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Visitors to this 500-acre regional park have quite a palette of activities to choose from. Modern campsites sit at the top of the summit, along with a seasonal splash pad, play areas, a 13-station exercise course, rentable picnic areas, a community room, an outdoor amphitheater and fishing at Sweetwater Reservoir.
Hikers, cyclists and equestrians will enjoy 15 miles of trails that meander up and down the hill, through open grasslands and along streamside vegetation boasting spectacular views of the reservoir and this unique urban oasis.
Camper, trailer, and tent camping are all options among 112 sites – many with access to both water and power. Coin-operated showers are available for all campers.
One of the major attractions at the park is the 60-foot pavilion. This covered structure and its kitchen facilities are especially suited for group campers. You’ll also find four 16-foot picnic pavilions, a Campground Amphitheater, a 2,000-square-foot Community Room, and a 13-Station Exercise Course.
An adjacent local park features a lawn area, tot lot, splash park and shaded picnic tables with panoramic views of the countryside.
$34 - $38 / night
The Kumeyaay Lake Campground is open for Friday and Saturday night camping. The 46 campsites are available for reservation on a first-come, first-serve basis and the is $22.66 per night. On the reservation website page, go to the "Location" drop-down menu at the top of the page and select Kumeyaay Lake Campground. All cancellations must be made 14 days in advance.
$24 - $25 / night
The beautiful park offers camping and hiking in an oak woodland forest, with a sprinkling of pines and lovely meadows with creeks. There are over 100 miles of trails which accommodate hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The two family camps, Paso Picacho and Green Valley, are open and on the reservation system spring through fall. Green Valley sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a creek which runs through the middle of the campground. The day use area offers sets of cascades and shallow pools, great for water play on hot days. Green Valley has 81 campsites.
Paso Picacho, 5 miles north, sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The most popular hikes start from this camp, including the 2 mile hike up Stonewall Peak (elevation 5,700 feet), and the 3.5 mile hike up Cuyamaca Peak (elevation 6,512 feet), both which offer breathtaking views of the deserts to the east, the coast to the west, and Lake Cuyamaca at the bottom. Lake Cuyamaca, operated by the Helix Water District, is two miles north of Paso Picacho and offers boating and fishing. Paso Picacho campground has 85 campsites.
Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. Restrooms with flush toilets and pay showers are in the campground. Water faucets a located every few campsites. There are no hookups. Each campground has a dump station. Firewood and ice may be purchased at the camps. Interpretive programs are offered during the summer season. Campsites are $30 per night. Reservations are necessary for weekends April through October. The camping fee includes one motorized vehicle. Extra vehicles are $10 per night. There is a limit of 8 persons per campsite. Dogs are allowed but are restricted to the campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved roads and Cuyamaca Peak Fire Road. They may not be left unattended.
Environmental backpack in or horseback ride in camps are also available. Granite Springs and Arroyo Seco Environmental camps are open on first come, first serve. Both have chemical toilets, non-potable water, corrals and tent sites.
$40 - $250 / night
Thousand Trails Pio Pico RV Camping is a full service RV Resort in California located south of San Diego, close to many attractions such as the zoo, Sea World and museums. We are twenty minutes from Mexico, so day trips south of the border are not only a possibility but also a great opportunity. Members come to Pio Pico for the peace and quiet of nature as well as to escape the day to day rush of the big cities. It is considered a "destination" RV Resort in southern California, and all members enjoy the hospitality of the staff. Pio Pico RV Resort offers a year round classic American food cafe at an affordable price.
Green Valley sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a creek which runs through the middle of the campground. The day use area offers sets of cascades and shallow pools, great for water play on hot days. Cuyamaca camping has 81 campsites. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. Restrooms with flush toilets and pay showers are in the campground. Water faucets a located every few campsites. There are no hookups. Each campground has a dump station. Firewood and ice may be purchased at the camps. Interpretive programs are offered during the summer season.
$40 / night
While the park does now have water, the showers remain closed. Water is limited, though, so please plan accordingly.
Caspers Wilderness Park is an 8,000 acre protected wilderness preserve nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. The park's many fertile valleys are overtly complemented by specimen groves of native Coastal Live Oak and magnificent stands of California Sycamore. These areas are further accentuated by seasonal wildflower displays and running streams. Wildlife is abundant and can be readily viewed from any of the park's numerous trails.
$20 - $25 / night
$25 - $45 / night
Dripping Springs campground is a wonderful campground adjacent to the Agua Tibia Wilderness.
Recreation in the area includes hiking, trail running, and backpacking.
The campground is adjacent to sensitive riparian habitat which is home to the endangered Arroyo Toad. The hills surrounding the campground are covered in southern California chaparral which is host to a diverse population of flora and fauna. The mountain tops above the campground are lined with coniferous forest.
The campground is directly adjacent to Agua Tibia Wilderness. This wilderness area includes a 20-mile hiking loop. The campground is also near Temecula, California, and the Temecula Wine Country.
$15 - $30 / night
Laguna Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Campers can enjoy cooler temperatures, unique natural areas and an extensive trail system at this mountain facility from summer through early fall.
The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is known for great horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking trails. Visitors can get their boots dusty on the Laguna Meadow Trail system or access a segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from California to the State of Washington. Wildflowers are usually abundant in April and May on the Big Laguna Trail, which takes visitors past Big Laguna Lake. In wet years there is water in Big Laguna Lake by December or January and ducks and other birds can be found. The trail presents a number of options to the user. A return to the trailhead parking can be made by cutting through the Laguna Campground or by taking the Pacific Crest Trail north. Families can learn about the area's flora and fauna by attending educational programs at the facility's amphitheater. Or for history buffs, the El Prado Cabin located at nearby El Prado Campground, is the first ranger cabin built in the Cleveland National Forest in 1911. The San Diego State University Observatory also sponsors "Star Parties" for campers most Saturday evenings during the summer (schedule can be obtained at the nearby visitor center or by calling 619-473-8547).
The campground sits at an elevation of 6,000 ft. in the Laguna Mountains. It is forested with pines and oaks that provide plenty of shade, in addition to a meadow. The area is home to many species of birds, as well as the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly. Little Laguna lake is located just a short distance from the campground and is an excellent hiking destination for photographers and visitors looking to explore the area.
$35 / night
$24 - $90 / night
Scout
Great campground for families. Lots of activities for the kids to do, like smores by the fire, art, splash pad, and play ground. Facility was clean
Ranger
I’m not sure you’ll find a campground like this anywhere else in California for $29/night with partial hookups. It was quiet and peaceful. Bathrooms could have used some attention. Not a fan of no toilet seats on the toilets.
Traveler
Super cute area, and much cooler since it’s a little higher altitude. Nice big sites and an entire loop with equestrian sites.
Pit toilets. One dumpster. Water.
I was there May 5, 2024 and the fee was $14.
GuideHad space 8 south lot.. perfect view stayed for 7 nights, yep had bugs some days lots of people some days none, ya you need tokens for shower but they were clean the water was hot..It was glamping as far as i was concerned , depending on how you wanter to camp.. i have stayed at KOA’s that charge a lot more and quality is a lot less.. Ranger patrols all night’ , helpful and friendly , wish i could park here every night of my trip I loved this place. Oh ya planes fly over this place.. and i am sure dome KOA also
GuideSITES:
The pads with full hookups offer nice city views. The place is very clean and quite.
Someone said there are major ant problems, but I didn't experience them. It did rain a bit when I was there.
SURROUNDING AREA:
The nearby reservoir is a good place to hike, bike, or run. The campground is connected directly to it. You are not allowed in the water.
There are shopping and restaurants nearby.
Is this a campground I would go visit just to go camping...probably not, as it offers nothing spectacular other than a place to park and hang out outdoors.
I booked here since we had a soccer game nearby and needed a safe place to park overnight.
TravelerWe loved camping at this park. Very neat and clean bathrooms. Fun areas for kids to play
Scout
My boyfriend and I love this campground! It’s gorgeous and filled with trees, the rangers are awesome and there’s several hiking trails nearby. We will definitely be back
Scout
Clean, pet friendly and good for kids.
ScoutSite #13 Electric - plenty of room for four people in two tents with two trucks. Not camping-camping but great for an overnight when you just need to sleep under the stars. They sell wood for $5. Only real con was that we encountered a tarantula and had to remove it from our camping area. Great place for kids first camping experience.
LegendTucked 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. If you stuck me in the middle of this park, I’d never know that I was miles away from the sprawl of suburbia of a major metropolitan area…shhh don’t tell anyone.
There are 3 campgrounds within this regional park -- one soley dedicated to RV's that require electrical hook-ups (Ortega Flats), a group campground (San Juan Meadow), and another which is a mix of tents and off-grid RVs (Live Oak). This review is specifically for the off-grid Live Oak Campground which s aptly named because you’ll find yourself enjoying the ample shade of these amazing arbors, but plenty of sun to run our solar powered system.
The campsites can be reserved but there is plenty of room for first-come first-served travelers as well. The sites offer enough space to tuck away a tent in the corner, or set up the longer trailer, as well as the typical picnic table and fire ring. Plenty of port o potties are scattered throughout the campground and served the large groups gathered here on Easter weekend. We indulged in making a fabulous brunch of Wood Fired Waffles to celebrate the holiday! As of April 2023, they were still experiencing a well water issue, so no water was available from the faucet, but the river running through the park was useful for obtaining water to wash dishes.
Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails meander throughout the park. The campground borders on a small creek for fishing, but is off-limits to wading and swimming because of the instability of the opposite bank. Keep an eye on the kids! Be sure to check out the volunteer-run Nature Center on the property which is full of great information about flora, fauna, and native history.
The closest store for firewood, and groceries is just a few miles back toward town. And, the closest beach is just about 30 minutes away, so a great option for a day trip.
ScoutVery nice gated and secure campground with many amenities.
Scout
I can’t believe how badly this park has deteriorated. On our last stay we saw so many weeds and potholes. The hot tubs seem to be broken all the time. Showers and bathrooms were filthy and rundown. Resort? How shameful. But worse than that are the rangers. They used to welcome us like we were members, paying customers. Not sure why they have such a hard time understanding that we pay their salaries. WE ARE THE CUSTOMERS. We were treated like we were unwanted guests. A new ranger named Christian is a cocky, arrogant kid. He clearly doesn’t want to work there and has no concept of customer service. We immediately asked for his manager and he didn’t care about how rude we were treated. The manager (Israel) only cared about flirting and gawking at another ranger who worked up in the activity center. There’s a married couple who work there selling memberships and he told me the management is terrible and the park is going down the tubes. He told me much of their staff is unhappy about how they are treated and many have quit. I asked why they don’t get new management and he said even his boss said the women managers are untouchable. He told me secretly that he was quitting too. I guess that’s why he unloaded on them. He told me about the sexual assaults in the park from illegal Mexicans coming across the border. He told me about the 4 convicted pedophiles living in the park and showed me Megan’s Law. It’s all true. You can see them walking around and their addresses listed on their profile on Megan’s Law is the RV Park. He told me about all the drugs on the north side of the park and that one ranger was dating a member there and violently assaulted her and she turned out to be a prostitute. He said the company and manger knew he was a meth addict and yet kept him there and swept it under the carpet. He also told me that the 3rd in charge(Jesus) had to go to counseling because he keeps sexually harassing the other staff and members and he is still doing it. He apparently is harassing the girl who works in the store now. And yet they still protect him and hide it. Seriously? You want us to pay to stay here? Until they start firing these incompetent and rude employees we won’t be coming back.
Guide
Me and my husband camped here for about five days we are in spot 42 lots of room back in plus pull in spots full hook ups has paddle boats fishing and spots to walk your dog
Scout
My family and I take a yearly camping trip and this is one of the sites that we regularly come to. We are a big group of 19 and find this place very comfortable and enjoy the trails. However, we will not be returning! A squatter had hijacked one of our reserved spots and the rangers have done nothing but give is the run around. They just allowed her to stay in our reserved spot the entire stay. The rangers just kept making excuses for the squatter. What was supposed to be a carefree week turned to a stressful and cramped week. They do not care about the campers and it clearly shows.
Scout
G-29 was a nice spot, and there is a lot to do and see in the surrounding area. Restrooms and facilities are clean, but there is no soap.
We visited post July 4th, so it was pretty quiet for the most part. Largest downside is the campsite is already warm by 8:30am, and hot by about 10.
Firewood is $8 from the camp host but we had trouble finding them our first night and had to drive an hour back and forth to Julian for wood.
RangerVery polite courteous no rude people here we enjoyed every minute of our week stay prices vary in how close to lake u r
TravelerLet me start by saying if you don't like sharing the site with your neighbor, kids and partying until the wee hours, this place may not be for you.
It's a very nice park like setting with a lake, actually a reservoir, so no swimming but, there are fish in it. $10 per day to fish. Very family friendly with a splash pad and playground for kids. Lots of kids!
They have full hookups with easy access but, the sites face each other and are very small. Privacy isn't an option.
It seems the camp store is one of the main attractions. Lots of people going back and forth to stock up and replenish.
In all, a nice place to overnight in a pinch but, that's about it.
Traveler
I have been staying in my rv full time for ten years. And this campground is absolutely the worst. Good: the lady who takes the reservations is very friendly at first. Bad: First day: check in. The spot is very difficult to get to up a hill. And small. Almost impossible to park. Plug in electricity. Sewer hookup was good. Screw on the water to their connection. And it breaks. Water flooding my site for 45 minutes before they shut it off. Maintenance guy on site comes and fixes it. Didn’t even try to hook up the water and on day 3 it breaks again. Spraying my rv with high pressure water again. Flooding inside. Water all over the electrical connection. So much water flooding my travel trailer starts sinking and sliding down the hill. Office doesn’t care. They come fix it again. This time it decides to hold until we are packing up our campsite. Then it blows water all over again. Told the office that they broke the jack on the front of my rv. Flooded my rv. The “nice” lady in the office now becomes very defensive telling me that they take accountability for nothing that happens at their rv park. So I call the company that owns the campground. Basically the same response. There is a very nice county rv park that is much less expensive right around the corner. Stay there and your trip will not end up being the nightmare that mine was. These guys ruined a great vacation. P.s. the lake is disgusting. Maintenance guy looks like he’s on drugs. And there are old tweeker trailers all over the park.
Guide
We stayed in April; the trails were closed due to the heavy rain this year. Imperial Beach is not the place for swimming. There’s a sign going in that says there’s chemicals and sewage in the water. You can camp here though and go north to other beaches.
Traveler
only open to camping Friday and Saturday night, great little campground to get away from the city…best to camp here in winter, early spring, gets hot in the summer months….amazing hiking Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing all around at Mission Trails Regional Park…
LegendNice basic county campground, everything is nice and new and clean. I think once the trees and bushes and things start to grow in, there will be a little bit of separation between the sites, but for now most sites are wide open.
The playground area is really cool, all the structures are made of wood and are all natural. Decent showers, you buy tokens from the ranger. There are nice trails and walking paths right from the campground. We didn’t walk to the beach because the area was flooded when we were there, but it appears that you can easily walk to the beach from the campground, it’s about 1.5 miles away.
Sites are all dry camping, no power or water at sites, and no dump station at campground. There are water spigots throughout the campground though to fill your jugs. There are yurts to rent, and some equestrian sites as well. The little loop off to the side is tents only.
You can see the border wall from the campground, and Verizon thought I was in Mexico when we arrived, haha. Good cell service with ATT and Verizon (not sure if Verizon switched me to the international plan during our stay there).
ScoutCampsites are clean, and most that I see have shade. Fire rings and tables on each site, T-Mobile signal, and supplies are a 30 min round trip if you forgot something. The Ranger was extremely friendly, and I appreciated our chat.
TravelerOverall a very pleasant stay. The campground is being updated and it’s very clean. Highly recommend.
Guidethis area is emaculately kept. we enjoyed roaming throughout the various areas of the Park. No water as of March 2023 but stable electricity and clean dump area
GuideThis campground is only open Friday-Sunday. Most of the sites were occupied but didn’t feel packed or overcrowded. Bathrooms were clean and had hot showers. Nice trails nearby and within the campground. The city of Santee was only 10 minutes away with plenty of stores and restaurants. Only complaint is the person next to us came back to their site at 4am and was loud. Overall great place to camp for the weekend!
Guide
Older park, sites gravel and not level. Bathrooms/laundry need updates/repair. Pool and hot tub. Accommodation based on sales pitch to join as a member.
TravelerWe stayed a short weekend on our first trip with our new to us travel trailer. Great location with all the amenities you need. The staff was great and the park felt safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Del Mar, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Del Mar, CA is Sweetwater Summit Regional Park with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Del Mar, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Del Mar, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
