Small tent-only hike-in campground in La Jolla Valley. Not bookable online. Call the park before you go. The reservable La Jolla Group Camp is a separate, drive-to site.
Other permits in Point Mugu State Park we can check
“Three tent spaces in a native grassland valley above the Pacific, with no water, no fires and no reservation system.”
Plan your Point Mugu State Park trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get La Jolla Valley
La Jolla Valley is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
How to get a La Jolla Valley permit
No reservation. You get the permit when you arrive.
Arrive at Ray Miller
Get your permit and pay
See the fees below.
Head out
1 to 2 nights is typical.
Point Mugu trailheads and fees
- Ray Miller
25 ft
- $10 per night, auto-pay at the La Jolla/Ray Miller parking area.
Point Mugu trailhead in full
Primary25 ft elevation
Ray Miller Trailhead / La Jolla Canyon parking areaThe Backbone Trail's western terminus at 25 feet and the auto-pay point for the hike-in camp.
Parking
Auto-pay for the camp at the La Jolla/Ray Miller parking area. Day-use parking is $12.00 all day, $9.00 for 3 hours, $6.00 for 2, $3.00 for 1.
Getting there
The beach is 15 miles south of Oxnard on Highway One. La Jolla Canyon day-use parking runs 8:00 AM to sunset.
Nearest services
Malibu or Oxnard. Address 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Santa Monica Mountains, CA
How this permit is issued
Get this permit in person at the trailhead or ranger station, or by phone.
Official permit page →Step 1: Check the agency page for the process
This permit is not sold online. Confirm where and when it is issued (and any fee) at California State Parks before your trip.
Step 2: Arrive early
Walk-up permits are issued first-come, first-served. Where the agency sets a daily quota, popular trailheads can run out on weekends and holidays.
Step 3: Have backup plans
Popular trailheads fill fast. Know alternate routes or dates.
More on La Jolla Valley: Live availability activity
The La Jolla Valley hike
- Route Type
- Out & Back
- Duration
- 1-2 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Low Point
- 25 ft
La Jolla Valley landmarks
- 1Ray Miller Trailhead
The lowest point on the Backbone Trail, named for the long-time campground host at the La Jolla Canyon parking area.
- 2La Jolla Valley Hike-In
Three tent spaces, half a mile off the Backbone Trail.
- 3Danielson Ranch
3.7 miles from the La Jolla hike-in camp, and 8.1 miles from Ray Miller by the Backbone Trail.
- 4Boney Mountains State Wilderness
The jagged pinnacles at the park's inland edge. No bicycles and no dogs.
Three tent spaces in a native grassland valley above the Pacific, with no water, no fires and no reservation system.
About this permit
La Jolla Valley Hike-In is three tent spaces half a mile off the Backbone Trail in Point Mugu State Park. There is no water and there are no fires. It is $10 per night and you auto-pay at the La Jolla/Ray Miller parking area. There is no reservation system, which is both the appeal and the risk.
The approach climbs from the Ray Miller Trailhead at 25 feet, the lowest point on the entire 67-mile Backbone Trail. From the camp it is 3.7 miles on to Danielson Ranch, and the full Ray Miller to Danielson Ranch segment is 8.1 miles.
Water is the constraint. The NPS advice for this whole range is blunt: there is water available in certain spots, but it is best to assume there is no potable water; purifying is always recommended, but stream water should be avoided if at all possible. Carry everything.
The park currently carries a standing mountain lion advisory. Mountain lions have been spotted in the Point Mugu State Park area, and the park asks visitors to avoid hiking alone especially between dusk and dawn, make noise while hiking, and keep children in sight and within arm's reach.
The route
La Jolla Valley Hike-In is half a mile off the Backbone Trail, in Point Mugu State Park. There are only 3 tent spaces, no water, and no fires. It is $10 per night and you auto-pay at the La Jolla/Ray Miller parking area.
The Ray Miller Trailhead sits at 25 feet, the lowest point on the whole 67-mile Backbone Trail. The Backbone segment from Ray Miller Trail to Danielson Ranch runs 8.1 miles, and from the La Jolla hike-in camp to Danielson Ranch is 3.7 miles.
The park is large: five miles of ocean shoreline, more than 70 miles of hiking trails, and the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area. Bicycles and dogs are not allowed within that wilderness.
Why it matters
Three spaces makes this the smallest camp on the Backbone Trail. You auto-pay at the parking area and walk in. There is no booking, which means no lottery and no lockout, but also no guarantee.
The feeling
You climb from sea level at the Ray Miller Trailhead into a high valley that feels nothing like the coast below it. Grass, oaks, and a long way from any road.
La Jolla Valley hike highlights
- Only three tent spaces, and no way to reserve one
- No water and no fires at the camp
- $10 per night, auto-paid at the Ray Miller parking area
- A climb from sea level to reach it
- A standing mountain lion advisory for the park
- Dogs not allowed on backcountry trails or dirt roads
How hard the La Jolla Valley hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required3/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route2/5
Best for: Backbone Trail section hikers and anyone who wants a remote Los Angeles-area night with no booking system standing in the way.
Recommended experience: Full water self-sufficiency and comfort in mountain lion country. The park's advisory is current, not historical.
Not recommended for: Dog owners, anyone who cannot carry all their water, groups of any size, and anyone who needs a guaranteed site: there are three, and they cannot be held.
When to hike La Jolla Valley
Best time to visit
Late winter to early spring, when temperatures are cooler, days are longer and the grassland is green. Summer means an exposed climb carrying all your water.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Backcountry Tips
- Day 5: Extreme heat (96°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
- Day 6: Extreme heat (97°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
- Day 7: Extreme heat (98°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
Today
81°
63°
Wed
73°
61°
Thu
75°
59°
Fri
89°
61°
Sat
96°
66°
Sun
97°
72°
Mon
98°
76°
La Jolla Valley photography guide
Golden Hour
Sunset from the valley rim, with the Pacific and the Channel Islands lit behind you.
Best Light
Late winter and early spring, when the grassland is green rather than gold.
Beat the Crowds
The climb from sea level filters the day crowd out. Three spaces means the camp is never busy: only full or not.
Classic Shots
- The grassland valley with Boney Mountain behind
- The Pacific from the Ray Miller climb
- Oaks scattered through open grass
- The Channel Islands on a clear evening
- A three-tent camp with nothing else in the valley
La Jolla Valley rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- Every litre of water for the whole stay: there is none at the camp
- Camp stove; no fires are permitted
- Sun protection for an exposed climb from sea level
- Headlamp
- Cash or card for the auto-pay station
Recommended gear
- A backup camp in mind, since three spaces cannot be reserved
- Long sleeves and long pants against ticks and poison oak
- Extra water for hot months
- Trekking poles for the climb with a full pack
- A tide-independent route plan; the beach is not the way in
Rules & regulations
- 01Three tent spaces, no water, no fires.
- 02$10 per night, auto-pay at the La Jolla/Ray Miller parking area.
- 03Dogs are not allowed on the backcountry trails or dirt roads. Dogs on a leash are allowed in the park's day use areas, campgrounds and beaches.
- 04Bicycles and dogs are not allowed within the Boney Mountain State Wilderness Area.
- 05Camping on the Backbone Trail is only allowed at designated campgrounds.
- 06Groups of 50 or more require a permit to hike the Backbone Trail.
Hazards & considerations
- Mountain lions have been spotted in the Point Mugu State Park area; avoid hiking alone between dusk and dawn, make noise, and keep children within arm's reach.
- No water at the camp, and stream water should be avoided if at all possible.
- Rattlesnakes, ticks and poison oak throughout the Santa Monica Mountains.
- Summer heat on an unshaded climb.
- Fires are prohibited at the camp entirely.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for La Jolla Valley.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for La Jolla Valley · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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La Jolla Valley FAQ
How do I get a La Jolla Valley permit?
La Jolla Valley is issued directly by the agency. It is issued in person or by phone, so there is no reservation to book and no cancellation to catch. Bring backup dates and check their page for the current process.
When is the best time to visit La Jolla Valley?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the La Jolla Valley permit?
This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and reading the official permit page for how this one is issued.
What if I can't get a La Jolla Valley permit?
The agency awards this permit directly. Bring backup dates and check the official page for the current process and any closures.
La Jolla Valley trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about La Jolla Valley.
Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a La Jolla Valley permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Danielson Ranch Group Campground
A group campground 3.7 miles further on, with drinking water, flush toilets and showers, for 10 to 50 people.
Tradeoffs
It has water, which this camp does not, and it can be reserved. But it takes groups only and carries a $100 non-refundable application fee.
- Similar ExperienceNo permit needed
Musch Trail Camp
Eight tent spaces at Topanga State Park with tables, running water and a flush toilet, first-come at $7 per person.
Tradeoffs
Also unreservable but with running water and nearly three times the spaces. The trade is a far more urban setting at the other end of the Backbone Trail.
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Malibu Creek Campground
A drive-in campground with showers, a dump station and fire rings, 1.5 miles from where the Backbone Trail crosses Malibu Canyon.
Tradeoffs
Every comfort this camp lacks, but select sites there are now allocated by monthly lottery.
Where to stay near La Jolla Valley
- Point Mugu Sp La Jolla Group campgroundPoint Mugu SP
- Point Mugu Sp Thornhill Broome CampgroundPoint Mugu SP
- Point Mugu Sp Sycamore CampgroundPoint Mugu SP
- All California campgrounds
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