Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area — ocean access, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
Malibu, CA, CA★ 4 (0 reviews)From $35/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date. Are you searching for a weekend getaway with mountain overlooks and sunny, sandy beaches?
Best for:HikersWildlife watchersFamiliesSites:Tent
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
HookupsNo hookups.
PetsAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire Rings
Recreation
Picnic Tables
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ CAMPGROUND CURRENTLY CLOSED - No estimated reopening date per RIDB✕ Seeking hookups - no hookups available✕ Visiting outside May-October seasonal window
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryWear sturdy hiking shoes with good traction on rocky terrain
Book early as this is a federal campground with limited availability
Visit after winter rains when water features and vegetation are most lush
Best: May-October
Official operating season per verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes (Southern Pacific Rattlesnake), and kingsnakes present in the area. Poison oak reported near water areas.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
805-370-2301· Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Getting there →
Pacific Coast Highway to Yerba Buena Road. Turn inland; go 5.4 miles to Circle X Ranch contact station.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Circle X Ranch Group Campground cost per night?+
Circle X Ranch Group Campground costs $35 per night. Hookup options: No hookups.
What season is Circle X Ranch Group Campground open?+
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Circle X Ranch Group Campground have hookups?+
No hookups.
What is the maximum RV length at Circle X Ranch Group Campground?+
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is primarily a tent camping facility.
How do I make reservations at Circle X Ranch Group Campground?+
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Circle X Ranch Group Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Circle X Ranch Group Campground is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Circle X Ranch Group Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$35 /night★ 4 (0)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Circle X Ranch Group Campground cost per night?+
What season is Circle X Ranch Group Campground open?+
Does Circle X Ranch Group Campground have hookups?+
All 7 questions →Nearby Campgrounds
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