Several good camping options sit within driving distance of Dana Point on the California coast. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground is 32 miles away with sites right by the ocean where you can fall asleep to the sound of waves. Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground has plenty of room between sites and well-maintained bathrooms that families appreciate. Lake Hemet Campground tends to be quieter, with trees and natural surroundings that give campers more privacy. You can hike, fish, or swim at these campgrounds depending on what you like. Book ahead if possible since spots fill up, especially on weekends and during summer. Check if any fire bans are in place before you go. Spring and fall camping near Dana Point works best for most people with comfortable temperatures. Summer gets hot except at the beach spots, while winter brings cooler weather that's actually nice for hiking. Each place has different basics like water and restrooms, so check what's available when you book. These campgrounds work well for groups or families looking for some time outdoors. Remember to clean up your trash to keep these places nice. The area around Dana Point has good views and things to do when you're not at your campsite. Think about what matters most to you when picking which campground to visit.
$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."
$45 - $300 / night
"California beach camping can be very hard to come by. Unlike some other campgrounds in Southern California this one gives you ample room to move around and set up camp."
"If you’re looking for classic Southern California beach camping with stunning ocean views, this spot is such a good choice."
$50 - $350 / night
"This campground is at the edge of the Dana Point Harbor. The sites are small, but many of them are right on the beach. All sites have easy access to the beach. "
"Sweet campsite at Dana point surf break. Had a big crew along for spring break. Super nice but book early!"
$25 - $75 / night
"Luckily Booked last minute on reserve California (the worst web thing ever) on site 49. Looks like there is a oven view from every site. Close to beach and shopping."
"There is an elementary school adjacent to the campground so you get a few PA announcements to start your day. There is a small visitor's center on site."
$45 / night
"The campground is on the bluffs, and nearby Old Man's beach has some of the best beginner's surfing waves in Southern California."
"This military campground is located within walking distance of two world class surfing breaks; Old Man's and Tressels. This campground has a variety of camp spots from tent, RV to cabins."
$45 - $250 / night
"Camping cliff side along the beach in Southern California. The camp grounds are a little cramped. Seem more designed for RV’s and trailers but we don’t mind."
"During the open season on weekends it fills up quickly, during the weekdays it is kind of busy as well but there are still some walk up spaces available."
$20 - $25 / night
"This campground is amazing, just a few miles from the ocean @ Dana Point. Several hiking trails. Very quiet. Restrooms and showers available plus spiggots near each campsite."
"Tucked on the outskirts of Mission Viejo is an oasis of green grass and groves of the twisting and searching limbs of Coastal Live Oak trees. "
$20 / night
"It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds. Free dump station. "
"Behind my Camp site was a few different hiking paths. Restroom buildings have water, toilets, and showers. It says to bring quarters for the showers but they were free. Each site is typical..."
$75 - $550 / night
"The grounds are impeccably clean, beautifully maintained, and set in a truly stunning location. Everything feels well cared for and thoughtfully run."
"As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites."
"its close, so no 2 hour drive needed and its usually got open spots available, even in spring and summer (cause of the 3+ mile hike most likely). wouldn't say it has the best views but good when you just"
"Both Morro locations. Lower is a 3 mile hike with a few steep grades. 13 sites an outhouse and a decent view. This one is normally supporting several groups on weekends. There is no water."
GuideVery clean and well maintained RV Campground. Easy on and off major freeway I-15. Close to San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park and other tourist spots without super high prices. Only complaint was the highway noise. Hard to avoid that. Hitched4fun crew will go again for sure.
LegendThey have bathrooms and trash and pull up sites and rangers are nice
LegendThe stars are beautiful and bright at night and during the day the forest makes you feel like you’re in a dream come true
GuideWe'd booked spot 9 on Doane campground as only available trailer spot last minute. It was a cold weekend in April. The tarmac spot is far from level and some stairs to the picknick table and tent places (also hard to find level spots). Nice wooded area though. Spot 10 is really close but was only occupied for one night. Steep hill to the not-super-clean restroom makes it an exercise. All in all nice campground but have been to nicer places.
ScoutOur family loves guajome! It has trails, two playgrounds, and a lake. It’s quiet and peaceful, perfect for a long weekend close to home.
LegendGorgeous area and awesome views to hike to and awesome Mountain View’s with the stars at night just awesome
GuideThe title says it all. It's nice, cheap, and quiet. Sites are spacious but beware of the ground squirrels. They're everywhere. Site 42 has a lot of traffic due to trail heads at the back of the site.
ScoutVery relaxing place to stay. Good amenities and very friendly staff.
TravelerI went with my family for my birthday. My daughters loved the campground. Easy walk to the lake. My wife enjoy the luxury of having a nearby bathroom/ shower with warm water. It’s a good choice for families
Dana Point camping offers options within 5-15 miles of this Southern California coastal city. The area features low coastal mountains with elevations between sea level and 1,500 feet, creating microclimates that vary between cool coastal zones and warmer inland canyons. Campground reservations often need to be made 3-6 months in advance, especially for beachfront sites during peak summer season.
Surf at Trestles Beach: A 1.5-mile hiking trail from San Mateo Campground leads to this popular surf spot. "Clean campground, most of the spots are super private! A fun little hike (1.5 miles) to the walk until tresels beach... The beach is beautiful, great for surfing!" notes Brianne S.
Hike No Name Ridge: This trail stretches across two parks and offers sunset viewing opportunities. At Crystal Cove State Park, "The best trail here stretches across the two parks -- No Name Ridge!! Amazing for EPIC SUNSETS!" says Chanel C.
Explore marine life: Low tide reveals ocean creatures along the shoreline. "The ocean wildlife is so cool, and at low tide you can see octopus, starfish, and all kinds of small fish/crabs," according to Andy H. who camped at San Onofre Recreation Beach.
Bike the Back Bay: The Newport area offers extensive paved trails for cyclists. "There are fantastic running/bike trails along the Back Bay," mentions Karissa J. about her stays at Newport Dunes RV Resort.
Ocean proximity: Beachfront sites offer direct water access and nighttime ambiance. "I love the sound of the waves and the fog horn. There are great bike trails to ride on," says Karissa J. about Doheny State Beach.
Tiered campsites: Some campgrounds use terrain to maximize views. At Crystal Cove State Park, "The sites are terraced, so no matter which site you get you'll have a view of the ocean," explains Elly A.
Less crowded beaches: Certain campgrounds access more secluded shorelines. "You can't hear the freeway traffic. The beach is uncrowded, plus every camp site has a fire ring and picnic table," notes Terree R. about San Onofre State Beach.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers. "The bathrooms were being cleaned frequently... spotless," says Amy H. about her February stay at Crystal Cove.
Ant problems: Several campers report persistent ant issues at San Mateo. "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.
Challenging beach access: Some beach paths require careful navigation. "You can get to the beach if you're down to wade through 2-3 feet of still water that puddles under the highway underpass," explains Chanel C.
Reservation windows: Most state parks open reservations 6 months ahead at 8:00 am, with spots filling within minutes. Caspers Wilderness County Park offers more flexibility: "Part of OC Parks so getting a campsite is relatively easy compared to other online booking systems. We're usually able to book a site 2 weeks before we decide to go," says Chanel C.
Noise factors: Highway and railroad proximity can affect some campgrounds. "The campground is a little further from the beach than I expected... It's also very quiet as soon as the sun sets... everyone ends up going to bed around 8pm as to not disturb your VERY close neighbors," notes a Crystal Cove reviewer.
Playground access: Several campgrounds have dedicated play areas. At O'Neill Regional Park, Johnny G. reports, "Great playground for children... Easy and fun 'Story Trail' hike for children. The hike features a new book every month, each page is mounted to a placard along the trail."
Beach equipment: Inflatable water toys and rentals enhance the experience for kids. "They have activities for the kids like arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course or you can rent paddle boards or watch a movie on the beach," shares Karissa J. about Newport Dunes.
Wildlife viewing: Several parks offer opportunities to see local animals. At Caspers Wilderness Park, campers report "Lots of wilderness sighting in the park -- snakes, deer" and "Plenty of squirrels, bunnies, the occasional deer and coyotes at night."
Sun protection: Coastal campgrounds often lack natural shade. "There are no shade structures or large trees, so definitely bring a canopy in the summer," advises Elly A. about Crystal Cove.
Hookup availability: RV site amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. At San Clemente State Beach, Paul N. notes they offer "Dry camping with a dump station available," while O'Neill Regional Park provides "Free dump station" according to Mike G.
Site spacing: Some RV areas pack units close together. Ray S. at Newport Dunes advises, "Be fully aware that these spaces can be very tight," though he still rated it highly overall.
Electric needs: Some parks have specific power requirements. James reports about Caspers Wilderness Park: "Lovely campsite with all sites on 30a + water spigot... Sites are pretty level, gravel and of a good size. My 24' + truck can fit lengthwise with room behind and plenty to the side."
Water considerations: Water availability can change seasonally. "The water is off for the time being. The dump station is very close by and easy to access," notes Ronald about Ortega Flats campground at Caspers Wilderness Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Dana Point?
The Dana Point area offers several excellent camping options. Doheny State Beach Campground is a top choice with beachfront sites and easy access to Dana Point Harbor. Just a few miles inland, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park provides a quieter experience with hiking trails and abundant wildlife. Other popular options within a short drive include San Clemente State Beach, San Mateo Campground, and O'Neill Regional Park. Each offers unique amenities from beach access to canyon views, making the Dana Point region a versatile camping destination for both coastal and wilderness experiences.
Are there any campsites directly in Dana Point?
Doheny State Beach Campground is the only campground located directly in Dana Point. Situated at the edge of Dana Point Harbor, this popular campground offers 122 sites, many right on the beach with easy ocean access. The campground is within walking distance to both the harbor and beach activities. Sites in the middle of the campground tend to be smaller with less privacy, while the outer edge sites offer more space. While Doheny is the sole camping option within Dana Point proper, several other excellent campgrounds are available within a short drive of the city.
What RV parks and camping options are available in Dana Point?
Dana Point offers limited but quality RV camping options. Doheny State Beach Campground accommodates RVs with beachfront access, though sites can be tight. For more spacious RV amenities near Dana Point, Pechanga RV Resort provides modern facilities with proximity to a casino, restaurants, and golf course. Another nearby option is Newport Dunes RV Resort, offering waterfront sites with full hookups. These RV parks provide varying levels of amenities from basic to resort-style, with most requiring reservations well in advance, especially during summer months.
Can you camp on the beach in Dana Point?
Yes, you can camp on the beach at Doheny State Beach Campground, the only location in Dana Point offering true beachfront camping. Many sites are positioned right on the sand with direct beach access. For additional beach camping options near Dana Point, San Onofre State Beach offers sites along the bluffs with beach access. These beachfront sites are extremely popular and typically require reservations months in advance, especially during summer. Note that while camping is permitted in designated campgrounds, overnight sleeping directly on public beaches outside of established campgrounds is prohibited throughout Dana Point and Orange County.
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