Leighton O.
Guide
GuideDoheny State Beach Campground
Campsites right on the water! Beautiful beach! Lots to walk to. Have stayed there a few times.
Tent Camping near Cleveland National Forest, CA
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Cleveland National Forest offers scattered tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to walk-in sites across varying elevations. Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Campground provides primitive tent sites in forested areas requiring four-wheel drive access, while Round Valley Campsite in Mount San Jacinto State Park offers backcountry tent sites accessible only by hiking trails from the aerial tram.
Tent campsites throughout the region typically feature fire rings and picnic tables but limited amenities. Access roads to primitive tent areas like Tool Box Springs demand high-clearance vehicles, with several reviewers noting the challenging terrain requires 30-45 minutes of driving on rough dirt roads. Vault toilets are available at some locations, but drinking water is scarce at most primitive tent sites. The campgrounds experience significant seasonal variations, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable tent camping conditions. Fire restrictions apply during dry seasons, particularly in summer months.
Walk-in tent sites at Round Valley provide solitude and natural surroundings for backpackers seeking distance from Cleveland National Forest undeveloped sites. A visitor commented, "Round Valley campground was a dream come true, a very moderate hike from the aerial tram that put us in the heart of San Jacinto Mountain just hours away from the peak." Tent campers frequently encounter wildlife, with reviews mentioning raccoons, squirrels, and birds at Tool Box Springs. Higher elevation tent sites like those in Mount San Jacinto State Park remain cool even during summer heat waves but require advance permits that fill quickly. Primitive tent areas typically provide more space between sites compared to developed campgrounds, offering greater privacy for tent campers seeking a more authentic outdoor experience, particularly for those exploring Temecula campsites in the surrounding region.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Cleveland National Forest (39)
1. Mt. Palomar North Side Area
2. Tool Box Springs - Yellow Post Campground
"Recommend four wheel drive to get to Tool Box Springs, the fire road is long but once you’re there it’s worth it."
"This campsite is about 45 minutes down a 4 wheel drive only dirt path. Pot toilets and trash cans available at the site. Nothing else much around to do other than hang out at the campground or hike."
3. ToolBox Springs Yellow Post 8
"Great view of the valley below and mountains around."
4. Doheny State Beach Campground
"Excellent beach camping and tent friendly. plenty of shade and nearby restaurants and shops. Definitely recommend this location."
"the restrooms were clean and showers hot. great views and great for families. most sites are a good size but only room for two vehicles. No wifi but a good book will do. The staff was nice."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $350 / night
5. ToolBox Yellow Post 6
"You can have up to four cars or more at this site you have a picnic table and a fire pit and enough room to have a party"
6. ToolBox Yellow Post 6
"You can tell rangers come through once a week but no one messes with your stuff and closest store is about 25 mins away"
7. Crestline Group Campground
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $75 / night
8. Hidden Falls Preserve
9. Manzanita Retreat
10. Round Valley Campsite — Mount San Jacinto State Park
"Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com If you are looking for a true alpine backcountry adventure right in Southern California, backpacking into Round Valley Primitive Campsites inside"
"we took the tram up from palm springs and backpacked to the campground before summiting up San Jacinto peak. the views were breathtaking and the elevation was a killer."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 5 min from San Diego, CA
- 1 hr 38 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 1 min from El Centro, CA
- 2 hrs 29 min from Oxnard, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cleveland National Forest
44 Photos of 39 Cleveland National Forest Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tool Box Springs - Yellow Post CampgroundS
Little Round Valley — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Wandering Caboose RanchM
San Bernardino National Forest Santa Rosa Springs Campground
Dome Asylum - Closed
Falcon Group Campground
Banner Ranch JulianB
Yucaipa Regional ParkA
Doheny State Beach Campground
Kumeyaay Lake Campground
Halfway Camp
Mineral Springs Date FarmR
Tent Camping Reviews near Cleveland National Forest
1769 Reviews of 39 Cleveland National Forest Campgrounds
Jack&Cass
ScoutSan Elijo State Beach Campground
Nice place for surfing! Incredible sunset. 50$/night no hook ups. Access to the beach from the campground is via a set of stairs. Not much privacy between campsites. Some train noise.
- DDavid S.Scout
KQ Ranch Resort
Great staff lots of things to do
Kristina C.
TravelerBlair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Hard packed sandy road with various pull offs for your rig. Very quiet and peaceful!
- DDouglas E.Traveler
Guajome Regional Park
Nice place
Clean, beautiful, hookups work, bathrooms/showers are clean. The lake is serene. Professional photographers are abound to take wedding and/or family pics here. Really wonderful. I almost don’t want to recommend it to keep others from flooding this gem.
tooth W.GuideStagecoach Trails Resort
Beautifully set in the Anzo-Berrago state park. Excellent clean facilities
- HHope H.Guide
San Clemente State Beach Campground
Sites Near RR Tracks are Ocean View
I didn't book very early but was able to get a site right across from the lifeguard station. The sunset view was quintessential California and maybe even worth the price of admission, which is pretty steep at $53 for tent camping and freeway noise.
The restrooms vary, so if one is particularly distasteful, head to a quieter area of the campground.
RR noise isn't bad, as the crossing is far enough away that the horn blast seems quite distant. I-5 is very noisy however. There are lots of on/off ramps in that area, and with hills to climb it just makes for a lot of engine noise.
Aaron S.
RangerRound Valley Campsite — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Gooseberry Site, Alpine Wilderness & A Critical Backcountry Safety Wake-Up
Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for a true alpine backcountry adventure right in Southern California, backpacking into Round Valley Primitive Campsites inside the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness is an incredible experience. By pairing the world-famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with a weekend wilderness trek, you can leave the scorching low desert and step into sub-alpine granite peaks within minutes. Our crew recently packed our gear, caught the tram, and set up basecamp at the Gooseberry site for a Friday-to-Saturday summit push of Mount San Jacinto.
The scenery and wilderness delivered on every level—but the trip also served as a stark reminder that high-altitude nature commands respect.
The Route & Camp Setup (Gooseberry Site)
Taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway bypasses thousands of vertical feet of grueling desert switchbacks, depositing you at Mountain Station:
- The Trek into Round Valley: From the tram station, it is a scenic~2.5-mile backpack into Round Valley, which sits at an elevation of roughly 9,100 feet.
- The Gooseberry Campsite: Gooseberry is a fantastic primitive backcountry site. Tucked among the lodgepole pines and granite boulders, it offers great shelter, peace, and that genuine wilderness seclusion you crave.
- The Summit Push: We spent Friday night acclimating and resting at basecamp. Early Saturday morning, we pushed for the summit of Mount San Jacinto Peak(10,834 feet). After taking in the panoramic views stretching from the Pacific to the Salton Sea, we descended back to Round Valley, packed up camp, and made the return trek to the tram for the ride down.
The October Shoulder Season: Nature Changes in Minutes
We chose to hike late in the season during October, and anyone heading up during shoulder months needs to understand high-elevation weather:
- T****he Forecast Mirage: On the morning of our summit push, the official forecast predicted clear, sunny skies by noon.
- The High-Alpine Reality: Noon rolled around, and the weather did the exact opposite—we were hit with biting snow flurries and temperatures plunging straight into the 20s.
- Within just two hours, a crisp autumn morning morphed into full-blown freezing winter conditions.
A Serious Backcountry Advisory: 50 Years on the Trail Speaks
As someone with over 50 years of hiking and backpacking experience spanning every corner of the American West, what we witnessed on the trail between Round Valley and the peak was alarming.
We encountered dozens of hikers completely unprepared for foul weather:
- The Outfit: People trekking toward a 10,834-foot alpine peak in short shorts, cotton t-shirts, light sneakers, and carrying little more than a tiny hydration bladder with a couple of snack bars. No insulation, no wind protection, no emergency gear.
- Missing Essentials: Not a single one of the Ten Essentials in sight.
- The Dangerous Mindset: Yes, 99% of the time, casual hikers get lucky and escape without incident. But cell service, 911, and volunteer Search& Rescue teams are not your personal safety net—preparedness and basic common sense are.
- The Golden Rule: Any hiker stepping foot into this wilderness must carry the gear to survive an unexpected night out in freezing conditions. An ankle sprain, altitude sickness, or a sudden squall can turn a fun day hike into hypothermia, acute suffering, or worse. Don't be that guy or gal.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Mount San Jacinto Wilderness and Round Valley’s Gooseberry site delivered everything an outdoor enthusiast could want: pristine trails, incredible pine-scented air, and raw wilderness beauty. Just never forget that nature can bite hard if you let your guard down. Pack your layers, bring your essentials, respect the mountain, and you will have an unforgettable journey.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
Hans V.RangerSouth Ridge Yellow Post Sites
The first two spots are close together. First one a bit small but better cover from Santa Anna winds. Nicely in the forest and close to the village.
Guide to Cleveland National Forest
Tent camping near Cleveland National Forest spans elevations from 2,000 to over 9,000 feet across Southern California, creating distinct temperature zones throughout the year. During summer months, lower elevation sites regularly exceed 90°F while high mountain camps remain 20-30 degrees cooler. Overnight temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations even in June, requiring campers to pack accordingly.
What to do
Hiking to mountain peaks: Round Valley Campsite in Mount San Jacinto State Park serves as an excellent base camp for summit attempts. "We didn't mind our 30 pound packs knowing we would enjoy the beautiful trails and streams that lead to our site. This place is close to magical high above the desert floor where the temperature was hot but our spot was cold," reported Johnny H. after camping at Round Valley Campsite.
Mountain biking on service roads: The service roads to remote yellow post sites provide challenging terrain for mountain bikers. A visitor at Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Campground noted, "If you're looking for things to do while up there, the Romona trail starts/ends directly behind the washhouse." These trails offer varying difficulty levels from beginner to advanced.
Wildlife observation: Many campgrounds in the region host abundant wildlife. "Lots of wildlife. Raccoons in the night, gray squirrel, other squirrels, many birds," wrote Rhyn E. about their Labor Day weekend at Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Campground. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best viewing opportunities when animals are most active.
What campers like
Remote camping experience: The challenging access to some sites creates a quieter camping environment. "This campsite is about 45 minutes down a 4 wheel drive only dirt path. Pot toilets and trash cans available at the site. Nothing else much around to do other than hang out at the campground or hike," explained Matt M. about Tool Box Springs.
High elevation cooling: Summer heat escapes at higher elevation camps. A camper at Round Valley Campsite shared, "Round Valley campground in the San Jacinto mountain was a dream come true... This place is close to magical high above the desert floor where the temperature was hot but our spot was cold."
Urban-accessible wilderness: Some camping options provide nature experiences surprisingly close to urban areas. "Perfect campground located right in San Diego. Great for families with small kids and there are many close trails. There is something for everyone," commented Katie O. about Kumeyaay Lake Campground. This accessibility makes weekend trips more feasible without extended travel time.
What you should know
High-clearance vehicle requirements: Many primitive camping areas require suitable vehicles. Jake P. warned about Tool Box Springs, "Without a high clearance vehicle, it took me an hour and a half to go six miles up, and still scraped and almost got stuck. Definitelyyyy would say need a high clearance vehicle for some of the ruts."
Insect activity varies by season: Bug populations can affect camping comfort significantly. "This site would've been perfect, and I mean perfect, but the flies were unbearable. I planned to stay two nights but I couldn't make it past the next morning. If I stood still even for a second I was swarmed," cautioned Steve H. about his June visit to Tool Box Springs.
Permit systems for backcountry sites: Some areas require advance permits that fill quickly. "Reservations go fast so you need to submit your permit starting 8 weeks before your trip, however waiting until 4 weeks may be too late," advised Cody B. about camping at Round Valley. Permits for popular sites can cost $5 per person plus additional fees like the $25 tram ticket to access Mount San Jacinto.
Tips for camping with families
Regional parks for amenities: Families often appreciate developed campgrounds with facilities. "This is your typical regional park Campground. There's a lot to do here, including fishing, playgrounds, and even a waterpark in the summer," wrote Mary F. about Yucaipa Regional Park. The nearby community park offers additional recreation options including baseball, basketball, and sand volleyball.
Urban-adjacent options: Kumeyaay Lake Campground provides family-friendly camping without extensive travel. "This campground is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, and we absolutely loved it. There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things. The rangers even supplied Dr. Bronners Castile soap in each bathroom," shared Elise F.
Safety considerations: Some areas require extra precautions with children. Katie O. warned about Kumeyaay Lake Campground, "Beware of rattlesnakes. They are everywhere during the summer." Wildlife encounters require supervision of children and proper food storage to avoid attracting animals to your campsite.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: RV sites vary significantly in spacing and privacy. "The newer sites don't have a lot of mature trees, the older sites have a little more wear and tear but also bigger trees," advised Ken B. about Yucaipa Regional Park, helping RVers choose between shade and site condition.
Water management: Water availability varies dramatically between campgrounds. At Doheny State Beach Campground, Manuel P. clarified the sometimes confusing water situation: "Hand carrying potable water is available by bathrooms. And RV tank filling also available at the same location of dump site only a few feet away as you drive out. You can screw in your own hose and your good to go."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations affect camping comfort significantly. Paul C. noted about Yucaipa Regional Park, "Does get very cold, was in the teens overnight when I was there in Feb. Fires allowed which is nice." This highlights the need for adequate heating systems when RV camping during winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Cleveland National Forest?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cleveland National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cleveland National Forest is Mt. Palomar North Side Area with a 4.0-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Cleveland National Forest?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cleveland National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Cleveland National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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