Lake Hemet Campground and Thousand Trails Idyllwild accept pets throughout their diverse accommodation options that include tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping setups. Both campgrounds maintain standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times when outside vehicles or camping units. Hurkey Creek Park provides picnic tables near its pet-friendly tent and RV sites, with drinking water available throughout the grounds. The Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Campground offers a more primitive pet-friendly experience with free dispersed camping under pine trees, though access requires high-clearance vehicles navigating a challenging forest road approximately 30-45 minutes from main highways. The fenced pet area at Temecula-Vail Lake KOA creates a designated space where dogs can exercise off-leash. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.
Thomas Mountain's hiking trails connect directly to Tool Box Springs Campground, providing accessible pet exercise opportunities with owners reporting abundant wildlife viewing including raccoons, squirrels, and birds during overnight stays. Idyllwild's higher elevation locations provide cooler summer temperatures beneficial for pets sensitive to heat. The Lake Hemet swim zone prohibits pets from entering the water, though walking paths around the perimeter offer alternative recreation. Flies and insects can become problematic at some sites during summer months, with multiple reviewers noting bug issues particularly at Tool Box Springs. Most campgrounds provide trash receptacles for pet waste disposal, with Lake Hemet featuring regularly cleaned restrooms and facilities. Winter campers should prepare for cold overnight temperatures at higher elevation sites, especially when camping with temperature-sensitive dog breeds.
$45 / night
"I've been coming to Lake Hemet for several years. The campground is clean and the fishing is good, most of the time."
"You can fit two 10' x10' canopies to cover the bench table, and fit 2 individual tents (4-6 person) OR a bigger 12p tent however you decide to position it. It has its own Fire pit."
$30 - $35 / night
"2 for pets. With BBQ pits and plenty of picnic tables with shade, it’s well worth it."
"This is one of our family's favorite campgrounds because it's a quick drive from San Diego (and OC) and it gives us our "mountain fix" when we don't have time to drive to the Sierra Mountains."
$25 - $45 / night
"Lake Fulmor is 3 miles away to take pups swimming off leash. Idyllwild is a charming town for small town vibe. Nice trails close to PCT and rock climbing by Humber Park."
"Kinda close to main road. But, store close by. Around the corner next to the village."
"Recommend four wheel drive to get to Tool Box Springs, the fire road is long but once you’re there it’s worth it."
"If you come here make sure that you have a suv or truck and water so you can put out ur fire in ur fire pit and when your by yourself trust me your by yourself no one else is really close by so be safe"
$15 - $30 / night
"Camped here with my wife and a couple friends over a weekend in March during the Anza Borrego super bloom and was very suprised."
"We were there for the full moon last month and even though it rained in the morning as we packed up me and my motorcycle camping friends had a blast sitting around the campfire and enjoying peace and the"
$20 - $35 / night
"My sister, her 3 kids, and 2 dogs jumped into the car and headed out towards Idyllwild, CA."
"Located near Idyllwild, this is the smaller, less rowdy campground associated with the tourist town."
$25 - $45 / night
"Clean, pet friendly and good for kids."
"This is a great family campground right around the corner from Temecula, Murrietta, and Menifee."
"I recommend coming in and out from Anza passing by lake Hemet, if your towing towards your max capacity. Gradual straight climb through 75% of the way."
"Pets allowed"
"This campsite is definitely kid and dog friendly! My kind of campsite. Pool was clean and open. My son loved the bmx bike trails."
"We enjoyed a 6 night stay at the Temecula/Vail Lake KOA over New Years. "
"Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)"
"Yellow Post #2 – San Bernardino National Forest Secluded, free, first-come-first-served tent site tucked deep in the forest near Hemet, CA."
TravelerComfortable partial hookup sites, pet friendly, and nice people. Theres a dog park next door. The bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities work well (although coin only, no cards).
GuideStaying at site #421 which I think is the best one here because none parked to the immediate sides and has a big hill on the side for exercise and adds privacy. Some sites looked uneven but this one was surprisingly even. Bench and charcoal grill for each site. Seasonal market and such open may 1st. Only WiFi in certain sections of the park Some sites seen seemed like they will only fit a smaller size RV Laundry takes quarters. Change machine inside the lodge. $2 a load. Very peaceful and quiet. Bath and laundry rooms always clean. Comfy Lodge area with two rooms with couches, fire place, tv and games.
I recommend coming in and out from Anza passing by lake Hemet, if your towing towards your max capacity. Gradual straight climb through 75% of the way. Takes about 20-30minutes longer then the other ways but work the saving the strain on your truck and drive.
LegendLocation near I-15 and Gas stations. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups. Fill propane avaible. Resort-style amenities. Heated outdoor Pool. Nice dog park. Access to a park for walking. 🔹For sure we will stay again and recommend🔹
ScoutFirst, the campsite has the MOST CLEANEST restroom and shower booths I have ever visited for tent camping. This is no doubt that for those folks who are needed for good built qaulity toiletery, this will be your location.
For the down sides;
1. The trains - There is a rail right behind the tent sites so if you are looking for the tent sites with quiet location: PLEASE STAY AWAY from here. the trains do not operate from around 10 pm, back on operating starting from 5 am.
2. for T1 tent site, BE AWARE that there is a dog park RIGHT next to the tent site: there will be a urine odor all over the place.
3. If you are planning on cooking, just be aware that there is no proper location to do a dish wash. You would need some sort of wipes to do.
RangerVery clean, dog friendly ( with dog park) helpful nice staff, propane available, small playground and swimming pool, picnic tables and grills at each site
GuideNot a very attractive drive in. Lots and lots of trash in the shrubbery and fields along the highway. Reservation and check in was easy. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. The RV park itself is attractive and seems to be fairly well maintained. It seems there are two rv areas. A lower older area and an upper newer and more attractive area. We were in the older area. Site was gravel with a small concrete area. Unfortunately, no one there seems to care about the dog poop everywhere (not exaggerating!). We and the people behind us parking had to clean dog poop off our site before we could set up. When walking our dog we saw poop everywhere. Dog park was ok, but on the small side and would be better with a gravel base instead of the dirt (very, very dusty and results in a dirty, dusty dog). There is a huge field adjacent and owned by the rv park that you can walk and or run your dog. But also full of poop. Bathroom smaller, older in the lower area. Much nicer, more modern bathrooms in the newer area. Two laundry rooms but no front loaders and the older laundry room only had two washers and two dryers. Can use quarters or an app. Pool and spa seemed pretty popular but we didn’t use. Area could really use some lighting at night. Very dark with minimal lighting in the older section. Trash is picked up every morning if you leave outside your site.
TravelerPeople are complaining about freeway noise, we stayed in site 3 (the closest site to the freeway) and it was quiet as a mouse from inside our (insulated) RV. Amazing amenities. Dog park, pool, clubhouse. We loved site 3 so close to the amenities and restrooms. Overall amazing stay
LegendI will definitely be here again! We camped as a group in the more remote part, towards Little Blair Valley. We came in March during the super bloom and it was still very cold at night. We did have a huge gust of wind pick up around 3am and took one of our tents out, but a little adjustment and new placement the next day and it didn’t happen again. It was pet friendly, we had 2 little dogs that loved their stay as much as we did. No running water, or bathrooms (except for a 10 min drive back to the entrance), we were allowed a ground fire at the time. Campsite itself was really great, boy, could you see some stars! Found a trail at some point that led to a rock with petroglyphs and i hope I can find that trail again! Forever in love with Anza!
ScoutOur family of 3 just left the campground this morning, and we had a great time during our 1 night stay. To find it, just plug the GPS coordinates into Google maps and follow the instructions. It’s fairly primitive (outhouse and water spigot), but the sky is clear and the whole place is very serene with trees and nature. They have several protective, very human-friendly dogs on the property. They also open the barn around 0800 and allow campers to pet the rabbits, chickens, cats, pigs, turkey, ducks, and even feed the goats. Sites have campfire rings (bring your own wood), picnic table, and a couple Adirondack style chairs. The staff is also very friendly and informative. We will certainly be back.
Camping opportunities near Anza, California range from 4,000-7,000 feet in elevation across the San Jacinto Mountains. Many campgrounds open year-round despite seasonal temperature variations that can drop below freezing during winter nights at higher elevations. The area's diverse pine forest ecosystems support abundant wildlife viewing opportunities for campers who venture away from developed facilities.
Hiking trails from campsites: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access without driving to separate trailheads. At Marion Mountain, "the trailhead starts in the campground" if you plan to hike Mount San Jacinto via the Marion Mountain trail. One camper noted that "Great area to explore and hike around right off the campground! The trails were relatively quiet so I would recommend taking a hike if you are looking for quiet and solitude."
Fishing options: Lake Skinner Recreation Area provides boating and fishing opportunities but requires additional permits. As one visitor explains, "The lake is stocked with fish throughout the year, but they require you to buy a riverside county lakes fishing permit for each day if you want to fish. Boat rentals are available but bring your own boat." Another camper adds, "The charge $10 per person per day to fish in their Lake."
Mountain biking routes: The forest roads and trails surrounding Idyllwild Campground offer varied terrain for cyclists. A visitor reported, "Near many trailheads with wide variety of difficulty," making it suitable for both beginners and experienced riders. The trails connect to the wider San Jacinto Mountain trail system with options for day-long excursions.
Natural seclusion: Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Campground offers more isolated camping with fewer facilities. Campers appreciate that "Awesome spot! Just got back this past weekend and the service road to get up was absolutely covered in mud and snow. Would 100% recommend it, but if it's been snowing or raining, you'll need high clearance and 4x4. And, be mindful that the drive is about 30-45 minutes up the mountain."
Well-maintained facilities: Oak Grove Campground earns praise for cleanliness and upkeep. One camper noted, "This is a really good campground with drinking water and flushing toilets and fire rings and picnic tables and Rick the camp host is very kind and knowledgeable." Another mentioned that "The campsite has semi-private sites which are nice," allowing for a balance between community and privacy.
Family-friendly amenities: Temecula-Vail Lake KOA provides numerous recreation options. According to reviews, it's "Ideal for family fun. Free mini golf, horseshoes, disc golf and pool area with 3 pools, one specific for kids. Golf cart friendly." Another visitor appreciated that "It has an established rotation of regular guests that come for access to wine country."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds require specific vehicles or seasonal awareness. At Tool Box Springs, "Need high clearance vehicle for some of the ruts, or be VERY experienced driving through rough roads." Another camper warned, "It took me an hour and a half to go six miles up, and still scraped and almost got stuck."
Weather variations: Temperature differences between locations can be significant due to elevation changes. At Stone Creek Campground, "It got really cold at night, about 10 degrees colder that Idyllwild Town limits." Winter campers should note that "You'll need insulation for your water hose or have some type of method that will keep your water lines from freezing."
Campsite selection: Research specific sites before booking. At Marion Mountain, "Spots to the west were the best ones for the most part. If you're camping in a group numbers, 6,7,8,9 were nice as well as 22,23,24!" However, "Number 16 was such a great spot but horrible for getting your stuff up that hill."
Splash pad alternatives: While swimming isn't allowed in all lakes, Lake Skinner offers "a super nice splash pad park that's no additional cost! There are lots of walking trails." This provides water play options for children when lake swimming isn't permitted.
Evening wildlife viewing: Several pet-friendly camping areas near Anza offer wildlife observation opportunities. One camper at Hurkey Creek Park observed that "You can hear owls and coyotes at night.. I love it here!!!" Another family reported, "Lots of wildlife. Raccoons in the night, gray squirrel, other squirrels, many birds" at Tool Box Springs.
Shade availability: For summer camping with children, seek out shaded sites. At Oak Grove Campground, "Great little spot. Pulled in on a Sunday and there was no one around. The sites were well spaced out and the trees added good shade." Shaded sites are critical during summer months when daytime temperatures can exceed 85°F.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at most mountain campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Idyllwild, "Our Site was not level at all. We carry a lot of leveling blocks and are not even close to level still nose down with 4 2x8s and Jack at max extension. Side to side level took one board under left side. We Had to get more lumber in town to level travel the trailer from front to rear."
Site spacing differences: Campgrounds vary greatly in how RV sites are arranged. Lake Skinner campers noted, "The sites are right up next to each other so there's not much privacy" while others mentioned "Most sites are level and overgrown with grass." For more privacy, the "Rincon loop" area offers larger sites where "We had a decent sized group and many BBQ's. We all fit and had a great time."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Anza, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Anza, CA is Lake Hemet Campground with a 4-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Anza, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 283 dog-friendly camping locations near Anza, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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