Best Tent Camping near Coronado, CA

Tent camping options near Coronado, California include several established campgrounds and dispersed sites within an hour's drive. Kumeyaay Lake Campground in Mission Trails Regional Park offers drive-in tent sites with amenities, while Pine Creek Road Camp provides free dispersed camping for those seeking a more primitive experience. Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest offers backcountry tent camping with panoramic views for hikers willing to make the trek.

Tent campers should note that most sites are only available on weekends at Kumeyaay Lake Campground, which features clean bathrooms, hot showers, and designated tent pads with fire rings and picnic tables. Pine Creek Road Camp requires a free permit obtained from the ranger station, with limited designated spots along a paved mountain road. Backcountry tent sites at Corte Madera Mountain require a 7.5-mile round-trip hike and a free camping permit. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry periods in dispersed camping areas.

The primitive tent sites at Pine Creek Road Camp provide seclusion and natural surroundings without facilities. Sites are spaced far apart along the road, offering privacy for tent campers. As one visitor commented, "Even on a Saturday night in May, there were only a few other groups in the area." Tent campers at Kumeyaay Lake enjoy access to numerous hiking and mountain biking trails directly from their campsites. Despite its proximity to urban areas, the campground maintains a natural feel. A camper noted, "Despite being close to freeway exits and nearby neighborhoods, it still felt quiet and comfortable with clean sites of a good size."

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Best Tent Sites Near Coronado, California (12)

    1. Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    20 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 668-2748

    $24 - $25 / night

    "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."

    "No hookups here but they have great clean bathrooms and hot showers. Lots of hiking/biking straight from your campsite. This place is a jem, being so close to most parts of San Diego."

    2. YMCA Camp Surf

    Be the first to review!
    Imperial Beach, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 423-5850

    3. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm

    2 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    25 miles
    Website

    $50 - $175 / night

    "Gorgeous oaks shading our camp site. Loved the kitties & the ranch doggies. Went for a hike. Saw lots of flowers, a seasonal creek, sage, views of the valley & nearby mountain."

    "Plenty of room for beautiful hikes on their many acres of land packed with some great views a few decks scattered around the property.  "

    4. Corte Madera Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Guatay, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 445-6235

    "If you’re looking for a nice hike, in the wild, with few people around, this is the one. Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest, just east of San Diego."

    "You will need a permit, but you can get a free permit emailed to you if you call the rangers station. The Trail is a 7.5 mile out and back trail near Morena Village."

    5. Corral Canyon Campground

    2 Reviews
    Potrero, CA
    35 miles
    Website

    "All other public campgrounds nearby are booked solid, but there are only 3 other groups here beside me. 1 camper told me the CG is always empty. Why?"

    "This is a beautiful area to off-road, it is closed temporarily due to covid so hopefully that opens back up here pretty soon. I’ve never camped here but have always wanted to."

    6. The Eyrie Farm

    1 Review
    Ramona, CA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (844) 843-3978

    $30 / night

    "We're happy to have this property on our platform. There are 2 sites to choose from, please read about them before booking. Check them out and leave them some love!"

    7. Pine Creek Road Camp

    6 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    44 miles

    "Great area--it's just close enough to some expensive campgrounds and a few connecting trails, so it's awesome to camp here for FREE. "

    "I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road). 

    There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed."

    8. Kitchen Creek Road

    4 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    44 miles

    9. Julian Hideaway

    Be the first to review!
    Julian, CA
    41 miles
    +1 (760) 421-8705

    $80 - $50 / night

    10. Horse Heaven Group Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Mount Laguna, CA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 445-6235

    $60 - $150 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Coronado, CA

738 Reviews of 12 Coronado Campgrounds


  • Elise F.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    Perfect weekend getaway

    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. We stayed in site number 17 and it was lovely. Each camp site has a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. Online says you can buy firewood but they no longer provide that service, so make sure you bring your own firewood! You can’t swim in the lake, but you can fish and it’s very pleasant to walk around and bird watch. There is so much to do in this urban park, you could spend many days here. P.S. the Mission Trails visitor center is spectacular.

  • j
    Jan. 12, 2023

    Dos Picos County Park

    Quiet, dark skies, scenic

    We came in January so we had the entire upper camping loop to ourselves. The rangers were very helpful. This Campground has partial hookups with electricity at sites but no water. Level well spaced sites. Firepit and picnic table. Nice clean grounds, restrooms and showers (pay).They also have tent sites and cabins. County Park with playground is adjacent . 

    Beautiful scenery, great star gazing, at least on our upper loop. There's only a small light on restrooms. We saw F16s practicing overhead. Very cool.

    Good Verizon reception.

  • Sita B.
    Aug. 8, 2018

    La Jolla Indian Campground

    3.5 Stars

    La Jolla Indian Reservation Campground is located 30 mins south of the Observatory on Palomar Mtn, and 60 mins north of San Diego. There are ~38 reservable RV sites with hook-ups. Half of them are along the river front. There are multiple group tent sites and even more first come first serve, get in where u fit in, no hookup RV and tent sites. There is a gas station/convenience store just before the entrance, where a 20lb bag of ice is $4. Load up, you’ll need it. There are very few campgrounds that are near the water AND you’re allowed to play in the water. There are only two in SoCal, that I know of, the other is Yucapai.

    We reserved RV space 10, for our tent trailer. The 30’ site was a tight fit for out 22’ trailer and two cars. But we’re able to put up out shade tent, tarp, and seating.

    The good… RV Park area had a lot of trees that provided shade in the 100 degree heat. The hookups were easy and we had no problems with neighbors. The river cooled things down once it got going, you can rent or bring your own tube/river rat to ride down the river, at your own risk! Bring water shoes. Kids loved swinging on the make shift swings along the water. Propane grills recommended, not every site has a charcoal grill and depending on weather and fire conditions will determine if fire pits will be allowed.

    The bad… the river only runs Friday to Sunday. However, Lake Henshaw turns the water on Friday at 7:30 am and it doesn’t make it down to the res until 4:30 pm. It was a long hot wait for water. Saving grace was the hose we brought to water down the dirt. Only one bathroom and multiple port-o-potties (sp?) and I don’t recommend those. Bring TP. The lines are long in the morning. There’s no grey water disposal. Keep track of your valuables. The first come first serve camp area tents to be more rowdy than the RV area, though both are loud (music & kids).

  • S
    Feb. 21, 2022

    San Diego County Potrero Regional Park

    39 RV sites, 7 Tent Sites; Spacious sites, Great staff of Rangers

    68-year old, still tenderfoot tent camper. This was my first experience in California after three prior stays in Texas and Arizona. The San Diego County system centrally handles reservations of its campgrounds, which was fortunate for me. I mistakenly reserved one campground thinking it was another (my preferred, Potrero), but it was 30 miles away. Even though I paid for two nights in advance, their phone reservations help was superb and got me transferred without any hiccups. Big shout-out to the ranger at Potrero for suggesting. I interacted with several and they were all professional, friendly and helpful.

    There's one central plumbed restroom and shower facility. Further out along the tent sites there was a hand portapotty. When you first drive in you'll go past a very large day-use area with its own facilities before you get to the overnight camping sites. Alcohol is permitted if alcohol content < 20%.

    My site #7 was the last in the row of tent-only sites and appeared to be the largest with plenty of shade and flat pad site. Without seeing other tents it's a little hard to gauge size, but I'd guess walking by the other sites that there's probably at least 80-100 feet between tent pads, or even more. Lots of open spaces. The seven tent sites shared a couple (maybe more) of water spigots.

    The primary annoyance was with the park's neighbors who seemingly had a whole pound of dogs who barked loudly through the nights. Given how otherwise silent it was, it was the barking was noticeable and to be distinguished from the coyotes, birds and owls. I think I also heard roosters crowing each morning as early as 3am.

    The major event of my stay was the arrival of, as Steely Dan sang, "Here come those Santa Ana winds again …" At 5 a.m. the first morning, it was still and quiet as can be (sans the neighborhood dogs). A few minutes later, the winds hit. For the next 11 hours, surviving the wind 30-40 mph sustained winds, gusts over 50 was the only concern – both for my little tent and my car and myself due to the wind effects on the large trees surrounding us. In the end, there was no noticeable damage but seldom have I spent a full day out in the weather like that.

    All in all, I'm not sure you could ask for more at about $25/night. Although I would've paid double if there were a no-wind option. I also had two great tent parties my second night, a couple about my age who were returning to California after summering in Baja, and a young woman from Germany traveling by herself around the world. Interesting neighbors to say the least.

    At site #7 I had zero T-Mobile signal. Outside the Ranger Station I could get at most, 2 bars LTE.

  • Berton M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2019

    Lake Morena County Park

    Hike the PCT from Lake Morena

    The campground at Lake Morena has around 80+ spots that range from hookups for RV to basic tent camping. There's a indoor entertainment room and multiple bathrooms. The campground is not located right on the lake but a 15min walk away. The cell service is roaming but was decent; around 500kb download. The PCT goes thru the campground and there's an area designated for thru hikers camping. The campground can get crowded during the weekend. The adjacent town has a small store.

  • T
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    Close and Friendly

    No hookups here but they have great clean bathrooms and hot showers. Lots of hiking/biking straight from your campsite. This place is a jem, being so close to most parts of San Diego. The two biggest drawbacks are 1) overnight camping is only Friday and Saturday nights, but they’re looking to extend that in the future. 2) Leave the booze at home; since this is a SD park there is no alcohol allowed. Great family camping though!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 10, 2023

    South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    Perfect if you score an oceanfront site but $$$!

    General: 223 sites; most have no hookups but there are a handful of sites that are FHU. Prices range from $50 for a no-hookup site that backs up to the road to $140 for a double hook-up oceanfront site. 

    Site Quality: All sites are gravel (except the ADA-accessible ones) and generous in size so that you can park your rig in different configurations. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Some have better privacy separation with foliage, but some don’t. You will hear some road noise if your site is backed up to the highway.

    Bath/shower house: Nine bathhouses are sprinkled throughout the campground; each has a mixture of toilets and showers. Showers require tokens (four minutes per $ 1) Some have toilets/sinks while others just have a toilet (there is a sink outside of the bathhouse). The only thing that confused me was that the ones with sinks did not have soap dispensers. 

    Activities/Amenities: There is a small camp store/restaurant on-site. Although we did not eat there, we saw many people bringing pizzas back to their sites. The store also rents items such as surfboards and bodyboards. Live entertainment from 5-7 pm most nights. The campground stretches about a mile and a half along Highway 101 and is fairly level so many people (including us) were able to get in a decent run. There are several entry points to the beach via stairs. 

    We were pleasantly surprised to snag a reservation for an oceanfront site which made our stay very pleasant.

  • Anthony D.
    Jun. 6, 2021

    Paso Picacho Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    Best Campground Around - Awesome Staff - Great Hiking - Peace and Quiet

    My wife and I stayed here in early May 2021. This was our second time at Paso Picacho after visiting here a few years ago. We were even more impressed this time around. I can't say enough about this place. The grounds are serene and well kept, the atmosphere is relaxed and most of the campers were very respectful. The campsites are huge, if you know which ones to nab with an early reservation, and the staff there are just the most delightful people on earth.

    On our first night there, a couple of huge pickups showed up to the spot right above ours at midnight, and they blasted music, partied, and screamed at the top of their lungs often (for whatever reason), and we couldn't sleep. We were super bummed and had thought it was pretty much going to be an awful trip. However, we talked to the campground host and the staff at the entrance, and they were super understanding and helpful. They said that they know people come here for peace and quiet, and that they take it seriously when any campers violate their quiet hours rules.

    The camp host hopped on a cart right away and sped away to the offending sites to give them a talking to and made sure to mention that if they violated the noise rules again, they would send in rangers and have them booted out of the campground. It worked like gangbusters! The rest of our trip was amazing, and we didn't hear so much as a peep from the neighboring sites (it was a big group) all weekend. The camp host followed up with us afterward and said that we could come by his site anytime and tell him if the other campers were loud again, even if it was 3am in the morning. He said, "It's no trouble. That's what I'm here for."

    Awesome, awesome, awesome. The fire pit worked out great, and we were able to cook all of our meals on the grill that comes with it using the cast iron skillets we bought. They had plenty of wood for sale at the front, as well as ice. The wood price is a little steep ($8 per bundle), but all that money goes back into the park. Knowing that, it actually felt good paying them for the wood rather than buying it elsewhere.

    The trails were well kept, and the views were fantastic even with the fire damage. We got to do everything that we wanted to do and then some. We even had time to go to Julian and do some shopping - check out the Cider Mill for some delicious treats!

    As far as campsites go, our site (#30) was so, so great. We researched a lot online beforehand (campsitephotos.com was helpful along with this site, Google reviews, and Yelp), so we had a pretty good idea of what the site was going to look like.  But it was even better than the pictures. It was a huge site with plenty of room for 2 tent pads. The picnic table and fire pit were positioned just under a huge, climbable tree that gave us plenty of shade while we were there. The only downside to this site is that it was very close to the bathrooms. That actually bummed me out a bit when we first arrived, but it ended up not being much of an issue at all. The traffic to and from the bathrooms was very light, and the section of the bathroom building facing our site was all showers, which barely anybody used. There is also a lot of bushes and tree cover in between the site and the bathrooms, so we barely saw anybody the whole time we were there.

    Reading reviews online is what helped us find such a great spot, so I promised myself  I would walk the grounds and post all of the good site numbers online when we got back. So here they are, at least in my opinion:

    Top Three

    30: our site- the best!

    70: easily the 2nd best site on the grounds- very private, secluded, lots of bush cover, fire pit and table are far from the road- the only downside to this site it that it has very little shade, so bring a canopy or tarp to setup your own shade situation. Other than that, this site was incredible. We will probably check this one out when we go back here in the fall.

    85: My pick for the 3rd best site on the grounds, although my wife disagreed. This site is surrounded by forest, trees, and bushes on 3 sides. If you don't count the front facing view, it is one of the most secluded sites in the campground. It is on the outside of a bend in the road, and there are no other sites to the left and right of it. I personally prefer a"bathroom bush" close by to save myself from having to walk to the bathrooms in the dark, and this place has tons of'em. The downside here is that the front of the campsite faces 2-3 other sites that are right across the road. If the site were a house, basically the"front door" is wide open to the campers across the way. If you had a bad group camping across from you, it might be not so fun. However, you can park your car in such a way that it would block out some of that wide open space in the front, making it more private.

    Honorable Mention

    44: my wife's pick for 3rd- big site, lots of shade, secluded, a little too close to the neighboring site on the left side(facing the site from the road) but nothing but road on the right side

    8: Nice, big site that is not close to other campsites. Private, secluded. Lots of trees and shade. The downside to this one is that it is right across from a cabin. Depending on the campers using the cabin during your visit, that proximity to the cabin might be a bummer. However, there were no big parties at the cabins while we were there.

    51: Good site, lots of trees and shade. Semi-private.

    54: Good site, lots of trees and shade. Not all that private- kind of open and on a little bit of a slope.

    20: Just kinda okay. Trees and shade but not very private or secluded. Good if all of the above are booked.

  • Meghan D.
    Jun. 12, 2018

    Burnt Rancheria Campground

    A great escape from the city

    This campground is well designed for tent and small rv camping. The particularly site I stayed at did not have a lot of level ground for tents. The sites are generally spaced far enough apart to give you a bit of privacy. The host was very attentive and regularly made rounds to sell firewood. The facilities are mainly pit toilets but during peak season there is a shower available somewhere though I didn’t use it. Loads of hiking right off the campgrounds. You can walk right out of the forest to a great view of anza borrego desert. This is one of the few campgrounds in California where you don’t really need to worry about bears, though you should be wary of mountain lions.


Guide to Coronado

Tent camping near Coronado, California offers a range of experiences within an hour's drive, from coastal settings to mountain wilderness. The camping season typically extends year-round due to the mild Southern California climate, though summer temperatures in inland areas can exceed 90°F. The elevation range from sea level to over 4,600 feet provides distinct camping environments across relatively short distances.

What to do

Hiking from camp: At Kumeyaay Lake Campground, numerous trails start right from the campsite area. "There are lots of trails to hike. Family friendly," notes camper Jose V. The area offers various difficulty levels suitable for different abilities.

Disc golf course: GoodVibes Ranch & Farm features a professional disc golf course on the property. A visitor reported, "I found out they have a full size professional disc golf course here! I don't bring my discs, but Carolyn and Bernie happily lent me some discs so I could try it out."

Mountain viewpoints: Several dispersed camping sites along Pine Creek Road offer access to panoramic views. According to one camper, "Some spots were tucked back from the road with lots of trees... but some were barely more than a shoulder with no trees for coverage." The higher elevation sites generally provide the best vantage points.

What campers like

Privacy and solitude: Pine Creek Road Camp offers a secluded camping experience. "A great spot if you want to get away and enjoy some alone time," writes one camper. Another noted, "We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay."

Amenities at GoodVibes: The facilities at GoodVibes Ranch exceed typical tent camping expectations. A visitor described, "They have actual running water flushable toilets and outdoor hot showers! I can't tell you how excited I was lol, it really upleveled the whole camping experience."

Urban accessibility: Kumeyaay Lake Campground offers convenient camping without a long drive. "Perfect campground located right in San Diego. Great for families with small kids and there are many close trails," writes Katie O. This makes it ideal for weekend getaways or first-time campers near Coronado.

What you should know

Permit requirements: For Pine Creek Road Camp, obtain a free permit before arrival. One camper advised, "Make sure you apply for the free permit a few days in advance especially if you plan to go on the weekend. List the place you're going as 'Pine Creek dispersed camping,' and keep a printed copy in your car."

Road conditions: Access to some dispersed camping areas requires careful driving. For Corral Canyon Campground, be prepared for a longer drive in. "It's at the end of a 7.5 mile dead-end road in an OHV area," notes one camper. Most roads to dispersed sites are accessible by passenger cars but require careful navigation.

Fire restrictions: Many dispersed camping areas near Coronado have seasonal fire bans, particularly during summer and fall. Always check current fire restrictions with the Cleveland National Forest office before planning to have a campfire, as regulations change frequently with weather conditions.

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife awareness: At Kumeyaay Lake, families should remain alert for native wildlife. "Beware of rattlesnakes. They are everywhere during the summer," warns Katie O. Make noise while hiking and teach children not to approach or disturb wildlife.

Campground activities: YMCA Camp Surf offers organized activities when open to general camping. Located near the beach, it provides both tent sites and cabins, making it suitable for families who want structured recreation options during their stay.

Bathroom facilities: When tent camping with kids, consider campgrounds with reliable restrooms. One visitor to Kumeyaay Lake noted, "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."

Tips for RVers

Tight access roads: For RVers considering Pine Creek Road, note the narrow passages. "If you have a big rig it's a little tight to move around on the roads but definitely nice for sprinters/trucks/suvs or even cars!" advises Ruben. Smaller RVs and camper vans will have an easier time than large motorhomes.

Limited cell service: Many camping areas have spotty connectivity. A camper at Pine Creek noted, "Very spotty service (Verizon), which makes navigation and planning difficult if you don't pre-download trail maps." Download offline maps and campground information before heading out from Coronado.

Road quality for access: Recent improvements have made some areas more accessible. "Roads are PAVED, I think that's new because I don't remember that last year when I went!" reports a visitor to Pine Creek Road Camp. This makes tent camping near Coronado easier for those bringing camping gear in standard vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Coronado, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Coronado, CA is Kumeyaay Lake Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 20 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Coronado, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Coronado, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.