Top Tent Camping near El Toro, CA

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near El Toro? Find the best information on tent camping near El Toro, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. From remote to easy-to-reach, these El Toro campsites are perfect for tent campers.

Best Tent Sites Near El Toro, CA (31)

    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground

    1. San Clemente State Beach Campground

    35 Reviews
    144 Photos
    742 Saves

    San Clemente State Beach camping is located at the south end of the city of San Clemente, California. The area around San Clemente is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish Colonial style architecture. The city slogan is "Spanish Village by the Sea." Visitors are attracted to the San Clemente area for its intense winds and dramatic location. San Clemente has been a California state beach since 1937 and is popular among water sport enthusiasts, and anyone who wishes to escape from inland heat and nearby metropolitan areas for the day. The beautiful mile long beach stretches between the curling ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff.

    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Cabins

    $45 - $300 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park

    2. China Camp State Park

    10 Reviews
    15 Photos
    144 Saves

    All campsites at China Camp Campground are HIKE-IN SITES for tent-camping only. Visitors must handcarry all equipment from the parking lot to the campsites. Campsites range from 50-300 yards from the parking lot. Eight persons maximum are allowed in each site. Check in time is 2pm or later and check out is Noon. Enroute camping is available for RV's with a grey water holding tank for one night only. No dump station or hook-ups are available. Enroute Camping is limited to space availability. Check in for enroute camping is 6pm and check out is 9am. A "Hike and Bike" site is available for those who travel to China Camp on foot or by bicycle.

    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group

    $35 - $175 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Cove Beach Cottages

    3. Crystal Cove Beach Cottages

    6 Reviews
    3 Photos
    214 Saves
    • Pets
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    Camper-submitted photo from Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

    4. Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    47 Photos
    532 Saves

    Silverwood Lake camping includes a table, BBQ and fire ring. These sites hold up to 8 persons including children and 3 vehicles. There are boat ramps and boat rentals on-site. You can fish Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Trout, Catfish, Bluegill, and Carp at the lake.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $45 - $350 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground

    5. Falcon Group Campground

    1 Review
    6 Photos
    29 Saves

    Overview

    Falcon Group Campground has three individual group campsites just off the scenic Ortega Highway in Southern California, which connects San Juan Capistrano and Temecula Valley Highway. The pleasant climate, scenery, trail system and convenient location, make this a popular destination for groups from Los Angeles and San Diego. Hiking is especially popular among campers.

    Recreation

    Hikers of any level can find trails that challenge and accommodate their recreational goals around the campground. Among them are the Falcon Trail, a 1.4-mile easy trail that connects to the campground, and Trabuco Canyon Trail, which provides scenic 6.8-mile hike into the backcountry. The San Juan Trial, which is popular with mountain bikers, has a trailhead at Blue Jay campground, adjacent from Falcon Group Campground. The trail climbs a very steep set of stacked switchbacks from the floor of Hot Springs Canyon and traverses briefly before steeply ascending a ridge toward Sugarloaf Mountain. There are also many ideal picnic spots and scenic overlooks along Ortega Highway.

    Natural Features

    The campground sits at an elevation of 3,300 ft. off the Ortega Highway scenic drive in the Santa Ana Mountains, a route that offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, valleys and forest. The area lies in a mixed forest and chaparral ecosystem and is inhabited by a variety of birds, plants and wildlife.

    Nearby Attractions

    The closest town is Lake Elsinore, which has various shops, restaurants and recreation opportunities.

    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group

    $120 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground

    6. Manker Campground

    12 Reviews
    26 Photos
    408 Saves

    Camp high in the clouds at Manker Flats Campground. This campground sits at 6000-feet and offers 21 campsites open year-round. However, piped-water is turned once temperatures reach freezing. Each site comes with a spacious spot for all your family camping needs and includes a picnic bench, fire ring, and vault toilets. It's located within a short drive to historic Mt. Baldy Schoolhouse and Visitor Center where visitors can discover the land's Native American roots. Close by, hikers have several options to begin their day's adventure including, Mt. Baldy Bowl trailhead. This trailhead can be combined with another major route, Devil's Backbone, to reach the summit (10,069') to form an impressive 11.3-mile loop hike. For the more casual hiker, a 1.4 mile round trip to the 75-foot San Antonio Falls is available. Bears are very active in this area, so it is recommended that all campers use provided bear boxes, personal bear canisters, or seal all food as to eliminate scent.

    • Pets
    • Electric Hookups
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Trash

    $12 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground

    7. Black Jack Campground

    8 Reviews
    16 Photos
    27 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground

    8. Two Harbors Campground

    10 Reviews
    63 Photos
    72 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hoegees Trail Camp Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hoegees Trail Camp Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hoegees Trail Camp Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hoegees Trail Camp Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hoegees Trail Camp Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hoegees Trail Camp Campground
Showing results 1-10 of 31 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews In El Toro

1088 Reviews of 31 El Toro Campgrounds


  • Jeff T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dixon Lake Campground
    Oct. 21, 2024

    Dixon Lake Campground

    Great forestry feel. And good price ($30)

    We stayed here multiple times to car camp and have stayed in sites 3, 6, and 28. We really enjoyed site 28 due to the spectacular views of Escondido. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because their can be some creepy people occasionally like some old guy was following my son in his car. But other than that we had a good stay. If you are in a camper I would recommend Escondido RV resort instead due to the more inviting feel (we stayed there in our Coleman travel trailer). But if you car camp a lot like myself I would recommend staying here at Dixon lake. Great stay overall👍😊

  • Brittany W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cherry Valley Lakes
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Cherry Valley Lakes

    Convenient Location for Seeing Family

    Staff all friendly and facilities while dated are kept very clean. Campers are respectful and quit at night but it’s a very noisy location right next to the freeway which took some getting used to the first few days.

  • Kyle F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Champagne Lakes RV Resort
    Sep. 17, 2024

    Champagne Lakes RV Resort

    REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS!

    Let's start off with the fact that this"resort" has REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS living there and TWEAKERS SELLING DRUGS. When I mentioned it to the management they could care less, didn't say a word and walked away laughing. They DO NOT perform ANY BACKGROUND CHECKS and especially with children in the park I find that very disturbing. They nickel and dime you for every little thing and the rent has gone up 3x in one year. The water supply smells like sewage when you take a shower. Because they do pump outs the resort smells like human excrement most of the time. The lakes are polluted as well and completely full of cyanobacteria AKA green algae which is a respiratory hazard. POTENTIAL BEWARE.

  • jennifer G.
    Camper-submitted photo from O'Neill Regional Park
    Sep. 1, 2024

    O'Neill Regional Park

    Great little campground in south OC!

    Clean, quiet campground located in one of the OC Parks, with plenty of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. I stayed here on a weekday, and there were a few couple of vacant campsites in my area, so it was an extremely quiet visit. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked for my stay. I didn’t use the showers since I was only staying one night, but I heard they were free!

    Rangers were very friendly and firewood was only $5 for a decent bundle that lasted me over 2 hours.

    The city of Rancho Santa Margarita is right up the hill, so you can grab food and any necessities if needed.

    My site backed to the creek, so I never had people walking through my campsite.

    My dog & I slept in my van, but there was room for multiple tents, and a decent amount of shade in my spot.

    My spot didn’t have its own water spigot, but there was one at a site across from me.

    I was fortunate that all of the campers around me were quiet and considerate. I know that it doesn’t always work out that way, and having obnoxious neighbors can really ruin your experience.

  • Anita A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bonelli Bluffs
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Bonelli Bluffs

    Less crowded ocale while visiting family nearby

    Visiting family in Santa Ana and LA. Not to far for them to come to us and all to go to beach. Park clean and well maintained, personnel very kind and friendly Beautiful view from our site on area B. Crowded on weekend, much less during week Campground is not associated to adjacent Frank Bonelli Regional. Charge $12 to enter with vehicle but no fee to ride in on bikes

  • Kim N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Cove State Park Primitive
    Aug. 24, 2024

    Crystal Cove State Park Primitive

    beautiful beach

    Clean dump station, beautiful sites, very strict on rules. We came 10 minutes early before check in time, they made us wait. Campsite comes with wifi but very weak. We have t mobile and had bad reception. Would come back again for beautiful views, small hike, sandy beaches with lots of sand crabs.

  • Michael W.
    Camper-submitted photo from The Secret Place
    Aug. 19, 2024

    The Secret Place

    Peaceful, Private, Beautiful

    Although we booked a campsite, it felt more like we were invited to Mazen's home. He was communicative and responsive, happily answered all of our questions, and was beyond generous. I can't say enough about the beautiful views of Lake Elsinore! We can't wait to visit this campground again!

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Bolsa Chica State Beach
    Aug. 14, 2024

    Bolsa Chica State Beach

    Beach view

    The parking lot is next to the beach on the one side but also next to the highway on the other side. So the view and the breeze is beautiful, but the traffic noise in the evening and morning is not so nice. With earplugs everything is fine! ;) The host Jim is very kind and helpful!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Aug. 12, 2024

    San Clemente State Beach Campground

    Camping

    It was overall a nice campsite. Our site seemed to be pretty large it came with a picnic table & fire pit. The walk to the beach was close seemed maybe about 10 minute till we reached the beach from our site. It is on a hill you need to walk down & back up. The only down side was the bathrooms on the same road as our site were pretty dirty did not seem to have any maintenance during our stay.

  • IThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Secret Place
    Jul. 29, 2024

    The Secret Place

    Friendly, knowledgeable and respectful hosts, best views I have ever experienced.

    We couldn't find any campgrounds, after calling multiple places we came across "The Secret Place". They have the best views I have ever experienced! Especially during sunset and as the city lights start to twinkle. Very nice and quiet place. No full hookups, but good bathrooms and showers available. The camp host was knowledgeable about the area and recommended great things to do. Very helpful, very respectful and very friendly. Will definitely stay here again, made our honeymoon trip very memorable! A+ recommend.

  • Madisyn L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Woods Valley Kampground
    Jul. 28, 2024

    Woods Valley Kampground

    So beautiful, quiet, and very nice employees !!

    My fiancé and I were last minute camping and this campground was beautiful, quiet, and very aesthetic! There is a lot to do near by, a very convenient store about 5-10 minutes away called valley center foods! Employees were sooo sweet and friendly! DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! Ps isn’t that expensive when tent camping ⛺️ 🙌🏻

  • Bo L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Oceanside RV Park
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Oceanside RV Park

    Solid spot for being near the beach

    Nice little site that is right in the middle of everything.

    It's crowded and you don't have much space, but if your using this instead of a hotel room it works great.

    It had a game room and pool so kids had something to do. There were families all over with kids riding bikes. We had a quick stay over while we were seeing family in the area and it worked great .

    Only issue we had is both entrances have a hell of a dip, we scraped the ass end real good going in and out with our 24ft class c.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Jay Campground
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Blue Jay Campground

    Hidden gem

    Awesome spot, lots of sights and some even have overlooks of the entire park. Can get crowded but no one was there on a Friday night in July. Bathrooms, trash, water and even buckets to fill to put out your fire. Fire pits, benches and grills nothing more you could want.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Olive Dell Ranch
    Jul. 12, 2024

    Olive Dell Ranch

    Olive Dell Resort

    I have been a member of this place for 20+ years.

    Most times if someone has a problem at the front gate. It because of the many background checks and or any one of the Screening Process...

    The previous review does not mention anything about that factor???? I wonder why??

  • merlinda M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lupine Campground
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Lupine Campground

    Came across this place on a whim

    After trying to find an escape from the fireworks and trying campgrounds in surrounding areas to this one and all of them being full, we just kept driving (ended up off-roading) and found this hidden jem. Quite, dark, and one dirt road in n out. No amenities besides a picnic table & fire pit. There's an outhouse, but it's pretty gross..

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Jul. 3, 2024

    Manker Campground

    Mankers campground

    We spent 3days and 2nights here and enjoyed our stay, the caretaker was so nice! Although the restroom are very dirty but overall it was a great stay!

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Carlsbad State Beach
    Jun. 19, 2024

    South Carlsbad State Beach

    Nice Camground!

    Nice campground. Mostly no hookups, but has toilets and fresh water throughout. Great little restaurant serving pizza and snacks over looking the ocean. Beach access. Lots of sites.

  • Vincent B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from San Mateo Campground—San Onofre State Beach
    Jun. 10, 2024

    San Mateo Campground—San Onofre State Beach

    Nice spots with shade, clean facilities

    Site had tree cover which had some nice shade to provide relief from the sun. Lots of room for a couple vehicles and tents. Clean bathrooms and showers, but we stayed midweek and the place was very, very minimally occupied. Good access to walking and biking trails.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dogwood
    Jun. 6, 2024

    Dogwood

    Beautiful and Clean

    The place is clean and quiet. Our camp site was very spacious, and it was easy to back in our teardrop trailer. Restroom was cleaned every day, but wished there was some sort of light in there. It is dark in there even in the day. Camp hosts are friendly and knowledgeable. Overall, we had a really great time, my wife and I and our two labradors. We will return.

  • Andre V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Dogwood
    May. 30, 2024

    Dogwood

    Nice little Mountain Getaway

    The campground is located in some lush pines In Angeles forest. It’s nothing too spectacular but well maintained and a pretty area. Most of the sites are spaced out fairly decently. I would recommend for a quick one or two night escape from the city.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest
    May. 29, 2024

    Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest

    Great place

    I had a positive impression of this small campground, located just 5-7 miles away from the 215 highway, amidst natural surroundings. I can join many activities here such as playing merge fruit. However, I was taken aback to discover that the campground was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It would be great if they were open full-time, although it didn't affect our stay as we had planned to leave by Monday night. While the bathroom facilities could benefit from some renovations, the actual campsite itself was quite enjoyable. Despite a previous reviewer mentioning that the road near the campground was busy, we personally didn't find it bothersome as there were only occasional cars passing by during the day, and the traffic volume was relatively light during our visit



Guide to El Toro

Camping near El Toro, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family getaway or a peaceful retreat, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Bonelli Bluffs remarked, "Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen."
  • Privacy Between Sites: Many campgrounds, such as San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach, offer spacious sites with trees for privacy. One happy camper shared, "There are mature trees between every campsite that provide privacy."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A reviewer at O'Neill Regional Park said, "Rangers were very friendly and firewood was only $5 for a decent bundle."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Doheny State Beach Campground noted, "Right on the ocean. Kind of crowded!"
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park doesn't allow fires, which might be a downside for some.
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Newport Dunes RV Resort mentioned, "The reservation process was not easy."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places with amenities for kids. Prado Regional Park offers playgrounds and sports fields. A reviewer said, "Very large park with something for everyone."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and pillows for a cozy experience. A family at Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground enjoyed their stay, saying, "Great overall experience."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can be loud, so have a backup plan for quiet activities. A camper at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park noted, "It’s gorgeous and filled with trees."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campground's site dimensions. A visitor at Bonelli Bluffs mentioned, "The sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes."
  • Bring Your Own Wi-Fi: Some campgrounds have limited internet access. A camper at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park suggested, "If you need that, you must have your own."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular RV parks can get busy. A reviewer at Newport Dunes RV Resort said, "It’s a huge campground. Short term and long term sites. Sites are very tight."

Camping near El Toro, California, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you want to relax by the beach or explore nature, there are plenty of options to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near El Toro, CA is San Clemente State Beach Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 35 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near El Toro, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.