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Best Campgrounds near Carlsbad, CA

1,328 Reviews

Coastal camping options near Carlsbad, California range from oceanfront state parks to inland county parks within a short drive of the Pacific shoreline. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground sits directly on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, with campsites positioned along the Pacific Coast Highway. San Elijo State Beach Campground, located just south in Cardiff, provides similar beachfront camping experiences. For those seeking more wooded surroundings, inland options include Guajome Regional Park in Oceanside and Dixon Lake Campground in Escondido, both offering tent, RV, and cabin accommodations within 15-20 miles of Carlsbad's beaches.

Reservations are essential for most developed campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer months when beachfront sites can book up to six months in advance. South Carlsbad State Beach and other coastal campgrounds feature varying site types, with premium oceanside locations commanding higher fees than standard sites across the road. Many campgrounds provide full hookups for RVs, though availability varies by location. Weather remains mild year-round, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-80°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 45°F. Fog can roll in during mornings, especially in May and June. A visitor noted, "You have to reserve exactly 6 months out, but we love coming here!"

Beachfront camping represents the primary draw for visitors to the Carlsbad area, with many campers specifically seeking oceanview sites. South Carlsbad State Beach features sites on a bluff directly above the shoreline with stairway access to the beach below. While oceanfront locations offer stunning views and easy beach access, they typically provide less privacy than inland alternatives. Campers frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere, clean facilities, and proximity to local attractions as key benefits. The campgrounds near Carlsbad balance natural settings with urban convenience, as most sites are within minutes of restaurants, shopping, and activities. As one camper observed, "Best of all, you're 5 minutes away from Carlsbad Village if you want to go out to dinner."

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Best Camping Sites Near Carlsbad, California (185)

    1. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    78 Reviews
    Carlsbad, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 438-3143

    $50 - $650 / night

    "Best of all, your 5 minutes away from Carlsbad Village if you want to go out to dinner."

    "If you’re headed to San Diego, be sure to stop and check out Carlsbad just off of the 5. this awesome beach town is quintessential Southern California beach awesomeness and it is absolutely gorgeous."

    2. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    38 Reviews
    Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 753-5091

    $50 - $520 / night

    "If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."

    "It's classic California beach camping. Spots are fairly close together, and it's more like a parking lot than a campground. That said, the beach is great, and the river mouth is great for surfing."

    3. Guajome Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 724-4489

    $29 - $35 / night

    "For the price of full hook up ($35) in a location so close to the beach, I call it a win. It was beautiful with a pond and walking paths. There were many dogs and we saw horses on the paths too."

    "Flush toilets available and a nice nature walk around a lake. The park was a great/affordable base camp for nearby Legoland amusement park."

    4. Oceanside RV Resort

    15 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 864-2728

    "Overall liked this rv park, close to town for us to explore all the restaurants close by. Beach is a 5-10 minute walk. Staff was friendly ask for Diana sweetheart."

    "After circling back and now coming from the east, the narrow drive with the street light and curb wasn't enough for us to turn...so backed it up and went to the wider entrance down the street."

    5. Dixon Lake Campground

    24 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 839-4045

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Dixon lake is a perfect spot for my nephews to fish and play in the dirt. The campsites look really nice and ideal for tents. The walks around the lake are definitely worth doing!"

    "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."

    6. Paradise By The Sea RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 439-1376

    "We stayed a little longer than a month and enjoyed how accessible everything was from this location."

    "The campground is situated very close to the beach and has all the amenities to make life easier.  I was very impressed with the level of security at this campground to include day and night patrols,"

    7. Del Mar Beach Cottages

    10 Reviews
    Encinitas, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 725-4640

    $35 - $65 / night

    "The campsites are small but it is clean and family friendly also located right on a big beautiful beach. You must have a military ID to camp here, you can have alcohol on the beach but no glass."

    "But being that close to the ocean was wonderful! You just can’t beat falling asleep to ocean waves!"

    8. Escondido RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 239-5273

    "Location 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."

    "The site itself is simply stunning, nestled in a peaceful and beautiful location that provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway."

    9. Dos Picos County Park

    35 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "The creek eventually flows into a pond located on the other end of the campground. The pond is actually pretty large! Lots of space to walk around and explore."

    "The missus and I decided to do a midweek overnight escape and chose Dos Picos Park due to its close proximity. Great little campground with partial (electricity & water) hookups."

    10. San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach

    53 Reviews
    San Clemente, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 492-4872

    $45 - $250 / night

    "San Mateo is one of the better beach campgrounds in California, some sites have some great privacy."

    "Another beautiful gem along the California Coast. Although not on or too near the beach, this campground is truly a lovely spot. All or most of the campsites boast a bit of privacy."

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Recent Camping Photos near Carlsbad, CA

413 Photos of 185 Carlsbad Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Carlsbad, CA

1328 Reviews of 185 Carlsbad Campgrounds

  • alex A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2025

    culp primitive campground

    Primitive camping

    Located right off the highway dirt road but a small car can make it, no power or water does have bathrooms and fire rings very clean area and beautiful scenery trails are close by, far enough away from the highway that it’s not visible from campsite it’s first come first serve no reservations or fees pact it in pack it out

  • Hans V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 9, 2025

    Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District

    Fine

    Campsite consists of multiple locations around the lake. We went RV camping at the Chambers Park location. Was fine but not great. Area is nice though! Only one gentleman toilet which is not enough. Showers took 4 quarters for less than 3 minutes and were a bit smelly and no dry spots for dressing. RV spots are closely spaced gravel pads, but large enough. Campsite has a playground which is a plus, but the lake is only for boating and fishing (no water contact).

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2025

    San Onofre Recreation Beach and Camping

    Busy beach camping

    This is a busy area for atv's and dirt bikes. No official camping areas, just find a spot in the sand. There was loud music around but it ended at a respectful time and staff was friendly. Very windy.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2025

    O'Neill Regional Park

    Campsite with playground

    Pretty average campsites with playground and clean bathrooms. Very windy roads in and out.

  • April H.
    Nov. 3, 2025

    South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    Quintessential SoCal Beach

    My upfront disclaimer is I knew what to expect.  It's easy to reserve these sites online at reservecalifornia.com but they go very quickly.  After waiting in line on the northbound PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) it was slow going driving in as any RV in front of you typically has some maneuvering to do to get settled in its site.  There is almost no privacy as the campground is situated on a bluff over looking the ocean and so any growth is scrub.  They have all the standard amenities including showers which cost extra.  You must buy tokens at a machine so be sure to buy enough as each token is only worth a very few minutes. (I still have a couple leftover from this trip)  The camp sites are dirt.  There is a camp store along with a restaurant with a limited menu.  They have tables with umbrellas at the edge of the bluff with an unbeatable view of the ocean.  They also have live entertainment-you'll need to check to see what & when.  The fire rings are tall, about 3' tall, which I didn't care for.  Hard to sit around that kind of fire.  There was also a sign posted warning campers of the hot items for theft.  The campground is arranged in 2 rows-one at the edge of the bluff and one inland.  The inland row is very close to the PCH so there's noise.   As far as camping experiences go, this is not the best.  But I didn't go there for a great "camping" experience; I went there to be in walking distance of a beautiful beach.  That did not disappoint!  Be advised-the walk to the beach is down a cliff and involves a lot of steps.

  • Frank M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    O'Neill Regional Park

    Nice campground

    It's a very nice campground about an hours drive from the beach and other tourist attractions. Usually sold out every weekend. The road to get there can be dangerous. Some wannabe race drivers and commuters avoiding crowded freeways will NOT tolerate anyone doing the speed limit and will pass regardless of the danger.

  • Mike M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Pinezanita RV Park & Campground

    Scenic campground with great staff

    Wonderful sites nestled in the Oak trees, grounds are very well kept you can see a lot of work and attention went into them. Don’t come expecting to find any level ground and the way the sites are arranged it’s kind of like an RV challenge course, so bring your A game. I would definitely camp here again though.

  • Emily L.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Crane Lakeside Mobile Home Park & RV Resort

    Horrible experience!

    Came to this park to relax, and was was kept awake all night by the sound of several cats fighting outside. Why wouldn't management do something about the stray cats? Just to see this many cats makes this park feel urban or ghetto. Great park if you don't need to sleep...

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Oak Grove Campground

    Quiet, small and dark... simple camping.

    A great little hidden site with not much to offer but stargazing, fresh air and nice campers. My 2nd trailer camping trip was 1 night and it was awesome, plenty of stars and the Milky Way was so clear... years since I've seen it. Non hook ups but there is water throughout the grounds, plenty of wildlife birds, I had a bluejay sing for me all day. Clean restrooms... and red ants. Loved my space so I'll be getting it again.

Guide to Carlsbad

Campgrounds near Carlsbad, California typically experience a Mediterranean climate with average summer temperatures ranging from 70-85°F during the day and 60-65°F at night. The terrain varies from oceanside bluffs to inland valleys with elevations from sea level to about 600 feet in the eastern campgrounds. Winter camping remains popular with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below 60°F, though coastal fog can reduce visibility in early mornings.

What to do

Hiking trails access: San Mateo Campground offers a 1.5-mile trail to Trestles Beach that's popular with surfers. "A fun little hike (1.5 miles) to the walk until tresels beach... The beach is beautiful, great for surfing!" notes Brianne S.

Fishing opportunities: Dixon Lake Campground provides year-round fishing without requiring a California fishing license. "Bonus: No CA fishing license needed! Just the lake permit of $7 per adult. Big fish in this lake," shares Dad & B R.

Water recreation: At Guajome Regional Park, visitors can enjoy pedal boating and other water activities. "Just below the campground is a very popular lake park. You can do anything from hiking, fishing, pedal boating, row or motor boating, picnicking, to bird watching," explains Corinna B.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between sites at San Mateo Campground. "Clean campground, most of the spots are super private!" writes Brianne S.

Convenient beach access: Paradise By The Sea RV Resort offers direct beach access via a private gate. "The RV park has its own back gate to the beach. It meanders through a little city park and then you can take the roads to find little beach access or walk through the neighborhood down to the proper beach and Oceanside Pier," notes Julia M.

Clean facilities: Guajome Regional Park maintains well-kept amenities that campers frequently praise. "Our friends just bought a camper van and wanted to test the systems on it while having a weekend getaway and this was a great spot for it! The camp hosts were friendly and do a great job of keeping the sites and bathrooms super clean!" reports Heather L.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most popular campsites require advance booking, especially San Elijo State Beach Campground. "This spot is awesome. Especially if you score some good surf... Tends to be very busy especially in the summer months. My tip is to book way ahead in advance," advises Luke M.

Ant problems: Some campgrounds experience seasonal ant issues that require preparation. "We made the mistake of not being prepared for the ANTS!!! We learned that comet around all points of contact with the ground keeps them down," warns C M. about San Mateo Campground.

Train noise considerations: Several coastal campgrounds sit near train tracks. "Street is loud in the mornings - don't recommend the east side," notes Andrew P. about South Carlsbad State Beach, while Tim J. mentions San Elijo State Beach is "situated next to the highway and train tracks."

Security awareness: Theft can occur at some campgrounds. "High theft area!!! Even if you lock your generators up, securing with cable and locks and securing in the back of a covered pickup there are thieves cutting through truck covers, cutting locks and stealing generators... Be WARNED!!!" cautions Mark M.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Dos Picos County Park offers excellent facilities for children. "There is a tranquil pond, nice hiking trails, places for kids to play... Just a fantastic option close to home for locals and well worth consideration for visitors to the area," writes Wes L.

Biking opportunities: San Mateo Campground has great riding options for kids. "Lots of kids riding bikes and having fun! I suggest to follow their lead. Bring a bike to explore the loops and trail to beach," recommends Jeannie B.

Kid-friendly beaches: The coastal camping options provide various beach experiences suited to different ages. "The beach at the water is a very gentle slope down, waves are small and good for kids playing and wading," notes Jacob S. about Del Mar Beach.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: At South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, choosing the right site makes a difference. "Pick a spot - $75 gets you on the bluff with hookups $50 gets you on the bluff but no hookups $35 gets you on the other side," advises Tom H., who adds "Pro-Tip #2: The far south end of the camp has the most shade/privacy brush."

Hookup considerations: Paradise By The Sea RV Resort offers well-designed utility connections. "Concrete pads and hookups placed conveniently by your rig. Picnic tables and a palm tree divides each site," notes Julia M.

Tent camping constraints: Most RV resorts accommodate tent campers but with limitations. "I and my family are more tent campers vs RV and we were the only site with tents, so I wouldn't go there without wheels lol. Other than that- INCREDIBLE spot, literally steps from the beach," shares Jamie S. about South Carlsbad State Beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best camping locations in Carlsbad, California?

The premier camping location in Carlsbad is South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This popular destination offers spectacular ocean views, easy beach access via stairs, and clean facilities. Each site includes a fire pit and picnic table. For those seeking nearby alternatives, San Elijo State Beach Campground is just a short drive south and provides similar oceanfront camping experiences. Book well in advance (especially for summer months) as these coastal sites fill up quickly. The campgrounds' proximity to Carlsbad's restaurants, shops, and attractions makes them ideal base camps for exploring this quintessential Southern California beach town.

Can you camp on the beach in Carlsbad, California?

You cannot camp directly on the sand in Carlsbad, but you can camp with beach views and easy beach access. Olive Avenue RV Resort offers a clean, quiet setting about 10-15 miles from Carlsbad beach, making it convenient for RVers wanting to visit the coast. For a true beach-adjacent experience, San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach provides camping with walking distance access to the famous Trestles surf spot. While not directly on the sand, these locations offer the next best thing—comfortable accommodations with quick beach access. Remember that all California beaches are subject to tide variations and overnight beach camping is prohibited for safety and environmental reasons.

Are there tent camping sites in Carlsbad State Park?

Yes, tent camping is available at South Carlsbad State Beach, though there isn't technically a "Carlsbad State Park." South Carlsbad State Beach Campground welcomes both tent campers and RVers to its ocean bluff sites. Each campsite includes a fire ring and picnic table, with access to restrooms and pay showers. The campground features a small general store selling firewood, food, and basic supplies. Sites are separated by bushes offering some privacy, though the campground can get crowded during peak seasons. For more secluded tent camping nearby, Dixon Lake Campground in Escondido provides a quieter alternative with a more traditional woodsy camping experience. Advance reservations are essential, especially for prime weekend spots.

What campgrounds and RV parks are available in Carlsbad, CA?

Carlsbad offers several quality camping options for RVers and tent campers. Paradise By The Sea RV Resort provides full hookup sites in a convenient location near Carlsbad's attractions. For those seeking more affordable options, Guajome Regional Park is located nearby with both RV and tent sites in a more natural setting. If you're willing to venture slightly outside Carlsbad, Oceanside RV Resort offers another well-maintained option with easy access to coastal amenities. Many of these facilities provide water, electric, and sewer hookups, along with amenities like showers, laundry facilities, and WiFi. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer months.

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