Camping with kids sounds great until you start thinking about the long drive, the packed car, and the inevitable question from the back seat: “Are we there yet?”
That’s what makes this upcoming overnight camping event at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park such a fun option. On Friday, August 14, families can pitch a tent, spend the night outdoors, and enjoy an evening of stargazing right here in our local area.
The August theme is “Stargazing and Space Exploration.” Telescopes will be available for nighttime stargazing, giving families a chance to look for constellations, planets, and other sights in the night sky. The telescopes are being provided as part of the program, and the event is open to all ages.
This event is a great introduction to camping for families who aren’t quite ready to commit to a long weekend in the mountains. You still get the tent, sleeping bags, flashlights, snacks, and outdoor memories, but you’re camping close enough to home that the trip doesn’t require hours of driving.
What Families Need to Know
The overnight camping event will be held at the East Shore Picnic Area at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. The event flyer lists the start time as 6 p.m. on Friday, August 14, and the entrance gates will close at 10 p.m.
Families are welcome to remain at the park during the day on Saturday after the overnight portion ends.
Admission is $15 per person, while children ages 13 and younger are free. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families may register online in advance, but prepaying does not reserve a specific camping area.
Same-day admission is also expected to be available at the park.
You’ll Need to Bring Your Own Camping Gear
This is a bring-your-own-everything kind of camping night, so families should plan accordingly. You’ll need your own tent, sleeping bags, flashlights, water, meals, and snacks. Campers are responsible for setting up and taking down their tents.
There is no electricity, no shower facility, and no campfires allowed. Alcohol and smoking are also strictly prohibited.
RVs are welcome in Sailboat Cove, but there are no hookups available. RVs are not permitted in the East Shore or South Shore camping areas.
The event is scheduled to take place rain or shine unless conditions become dangerously unsafe, and refunds will not be provided.
A Simple Summer Staycation Close to Home
There’s something special about letting the kids stay up late, crawling into sleeping bags, and watching the sky get darker together. Add telescopes and a night at Bonelli, and this is one of those simple summer experiences they will talk about long after school starts again.
Overnight Family Camping at Bonelli Regional Park
Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
Starting time: 6 p.m.
Location: Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, East Shore Picnic Area
Cost: $15 general admission, free for children 13 and younger
Ages: All ages
Registration: Advance and same-day admission available, space is first-come, first-served
Questions: Call the Bonelli Park office at 909-599-8411
Other Los Angeles County overnight camping events are also planned during August at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Castaic Lake Recreation Area, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, and Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.
