Best Tent Camping near Jamul, CA

Tent campsites near Jamul, California range from established campgrounds to secluded backcountry sites within Cleveland National Forest. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm offers tent-specific sites with amenities including drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, and showers. Kumeyaay Lake Campground in Mission Trails Regional Park provides tent campers with drive-in access and is located just minutes from San Diego, making it popular for weekend tent camping trips.

Campers should note that most tent sites require permits or reservations, particularly in established areas. Corte Madera Mountain offers free backcountry tent camping but requires hikers to obtain a permit from the ranger station before setting up. At Pine Creek Road Camp and Kitchen Creek Road, dispersed tent camping is available with minimal facilities. Most primitive tent areas lack potable water, so tent campers must pack in their own supplies. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with several locations enforcing complete fire bans during dry periods, particularly in the Cleveland National Forest areas.

In early fall, tent camping areas provide a cooler retreat from the summer heat. Trails from tent sites at Mission Trails Regional Park lead to multiple peaks with views across San Diego County. Tent campers at Corte Madera Mountain experience significant seclusion after a 7.5-mile round-trip hike to reach the summit camping area at 4,657 feet. According to one visitor, "You will need a permit to camp at the summit, but you can get a free permit emailed to you if you call the rangers station." The mix of established and primitive tent camping options near Jamul provides varied experiences for weekend backpackers and tent campers seeking either convenience or solitude within a relatively small geographic area.

Best Tent Sites Near Jamul, California (16)

    1. Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    20 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 668-2748

    $24 - $25 / night

    "This campground is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, and we absolutely loved it. There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things."

    "No hookups here but they have great clean bathrooms and hot showers. Lots of hiking/biking straight from your campsite. This place is a jem, being so close to most parts of San Diego."

    2. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm

    2 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    7 miles
    Website

    $50 - $175 / night

    "Gorgeous oaks shading our camp site. Loved the kitties & the ranch doggies. Went for a hike. Saw lots of flowers, a seasonal creek, sage, views of the valley & nearby mountain."

    "Plenty of room for beautiful hikes on their many acres of land packed with some great views a few decks scattered around the property.  "

    3. Corte Madera Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Guatay, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 445-6235

    "If you’re looking for a nice hike, in the wild, with few people around, this is the one. Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest, just east of San Diego."

    "You will need a permit, but you can get a free permit emailed to you if you call the rangers station. The Trail is a 7.5 mile out and back trail near Morena Village."

    4. Corral Canyon Campground

    2 Reviews
    Potrero, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    "All other public campgrounds nearby are booked solid, but there are only 3 other groups here beside me. 1 camper told me the CG is always empty. Why?"

    "This is a beautiful area to off-road, it is closed temporarily due to covid so hopefully that opens back up here pretty soon. I’ve never camped here but have always wanted to."

    5. Pine Creek Road Camp

    6 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    27 miles

    "Great area--it's just close enough to some expensive campgrounds and a few connecting trails, so it's awesome to camp here for FREE. "

    "I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road).  There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed."

    6. Kitchen Creek Road

    4 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    26 miles

    7. The Eyrie Farm

    1 Review
    Ramona, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (844) 843-3978

    $30 / night

    "We're happy to have this property on our platform. There are 2 sites to choose from, please read about them before booking. Check them out and leave them some love!"

    8. YMCA Camp Surf

    Be the first to review!
    Imperial Beach, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 423-5850

    9. Bow Willow Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    5 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 767-5311

    "We set up quickly and enjoyed ourselves a walk around the site. Not too many trailheads around and it was very hot and dry but we enjoyed it."

    10. Julian Hideaway

    Be the first to review!
    Julian, CA
    25 miles
    +1 (760) 421-8705

    $80 - $50 / night

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Tent Camping Reviews near Jamul, CA

968 Reviews of 16 Jamul Campgrounds


  • Trip Over Life
    May. 28, 2018

    Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Anza-Borrego campground with primitive cabins and tent sites

    Tamarisk Grove Campground is about 20 minutes south of Borrego Springs. It sits next to the highway but there’s minimal traffic so it isn’t terribly loud. There are tent sites as well as primitive cabins. Each site has a fire ring and table. There are also flush toilets and paid showers. There is no potable water at this campground - be sure to bring your own. The cabins are simple structures with platforms for sleeping. There are no amenities in the cabins - no electric, no water, no mattress, no linens, etc.

    The campground is across the street from both the Cactus Loop and Yaqui Well trail heads. We recommend the short Cactus Loop hike over the Yaqui Well hike. Go at sunset to catch the cholla cacti backlit by the sunset.

  • Elise F.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    Perfect weekend getaway

    This campground is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, and we absolutely loved it. There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things. The rangers even supplied Dr. Bronners Castile soap in each bathroom. We stayed in site number 17 and it was lovely. Each camp site has a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. Online says you can buy firewood but they no longer provide that service, so make sure you bring your own firewood! You can’t swim in the lake, but you can fish and it’s very pleasant to walk around and bird watch. There is so much to do in this urban park, you could spend many days here. P.S. the Mission Trails visitor center is spectacular.

  • Javier L.
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Palomar Mountain State Park Campground

    Southern California- Quick Getaway

    This park is great for all Southern California natives to get away for the weekend. Has clean facilities and the campgrounds have ample space between them. This area has a ton of beautiful landscape, during the fall/winter wonderful foliage appears. Leave no trace & enjoy our lands!

  • Ryan W.
    Jul. 16, 2016

    Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    The Desert in Spring is beautiful and terrifying.

    We went to Culp Valley in April just in time to explore the Anza-Borrego State Park during an especially rainy desert season. There were wildflowers everywhere and despite high heat during the day it was so bad you felt like you were in the desert. It's a beautiful time to explore. There is a small city just outside the park where you can get any need supplies, lunch or do some antique/thrifting.

    The campground is just West of the state park and at a higher elevation. The sites are first come first serve, and best of all they are FREE! The ground is sand and rock, and outside of clean vault toilets there are no amenities. We had a decent spot with three tents set up and brought our own fire ring. No fires allowed outside a fire ring/pit you bring along. It's a smaller campground and is well known in SoCal but if you arrive before afternoon you'll usually find a spot.

    Because of it's location on hill it is subject to gusty winds. Keep that in mind. You will get dusty and check the weather so you set up camp facing away from the wind or you'll get a full tent of sand. The night we were there most recently they broke wind gust records which was unexpected. It was a long night of whooshing wind coming up and over the desert hills before slamming into our tent at speeds nearing tornado strength. That sucked but that was more our fault than the campgrounds.

    It's less of a leisure camping spot and there were no big RVs the times we visited. There is a reservable state park campsite nearby if you need more amenities.

    This area is know for it's stargazing and the night sky in the desert is incredible. The lights from the nearest town are blocked by the rock.

  • j
    Jan. 12, 2023

    Dos Picos County Park

    Quiet, dark skies, scenic

    We came in January so we had the entire upper camping loop to ourselves. The rangers were very helpful. This Campground has partial hookups with electricity at sites but no water. Level well spaced sites. Firepit and picnic table. Nice clean grounds, restrooms and showers (pay).They also have tent sites and cabins. County Park with playground is adjacent . 

    Beautiful scenery, great star gazing, at least on our upper loop. There's only a small light on restrooms. We saw F16s practicing overhead. Very cool.

    Good Verizon reception.

  • Sita B.
    Aug. 8, 2018

    La Jolla Indian Campground

    3.5 Stars

    La Jolla Indian Reservation Campground is located 30 mins south of the Observatory on Palomar Mtn, and 60 mins north of San Diego. There are ~38 reservable RV sites with hook-ups. Half of them are along the river front. There are multiple group tent sites and even more first come first serve, get in where u fit in, no hookup RV and tent sites. There is a gas station/convenience store just before the entrance, where a 20lb bag of ice is $4. Load up, you’ll need it. There are very few campgrounds that are near the water AND you’re allowed to play in the water. There are only two in SoCal, that I know of, the other is Yucapai.

    We reserved RV space 10, for our tent trailer. The 30’ site was a tight fit for out 22’ trailer and two cars. But we’re able to put up out shade tent, tarp, and seating.

    The good… RV Park area had a lot of trees that provided shade in the 100 degree heat. The hookups were easy and we had no problems with neighbors. The river cooled things down once it got going, you can rent or bring your own tube/river rat to ride down the river, at your own risk! Bring water shoes. Kids loved swinging on the make shift swings along the water. Propane grills recommended, not every site has a charcoal grill and depending on weather and fire conditions will determine if fire pits will be allowed.

    The bad… the river only runs Friday to Sunday. However, Lake Henshaw turns the water on Friday at 7:30 am and it doesn’t make it down to the res until 4:30 pm. It was a long hot wait for water. Saving grace was the hose we brought to water down the dirt. Only one bathroom and multiple port-o-potties (sp?) and I don’t recommend those. Bring TP. The lines are long in the morning. There’s no grey water disposal. Keep track of your valuables. The first come first serve camp area tents to be more rowdy than the RV area, though both are loud (music & kids).

  • Jen D.
    Oct. 23, 2018

    Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Free Desert Camping!

    Free camping! Located off the S22, border of Anza Borrego,just 3.5 miles past the town of Ranchita. If you keep going down the hill you'll hit Borrego Springs. Keep an eye out for the Culp Valley Camp sign because otherwise there isn't much indication. Barely any service so make sure you prepare well for an extended stay. It does extremely windy here, especially in early fall with the Santa Ana winds. Hot during day, frigid at night. It's primitively camping so No water, picnics tables, fire rings, and charcoal grills, but vault toilets and ground to put a tent on are available. In Culp Valley there is TONS of boulders to climb; varying from beginner v0's to advanced bouldering. Check out mountain project to check out some routes or just go spot out some of your own! This is place is definetly worth a weekend trip, but Shhh try to keep it a secret. ;) 

    Campground coordinates: 33.220541, -116.458858 (33° 13′ 13.94″N 116° 27′ 31.88″W)

  • S
    Feb. 21, 2022

    San Diego County Potrero Regional Park

    39 RV sites, 7 Tent Sites; Spacious sites, Great staff of Rangers

    68-year old, still tenderfoot tent camper. This was my first experience in California after three prior stays in Texas and Arizona. The San Diego County system centrally handles reservations of its campgrounds, which was fortunate for me. I mistakenly reserved one campground thinking it was another (my preferred, Potrero), but it was 30 miles away. Even though I paid for two nights in advance, their phone reservations help was superb and got me transferred without any hiccups. Big shout-out to the ranger at Potrero for suggesting. I interacted with several and they were all professional, friendly and helpful.

    There's one central plumbed restroom and shower facility. Further out along the tent sites there was a hand portapotty. When you first drive in you'll go past a very large day-use area with its own facilities before you get to the overnight camping sites. Alcohol is permitted if alcohol content < 20%.

    My site #7 was the last in the row of tent-only sites and appeared to be the largest with plenty of shade and flat pad site. Without seeing other tents it's a little hard to gauge size, but I'd guess walking by the other sites that there's probably at least 80-100 feet between tent pads, or even more. Lots of open spaces. The seven tent sites shared a couple (maybe more) of water spigots.

    The primary annoyance was with the park's neighbors who seemingly had a whole pound of dogs who barked loudly through the nights. Given how otherwise silent it was, it was the barking was noticeable and to be distinguished from the coyotes, birds and owls. I think I also heard roosters crowing each morning as early as 3am.

    The major event of my stay was the arrival of, as Steely Dan sang, "Here come those Santa Ana winds again …" At 5 a.m. the first morning, it was still and quiet as can be (sans the neighborhood dogs). A few minutes later, the winds hit. For the next 11 hours, surviving the wind 30-40 mph sustained winds, gusts over 50 was the only concern – both for my little tent and my car and myself due to the wind effects on the large trees surrounding us. In the end, there was no noticeable damage but seldom have I spent a full day out in the weather like that.

    All in all, I'm not sure you could ask for more at about $25/night. Although I would've paid double if there were a no-wind option. I also had two great tent parties my second night, a couple about my age who were returning to California after summering in Baja, and a young woman from Germany traveling by herself around the world. Interesting neighbors to say the least.

    At site #7 I had zero T-Mobile signal. Outside the Ranger Station I could get at most, 2 bars LTE.

  • Berton M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2019

    Lake Morena County Park

    Hike the PCT from Lake Morena

    The campground at Lake Morena has around 80+ spots that range from hookups for RV to basic tent camping. There's a indoor entertainment room and multiple bathrooms. The campground is not located right on the lake but a 15min walk away. The cell service is roaming but was decent; around 500kb download. The PCT goes thru the campground and there's an area designated for thru hikers camping. The campground can get crowded during the weekend. The adjacent town has a small store.


Guide to Jamul

Tent camping options near Jamul, California span across multiple terrain types from desert landscapes to mountain forests. Located about 20 miles east of San Diego, the area features elevations ranging from 1,500 to 4,600 feet, creating varied microclimates for campers. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F during the day while dropping to the 50s at night, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature swings.

What to do

Hiking the PCT sections: The Pacific Crest Trail runs near several camping areas, with access points from Kitchen Creek Road. One camper notes, "People riding motorcycles, trucks, screams, not a good place for solo camping for sure," suggesting it's better for group adventures.

Disc golf adventures: Try the professional disc golf course at GoodVibes Ranch & Farm where one visitor shared, "I don't bring my discs, but Carolyn and Bernie happily lent me some discs so I could try it out."

Bird watching: Bring binoculars to spot local birds at Kumeyaay Lake Campground. A camper mentioned, "You can't swim in the lake, but you can fish and it's very pleasant to walk around and bird watch."

Desert exploration: Visit Bow Willow Primitive Campground as a basecamp for Anza-Borrego adventures. A reviewer commented, "Nice hike to a palm grove," highlighting the accessible natural features nearby.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Kumeyaay Lake Campground maintains high standards according to visitors. One camper reported, "The rangers even supplied Dr. Bronners Castile soap in each bathroom," while another noted, "The campgrounds were very clean and we were surprised with the high sanitization of the bathrooms!"

Seclusion despite proximity to city: Many campsites offer surprising privacy. A reviewer at Kumeyaay Lake noted, "Campground was close to freeway exit and nearby local neighborhoods. Despite that, it still felt quiet and comfortable."

Natural spring showers: GoodVibes Ranch offers unique amenities. A camper highlighted, "3 huge custom stone showers with natural spring water & full bathrooms with sinks & flushing toilets," making it feel "more like glamping than camping."

Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies provide excellent celestial viewing at many sites. A reviewer at Pine Creek Road Camp mentioned, "The stars out here are unreal," emphasizing the remote feeling despite being relatively close to urban areas.

What you should know

Permit requirements: Many areas require advance permits. For Pine Creek Road Camp, a camper advised, "Make sure you apply for the free permit a few days in advance especially if you plan to go on the weekend. List the place you're going as 'Pine Creek dispersed camping,' and keep a printed copy in your car."

Fire restrictions: Most areas have seasonal fire bans. At Pine Creek Road Camp, several reviews mentioned no fires allowed during dry periods, which typically run from late spring through fall.

Limited cell service: Prepare for communication challenges. A camper at Pine Creek noted, "Very spotty service (Verizon), which makes navigation and planning difficult if you don't pre-download trail maps."

Road conditions: Access varies significantly between sites. A Pine Creek visitor shared, "The road is paved until you turn off Lone Creek Road and then it is a dirt road. I have a stock Rav4 and it was able to drive on it although there are a few spots you need to be careful at so you don't scrape the bottom of your car."

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife safety. At Kumeyaay Lake Campground, a camper warned, "Beware of rattlesnakes. They are everywhere during the summer."

Short trails for kids: Choose campgrounds with family-friendly hiking. A Kumeyaay Lake visitor mentioned, "Great for families with small kids and there are many close trails. There is something for everyone. Bring a picnic to eat by the dam and let the kids explore."

Insect preparation: Bring bug spray and nets, especially for dispersed sites. A Pine Creek camper cautioned, "There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed. Luckily just gnats and no mosquitoes from what we experienced."

Reserve ahead for weekends: Popular family-friendly sites fill quickly. For Corral Canyon Campground, a visitor observed, "Saturday night in May. All other public campgrounds nearby are booked solid, but there are only 3 other groups here beside me."

Tips from RVers

Site size limitations: Most tent camping areas near Jamul have limited space for larger vehicles. At Pine Creek Road Camp, an RVer advised, "If you have a big rig it's a little tight to move around on the roads but definitely nice for sprinters / trucks / suvs or even cars!"

Road navigation challenges: Some access roads require careful driving. A reviewer warned about Pine Creek Road, "Warning though: if you're nervous about driving on single lane mountain roads, this is not the place for you! Pine Creek Road is several miles long, with some sections that are on sheer cliff edges with very few turn-off spots to allow for passing."

Variable campsite sizes: Look for sites that match your vehicle dimensions. A camper at Pine Creek noted, "Some of the sites are fairly large—could easily fit 2 cars and a couple tents—but others seemed to be just large enough to pull off the road and sleep in the car (no tent space)."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Jamul, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jamul, CA is Kumeyaay Lake Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 20 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Jamul, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.