154 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campo, California provides an array of camping destinations across San Diego County, including developed sites at Lake Morena County Park and dispersed options in the surrounding Cleveland National Forest. The area supports mixed-use campgrounds catering to multiple accommodation styles including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals. Lake Morena County Park features both tent-only primitive sites and RV-friendly spaces with electric, water, and sewer connections. Other nearby camping areas include Burnt Rancheria Campground, Boulder Oaks Equestrian Campground, and the KOA in Boulevard.
Seasonal considerations affect campground operations throughout the region, with Burnt Rancheria operating from May to October while others remain open year-round. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during spring when Pacific Crest Trail hikers pass through the area. One camper noted that "Lake Morena is an awesome place to stay. This was our first campsite during our PCT thru-hike, approximately 20 miles from the Mexico border via the trail." The terrain features varying elevations with temperatures fluctuating between hot days and cool nights. Cell service can be limited, with reviews indicating spotty coverage except for AT&T networks in some campground options.
The camping landscape near Campo combines mountain views, lake access, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Several visitors mentioned encounters with local wildlife including wild turkeys, bald eagles, and bobcats. As one reviewer described, "There were a lot of wild turkeys that cruised through the campground a few times. Pretty epic sight!" Lake Morena's water level fluctuates seasonally, with some campers noting the lake was "very low" during certain periods. Campground amenities vary significantly, with some sites offering full hookups, flush toilets, and coin-operated showers, while others provide only basic facilities. Weekends tend to draw larger crowds, with reviewers recommending weekday visits for those seeking quiet. The camping areas balance accessibility with natural immersion, situated close enough to town for convenience while maintaining a sense of seclusion.
"Music must be off by 10, and there is a ranger who comes around to make sure of it. Fires out by 11. Campsites have a picnic table and fire ring. Water and electric hookups."
"Lake Morena is an awesome place to stay. This was our first campsite during our PCT thru hike, approximately 20 miles from the Mexico border via the trail."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability"I love this campground because it's woodsy and close to home. You get that far away feel without being too far away. "
"We had hosts that were helpful, friendly, the restrooms were stocked/clean, they brought firewood around, and were just good people."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"This is the closest campground to the lakes. Just a couple steps away from the beautiful meadow it overlooks. Lots of trees for hammocking!!"
"It is a big, big campground that is wooded and adjacent a large meadow, recreational area and lake (when not dried out, drought sucks)."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Good hiking trails. We stayed in “Tent site 2” which was good. My only criticism is that the sites are just a little too close, unless you don’t have a neighbor."
"Nice drive just outside the city, great trail and all the necessary amenities. We will definitely be back!"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The Lake Morena campground is well-kept and relaxing. It has a variety of sites including full-hookup, partial hookup, and tent only."
"The views of the lakes and mountains are breathtaking. Lots of wildlife to see. Bobcats, deer, quail, rabbits and wild turkeys. Good internet if on Verizon network"
from $24 / night
Check Availability"There's enough space to spread out when it's not busy, but if all the spots are taken it would feel too close to other campers for us."
"The drive up requires an off road vehicle, but nothing too crazy — I took it in a vehicle with 8 inches of clearance without incident."
"Found this spot after being turned away from lake Moreno campgrounds. Plenty of room for our trailer and enough space between sites to feel like we were alone out here."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Such a great little campground tuck away from the rest. First coke first serve basis. Pit toilet (extremely clean). Running water. Plenty of huge shaded sites. Awesome night sky viewing as well."
"Awesome campsite with a cute little river tucked away. There was plenty of flat ground for our tent and Jeep. It was a really nice spot to spend the whole day at as well."
"It’s off the beaten path of I-8. To get here you take some very windy roads, bigger rigs will take up most the road. Almost all sites are back-in with little site definition."
"It’s a bit off the beaten path, but it’s a beautiful part of San Diego county.
Amenities include a mini petting Zoo and things like a hayride in warmer weather."
from $75 - $85 / night
Check Availability"While both have their positives, I personally love this one for its close proximity to the waterfalls that are a short trail from the campsites."
"Tucked away from the city lights of San Diego. Very nice camp ground with multiple trails climbing up Mt. Cuyamaca."
from $40 / night
Check Availability
![Jon B.'s photo at El Prado Group - [CLOSED] near Campo, CA](https://photos.thedyrt.com/photo/210132/media/el-prado-group_81fabb0e5218149a9a674de9b7e0f83b.heic?width=327&height=200&crop=smart&fit=crop&format=auto)
TravelerI got in on an August bargain using the KOA app. Consequently, I stayed a month because it was the cheapest place on-the-coast.
Weekdays empty, weekends full, noisy everyday. Good location for long bicycle rides, e.g. Coronado, SD, Zoo, La Jolla, TJ. Chula Vista downtown is modern, not gritty like Petco Park.
Get the bargain if you can. Otherwise, the coast is expensive.
ScoutThis isn't a free place to stay.
ScoutBooked for two nights couldn’t eve stay for 1 due to strange sounds like walking around that would only stop when the lights were shone in that direction
TravelerIt's a really nice facility, which is good because there isn't much around it. Sites are large with good spacing, the place has everything; pool and spa, arcade, restaurant, bar, private showers (some have a toilet), playground , dog parks, and a great laundry facility. On site store has a lot of things you need, including some basic RV stuff. No rig, they have bungalows for rent as well. Staff is really nice, fire pits work on lpg 20 pound tank only which we rented full for 26 bucks since we couldn't connect it to our rig, you can use your own though. Downside is your pretty much driving anywhere for anything but the living coast is definitely worth the trip which is behind the park. Side note, this was definitely one of the buggier places I have been to, mosquitoes, flies, spiders, roaches, you name it, you'll see it.
TravelerWas able to score a 100 series spot which you back right up to the sand. Sites are tight but it felt huge in our 24½ foot rig. Power (standard, 30, 50) and water at site, one dump station that is 10 bucks at the south end or a truck comes around in the morning for 20. It's basically a giant parking lot with rigs stacked in, I would only want 100-200 sites. Bathrooms are fine on the south side, never found inside showers, just the outside beach style. Mix of folks but everyone was pleasant, enforcement of rules seems lax. Beautiful spot, short bike or Uber into IB or Coronado. Beach was mellow, uncrowded for how packed the campground was, clean and beautiful.
ScoutSweetwater is very nice. Only complaint is the airplane noise from being in a flight path and the highway noise from the bordering highway.
We stayed in the South Loop which is older, so has more developed trees.
The pull through spots are piggybacked, which does make privacy a bit harder.
Staff and rangers are very nice, helpful, and personable.
TravelerPretty lake views, good plots with easy access to restrooms. However, if you want to enjoy peace and quiet this place isn't for you. The 3 closest had large groups gathering so don't expect the limit of 6 to be honored. Ditto goes for quiet hours. Gave it a 3 b because I was using a truck tent (couldn't actually connect to my spot) and hoped for p&c. But the folks around me were having a great time.
TravelerLovely little place just off the road but not bothered by it. Clean pit toilets and the sites were far enough away from each other that we didn’t notice the two other campers.
Reasonably level site, truck was able to self level no issues.
105f during the day but it was July and it is the desert so plan accordingly.
ScoutSite 52 is great! Two parking spots with a large flat space. You could easily place three tents on the flats and another two tents on the slight incline. There are three trees perfectly set up for hammocks. There is decent shade but still gets sun. Bushes and shrubs create a little gulf to give you great privacy. Site 51 is downhill of the site and the fire pit is a bit close to your neighbors. Bathrooms and camp host are just around the corner. Bathrooms were very clean and water taps and sewer grates were convent for dishwater. Squirrels are confident here so they will only runaway if you are nearby them. We loved this site and would suggest it for big groups or someone looking for a flat campsite!
Campo, California sits at elevations between 2,500 and 4,000 feet in the eastern portion of San Diego County. The camping terrain transitions from chaparral to pine forests as elevation increases, with nighttime temperatures typically 20-30 degrees cooler than daytime highs. Most campgrounds in the area require advanced planning during spring PCT hiking season when sites fill quickly with through-hikers.
Hike the PCT segments: Lake Morena County Park serves as a popular first stop for Pacific Crest Trail hikers. "The PCT goes thru the campground and there's an area designated for thru hikers camping," notes one visitor to Lake Morena County Park. The trail continues north through several other nearby camping areas, offering day-hiking opportunities.
Explore local trails: Beyond the PCT, the area offers various hiking options for all abilities. At El Prado Campground, "There are a lot of trails to hike or bike for people of all skill levels!" Another camper mentioned it has "lots of trails to hike or bike for people of all skill levels!"
Wildlife viewing: The region hosts diverse wildlife year-round. "We saw woodpeckers, cowbirds, bright yellow orioles (?), wild turkeys, and several other species right by our campsite," reports a camper at San Diego County Lake Morena County Park. For best viewing, early morning and dusk provide optimal opportunities.
Stargazing: The rural location offers excellent night sky viewing away from city lights. One visitor to Boulevard KOA noted, "The view of the night sky is to die for!!!" Most campgrounds have minimal light pollution, though weekend crowds may create more ambient light.
Diverse terrain: The area offers multiple ecosystems within short distances. "This campground provides everything a happy camper needs...Just a couple steps away from the beautiful meadow it overlooks. Lots of trees for hammocking!!" shares a camper about El Prado Campground.
Peaceful weekday camping: Midweek visits often mean fewer crowds and quieter experiences. A visitor to Burnt Rancheria Campground noted, "Very quiet during week. Busy during weekends. Clean restrooms." Multiple reviewers highlighted the difference between busy weekends and quieter weekdays.
Accessibility to San Diego: The proximity to urban areas makes these campgrounds convenient getaways. "This campground is an easy weekend getaway slot, just 1 hour away from San Diego," writes one camper about Burnt Rancheria Campground. Several campers mentioned the benefit of feeling remote while being relatively close to the city.
Water features: Seasonal lakes and streams provide recreational opportunities. "The lake has gone down a lot so the campground is now a little trek from the lake but is walkable and beautiful to say the least. You can also fish!!! The appropriate licenses are needed before you come," reports a visitor to Lake Morena County Park.
Fire restrictions: Fire rules vary by campground and season. "Sites have a fire pit, but...you're not able to have fires right now," noted one El Prado camper during a high-risk period. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip as they change seasonally.
Cell service variability: Coverage is inconsistent throughout the area. "Lovely park, where you can truly check out. No cell service other than AT&T, no over the air TV, no over the air radio," shares a visitor to Lake Morena County Park. Some higher-elevation campgrounds offer better reception.
Water availability: Despite some campgrounds having lake names, water levels fluctuate dramatically. "The lake is very low, no boating," mentions a recent visitor to San Diego County Lake Morena County Park. Drinking water access also varies by campground, with some requiring you to bring your own.
Weather extremes: The area experiences significant temperature swings. "During this time of year, chilly nights but beautiful days," reports one camper at Lake Morena. Another mentions, "Very hot during the summer, so recommend to check the weather before you go."
Select shaded sites: Summer heat makes shade crucial. "Our site had lots of shade from the hot HOT sun," notes a visitor to Burnt Rancheria. Look for sites with oak or pine coverage for natural cooling.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids often enjoy spotting local animals. "There must have been 100 wild turkeys that cruised thru the camp ground a few times. Pretty epic sight!!" shares one family at Lake Morena County Park. Dawn and dusk offer best viewing times.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "There is a play park for the kids and an exercise path for the adults," mentions a camper at Potrero County Park. Multiple reviews mentioned the family-friendly amenities at this location.
Consider bugs and critters: Be prepared for insects during warmer months. "I will say there were a LOT of flies and bees, but not much you can do about that," notes a visitor to Potrero County Park. Bug spray and proper food storage are essential for comfortable family camping.
Navigating narrow roads: Some campgrounds have challenging access routes. A camper at Bobcat Meadow Campground advises, "Would recommend taking it extremely slow since it's mainly one lane road and wouldn't recommend bringing anything larger than a small size trailer/camper behind."
Water and electric connections: Hook-up availability varies widely between campgrounds. At San Diego County Lake Morena Park, "Our site had electricity and water, a fire pit, and a picnic table," mentions one RVer. However, many nearby campgrounds offer no hookups at all.
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling. "None of the sites were level," notes a camper at Bobcat Meadow. Bring leveling blocks and check site reviews for specific information about the campground you're considering.
Water pressure concerns: Some campgrounds with hookups experience inconsistent water pressure. "The water pressure was at the highest 40psi and at times would go down to 0," reports an RVer at San Diego County Lake Morena County Park. Consider bringing a pressure regulator and additional water storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Campo, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Campo, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 154 campgrounds and RV parks near Campo, CA and 28 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Campo, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Campo, CA is Lake Morena County Park with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Campo, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 free dispersed camping spots near Campo, CA.
Keep Exploring
