Best Campgrounds near Escondido, CA

Camping options around Escondido, California range from developed facilities to more rustic experiences within a short drive of the city. Dixon Lake Campground, located within city limits, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with views overlooking the lake and city lights. Several miles south, Dos Picos County Park provides similar amenities in a more secluded setting. The area's campgrounds typically feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water, with most sites accommodating both tent and RV camping.

Reservations are strongly recommended for all developed campgrounds in the region, particularly during spring and summer weekends when facilities often reach capacity. The climate remains mild year-round, making camping possible in all seasons, though summer temperatures can exceed 90°F. Most campgrounds in the area maintain clean restroom facilities and showers, with varying levels of hookups for RVs. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, even at more remote sites. A camper at Dixon Lake noted, "This is one of my favorite campgrounds in San Diego County. The campground is located within the city of Escondido but you feel you are not in the city."

Campers frequently mention the contrast between urban proximity and natural settings as a key advantage of the area's campgrounds. Dixon Lake sites positioned along the ridge offer particularly popular views of both the lake and city lights at night. Wildlife sightings, including raccoons and coyotes, are common at campgrounds throughout the region. Visitors should secure food properly, especially during warmer months when yellow jackets can be problematic at some sites. Several campgrounds in the area serve as convenient baselines for day trips to nearby attractions, including beaches approximately 30 minutes west or mountain hiking trails to the east. As one visitor described their experience at Dixon Lake, "A gem so close to home! This was a perfect place to get away that's not a far drive."

Best Camping Sites Near Escondido, California (280)

    1. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    77 Reviews
    Carlsbad, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 438-3143

    $50 - $650 / night

    "If you’re headed to San Diego, be sure to stop and check out Carlsbad just off of the 5. this awesome beach town is quintessential Southern California beach awesomeness and it is absolutely gorgeous."

    "One of best beach campgrounds in California. Beach is right there next to camping. Restroom and shower are clean even though too many people there"

    2. Dixon Lake Campground

    24 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 839-4045

    $39 - $50 / night

    "We really enjoyed site 28 due to the spectacular views of Escondido."

    "The campground is located within the city of Escondido but you feel you are not in the city."

    3. Dos Picos County Park

    35 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "The creek eventually flows into a pond located on the other end of the campground. The pond is actually pretty large! Lots of space to walk around and explore."

    "The missus and I decided to do a midweek overnight escape and chose Dos Picos Park due to its close proximity. Great little campground with partial (electricity & water) hookups."

    4. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    38 Reviews
    Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 753-5091

    $50 - $520 / night

    "If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."

    "It's classic California beach camping. Spots are fairly close together, and it's more like a parking lot than a campground. That said, the beach is great, and the river mouth is great for surfing."

    5. Escondido RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 239-5273

    "I recently had the pleasure of staying at Escondido RV Resort and I can confidently say it was a fantastic experience."

    "Escondido was there for us when all the other parks weren't. I was so happy they could fit us in without reservations, especially during the fourth of July."

    6. Guajome Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 724-4489

    $29 - $35 / night

    "For the price of full hook up ($35) in a location so close to the beach, I call it a win. It was beautiful with a pond and walking paths. There were many dogs and we saw horses on the paths too."

    "Flush toilets available and a nice nature walk around a lake. The park was a great/affordable base camp for nearby Legoland amusement park."

    7. Woods Valley Kampground

    8 Reviews
    Valley Center, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 749-2905

    "My family owns a 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia since 2020 and use The Dyrt to find hidden gems near our home for weekend camping."

    "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!!"

    8. La Jolla Indian Campground

    20 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 742-1297

    $40 - $120 / night

    "You can camp next to it as well and get in! It’s $35 per car they do have military discount. The total of $32 with discount. They also have porta potties every few 500 feet."

    "The spot we initially reserved was located on the little river, but once we got there, we realized we were a little too packed in with the rest of the visitors, so we requested to move to a more open spot"

    9. Lake Jennings

    33 Reviews
    Lakeside, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 390-1623

    $35 - $140 / night

    "This location is a hidden gem in the outskirts of the city."

    "We had scoped this out as a wintering location for my snowbird dad, and I always remembered how powerfully silence of that hillside had impacted me... finally camped there- it was lovely!"

    10. Del Mar Beach Cottages

    10 Reviews
    Encinitas, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 725-4640

    $35 - $65 / night

    "The campsites are small but it is clean and family friendly also located right on a big beautiful beach. You must have a military ID to camp here, you can have alcohol on the beach but no glass."

    "But being that close to the ocean was wonderful! You just can’t beat falling asleep to ocean waves!"

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Recent Reviews near Escondido, CA

1647 Reviews of 280 Escondido Campgrounds


  • Mike M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Pinezanita RV Park & Campground

    Scenic campground with great staff

    Wonderful sites nestled in the Oak trees, grounds are very well kept you can see a lot of work and attention went into them. Don’t come expecting to find any level ground and the way the sites are arranged it’s kind of like an RV challenge course, so bring your A game. I would definitely camp here again though.

  • Stephanie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Roadside Pulloff in Pine Valley

    Pine Valley, CA Roadside Pulloff

    Beautiful spot to pull over and car camp! T-mobile had 3 bars with 5G. No amenities (other than a picnic table), so pack out what you pack in. The location was just a pull off, not a full on camp site. There are hiking trails nearby (Cottonwood Creek Trail is the closest). The spot overlooks the mountains and the valley. Quiet spot with few cars stopping by for sunset, but that was it.

  • Emily L.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Crane Lakeside Mobile Home Park & RV Resort

    Horrible experience!

    Came to this park to relax, and was was kept awake all night by the sound of several cats fighting outside. Why wouldn't management do something about the stray cats? Just to see this many cats makes this park feel urban or ghetto. Great park if you don't need to sleep...

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Oak Grove Campground

    Quiet, small and dark... simple camping.

    A great little hidden site with not much to offer but stargazing, fresh air and nice campers. My 2nd trailer camping trip was 1 night and it was awesome, plenty of stars and the Milky Way was so clear... years since I've seen it. Non hook ups but there is water throughout the grounds, plenty of wildlife birds, I had a bluejay sing for me all day. Clean restrooms... and red ants. Loved my space so I'll be getting it again.

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Dos Picos County Park

    A family fun zone site.

    Nice site I stayed 1 night with W/E hook ups, my first time with my new camper trailer. It was ok, trailer spaces were tight but have plenty of tall trees, not much privacy. My space was next to a rec center to have a security light on all night, more stars than the city and the moon looked good in my telescope. Overall decent site, didn't have time to enjoy the hike, fishing or park.

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Borrego Palm Canyon Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Open Desert Fun

    October 4th stay was new to me, my 3rd trailer camping trip from San Diego. It was nice and warm at arrival and cool by the moonlit night with the gnats going away until morning. No one was next to me so I had it good, most were tent camper and quiet by 10pm... great views. Shack guard was nice and helpful... I liked this site.

  • Karen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    San Clemente State Beach Campground

    Ant Infestation !

    If they would simply notify campers upon check in of the SIGNIFICANT SEASONAL ANT INFESTATION, it could have alleviated us waking up with ants crawling on our faces in the morning. They sell diatomaceous earth for $10. And we carry it already, but all we could do was go to WAR with the ants to contain the outbreak in our camper. BTW, we carry NO food inside the camper. Had to go to 2 hardware stores to get supplies and spend significant time eradicating only 95%. SO Disappointed. Our site was near a “coyote corridor”, so maybe why we didn’t have so many squirrels! Ha Ha!

  • C
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Granite Springs

    Little Known Gem

    Primitive camp site with chemical bathrooms. Has 3 areas to set up tents. First come first serve, but you must check in at the ranger station before you go. $5 per camper. We comfortably fit 3 tents on one site.

  • M
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Mission Bay RV Resort

    Trashy park

    Several issues here. First the most obvious the connections are at the front of the space on the drivers side. If you back in you better have 100 feet of hose sewer and power cord. Reservations failed to tell me while on the phone that the power was out but they’re still charging full price. Most of the lots are dusty dirt lots well over half of the park is not in use and in disrepair. There is trash everywhere and the staff could care less if you’re enjoying yourself. Do yourself a favor and spend the 20 extra dollars to stay at Campland Overall a waste of money and beach front property


Guide to Escondido

Camping options near Escondido range from rugged mountain sites to lakeside retreats, with elevations varying from 600 to over 1,000 feet throughout the region. The area's Mediterranean climate creates ideal camping conditions through fall and spring, though summer temperatures frequently reach the mid-90s with minimal rainfall. The local campgrounds offer diverse terrain from oak woodlands to chaparral-covered hills.

What to Do

Fishing at Dixon Lake: Dixon Lake Campground offers both shore fishing and boat rentals. "You can rent a 'motor' boat (really a trolling motor attached) for all day rate or half day. If it's summer and weekend, you'd have to get down there early to rent though, they'll sell out. They also have paddle boats and peddle boats," notes a visitor. No California fishing license needed at Dixon Lake, just a $7 permit per adult.

Hiking trails: Guajome Regional Park provides extensive nature trails with wildlife viewing opportunities. "There is a tranquil pond, nice hiking trails, places for kids to play…. Just a fantastic option close to home for locals and well worth consideration for visitors to the area," according to one camper. The park features both paved and unpaved trails suitable for various skill levels.

Beach access: South Carlsbad State Beach Campground offers direct beach access just 30 minutes from Escondido. "Beautiful beach! The sand is perfect. The waves consistent," writes one reviewer. Sites positioned on bluffs overlooking the Pacific provide scenic ocean views, with stairs leading down to the water.

What Campers Like

Privacy between sites: Many campsites at Dos Picos County Park offer good separation. "The well-maintained campground boasts paved pads for most sites, making setup a breeze. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, perfect for cozy campfires and outdoor meals," notes a recent visitor. The park's layout utilizes natural vegetation to create privacy screens between many sites.

Clean facilities: San Elijo State Beach Campground maintains exceptional restroom facilities. "Bathrooms are stocked and the whole campground is well taken care of. Need to book far in advance most of the year but you can get a site in the fall/winter fairly easy," reports one camper. The facilities include flush toilets and coin-operated showers.

Shade options: Woods Valley Kampground provides extensive tree coverage. "I love love love this campsite. It's so beautiful to be covered completely by the trees! It makes me feel like I'm in an actual Forrest and not the middle of San Diego," writes an enthusiastic camper. This natural canopy provides welcome relief during hot summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.

What You Should Know

Reservation timing: For popular campgrounds, advance planning is essential. At San Elijo State Beach, "Spots are fairly close together, and it's more like a parking lot than a campground. That said, the beach is great, and the river mouth is great for surfing. The worst part is trying to get a spot secured."

Wildlife awareness: Be prepared for local wildlife encounters. At Dixon Lake, "Critters heard roaming around campsite at night (either a raccoon or coyote came within 5 feet of our tent while we were sleeping)." Secure food properly and use lighting at night to deter wildlife.

Seasonal insect considerations: Yellow jackets can be problematic during summer months. "BAD yellow jacket problem during this time of month (very aggressive and got into your food/face)," reports a Dixon Lake camper. Bring insect repellent and avoid cooking meat outdoors during peak wasp activity.

Tips for Camping with Families

Playground access: La Jolla Indian Campground offers recreational activities perfect for children. "You can camp here if you're a beginner at it! You can drive right up and park and camp! Nice beautiful lake to look at and fish. Great for hikers, runners, and bikers! Dog friendly," notes a visitor. The campground's layout provides easy supervision of children.

Water activities: When water levels permit, La Jolla Indian Campground offers tubing. "Love taking the kids near the end of summer for tubing," writes one regular visitor. River conditions vary seasonally, so check with campground staff before planning water activities.

Site selection strategy: At Dixon Lake Campground, site location matters significantly. "Do a little research, some spots have great privacy and shade, some less. Great views in the camping area," advises one visitor. Sites in the 40 series offer more seclusion and better lake views according to campers.

Tips from RVers

Hookup details: Escondido RV Resort provides full hookup services with reliable infrastructure. "Even with bad weather, everything continued to function seamlessly - from the electric hookups to the water supply," reports a visitor who camped during heavy rain. The resort offers both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical connections.

Dump station access: At Guajome Regional Park, "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." Plan accordingly if staying multiple nights with limited tank capacity.

Site leveling considerations: At Lake Jennings, "Some sites need much leveling. I know which site to reserve next time!!" Bring leveling blocks or other equipment, particularly for the hillside sites that offer better views of the lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What lake camping options are available near Escondido?

Dixon Lake Campground offers the most convenient lake camping near Escondido with sites featuring views of both the lake and city. The campground provides a surprisingly secluded feel despite its proximity to urban areas. For another lake option within driving distance, Lake Jennings near Lakeside provides reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. Both lakes support fishing activities and provide a peaceful retreat for weekend getaways. The ridge-line sites at Dixon Lake are particularly popular for their dual views of water and cityscape.

Are there any RV camping facilities in Escondido?

Escondido RV Resort stands out as the premier RV facility in the area, known for exceptional customer service and well-maintained grounds. The resort accommodates RVers even during busy holiday periods and provides helpful information about the surrounding area. For those willing to venture slightly outside Escondido, Olive Avenue RV Resort offers a clean, quiet environment just a few miles off Highway 78, about 10-15 miles from both Carlsbad beach and Escondido. Both resorts provide full hookups and modern amenities for a comfortable RV camping experience.

What are the best camping spots near Escondido, CA?

Escondido offers several excellent camping options. Dixon Lake Campground is a local favorite with spectacular views of the city from ridge-line sites. Despite being within city limits, it provides a genuine escape into nature. For a unique experience, Provisions Farm nestled in an avocado orchard in Escondido's wine country offers exceptional hospitality with recommendations for local wineries and dining. Other solid options include Dos Picos County Park near Ramona and Guajome Regional Park closer to Oceanside, both offering standard amenities like water and toilets with reservable sites.