Best Tent Camping near Indio, CA

If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Indio, look no further. With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Indio campgrounds for you and your tent. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Indio's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Indio, California (34)

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Showing results 1-10 of 34 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews near Indio, California

1272 Reviews of 34 Indio Campgrounds


  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA
    Oct. 27, 2021

    Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA

    GREAT Place but kinda pricey.

    Tent sites were massive, basically could be used for RV as well. Everything on the grounds were nice and as expected with KOA quality but the price is a bit much for tent camping.

  • Elliott B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Banning Stagecoach KOA
    Jul. 5, 2016

    Banning Stagecoach KOA

    Nice site if you're in a RV, not really for tents or pop ups.

    Overall a nice campground with decent sites, but really not for tent camping at all. They say they have some tent sites, but pretty much every site is setup with gravel pull-in or pull throughs which you'd not really want to set your tent up on. They do have a "tent village" which you can camp on, but again, not really ideal for tents. They do have really nice facilities for washing your cloths or yourself along with a nice club house for unwinding. While each site doesn't have a fire ring, you do have a table and there is a group fire ring along with a pool and playground. You are a bit inside the city of Banning and not too far from the train tracks, so if you're not in something super insulated you'll probably hear a bit of train noise like we did.

  • MomentoMori C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sweet Oaks Winery - Temporarily Closed
    Nov. 30, 2020

    Sweet Oaks Winery - Temporarily Closed

    Great camping for newbies

    Sweet Oaks winery campgrounds has 16 sites available for both tent camping and RV’s (no hook-ups). It’s pretty close to grocery stores and big box stores just in case you forgot some gear/supplies. They have a beautiful well-kept property with super-clean restrooms (no showers). They do have a water hose for you to fill up your tanks or Jerry cans. They didn’t allow campfires due to high fire danger though. You’ll have to bring your own fire pit setup if they ever allow them in the future. It was a beautiful walk around the vineyards but there are also hiking trails nearby. It’s off a road suitable for road bikes but there are also mountain bike trails nearby. They have equestrian activities also available for guests. We were able to get our tin top Eurovan to fit on one of their tent sites which offered a beautiful view of Temecula valley. The wine tasting room was closed due to the pandemic but you can order wine online and they will deliver to your site. One more thing, we counted about 8 hot air balloons as we had breakfast!

  • Heather D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Seven Oaks Lodge - TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO FLOOD
    Nov. 19, 2020

    Seven Oaks Lodge - TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO FLOOD

    Best place to camp!

    Best place ever!! Tent camping, RV camping, they have a restaurant and bar, best burgers in all of southern California!! They also have a small store, there's showers, restrooms and a swimming pool! Tent camping along Santa Ana River, you can also fish and hike. So amazing and beautiful, awesome memories made!!

  • Paula A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Grove Campground
    May. 10, 2022

    Oak Grove Campground

    Great place

    This is totally a great place to go tent camping it's peaceful and quiet during the week. It's clean and just a fun place to camp.

  • P
    Camper-submitted photo from McCall Equestrian Park
    Sep. 29, 2020

    McCall Equestrian Park

    Wonderful view, horse campsite

    This is listed as horse campsite, but there’s few tent sites available. Not crowded and winds from mountains keep area cooled.

  • Sade H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Observatory Campground
    Nov. 29, 2024

    Observatory Campground

    Love this place!

    I brought my family with our 2 dogs for Thanksgiving and unfortunately we left early because it was a major danger for our dogs with the very bold and brave coyotes.

    We tent camped but I feel like if we had an RV it would have been safer for the dogs.. for us alone with out the dogs, tent camping would have been fine!

    Other than that. BEAUTIFUL!!! We loved every single moment from the colorful drive up to the stars and checking out the observatory which was also pet friendly. It’s SO FUN to see all the different color leaves and the sunsets, the sunrises, the crisp air, the views on the way up….all of it was so beautiful.

  • Harry E.
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
    Apr. 23, 2021

    Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

    It’s free

    Good home base for Joshua Tree is NP campgrounds are full. Pretty barebones. A few weirdos, but enough space to steer clear of them. The wind can be brutal if you’re tent camping. Have large stakes.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Barton Flats Family Campground
    Aug. 2, 2019

    Barton Flats Family Campground

    Cool Spot!

    Came here for a weekend, good spot for tent camping, I went on an off trail hike, cool, fun area. Some views. Drove over to the lake but couldn’t find parking. Very quiet and clean as well.

  • Julia P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area
    Aug. 3, 2021

    Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

    Ocotillo Wells OHV State Park

    Great Area to take your OHVs. Season starts around Halloween and ends in May for Red stickers. They have public restrooms spread through the grounds. It's great for tent camping and RVs/campers, tents. Town is about 25 minutes away, however they have a few stores/restaurants nearby.

  • Rae M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
    Feb. 22, 2020

    Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    Cannot miss

    Very primitive camping, but location, views, hikes, and adventures nearby make it all worth it! We had site #6 and tent camped. It was back a little away from the road and people which was nice. Be sure to bring in your own water. We filled up our jug and got provisions in 29 Palms before heading into the park.

  • Jennifer M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Idyllwild Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park
    Jun. 7, 2020

    Idyllwild Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park

    Close to town and close to each other.

    While I fully appreciated the location, the scenery, the quaint community of Idyllwild, the campsites were TOO close and on hills making relaxing and tent camping a bit of a downer. It felt like we were right on top of each other. We had loud campers on 2/3 sites near us. I don’t think I would camp here again.

  • G
    Camper-submitted photo from Temecula-Vail Lake KOA
    May. 1, 2019

    Temecula-Vail Lake KOA

    AMENITIES, AMENITIES, AND AMENITIES.

    Great all around campground. If you are new to tent camping this place is great for getting familiar with your gear before you go out and "rough it". Bathrooms, showers, swimming pools, activities for the kids, general store, etc. A little on the expensive side but you will know where your money went once you have arrived. 15 minutes East of Temecula.

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Thousand Trails Idyllwild
    Nov. 29, 2020

    Thousand Trails Idyllwild

    Fabulous!!

    We took our RV here just for one night but we can't wait to go back.  RV sites, tent sites and cabins.  Has a resort feel with a cafe, clubhouse, horse back riding and more.  Facilities are clean and convenient.  Operators are there to assist and in touch via text if you need anything.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground
    Mar. 1, 2021

    Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

    Expensive for tent camping.

    This listing was showing as free but when we showed up that was not the case. For simple tent camping, this cost $15/person and charge $5/per kid and pet. Must be gone by 11am. Overpriced for what we needed. Very loud and rude campers next to us until early morning hours evens though it’s against the park’s policies. Disappointed. Front lady checking in was very pleasant. No discounts for Veterans, only active duty.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground
    Sep. 8, 2018

    Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

    Comfortable, Clean & Pretty!

    very nice campground. Always clean. Small store onsite. Small lake. Some sites are full hook-ups and many tent sites. Quiet and peaceful. I’ve stayed many times - September, October & May. The Joshua Tree Music Festival takes over the campground for a week in October and a week in May. Wonderful time to stay and hear such a huge variety of music and art!

  • Jessi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Painted Canyon
    Jan. 28, 2021

    Painted Canyon

    Our favorite

    This is by far the best place to tent camp that we have found. We love hiking the rope/ladder trail loop during the day and star gazing at night. No bugs and the weather is amazing if you’re at the base of the canyon. There’s loose sand roads the further you get in, so 4wheel drive only if you’re trying to get far away from the main road. There is a bathroom towards the beginning, but nothing close to the main hiking area.

  • Mark C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Hemet Campground
    Sep. 1, 2016

    Lake Hemet Campground

    Lake Hemet RV & Campground

    This campground is a very large site, with huge amounts of RV and tent sites spread out, hookups and non-hookup sites, with a layout around the water of Lake Hemet. We only stayed for one night before continuing on to Idyllwild, so cannot speak for anything related to the actual lake but there was a lot of recreational boating and fishing going on when we were there in August. Our site was a tent site in the interior, we did not pay the extra money for a premium lakefront site. Overall it is your run of the mill campsite, but with the lake as a main attraction and focal point of course. With all of the families and kids it was more on the noisy side, and was noisy until later into the night. I would recommend this campsite on the value of the lake if that is something you are into, but other than that I would prefer something more quiet and peaceful. Another downside is visitor parking and I believe even day use of the grounds to get in were an extra charge. There is a large country style camping store before the gate. Overall, the surrounding scenery is still beautiful, and you can't really beat that.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Bierbaum Pepper Farm - Temporarily Closed
    Jun. 11, 2020

    Bierbaum Pepper Farm - Temporarily Closed

    Exactly as Advertised

    The place is exactly as advertised. Hosts are kind as can be but give you your space as well. We had campsites 5 and 6 and it was perfect. Would highly recommend this site for those looking for a tent camping experience. You could not even see the hosts house from the site and we had 10 plus people very comfortably. We went to the local dog friendly wineries which Marcella recommended for the day and came back for a sunset hotub. We could not have been happier with it all.

  • cal K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
    Jan. 17, 2023

    Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Cute spot- high winds

    Small camp with $35 tent sites eith shelter, table and fire ring and $75 cabins both reservable and first come (pay with card at kiosk tho cabins were not rentable like this due to no attendant present. Non-potable water. Token showers. Accessible site reserved for disabled folks and wheelchair accessible showers. Trailhead with views of ocotillo, agave and the other desert plants nearby. Only reason I’m giving 3 stars are the high winds made car camping without a tent pretty miserable. But I know that’s the nature of the park- windy!

  • Brandon R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Salt Creek Beach Campground
    Feb. 1, 2022

    Salt Creek Beach Campground

    Great spot if you are self-contained

    This is a great little spot with a lot of level area if you are self-contained and don't need to hook up to anything. Not a great place for tent camping though, think of it more as a great desert parking lot with a view. There are plenty of picnic tables and fire rings available though (be prepared and bring your own wood). There are several porta-potties and trash cans available as well and even some recycling bins available. The views here are solid, space was quiet aside from the occasional train. Would definitely recommend for a night. Cost was $10.


Guide to Indio

Tent camping near Indio, California, offers a unique blend of desert landscapes and outdoor adventures, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Tips for tent camping near Indio

  • For a secluded experience, consider the Box Canyon Dispersed area, where you can enjoy the serenity of the desert without the crowds.
  • Be prepared for sandy conditions; a vehicle with good clearance is recommended for accessing spots like Box Canyon Dispersed.
  • Always pack out what you pack in, as many areas, including Box Canyon Dispersed, lack trash facilities.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Campground features to enhance your stay

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Indio, CA is Tool Box Springs - Yellow Post Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 10 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Indio, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.