Lake Cahuilla County Park offers camping options 16 miles from Indian Wells at an elevation of 80 feet. Located in La Quinta, this recreation area provides tent and RV sites with water and electric hookups. The campground sits beside a small fishing lake with mountain views and several hiking trails nearby.
What to do
Fishing at the lake: Lake Cahuilla provides fishing opportunities at the small reservoir where camping is available. "Lake views are wonderful though it would be nice to have the option of swimming! Trees provided some shade and the surrounding mountains are beautiful plus there's mountain hiking trails nearby," notes Beverley G. about Lake Cahuilla County Park.
Rock climbing and bouldering: Joshua Tree National Park campgrounds offer direct access to boulder formations ideal for climbing. "Awesome location situated at the base of a huge boulder. Fire pit, grill, and bathrooms provided. Busy on the weekends," reports Noah S. about Belle Campground.
Trail riding: Equestrian camping near Indian Wells includes access to mountain riding paths. "This is listed as horse campsite, but there's few tent sites available. Not crowded and winds from mountains keep area cooled," mentions Pete about McCall Equestrian Park.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: Campsites away from city lights provide excellent night sky viewing. "Dark, beautiful skies at night. Good hiking trail into the mountains, with the trailhead near the entrance to the campground," writes Patrick M. about Lake Cahuilla County Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting attracts various wildlife species. "Wildlife includes deer, lizards, snakes, woodpeckers, and lots of squirrels. Mosquitoes come out at dusk—repellent is a must," notes E B. about South Ridge Yellow Post Sites.
Central location: Many campgrounds provide convenient access to multiple destinations. "Excellent location right in the middle of the park. You're an easy drive to most of the park. The campground backs up to big rocks you can climb on. The spots are well spaced and they were very clean," says Stefanie W. about Ryan Campground.
What you should know
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide water access. "No water available," notes Amanda P. about Ryan Campground, while Lake Perris offers "Water spigots scattered around the bobcat site," according to Angel C.
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites require advance booking. "Reservations are required but the park is easily accessible. We picked an easy location for our maiden voyage and the need for cell service for my spouse. Cell service was just adequate," shares Mark D. about Black Rock Campground.
Weather conditions: The desert climate brings temperature extremes. "We visited in January, and should have been better prepared! I know better, but we didn't check the conditions well enough, and froze our butts the first night!" warns Justin L. about camping in the area.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pads and playgrounds: Some parks offer water features for children. "Lake Cahuilla has a lot to offer, including a playground, lake for fishing only (no swimming), and a pool that was closed while we were there, and somewhat spacious sites," shares Morgen M.
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds have child-friendly biking paths. "The kids liked biking the loop. The scenery and starry night sky are breathtaking," mentions Kathleen D. about Ryan Campground.
Educational resources: Take advantage of ranger programs and nature centers. "There is a cool museum were the amazing staff provided us with interesting history about the lake and Indian tribes. Such a fun and peaceful place to hangout at!" recommends Lauren R. about Lake Perris State Recreational Area.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Check for waste disposal facilities before arrival. "Sites are W/E only. Dump station on site. The park has a campground feel, with a bit more space between spots than most rv parks," advises Kellie about Lake Cahuilla County Park.
Site levelness: Be prepared for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. "Probably my biggest complaint is there aren't any level campsites and the restrooms the pit toilets are pretty nasty and not cleaned over a period of 3 days," warns Herbster about Belle Campground.
Big rig accessibility: Mountain campgrounds may present challenges for large vehicles. "By far this has got to be the best and largest campground on the 38. First reason is the pricing. At only $21 per night for a single site, this is the best priced campground in the area excluding free yellow post sites," shares Nick L. about Heart Bar Campground.
