Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
Outdoors
Camping near Carson
Campgrounds and camping areas near Carson on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Within 30 miles (1)
30 to 75 miles (20)
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
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
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
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
Bandido Group Campground
Located along Santa Clara Divide Road in the Angeles National Forest, Bandido Group Campground sits among fragrant Jeffrey pines in the upper montane zone of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Coldbrook Campground
Coldbrook Campground offers 22 shaded campsites* at the intersection of Coldbrook and Soldier Creeks that are open year round.
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake is open, however, campsites are no longer available for reservation on Recreation.gov. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Deer Group Camp
Deer Group Campground is a great place to bring an extended family or large group.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Jackson Flats
Jackson Flats is a group camping facility located next to beautiful Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, which holds numerous nature programs, hikes and activities on Saturdays during the summer.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
Southfork Campground
At a Glance: 4,500-foot elevation 21 sites RV's up to 16' No water Vault toilets Campsites are first-come, first-served What to Expect South Fork Campground on the backside of the San Gabriel Mountains is a hidden gem in the Mojave Desert.
- Camping
- Picnicking
Sycamore Flat Campground
Sycamore Flat Campground is a small, developed campground located in the Big Rock Creek Recreation Area of the Angeles National Forest.
- Birding
- Camping
- Photography
- Scenic Drive
- Water Access
Falcon Group
Falcon Group Campground has three individual group campsites just off the scenic Ortega Highway in Southern California, which connects San Juan Capistrano and Temecula Valley Highway.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Photography
- Scenic Drive
- Star Gazing
- Wilderness
Appletree Campground
Nestled in a scenic canyon just off the Big Pines Highway, Apple Tree provides a scenic and relaxing destination for camping, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
Lake Campground
Lake Campground offers an excellent escape from the city, just a short drive northeast of the Los Angeles metro area.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
Peavine Campground
Just northwest of the Los Angeles metro area, Peavine provides a scenic and relaxing destination for camping, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
El Mirage OHV Area
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
Juniper Flats
Juniper Flats covers 101,272 acres of mixed public and private lands. Located between the Mojave Desert and the forests of the San Bernardino Mountains, Juniper Flats hosts a unique mixture of plants from both environments.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
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
75 miles and farther (5)
Los Padres National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Beauty Mountain Wilderness
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness
The Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 33,610 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- 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
Sand to Snow National Monument
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Accessible Swimming
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Carson. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near Carson
- Hiking near Carson
- Fishing near Carson
- Boating and kayaking near Carson
- Biking and mountain biking near Carson
- Picnic spots near Carson
- Horseback riding near Carson
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Carson
- Swimming holes and lakes near Carson
- Off-roading and OHV areas near Carson
- Parks in Carson
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for camping near Carson?
Angeles National Forest (USDA Forest Service), about 25 miles northeast of Carson as the crow flies. Next are Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (34 mi) and Coulter Group Campground (36 mi).
When is the best time for camping near Carson?
Based on Carson’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Can I reserve a campsite near Carson?
12 of the 26 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.