Glamping near El Centro, CA

Glamping Reviews near El Centro, CA

32 Reviews of 4 El Centro Campgrounds

• L

  Lisa F.

  Guide

  Oct. 14, 2026

  BOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY

  A last minute stay that worked out

  We had a last minute need for a stay in this area and found this off the beaten path KOA.

  Frontline staff was very accommodating. The site I initially picked was too sloped for us so we were able to change (it was October and not busy).

  It seemed like there were more long term, unoccupied rigs there than occupied ones so it was very quiet.

  The bathrooms were old but clean. We didn’t use the showers or laundry so can’t comment on those.

  We liked that there wasn’t freeway noise like so many other KOAs and would stay there again but not in the heat of summer.

• C

  Crystal M.

  Traveler

  Jul. 26, 2026

  BOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY

  Don't be fooled by the KOA name

  Same ownership, same deep disappointment. Do not be fooled by the rebranding. I genuinely hate writing this because this property has so much natural potential, but I cannot believe it currently carries the KOA name. I did my homework before booking and hoped that becoming a KOA meant things had improved. They have not. It is the same management, the same issues, and the same disregard for guests—just under a new label. To start with the positives: the frontline staff are kind and clearly doing their best. Unfortunately, they are completely undermined by the owner’s behavior, which sets the tone for the entire experience. 

  We paid extra for an RV site advertised with a patio table and chairs. We got neither—just a small, wobbly picnic table in direct desert sun. The pool is nice, but closes far too early for the heat. The hot tub was broken, which was especially disappointing since we were looking forward to stargazing at night. The laundry facilities should have been avoided (the main reason we paid to stay). The coin-operated washers left our clothes dirtier than when they went in—covered in sandy residue and grime. Now we have to spend more time and money rewashing everything. I also want to call out something I saw in Google reviews because it aligns with our experience: people mentioned issues with shower curtains being off or unusable. In our case, there were no curtains at all—and the showers are unventilated (add desert heat). So yes, those reviews are accurate. 

  Another surprise: the "meditation labyrinth” and small farm area (ostrich, pigs, goats) are no longer free. The owner also runs the adjacent Harvest Host and now charges for what used to be included perks. Add in the smell in the desert heat, and it’s not exactly appealing. 

  And then there’s the owner. We had a minor issue and called the after-hours number around 9:30 PM. An employee was already handling it when the owner took the phone and yelled at us for“making him get out of bed,” then offered to“kick us out with a refund”(which we never asked for). It felt like a power play, not a solution. Completely unprofessional. If you manage to avoid him, you might get through your stay—but based on our experience and many others on Google, that’s a gamble. This property could be amazing. But until ownership or management changes, it’s a poorly run park hiding behind a reputable name. Avoid.

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• 

  Bill R.

  Ranger

  Feb. 27, 2024

  Agua Caliente County Park Campground

  A funky little San Diego County campground with a hot spring

  Camped here for three nights in March of 2019, in one of the partial hookup sites close to the pool. According to the map of the CG, there are 104 sites and 7 cabins. Partial hookups are closest to the pool/shower area, with full hookups and cabins farther back and tent sites in the middle.  

  it seemed to be a well run facility. It was cool, cloudy and wet from recent rains when we were there and our site had a tiny stream running through it. Some sites, including ours, were not too level. The pool was not what I'd call "hot", probably in the mid to high 90s. 

  There's a couple short trails in the park, we hiked Moonlight Canyon. We really enjoyed it!! A bit like a lunar landscape with wild desert plants and flowers. The highlight was seeing some desert bighorn sheep!

  A small store sits just outside the park entrance and though it was small, it seemed to have at least one of everything you could possibly need, including my favorite Colorado  beer, Fat Tire!!

  This park has a lot of rules, some quite unusual. Probably a good idea to familiarize yourself with them before you head out.

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• R

  Robert H.

  Guide

  May. 21, 2023

  BOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY

  Top of the lot!

  This is a quiet well ran facility. It has the best drinking water pumped from the mountain aquifers. Every building is relatively new and the showers, laundry and common building facilities are in top notch condition. The staff and the owner are genuinely friendly and have the best of attitudes about the grounds and one’s stay. I can’t say enough about how pleasant our 4 day stay was. It’s unique in that there is not the usual highway road noise we experience at most KOAs.

• N

  Name

  Scout

  Apr. 11, 2023

  Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort

  In the desert - a fountain

  Nice people, mainly for during the winter here.

  SPA and pool is nice - but no fire allowed. We took the cheapest side for 39. But they also have some with a table and more atmosphere.

  dirt camp is 30.

• 

  cal K.

  Ranger

  Jan. 20, 2023

  Agua Caliente County Park Campground

  Large campground with lots of amenities

  Lots going on here but felt peaceful midweek in Jan. 3 spring-fed pools, hot showers quarter operated, clean flush toilet bathrooms, water, hiking trails and ample roads to walk the dog on. Mountain lion country - be alert. Friendly rangers. Clean facilities and well-kept grounds. Horseshoe pits and large group picnic areas. Cute cabins for rent - no pets allowed in those. Will definitely visit again. Many of the tent sites are close together - if the campground was full you’d have little privacy but it’s a large place and there were hardly any tent campers when I was there, though more RVs and vans in the hookup section. Tent site 106 is very private. I liked 109 it was in a kind of bird thicket with privacy from the road etc.

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• 

  Brian B.

  Guide

  Nov. 27, 2022

  BOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY

  Tranquility on the ranch

  My wife and I have been full-time RVing here for a little over a month. This is not your typical KOA. It’s off the beaten path of I-8. To get here you take some very windy roads, bigger rigs will take up most the road. Almost all sites are back-in with little site definition.

  The view of the night sky is to die for!!! Lots of walking trails and a meditation labyrinth to collect your thoughts. All to the sound of ranch animals meandering through their day.

  Definitely worth checking out!

• M

  Matt

  Traveler

  Jun. 2, 2022

  Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort

  Great, Clean Campground for Winter Fun

  I've spent many weekends at this resort over the last 15 years or so, visiting my grandparents that lived here in the winter. Tons of activities, clean and quiet, such a wonderful spot!

• J

  Justin C.

  Guide

  Jan. 1, 2022

  BOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY

  Super nice owners, interesting area

  This new koa is under new management and they are really trying to make it a memorable experience for you and your kids. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but it’s a beautiful part of San Diego county.

  Amenities include a mini petting Zoo and things like a hayride in warmer weather. The facility is gated which felt like a great thing I didn’t know I needed. Facility is at 4000 feet.