Best Tent Camping near El Cajon, CA

Tent camping opportunities around El Cajon, California range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites within an hour's drive. Kumeyaay Lake Campground in Mission Trails Regional Park offers tent-specific sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while dispersed camping options like Pine Creek Road Camp and Kitchen Creek Road provide more secluded experiences in Cleveland National Forest. For hikers seeking remote tent sites, Corte Madera Mountain offers backcountry camping at 4,657 feet with permit requirements.

Most tent campgrounds near El Cajon require advance preparation regarding amenities and regulations. Kumeyaay Lake provides clean restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, but operates only Friday through Sunday nights. Primitive tent sites at Pine Creek Road Camp feature no facilities but allow alcohol, unlike city-managed campgrounds. Backcountry tent camping at Corte Madera Mountain requires a free permit from the ranger station, with no water available on site. Walk-in tent sites typically offer more privacy but necessitate carrying gear short distances from parking areas.

The tent camping experience varies significantly with location and elevation. Sites closer to San Diego like Kumeyaay Lake offer an urban wilderness experience with extensive hiking trails directly accessible from tent sites. One camper noted, "There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things." More remote tent sites provide greater solitude - Pine Creek Road dispersed camping features spots spaced up to a mile apart, with some tucked away from the road offering excellent tree coverage. Higher elevation backcountry sites like Corte Madera Mountain provide panoramic views but require continuous uphill hiking to reach the summit camping area. A backpacker described the experience as "a quick, quiet getaway with views over Lake Morena area and the desert as you climb."

Best Tent Sites Near El Cajon, California (16)

    1. Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    20 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    5 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. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm

    2 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    13 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.  "

    3. The Eyrie Farm

    1 Review
    Ramona, CA
    19 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!"

    4. Corte Madera Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Guatay, CA
    21 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
    23 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. Pine Creek Road Camp

    6 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    29 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."

    7. Kitchen Creek Road

    4 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    29 miles

    8. YMCA Camp Surf

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

    9. Julian Hideaway

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

    $80 - $50 / night

    10. Bow Willow Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    5 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 767-5311

    "We set up quickly and enjoyed ourselves a walk around the site. Not too many trailheads around and it was very hot and dry but we enjoyed it."

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Tent Camping Reviews near El Cajon, CA

1014 Reviews of 16 El Cajon Campgrounds


  • Trip Over Life
    May. 28, 2018

    Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Anza-Borrego campground with primitive cabins and tent sites

    Tamarisk Grove Campground is about 20 minutes south of Borrego Springs. It sits next to the highway but there’s minimal traffic so it isn’t terribly loud. There are tent sites as well as primitive cabins. Each site has a fire ring and table. There are also flush toilets and paid showers. There is no potable water at this campground - be sure to bring your own. The cabins are simple structures with platforms for sleeping. There are no amenities in the cabins - no electric, no water, no mattress, no linens, etc.

    The campground is across the street from both the Cactus Loop and Yaqui Well trail heads. We recommend the short Cactus Loop hike over the Yaqui Well hike. Go at sunset to catch the cholla cacti backlit by the sunset.

  • 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.

  • Javier L.
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Palomar Mountain State Park Campground

    Southern California- Quick Getaway

    This park is great for all Southern California natives to get away for the weekend. Has clean facilities and the campgrounds have ample space between them. This area has a ton of beautiful landscape, during the fall/winter wonderful foliage appears. Leave no trace & enjoy our lands!

  • Ryan W.
    Jul. 16, 2016

    Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    The Desert in Spring is beautiful and terrifying.

    We went to Culp Valley in April just in time to explore the Anza-Borrego State Park during an especially rainy desert season. There were wildflowers everywhere and despite high heat during the day it was so bad you felt like you were in the desert. It's a beautiful time to explore. There is a small city just outside the park where you can get any need supplies, lunch or do some antique/thrifting.

    The campground is just West of the state park and at a higher elevation. The sites are first come first serve, and best of all they are FREE! The ground is sand and rock, and outside of clean vault toilets there are no amenities. We had a decent spot with three tents set up and brought our own fire ring. No fires allowed outside a fire ring/pit you bring along. It's a smaller campground and is well known in SoCal but if you arrive before afternoon you'll usually find a spot.

    Because of it's location on hill it is subject to gusty winds. Keep that in mind. You will get dusty and check the weather so you set up camp facing away from the wind or you'll get a full tent of sand. The night we were there most recently they broke wind gust records which was unexpected. It was a long night of whooshing wind coming up and over the desert hills before slamming into our tent at speeds nearing tornado strength. That sucked but that was more our fault than the campgrounds.

    It's less of a leisure camping spot and there were no big RVs the times we visited. There is a reservable state park campsite nearby if you need more amenities.

    This area is know for it's stargazing and the night sky in the desert is incredible. The lights from the nearest town are blocked by the rock.

  • 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.

  • Jen D.
    Oct. 23, 2018

    Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Free Desert Camping!

    Free camping! Located off the S22, border of Anza Borrego,just 3.5 miles past the town of Ranchita. If you keep going down the hill you'll hit Borrego Springs. Keep an eye out for the Culp Valley Camp sign because otherwise there isn't much indication. Barely any service so make sure you prepare well for an extended stay. It does extremely windy here, especially in early fall with the Santa Ana winds. Hot during day, frigid at night. It's primitively camping so No water, picnics tables, fire rings, and charcoal grills, but vault toilets and ground to put a tent on are available. In Culp Valley there is TONS of boulders to climb; varying from beginner v0's to advanced bouldering. Check out mountain project to check out some routes or just go spot out some of your own! This is place is definetly worth a weekend trip, but Shhh try to keep it a secret. ;) 

    Campground coordinates: 33.220541, -116.458858 (33° 13′ 13.94″N 116° 27′ 31.88″W)

  • 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.


Guide to El Cajon

Tent campsites near El Cajon, California range from primitive sites at elevations of 3,000-5,000 feet to lowland desert campgrounds within an hour's drive. The region features a mix of chaparral, oak woodland, and desert landscapes that can experience temperature variations of 30°F between day and night in higher elevations. Camping opportunities span from developed sites with amenities to remote dispersed locations requiring permits.

What to do

Hiking desert palm groves: Bow Willow Primitive Campground in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offers access to several desert trails. "There's a nice hike to a palm grove," notes camper Stephen B., highlighting the natural attractions near this first-come, first-served campground.

Disc golf on private land: GoodVibes Ranch & Farm features a professional disc golf course on their 150-acre property. Andrew A. shares, "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."

Pool and recreation: Some campgrounds offer unexpected recreational amenities. At GoodVibes Ranch & Farm, campers can enjoy billiards. "Did I mention they have a full size professional pool table? Turns out Bernie and Carolyn are professional pool players too!" reports Andrew A., highlighting unique activities beyond traditional camping.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Pine Creek Road Camp offers dispersed camping with significant space between sites. Sheridan S. explains, "The camping spots are not close together... separated by up to a mile. I saw only 1 other spot with campers, at least 2.5 miles from my site."

Clean facilities: Kumeyaay Lake Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers. Pablo T. notes, "The site was great and the showers and bathrooms were a big plus. Reservations were easy to make," highlighting the convenience of this more developed option.

Urban escape without long drives: Tent sites at Kumeyaay Lake Campground provide an accessible getaway. Rafael R. states it's a "Great place to camp for a short weekend. Close to the city. Very affordable!" making it suitable for quick overnight trips from El Cajon.

What you should know

Permit requirements: For dispersed camping at Pine Creek Road Camp, advance planning is necessary. Nani D. advises, "Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit, filled out the form, and got it back in the same day." Always carry printed permits for forest service lands.

Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving. For Pine Creek Road Camp, Gabriel S. reports, "Quite easy to get to. I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road)." However, Sheridan S. cautions about "single lane mountain roads...with some sections that are on sheer cliff edges with very few turn-off spots."

Weather considerations: Kitchen Creek Road camping can be impacted by seasonal conditions. Amanda M. notes, "Went during a very rainy season. So it could definitely be attributed to the time of year," suggesting campers check weather forecasts before heading to dispersed sites.

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: For families with young children, some campgrounds offer ideal settings. At Kumeyaay Lake Campground, Katie O. says it's "Perfect campground located right in San Diego. Great for families with small kids and there are many close trails."

Wildlife awareness: Parents should prepare children for possible wildlife encounters. Katie O. warns about Kumeyaay Lake: "beware of rattlesnakes. they are everywhere during the summer," reminding families to teach proper wilderness safety.

Educational opportunities: Corte Madera Mountain provides learning experiences about local ecosystems. While this is a hike-in site requiring more preparation, Elsye W. describes seeing "great views over the Lake Morena area and the desert as you climb," offering natural science opportunities for older children.

Tips from RVers

Site spacing considerations: At Corral Canyon Campground, RVers can find unusual solitude. Andrew C. shares, "Saturday night in May. 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."

Road access limitations: Pine Creek Road Camp has limitations for larger vehicles. Ruben notes, "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! Roads are PAVED, I think thats new because I don't remember that last year."

Water availability: RVers should note most dispersed camping areas near El Cajon lack water hookups. At Bow Willow Primitive Campground, Sheila S. confirms there's "No water, $20 per nite with vault toliet and trash," reminding campers to bring sufficient water supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near El Cajon, CA?

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

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

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near El Cajon, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.