Campgrounds surrounding El Cajon sit between 400-900 feet elevation in the eastern San Diego region, where summer temperatures typically range from 85-100°F with minimal rainfall. Winter camping offers milder 60-70°F daytime temperatures, with overnight lows sometimes dropping to 40°F. Most sites require advance reservations, especially during peak spring and fall seasons when mild weather attracts the largest crowds.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Jennings allows fishing from the shore near campsites, particularly around sunrise and sunset. "We stayed in site 91 for 4 nights from Monday to Thursday night while the campground was pretty empty. Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing and made for the perfect vista from our RV bed," notes reviewer Moriah M. at Lake Jennings.
Water activities: Fiddlers Cove RV Park provides water recreation with boat and equipment rentals. "Adjacent to the marina, so many boats, kayaks and watercraft are available for rent," according to Chuck T., making it ideal for water enthusiasts. The park's location offers direct water access without requiring transportation to recreational areas.
Hiking trails: Dos Picos County Park features accessible trails suitable for various skill levels. "The campground itself is nestled within a beautiful park, offering a tranquil and scenic backdrop," writes Colleen D. The park's trail system accommodates both casual walkers and more experienced hikers, with most routes under 3 miles round-trip.
What campers like
Heated pool amenities: Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay features resort-style facilities with swimming options. "Large pool area. Splash pad for the little ones, bar for the bigger ones, activities poolside and HUGE TV! Food service as well," describes yawkub. The pool area remains open year-round with heated water during cooler months.
Privacy options: Some sites at Lake Jennings offer natural separation from neighboring campers. "Our particular site even had useful shrubbery on each side to create a quasi sense of privacy between sites," mentions Moriah M. The preferred view sites typically provide increased separation from other campers.
Convenience store access: Several campgrounds maintain on-site shops for basic supplies. "This campground has the most amenities we've encountered at a campsite. It even has electric tent hookups for the technology inclined!" notes Sarah B. about San Diego Metro KOA, which stocks camping essentials and grocery basics.
What you should know
Traffic noise levels: Many campgrounds experience highway noise throughout the day and night. "The 8 freeway runs behind it so it's extremely noisy at all hours," warns Douglas T. about Circle RV Resort. Consider requesting sites furthest from major roads when making reservations.
Military aircraft flyovers: Sweetwater Summit Regional Park experiences regular aircraft traffic. "It is under the San Diego Airport glide path for incoming flights. So yeah, a little more city than some other campgrounds," explains Baja H. Military helicopters also frequently fly over Lake Jennings campground.
Internet connectivity: Cell reception varies significantly between campgrounds. "Internet service was great for Verizon. We got 23 Mbps with 3 bars of 4G LTE unboosted, and 69 Mbps with 5 bars using a simple MIMO antenna," reports Moriah M. about Lake Jennings. Many campgrounds offer Wi-Fi near central facilities but not necessarily at individual sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve offers multiple recreational areas for children. "Feed the ducks, fish, ride the pedal boats. It's an awesome place for a day outside!" recommends Taylor. The preserve maintains seven lakes with shoreline play areas and organized activities during summer months.
Water play options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near El Cajon feature water recreation for kids. "The fishing lakes and best indoor walking paths are a bonus," notes Cassandra P. at Santee Lakes, which also maintains a seasonal splash park from April through October.
Safety considerations: Some water areas require extra supervision. "Watch out for the geese! We come here once a week to feed the ducks with my nephews. We've come to this lake my whole life. Don't come here alone and I wouldn't go at dark either," cautions Taylor about Lake Jennings.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Dos Picos County Park provides partial hookups with centralized dump facilities. "You have to drive to the RV dump to dump. It's close but you don't have the convenience to dump at your site," explains Linda R. The dump station requires separate scheduling during busy periods.
Site levelness: Many El Cajon area pet-friendly campgrounds feature varying terrain. "Some sites need much leveling. I know which site to reserve next time!!" advises Jessica M. about Lake Jennings. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended, particularly for sites along hillsides.
Reservation timing: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "We did give in and stayed during the week. On Friday morning when we had to leave there was empty sites all around us," reports Mike G. about Santee Lakes, noting weekend availability is much more limited than weekday options.
