California / Ventura County / Circle X Ranch / Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Circle X Ranch Group Campground

Closed — Closed until further notice with no estimated reopening date.

About

Circle X Ranch Group Campground sits at 1,655 acres below majestic Boney Mountain in the western Santa Monica Mountains, approximately 5.4 miles inland from Pacific Coast Highway. As the only National Park Service campground in the Santa Monica Mountains, this former Boy Scout camp provides a secluded mountain retreat with access to diverse terrain ranging from dry, rocky slopes to lush, fern-studded canyons. The campground accommodates groups of 10-75 people for tent camping only in a single group site located below the Ranger Contact Station. The area showcases a rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem with coastal sage scrub, mixed chaparral, and distinctive red shank chaparral with its reddish-brown bark and white summer flowers. Over 15 miles of trails wind through the property, including the popular 3.5-mile Grotto Trail that descends to the West Fork of the Arroyo Sequit through rugged terrain. From the campground, visitors can journey to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, where clear days offer views of several Channel Islands. The site provides a rare opportunity near Los Angeles to experience dark skies with minimal light pollution and hear coyote songs at night. Malibu beaches and the Pacific Ocean are just a short drive away, making this an ideal base for exploring both mountain and coastal environments.

Directions

From Pacific Coast Highway, turn inland on Yerba Buena Road and travel 5.4 miles to the Circle X Ranch contact station. The campground is located below the Ranger Contact Station.

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