Best Campgrounds near Colton, CA

Camping options near Colton, California range from developed campgrounds with full amenities to more primitive sites. The area includes established facilities like Rancho Jurupa RV Park in Riverside and Yucaipa Regional Park, both within 15 miles of Colton. These campgrounds accommodate various camping styles including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals. Several parks in the region feature recreational amenities such as lakes, hiking trails, and picnic areas, making them popular for family outings.

Reservations are typically required at most developed campgrounds in the area, especially during peak seasons from spring through fall. "This campground may have been renovated recently by the looks of it," noted one visitor about Rancho Jurupa Park, highlighting the maintained facilities at some locations. Many campgrounds offer both paved sites with full hookups and more rustic dirt camping areas with partial or no hookups. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevation sites. Weekends tend to fill quickly at popular campgrounds like Lake Perris State Recreational Area, requiring advance planning during peak seasons.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations near Colton. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the security of gated campgrounds like Rancho Jurupa Park, where rangers regularly patrol the grounds. Family-friendly amenities feature prominently in reviews, with water parks, fishing lakes, and mini-golf available at select locations. Some campgrounds in the region are divided into distinct sections offering different experiences - Rancho Jurupa, for example, features both the Cottonwood area with paved sites and grass, and the more rustic Lakeview area with dirt roads and sites. Proximity to urban areas means campers have access to restaurants and shopping while still enjoying outdoor recreation, though some locations may experience more crowds and noise on weekends.

Best Camping Sites Near Colton, California (362)

    1. Dogwood

    33 Reviews
    Rimforest, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 336-6717

    $40 - $81 / night

    "The trees are massive and plenty and make you feel like you are a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of California."

    "Our site was at the edge of a loop, so just wilderness to explore behind us! Restrooms close"

    2. Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground

    38 Reviews
    Moreno Valley, CA
    15 miles

    $25 - $300 / night

    "It is right next to the lake which has a swimming area, bike path, climbing area, Hiking trails, along with a camp store which has boat rentals and much more!  "

    "Paved full hookup sites right next to each other but quiet neighbors. Campground is just 5minutes from busy town."

    3. Rancho Jurupa RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Riverside, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (951) 684-7032

    $40 - $55 / night

    "The lakeview area has dirt roads, sparse grass and a few spots close to the lake. The Cottonwood campground has concrete pads and well maintained grass throughout."

    "Lakeside is more for tent camping. Nice park for family camping."

    4. Mesa Campground — Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

    27 Reviews
    Cedarpines Park, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 389-2281

    $45 - $350 / night

    "Silverwood Lake was just that. Lush green mountains in the back drop that surrounded every view you turned to take in. "You need to recharge your batteries!""

    "ATV with ice cream and firewood comes around right before dark. Campsites are a bit crowded for my liking. Access to the Silverwood Lake recreation area is a great benefit."

    5. Yucaipa Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Yucaipa, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 790-3127

    "Tons of hiking trails and within 30 min drive of major shopping/grocery stores. Big Bear is about an hour away with and awesome drive up the mountain."

    "Close to the city but far enough away from the lights. There is a ton of stuff to do here. Fishing, kayaking, hiking, water slides, disc golf, bike trails. The RV spots are beyond huge!"

    6. Skypark Camp RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Skyforest, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 744-9927

    $50 - $100 / night

    "Lake Arrowhead is close for supplies or food.  "

    "Views are worth it and this is so conveniently located next to Santa's Village. Will definitely be coming back again sooner than later!"

    7. Bonita Ranch Campground

    12 Reviews
    Lytle Creek, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 887-3643

    $35 - $45 / night

    "Easy access to a pretty trail right behind the campground. Very quiet and interspersed with long time stayers and temporary campers. I stayed in my van and had my cat and dog with me."

    "It's definitely not that far away from the city roughly a 7-10 minute drive up the mountain very chill environment awesome staff very home like feel you're literally a box throw away from the creek if"

    8. Mission RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Bryn Mawr, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 796-7570

    "Although the park doesn't offer much of entertainment and don't remember seeing a pool (can get pretty hot) I was able to enjoy all the shopping stores and restaurants near by."

    9. Prado Regional Park

    21 Reviews
    Chino, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 597-4260

    $47 - $120 / night

    "I grew up around in the area so I have been to this park quite a few times for a few different reasons. It is a very expansive and versatile area."

    "It's a nice park great for long walks and trail riding on bikes great for the dog 🐕 also a bit windy so you need to keep a eye on your awning, great cell service with at&t ."

    10. North Shore Campground - Lake Almanor

    14 Reviews
    Cedar Glen, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 866-8550

    $29 - $58 / night

    "Spaces are pretty close together and small, but we got lucky and didn’t have anyone around us (likely due to bad air quality). If you kayak this is a great place to camp, it’s right next to the lake."

    "Lake arrowhead isn't a public lake so it's a bit of a drive to do any water activities, but there was a close offroad trail."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 362 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Colton, CA

1727 Reviews of 362 Colton Campgrounds


  • 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...

  • Iris V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Sawtooth Canyon Campground

    Stunning Free BLM Campground with Epic Scenery

    Spent some time at Sawtooth Canyon Campground near Barstow, California, and wow—this spot is spectacular. The BLM offers 13 free, first-come-first-served sites nestled against dramatic rock formations. 🌵 Sunsets glow across the cliffs 🌅, and the moonrise over the rocks is unforgettable 🌕🔥.

    The access road is washboarded, so take it slow 🚙💨. Once you’re there, it’s peaceful and wide open. Each site has a picnic table 🪑, fire ring 🔥, and vault toilets 🚻. Plenty of space for trailers and rigs 🚐, and the night sky is breathtaking 🌌.

    If you’re passing through Barstow and want a quiet, beautiful free camping spot, Sawtooth Canyon is absolutely worth it.

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Pine Knot Campground

    Nice Campground Close to Town

    This campground is located pretty much in town right off Summit Blvd, on a side street right next to Snow Summit. We stayed here a couple nights with our pop-up camper in site #17. Cost was $34 a night. We pulled in a little later than planned, around 7:30, there were about 10 other sites occupied with a few more reserved. There are 48 sites throughout the campground. All primitive sites. Generators are allowed, but must stay on paved areas, and not run during quiet hours, 10:00 PM- 6:00 AM. Sites have a picnic table, fire ring, grill and bear box provided. There are 4 bathroom houses around the campground with flush toilets and sinks, they were pretty clean and well kept. Potable water was available. We did hear the coyotes at night and even had one or two come through our site. Campfires are allowed at this campground as of Oct. 9, 2025. We had great T-Mobile and AT&T cell service. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Bonelli Bluffs

    Wish we could stay longer this trip

    We chose Bonelli for our shakedown trip in our new trailer (first time RVers). SO quiet. Numerous residents, but spots are mostly keep up nicely. Our rental spot has 3 trees, a picnic table, a firepit, level parking(!) and full hookups. We will be back for sure, especially since it's less than an hour from home.

  • Karen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    San Clemente State Beach Campground

    Ant Infestation !

    If they would simply notify campers upon check in of the SIGNIFICANT SEASONAL ANT INFESTATION, it could have alleviated us waking up with ants crawling on our faces in the morning. They sell diatomaceous earth for $10. And we carry it already, but all we could do was go to WAR with the ants to contain the outbreak in our camper. BTW, we carry NO food inside the camper. Had to go to 2 hardware stores to get supplies and spend significant time eradicating only 95%. SO Disappointed. Our site was near a “coyote corridor”, so maybe why we didn’t have so many squirrels! Ha Ha!

  • Julia G.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Hare School Park

    Overnight parking ✅

    You can overnight park here with your RV without problems.

  • Elijah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Big Pine Flat Campground

    50/50

    Sites are nice, there is potable water and toilets BUT there is also a OHV staging area directly across from the campsites. The occasional dirt bike is fine right? So I thought. There was a group of 20+ people partying and playing corridos so loud I couldn’t fall asleep. They had a side by side with large speakers facing the campsite :/ I wouldn’t be annoyed if it was free but I paid $30 to camp and the camp host said this is their turf and there is nothing he can do.

  • Lianne A.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Monte Cristo Campground

    Nice Campground but Fire Restrictions!

    Monte Cristo is a nice campground not far from home. My husband and I visited this campsite for the first time just for one night. There was a fire restriction. No bonfires, no cooking on stoves and there was no water due to a leak. The bathroom that I was using I give it a 2 star.

  • C
    Sep. 10, 2025

    serrano camp grounds

    Great place

    I stayed for one night Wednesday just to try the showers. The showers were perfect! Hot water even! So clean and beautiful. Recommend!


Guide to Colton

Camping near Colton, California, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly campground or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Many campgrounds, like San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach, provide access to scenic trails. One reviewer mentioned, "Good access to walking and biking trails," making it a great spot for outdoor activities.
  • Beach Access: If you love the ocean, San Clemente State Beach Campground is just a short walk from the beach. A visitor noted, "The walk to the beach was close, seemed maybe about 10 minutes."
  • Fishing: For those who enjoy fishing, Lake Hemet Campground is known for its stocked lake. One camper shared, "The fishing is good, most of the time."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park stated, "Bathrooms are extremely clean," which is a big plus for many.
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A visitor at Dogwood Campground mentioned, "Our camp site was very spacious," making it comfortable for families and groups.
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One reviewer at Serrano said, "The staff were friendly and helpful," which can enhance the camping experience.

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground noted, "Multiple other campers had music blasting and were yelling and screaming."
  • Crowded Sites: Popular campgrounds can feel packed. A visitor at Doheny State Beach Campground mentioned, "The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A review for California Lake Hemet pointed out, "Toilets and shower were not very nice," so be prepared for basic facilities.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach, where one camper noted, "Lots of room for a couple of vehicles and tents."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. A family at Lake Hemet Campground enjoyed the swimming zone, which is just a short walk from the campsite.
  • Bring Your Own Shade: Some sites may not have enough natural shade. A camper at California Lake Hemet suggested, "Bring your own shade for this campsite."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park advised, "The roads in are narrow and absolutely terrible," so be cautious when backing in.
  • Bring Blocks for Leveling: Some sites may not be level. A camper at California Serrano mentioned, "If you have a RV/Trailer/Van you may want some block to help get you level."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Connectivity: Many campgrounds have spotty cell service. A visitor at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park noted, "Wi-Fi works fair," so plan accordingly.

With these insights, you can make the most of your camping experience near Colton, CA. Whether you're looking for the best camping near Colton or just a weekend getaway, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Colton, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Colton, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 362 campgrounds and RV parks near Colton, CA and 26 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Colton, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Colton, CA is Dogwood with a 4.7-star rating from 33 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Colton, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Colton, CA.

What parks are near Colton, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Colton, CA that allow camping, notably Mojave River Dam and San Bernardino National Forest.