lake Casitas is formed by Casitas Dam , which is a feature of the Ventura Project . Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers one of the nations best bass fishing areas.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Chuchupate Campground
Nestled near the Tejon Pass, your escape from the city to this remote and beautiful high desert hide-away awaits.
- Biking
- Camping
Anacapa Island
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairwell from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views.
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
- History
Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
Coulter Group Campground
Nestled within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Coulter Group Campground offers a secluded forest setting ideal for family reunions, youth groups, scout troops, and other organized gatherings.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
Meadow Group Campground
Meadow Group Campground is located off State Highway 2 between the Manzanita Loop of the Chilao Campground and the Chilao Ranger Station, 26 miles north of the 210 Freeway in La Canada, California.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Los Padres National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Prado Dam
This San Bernardino County Parks managed area is an oasis within one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California. Riverside County and the City of Corona also provide recreation facilities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources.
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Snorkeling
El Mirage OHV Area
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Reservoir, formed by Bradbury Dam , offers a prime recreational opportunity for the south central coast area of California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
- Nature education
Temblor Recreation Area
Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December 2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed forms of…
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (2)
Carrizo Plain National Monument
All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads. REMINDER: Please follow warning signs and respect private property when visiting your public lands.
- Biking
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Jawbone Canyon OHV Area
The Jawbone Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area provides a wide variety of riding opportunities including cross country play, trail riding, and advanced technical hill climbing opportunities.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Simi Valley. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Simi Valley
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Things to Do in Simi Valley!
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Top Things to do in Simi Valley.
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More outdoors near Simi Valley
- Hiking near Simi Valley
- Fishing near Simi Valley
- Boating and kayaking near Simi Valley
- Biking and mountain biking near Simi Valley
- Picnic spots near Simi Valley
- Horseback riding near Simi Valley
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Simi Valley
- Swimming holes and lakes near Simi Valley
- Off-roading and OHV areas near Simi Valley
- Parks in Simi Valley
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for camping near Simi Valley?
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (National Park Service), about 12 miles south of Simi Valley as the crow flies. Next are Pyramid Lake - Emigrant Landing Day Use Area (26 mi) and Pyramid Lake - Los Alamos Campground (26 mi).
When is the best time for camping near Simi Valley?
Based on Simi Valley’s average highs, November–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Can I reserve a campsite near Simi Valley?
11 of the 24 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.