Does anyone know if we can camp for free at Malibu Creek State Park outside of the official campground? Similarly for other state/national parks, if we're not camping at a designated campground, can we camp for free off the beaten path?
It's all state and federal park around here. No free camping. But tons of fee camping in north Malibu along pch if you want options besides Malibu creek. It's cooler too.
From the intersection of Las V road and Mulholand drive. Drive west, go past the free parking, walk in entrance for the Creek, keep going for about 3/4 mile or so.... you will hit a long 180 left hand turn that climbs up- hill then bends to the right - tops out - and then goes down hill... Right at the top out is a dirt pull out with room for about 6-8 cars. If your at the correct place you will find a trail (maintained) this trail is popular with the horsey set and goes down into the park and ends at the top of the apes wall. Hike up this trail for maybe 50 feet above the parking spot and you will find the remains of a house foundation. Nice n flat concrete.
I have known of people who park there, walk up the the flat spot and crash.
Sort of like out of bounds camping in the Valley.
if low profile you should be OK, I have rolled up to this spot at like 7a and found folks sacked out on the slab.
You can walk down in the morning and your at the apes wall....