Dixon Lake Campground

This was my lady’s and I first camping trip and it was memorable. We enjoyed the scenery and views from our camp location. We were at site 38 and we had a view of Escondido. The rangers were very helpful and accommodating. The only thing I would have done differently was go during the cooler months. Overall decent experience.
Pros:
- Nice view
- Good privacy between camps
- Helpful rangers
- Clean campsite
Cons:
- BAD yellow jacket problem during this time of month (very aggressive and got into your food/face)
- Critters heard roaming around campsite at night (either a raccoon or coyote came within 5 feet of our tent while we were sleeping)
- No shade at most campsites
Recommendations:
- DO NOT cook meat during the day because it will attract a lot of wasps
- Make sure to keep trash secured
- Keep a light on over night at camp to deter critters


Adequate Adventure

Nice, well maintained sites. Very well taken care of. They clean the fire pits out etc. Some of the 40 series sites are very secluded and have excellent lake views. Recommend seeing the sites to get an idea of where you would like to stay prior to staying. Some sites are completely open to traffic.

Nice Secluded Campsites

This past Memorial Day Weekend, my family and I escaped the city to Dixon Lake for a 3 day camp trip. Dixon Lake is the perfect campground for newbies who want to experience the outdoors, but don't want to sacrifice the simple comforts of life. 

*   **Super clean showers that are FREE! **Leave your quarters at home! The water pressure is fantastic and it takes no time for the water to get HOT. Make sure you bring a shower caddy and some water proof laundry bags because there aren't many wall hooks to hang your towels or clothes.
*   **Flushable toilets with *drum roll* SEAT COVERS!!** If you've ever been camping, you'll know that this is a luxury that you probably won't ever see at any other campgrounds.
*   **Relatively pretty harmless insects. **There are the occasional ants and honey bees that hang around, but I've rarely gotten insect/mosquito bites in the 10+ times that I've camped here. Normally I'm a mosquito magnet.
*   **Not too removed from civilization.** It's an easy 15 minute drive to get to gas stations, large markets (Ralphs), shops, and breweries (pssst. Stone Brewing Co. is nearby if you needed to pick up a growler!) I like to set up camp when I arrive, and do all the grocery shopping at a local market so that we get everything fresh.
*   **Fun activities for everyone.** Just below the campgrounds is a very popular lake park. You can do anything from hiking, fishing, pedal boating, row or motor boating, picnicking, to bird watching. Just no swimming or wading in the water. Bummer, I know. But this lake is a reservoir so the park rangers strongly enforce those rules. The pedal boats are only $12/hour to rent (plus $12 deposit). Make sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and umbrella with you. Yes, I said UMBRELLA! I'm Asian! There is no relief from the sun on the lake. You'll thank me later!
*   **Concession Building by the Ranger Station.** You can pick up bags of ice and fishing bait, as well as ice cream, popsicles, candy, chips, coffee, drinks, and some hot food items. How often do you get to enjoy COLD POPSICLES when you're camping?! It's such a treat for a hot day on the lake.
*   **Amazing lake views with beautiful hills in the backdrop. **Nothing gets better than this. Sunsets are spectacular here, and the evenings are full of shooting stars. My favorite time of day is at dawn when the fog rolls through the hills and over the lake. The Snack Stand by the Ranger Station opens at 6AM so you can pick up a hot cup of joe and soak in the still and calm of nature.

Lake views & private (mostly) camp sites 

Rangers keep things respectable. Lake is well maintained, good looking place. Nice camping, just do a little research, some spots have great privacy and shade, some less. Great views in the camping area. Stayed with my son, we had a great time. Bonus: No CA fishing license needed! Just the lake permit of $7 per adult. Big fish in this lake. 
Warning: Beware the Poison Oak. If you’re hitting the trails or fishing the bank, there’s a lot of it (June 2019). 
Also popular here is boat rental. You can rent a “motor” boat (really a trolling motor attached) for all day rate or half day. If it’s summer and weekend, you’d have to get down there early to rent though, they’ll sell out. They also have paddle boats and peddle boats. 

Hidden gem 

I grew up in Oceanside and people talked about camping at Dixon lake in Escondido and I thought it was lame and not “real” camping. Having never been there, I based this off nothing. We finally went to check it out and I was wrong. This was a perfect place to get away that’s not a far drive. We stayed at site #32 and it was nice. You could barely see the lake, but it was enough. We did have to walk a little downhill for the bathrooms and the walk back wasn’t fun, but it’s short. I would stay here again and look for a spot that has a city view just to get the experience of both.

A gem so close to home!

No campfires ever allowed

Neat time  great staff and cheap ice cream

Lake Dixon

Great time. Very quiet and very peaceful.

Site 45. 

This is one of my favorite campgrounds in San Diego County. The campground is located within the city of Escondido but you feel you are not in the city. My favorite part is a group of campsites that straddles a ridge line that offers you views of the Lake and city. At night time you will see the city lights twinkle.

  

Cell: Good

City and Lake Views

Great area for fishing, hiking, tent, and rv/trailer. Site #23 has great climbing rocks for kids. Concession Stand sells fish bait and rents boats. 

Dixon Lake, Escondido CA

Spot #45 is very private, I highly suggest this spot!! I don’t tent camp, and there is a spot to pull my van up which was perfect! Dogs are only $1 a night &amp; they have a small snack stand during the day 

Spot #45 

The lake is a reservoir and good for just a day trip, but don’t stay too long. Gets super hot and you can’t swim in the lake to cool off at all. The boat ride was fun but also cost money. We heard screaming children all day but otherwise, the view from our site was nice and land was decent