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."

    "The campground overall is really pretty and in a great location in Lake Arrowhead. However, we made the mistake of booking site 005, which is right on a ridge... it was SO windy."

    2. Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground

    39 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."

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Recent Reviews near Colton, CA

1737 Reviews of 362 Colton Campgrounds


  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2025

    Pioneertown Corrals

    Overall great place to stay

    It’s a very cool and unique place. They have two bars/restaurants with live bands and even a bingo night, a few gift shops and plenty of open camp sites during the week. I stayed on a Monday and there was only one other camper. Not sure how it would look on a weekend. This place is worth a weekend or one night get away. Very fun. The only negative they had was no water hookups and they only have porta potties for toilets.

  • 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.

  • Vin W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Canyon RV Park

    Still a wonderful spot close to Orange County

    I have gone to long term RV and took a chance here. I came at night, and was frustrated with the traffic to just enter the park. It wasn't until the next morning that I began to appreciate the surroundings. The freeway noise became soothing. The showers clean, the grass maintained. Easy to access dump stations, fairly modern electrical hookups. Lots of families, people in golf carts, bicycles on trails. Wildlife including Blue Herons eating gophers, squirrels and coyotes. I would return here.

  • s
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Stone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park

    Great Trails & Views

    The site was nice and spacious, tall pines, great shade and star gazing, the falling egg corns were fun but the fire ban was a deal breaker... I reserved 1 1/2 months out so when I arrived the ban was in effect, stayed one night out of two. The trails were nice with plenty of great views, quiet walks and natural woodland creatures: woodpeckers, squirrels and birds. I'll stay again only if there's no fire ban.... Whats camping without a fire?

  • 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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    South Ridge Yellow Post Sites

    Great spots, great views

    Great location! Beautiful views from every spot! Will definitely stay here again. Road is a little rough in sections coming up, so plan vehicle choice accordingly!

  • L
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground

    Deer loop

    Had an amazing time, unbeknownst to us deer loop was closed after we booked it in June. We ended up having the whole loop to ourselves. We come here about 5 times a year and never have issues.

  • Kyle M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Thomas Mountain Road

    No frills

    Close to the road. 14 day limit cool backdrop. Road to the sites has a few bumps.


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.