Circle X Ranch Group Campground
Campground · California · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (National Recreation Area) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 75
- People per site
- 1,702 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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? Your vacation destination may be a short drive from Los Angeles, California! Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers many opportunities to shake off the stresses of city life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
Recreation
Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in July and August.From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain retreat.
Facilities
Circle X Ranch Group Campground is closed until further notice. There is no estimated re-opening date.
Located below the Ranger Contact Station at Cirlce X Ranch. Check-in here with park staff before heading down to your campsite.
Natural Features
Tucked in the canyons above Malibu and nestled below majestic Boney Mountain, you will find Circle X Ranch. This former Boy Scout camp offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. Journey to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and see several of the Channel Islands on a clear day. Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a creekside picnic. Reserve the Group Camp and listen to coyote songs at night.Nearby Attractions
Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a picnic at the trailhead next to the campground. Grotto Trail 3.5 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous; no bikes, no horses. This trail traverses hillsides and leads down to the West Fork of the Arroyo Sequit. The trail is downhill from the Ranger Station, which means an uphill return. The Grotto area is rugged terrain; be careful and wear appropriate hiking attire. The last 1/8 mile is through an unimproved streambed and dogs are not allowed. The Ranger Contact Station can provide you with free hiking maps of Circle X Ranch. A publication of park-led activites for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is also available. Vists to nearby Malibu and the Pacific Ocean are just a short drive way.The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 75 people per site
- Loops: Driveway
Site types
- 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Water hookups
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.
1 campsite at Circle X Ranch Group Campground
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Driveway | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Moderate | — | 75 | 🐾 |
Getting there
34.10972, -118.93722 · 34°6'35.0"N 118°56'14.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.7 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
10-30 people $35 per night 31-50 people $75 per night 51-75 people $125 per night
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Circle X Ranch Group Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Circle X Ranch Group Campground?
- Yes, Circle X Ranch Group Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Circle X Ranch Group Campground have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Circle X Ranch Group Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Circle X Ranch Group Campground.
- Does Circle X Ranch Group Campground have hookups?
- Water.
Camping near Circle X Ranch Group Campground
- Anacapa Island 25.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Rose Valley Campground 32.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Middle Lion Campground 33.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center 3.1 mi · Facility
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum 12.3 mi · Library
- Santa Monica Mountains Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center 13.1 mi · Visitor Center
- Santa Monica Mountains Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center 13.1 mi · Facility
- Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center 21.1 mi · Facility
- Visitor Center Anacapa Island 25.3 mi · Visitor Center
- Dough Flat Trailhead 28.6 mi · Facility
- Nordhoff Ridge Road 32 mi · Facility
- Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center 33.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 805-370-2301
- Email samo_interpretation@nps.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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