Leo Carrillo State Park: The Ultimate Dog-Friendly Camping Guide (Malibu, CA)
If you’ve ever tried to plan a beach camping trip with your dog in California, you already know the struggle. Most coastal campgrounds either don’t allow dogs at all, or they let them stay at the campsite and nowhere near the actual sand. It’s frustrating when your dog is the trip.
That’s exactly why we picked Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu for our very first car camping trip with all three of our dogs. It’s one of the few spots on the California coast where dogs are allowed on an actual beach, not just the campground. Below is everything we wish we’d known before we booked, plus what actually happened once we got there.
Quick Facts: Leo Carrillo Camping With Dogs
| Key Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Dog-friendly beach? | Yes, North Beach only |
| Leash rule | 6 feet max, at all times |
| Nightly camping fee | Around $45+ (varies by site/season) |
| Total campsites | 130 |
| Booking site | ReserveCalifornia.com |
| Address | 35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 |
Is Leo Carrillo State Park Dog-Friendly?
Yes, and honestly, it’s more dog-friendly than most California beach campgrounds we looked at. Leo Carrillo allows leashed dogs in the campground, the day-use areas, and on North Beach (the section north of Lifeguard Tower 3). That last part is the reason we booked this park over anywhere else nearby, since most coastal campgrounds in the area keep dogs off the sand entirely.
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
- Leash required at all times. Dogs must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and someone needs to be with them at all times.
- North Beach only. Dogs are only allowed on North Beach, north of Lifeguard Tower 3. South Beach and every hiking trail in the backcountry are off-limits to pets, no exceptions.
- Overnight rules. At night, dogs need to be inside your tent or vehicle, both for their safety and to keep them away from local wildlife.
- Clean up after your dog. This applies at the campsite and on the beach.
We actually didn’t find out about the North Beach boundary until we checked in, so don’t make our mistake. If a beach walk with your dogs is the whole point of your trip, double check you’re heading to the right side of the tower before you get your pups all excited in the parking lot.
One more honest confession: looking back at our own photos, we’re pretty sure our leash was longer than the posted 6-foot limit. We grabbed a longer one on purpose so the dogs could spread out and really run on the sand, but that’s on us, not something the park allows. If you want your dogs to have more room to roam, do it the right way and stick to a leash that’s 6 feet or under. It’s an easy rule to follow, and it keeps things safe for everyone else on the beach too.
Our Experience: Walking Three Dogs on North Beach
We’ll be honest, our first night at Leo Carrillo was rough. It was cold, we hadn’t packed nearly enough layers, and by morning we were more than ready to go home. But on our last morning, after we packed up and checked out, we drove straight to North Beach so the dogs could finally get their paws in the sand.
Watching them tear across the shoreline, chase each other, and sniff every single piece of seaweed made the miserable night before feel completely worth it. Even our oldest girl, who’s usually pretty slow to get moving these days, was trotting along the water like she was a puppy again. That one morning is the whole reason we’re already planning a second trip back, just with a lot more prep this time.
What to Pack: Lessons From Our First Trip
If you’re camping with dogs at Leo Carrillo (or anywhere along the coast, really), a few things made a huge difference for us:
- Heavy layers, for you and your dogs. Nights on the Malibu coast get colder than people expect, even in summer.
- A headlamp or extra lantern. You’ll be doing late-night bathroom trips with your dogs on leash, and the campground gets dark fast.
- An airtight food container. Local wildlife will absolutely find loose dog food if you leave it out.
- A towel (or five). Between sand, seawater, and dew, your dogs will not be dry by morning.
Leo Carrillo Camping Fees and How to Book
- Camping fee: Standard sites start around $45 per night, with higher rates for hookup sites, holidays, and summer weekends.
- Reservation fee: A non-refundable state park reservation fee is added at checkout.
- Day-use parking: About $12 per vehicle if you’re just coming for the beach and not staying overnight.
- How to book: Reserve online at ReserveCalifornia or by phone at (800) 444-7275. Weekends and summer dates go fast, so book as early as you can.
What to Expect at the Campground
- 130 campsites for tents, cars, and RVs, with select electrical hookup sites.
- Great amenities: Token-operated hot showers, a small camp store for essentials, and a campfire center.
- Pro tip for hot showers: To use the showers at this California State Park, you’ll need special park tokens instead of regular quarters. The token machines outside the shower buildings only accept $1 bills, and they don’t give any cash change back, the entire bill gets converted into tokens. Bring plenty of $1 bills so you’re not stuck short on shower time.
- Shaded sites under sycamore trees, which gives a lot more privacy than the open, exposed beach campgrounds further south.
- Easy beach access, just a short walk or a quick drive through the park tunnel under the PCH.
- 1.5 miles of coastline with tide pools, sea caves, and reefs to explore beyond the main beach.
Address and Location
Address: 35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 Leo Carrillo sits right off the PCH, about 28 miles west of Santa Monica.
FAQ: Camping With Dogs at Leo Carrillo State Park
Can dogs go on the beach at Leo Carrillo State Park? Yes, but only on North Beach, north of Lifeguard Tower 3. Dogs are not allowed on South Beach.
Do I need a reservation to camp with my dog at Leo Carrillo? Yes. Book through ReserveCalifornia online or by phone, especially for weekends and summer months, since sites sell out quickly.
Are dogs allowed on the hiking trails at Leo Carrillo? No. Dogs are restricted to the campground, day-use areas, and North Beach. Backcountry trails are off-limits to pets.
Is Leo Carrillo State Park cold at night? Yes, more than you’d expect for Malibu. Pack heavy layers for yourself and a blanket or coat for your dog, even in summer.
Should You Bring Your Dog to Leo Carrillo?
If you want a California beach trip where your dogs get to be part of the actual experience instead of sitting it out at the campsite, we’d recommend Leo Carrillo without hesitation. Just stick to North Beach, keep them leashed, and pack smarter than we did on our first night. Heavy layers, a good light, and an airtight food container will save you a lot of trouble.
📖 Want the full, unfiltered story of our first night here? Read our companion post, Car Camping with 3 Dogs: Rookie Mistakes & Essential Beginner Tips, for everything that went wrong, the freezing night, and how we made it through our very first camping trip.
