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Best Campgrounds near Irvine, CA

1,344 Reviews

Coastal campgrounds around Irvine, California provide access to both beachfront and inland recreation opportunities. Crystal Cove State Park's Moro Campground, located in Laguna Beach, features tiered campsites with ocean views and accommodates tents, RVs, and glamping setups. Newport Dunes RV Resort offers waterfront sites with full hookups for RVs and cabin rentals just 10 miles northwest of Irvine. O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon provides a more rustic camping experience with both drive-in and hike-in tent and RV sites approximately 15 miles east of Irvine.

Campgrounds in the region typically require reservations well in advance, especially for weekend and summer stays when beach campgrounds fill quickly. "Beautiful sunsets! We stayed February 5th and 6th at site #23 but it looked like most of the sites had great views of the Pacific," noted one visitor about Crystal Cove State Park. The coastal location means morning fog and marine layers are common, particularly in May and June. Many campgrounds have specific regulations regarding campfires - several coastal sites like Crystal Cove prohibit wood or charcoal fires but allow propane fire pits. Most established campgrounds provide water hookups, restrooms, and showers, though primitive backcountry sites in Crystal Cove require hikers to pack in their own water.

State beach campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for their ocean views and proximity to beach access, though highway noise can be noticeable at some coastal locations. According to reviews, Crystal Cove's campground is "divided into an upper and lower section of sites" with varying amenities and views. Campgrounds farther inland like O'Neill Regional Park offer more shade and protection from coastal winds. Family-friendly amenities include picnic tables, nearby hiking trails, and clean facilities. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the combination of natural settings with proximity to urban conveniences - many campgrounds are within short driving distance to grocery stores, restaurants, and other services while still providing a sense of outdoor escape in the densely populated Orange County area.

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Best Camping Sites Near Irvine, California (198)

    1. Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park

    35 Reviews
    Laguna Beach, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 444-7275

    $25 - $75 / night

    "Luckily Booked last minute on reserve California (the worst web thing ever) on site 49. Looks like there is a oven view from every site. Close to beach and shopping."

    "There is an elementary school adjacent to the campground so you get a few PA announcements to start your day.

    There is a small visitor's center on site."

    2. Newport Dunes RV Resort

    26 Reviews
    Newport Beach, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 765-7661

    $75 - $550 / night

    "As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites."

    "There's a nice bike trail that circles around the bay, which is great for kids. Also, lots of amenities for families, including playgrounds, water toys, movie nights and fire pits."

    3. O'Neill Regional Park

    30 Reviews
    Trabuco Canyon, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 923-2260

    $20 / night

    "You can be camping 20-30 mins away from Irvine. Facilities are clean and well maintained."

    "It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds. 

    Free dump station.  "

    4. Doheny State Beach Campground

    35 Reviews
    Capistrano Beach, CA
    16 miles

    $50 - $350 / night

    "I frequently stay at this site since it's close to my house and on the beach. 

    THE SITES:

    The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy."

    "This campground is at the edge of the Dana Point Harbor.  The sites are small, but many of them are right on the beach.  All sites have easy access to the beach.  "

    5. San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach

    53 Reviews
    San Clemente, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 492-4872

    $45 - $250 / night

    "San Mateo is one of the better beach campgrounds in California, some sites have some great privacy."

    "Another beautiful gem along the California Coast. Although not on or too near the beach, this campground is truly a lovely spot. All or most of the campsites boast a bit of privacy."

    6. Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

    22 Reviews
    Coto de Caza, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 923-2210

    $20 - $25 / night

    "Tucked on the outskirts of Mission Viejo is an oasis of green grass and groves of the twisting and searching limbs of Coastal Live Oak trees.  "

    "Rangers at entrance to check for pets (not allowed) and where you can buy bundles of wood for $5 if you want. Technically not allowed to bring in outside wood."

    7. Anaheim Harbor RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Anaheim, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 535-6495

    $55 - $70 / night

    "Nice bathrooms and hot showers with laundry on location. Good amount of space between sites. Very short drive or 20ish minute walk to Disneyland. Extremely helpful and kind staff."

    "Park is within walking to the Disneyland park.

    The tent sites are very small with a picnic table and AstroTurf."

    8. Orangeland RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Anaheim, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 633-0414

    $75 - $90 / night

    "Anaheim transit makes on-demand stops her to Disneyland as well as Garden Walk. Very helpful, friendly staff. Many residents mixed with overnight era or vacationers. "

    "First time staying here, it will be our place to stay in California."

    9. Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground

    19 Reviews
    Huntington Beach, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 846-3460

    $60 - $70 / night

    "Beachfront camping in the heart of southern California. Concrete/asphalt sites with water electric and dump station. Adjacent to PCH so road noise but steps away from great sand beaches."

    "Super convenient beach front parking with good restrooms and outdoor showers as well as a beach path perfect for walking, biking, rollerblading, etc."

    10. San Clemente State Beach Campground

    39 Reviews
    San Clemente, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 492-3156

    $45 - $300 / night

    "California beach camping can be very hard to come by. Unlike some other campgrounds in Southern California this one gives you ample room to move around and set up camp."

    "The hardcore surfing nomads stealth camp in their bubble-top vans outside of the park on the streets. Walking distance to Cottons point for surfing and to hangout among the beach huts."

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Recent Camping Photos near Irvine, CA

394 Photos of 198 Irvine Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Irvine, CA

1344 Reviews of 198 Irvine Campgrounds

  • 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!

  • Julia G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Hare School Park

    Overnight parking ✅

    You can overnight park here with your RV without problems.

  • Lianne A.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Monte Cristo Campground

    Nice Campground but Fire Restrictions!

    Monte Cristo is a nice campground not far from home. My husband and I visited this campsite for the first time just for one night. There was a fire restriction. No bonfires, no cooking on stoves and there was no water due to a leak. The bathroom that I was using I give it a 2 star.

  • Wayne S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest

    Nice little park

    Very small campground. Camping sites are spread out. The access road is very narrow. We did it with a 22 foot fifth wheel. Space 41 could hold a much longer rig but it would be a challenge even getting to that space. There were only two other campers here while we were here. Lots of trees but not so thick you dont get some sun. The road getting to the campgrounds is somewhat narrow and has some hairpin turns so again it might be difficult for someone with a long trailer We camped at Applewhite Campground in a Fifth Wheel.

  • Moo
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Oceanside RV Resort

    For tent campers - pretty solid place for a quick couple stays

    First, the campsite has the MOST CLEANEST restroom and shower booths I have ever visited for tent camping. This is no doubt that for those folks who are needed for good built qaulity toiletery, this will be your location.

    For the down sides;

    1. The trains - There is a rail right behind the tent sites so if you are looking for the tent sites with quiet location: PLEASE STAY AWAY from here. the trains do not operate from around 10 pm, back on operating starting from 5 am.

    2. for T1 tent site, BE AWARE that there is a dog park RIGHT next to the tent site: there will be a urine odor all over the place.

    3. If you are planning on cooking, just be aware that there is no proper location to do a dish wash. You would need some sort of wipes to do.

  • ROCKSTAR C.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hare School Park

    It’s the sports fields parking lot

    I’ve been here for a couple days and nobody’s mess with us. There’s other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans. I’m in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV. There’s a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them.There’s no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please. It’s not tent friendly. I don’t believe.

  • A
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground

    Bobcat Campsite

    Awesome campsite. Free showers. Electrical outlets by the restrooms at a handicap site. Water spigots scattered around the bobcat site. Dumpsters within walking distance from your site. The locals in the area will take your site if you arrive late. Just head back to the campground entrance and they will send a park ranger to remove them. The restrooms get cleaned daily around 8-10am. More than enough room at site 380

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Canyon RV Park

    Relaxed, clean, friendly, infor.ative, quiet

    Been passing this exit on the 91 freewqy for 25 years and had no idea canyon Rv park was tucked in beween corona and yorba linda. I was quite amazed with the tidy faculitie a d wqs very peacefull. When U are smake dab in the middle of asfalt jungle. I litteraly forgot where i was because its like a little bubble on you .exot the freeway a d e ter the park everything behind you just melts away and i felt like i was in the woods, and at times i swear i was the only camper here. If you are into easy going peacefull quite camp sites this is one of them

Guide to Irvine

Camping near Irvine, CA, offers a fantastic escape into nature without straying too far from the city. With beautiful beaches and lush parks, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a family looking for fun or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sun and surf at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground. Campers love the easy beach access, making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing. One reviewer mentioned, “Great little restaurant serving pizza and snacks overlooking the ocean.”
  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach. A visitor noted, “Great if you want to ride along PCH. This stretch has good bike lanes that take you into Oceanside or Encinitas.”
  • Fishing and Water Sports: At Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground, you can fish or rent boats. One camper shared, “Great overall experience, campgrounds are general and basic. A little more irrigation for the plants and trees might not hurt to green up a little dried.”

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park. A happy camper said, “Almost every site has an ocean view of some kind.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One reviewer at Bonelli Bluffs remarked, “Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor at San Elijo State Beach Campground noted, “The staff of the Camp is so friendly and helpful.”

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campsites: Some campgrounds can get packed, especially on weekends. A reviewer at San Mateo Campground mentioned, “It can get very crowded and packed. Hard to get a site.”
  • Limited Hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. For instance, Doheny State Beach Campground has limited options, with one camper stating, “The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy.”
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near highways or busy areas. A camper at Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground noted, “There was a large group of people blasting their music until 2/3 AM.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with amenities like playgrounds or nearby activities. One family at Bonelli Bluffs mentioned, “The campground itself was well-maintained, and the surrounding natural beauty made for a peaceful retreat.”
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food or check out local eateries. A camper at San Elijo State Beach Campground said, “There’s a small shop/cafe with live music. Lovely place.”
  • Pack Entertainment: Bring games or outdoor activities to keep kids engaged. A visitor at Malibu Creek State Park Campground noted, “The sites are nicely spaced out, and the hillsides after a lot of rain were green and lush.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Dogwood Campground mentioned, “Our camp site was very spacious, and it was easy to back in our teardrop trailer.”
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some campgrounds may not have full amenities. A camper at San Clemente State Beach Campground said, “The downer is that I thought our camp spot would be closer to the overlook.”
  • Bring Your Own Water: Some sites may not have water hookups. A visitor at Moro Campground advised, “If you arrive early, you can register, but will be directed to Reef Point back down PCH or to the visitors center in front of the camp entrance.”

Camping near Irvine, CA, has its perks and quirks, but with the right planning, you can have a memorable outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Irvine Lake camping located and is it still open?

Irvine Lake camping is no longer available to the public. The lake, located in Silverado in eastern Orange County, reopened for fishing in 2019, but camping facilities remain closed. For camping near Irvine, consider O'Neill Regional Park which is only 20-30 minutes from Irvine with clean, well-maintained facilities. The park offers hiking and biking trails in a canyon setting. Another option is Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, also within a short drive from Irvine, providing a more remote wilderness experience in Orange County.

What lakeside camping areas near Irvine offer fishing opportunities?

While Irvine Lake itself no longer offers camping, there are several lakeside camping options with fishing near Irvine. Bonelli Bluffs at Puddingstone Lake in San Dimas offers camping with fishing opportunities about 30 minutes from Irvine. The campground provides lake access and is family-friendly, though some visitors note it lacks playground facilities. For those willing to drive a bit further, Lake Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest provides a more natural setting for fishing. Most of these locations require a California fishing license, and some may have additional site-specific permits.

What are the best beach camping options near Irvine, CA?

Several excellent beach camping options are available within an hour's drive of Irvine. Doheny State Beach Campground offers beachfront camping with spacious sites along the campground's edge, though middle sites can be tight. For a quintessential Southern California beach experience, South Carlsbad State Beach Campground provides stunning ocean views and access to local shopping and restaurants. Other notable options include Bolsa Chica State Beach for RV camping with electric and water hookups, and San Clemente State Beach which offers a beautiful coastal setting. Reservations are highly recommended for all beach campgrounds, especially during summer months.

Are there cabins or full hookup campgrounds available near Irvine?

Pechanga RV Resort offers full hookup sites with excellent facilities including access to a pool, restaurants, and is located near Southern California wine country. Though it's about an hour from Irvine, the resort provides a luxurious camping experience. Closer to Irvine, Newport Dunes RV Resort features full hookups in a waterfront setting with resort amenities. For cabin options, several private campgrounds in the region offer cabin rentals, though they're limited compared to RV sites. Orangeland RV Park in Orange and Anaheim Harbor RV Park also provide full hookup options within a short drive from Irvine, both conveniently located near major attractions.

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