Join the fun near Julian. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Julian is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Julian, reviewed by campers like you.
$24 - $34 / night
"We stayed in spot 34 close to bathrooms, has partial shade, picnic table and fire pit. Also has hooks ups for campers. It’s a Great spot with decent privacy. Good flat spot for a tents also."
"Fantastic park. Well kept, beautiful surroundings with hiking trails, big and private spots and clean bathrooms. Camping cabins available."
$40 - $250 / night
"The picnic table and fire pit were positioned just under a huge, climbable tree that gave us plenty of shade while we were there."
"The site provided a picnic table, fire ring and there was also a water spout. The trash cans were just a few feet from the site and the bathrooms were a short walk just a couple spots away."
$32 - $45 / night
"Some in our party tent camped and had the best space, view, shade trees. We had a trailer as well, nice and level with water and power. Both had aluminum picnic tables and iron grills."
"Beautiful and peaceful place to camp around the lake."
$35 / night
"Gorgeous campground just outside of city reach. Felt like being in the Sierras! Stayed here for two nights and hiked on the PCT, which can be accessed super close to campground."
"We hiked in and got the last walk in spot, so keep in mind that it can be busy on the weekends. The spots are fairly large and include parking, fire pits and picnic tables."
"Nice campground great activities for kids laundry on site Jacuzzi pool fishing for RV hook Up. Over 40 cabins available."
"Not worth it for us (if it is worth it to you, check out Craigslist for people selling theirs). That being said I would love to come back to this campground."
$24 - $100 / night
"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."
"Great county park. Quiet and well maintained. Pay showers. $29/ night. Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well."
$29 - $75 / night
"2 outdoor pools and an indoor adult spa (102 degrees), RV sites with Power, Water and Sewer as well as tent sites. Flush toilets and hot/cold showers."
"Lots going on here but felt peaceful midweek in Jan. 3 spring-fed pools, hot showers quarter operated, clean flush toilet bathrooms, water, hiking trails and ample roads to walk the dog on."
$10 - $30 / night
"Each site has a fire pit, water and a picnic table(old)."
"Lake Henshaw is not the most scenic or well maintained campground, but we enjoy going there."
"I at Oakzanita a little after noon, got my space, and was all set up in an hour. The drive getting here is wicked, if you’ve never been here before."
"The entrance is a hair-pin turn (from the south) and you'll need to go a little further north to turn around."
$35 - $70 / night
"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."
"Cool campground, quiet but busy with day use visitors and hikers, host available with lots of info at kiosk.
A bit pricey at $35/night. No hookups available, no dump station."
GuideThis place is a hidden gem. Quiet and beautiful setting. Sometimes kids and families get loud but over a nice spot to be. They are very serious about their rules here. Quiet time strictly enforced at 10pm and no fires after 11pm.
We stayed in spot 34 close to bathrooms, has partial shade, picnic table and fire pit. Also has hooks ups for campers. It’s a Great spot with decent privacy. Good flat spot for a tents also.
Lots of good hiking trails close by and only a few mins from downtown Julian and 10 mins from Julian Station. Love this spot and will definitely visit again.
LegendReally beautiful beach very clean with large bathrooms hot showers food nearby first come first serve shade structures. Camping on the beach also cabin rentals available through del mar beach reservations
Traveler2 outdoor pools and an indoor adult spa (102 degrees), RV sites with Power, Water and Sewer as well as tent sites. Flush toilets and hot/cold showers. This place is well maintained and the cleanest campground I have ever stayed at. Shuffleboard and Horseshoes courts, lots of hiking trails and things to see. The campground / pools are all fed from natural mineral springs. Pets are allowed within the campground and all sites have picnic table and fire-ring. Small store at the park entrance is great for the simply things you may have forgotten. They even have cabins available but they book up pretty fast. Rangers are all very friendly and helpful. Enjoyed my stay, I will be back.
ScoutThe tent had nice cots and plenty of space for my wife, myself, and our little son. He had a BLAST with all the farm animals and hiking around the trails. The tent is up the hill away from all the noisy animals so it is very private and peaceful. Plus the view is beautiful!
The outhouse worked great for us, it is just a bit of a hike down the hill from the tent. The cabin is much closer to everything, so if you are planning to stay there you won't have to walk as far.
Some of the animals are roaming free (it is a farm). Our son LOVED that but just be aware if you are not comfortable with animals.
Karen, the farmhand, helped us out with everything we needed and provided a fire pit, firewood, lounge chairs, trash bins, and a canopy. We bought eggs fresh from the farm and cooked them over the fire for the full experience!
The weather was perfect in May, cool in the evenings but totally comfortable with some warm jackets.
GuideThe 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. Don't know if the tent only sites have these. On-site dumping available, if you need it. Ok(ish) flushing restrooms and showers available. Better than a pit toilet!! Plenty of shaded spots with some mature trees around the campground. Firepits and picnic tables on each site. Trails all around to hike as well as a catch and release pond on grounds. Rangers were pretty adamant about quiet time starting at 10 pm. Rangers were super friendly, too.
One little gotcha, for me at least. There's no smoking of any product nor e-cig use allowed on the grounds. I personally look forward to enjoying a cigar around the campfire at the end of the day. Bummer but not a deal breaker.
TravelerFantastic park. Well kept, beautiful surroundings with hiking trails, big and private spots and clean bathrooms. Camping cabins available. The second interior RV loop is way nicer and more private spots than the first. We were site 37 and it was great. Both electric and water hookups in all RV spots and campground dump station on site. Julian and Winona are fun day trips. Calico Cider in Wynona is an A+.
TravelerMy wife and I stayed here in early May 2021. This was our second time at Paso Picacho after visiting here a few years ago. We were even more impressed this time around. I can't say enough about this place. The grounds are serene and well kept, the atmosphere is relaxed and most of the campers were very respectful. The campsites are huge, if you know which ones to nab with an early reservation, and the staff there are just the most delightful people on earth.
On our first night there, a couple of huge pickups showed up to the spot right above ours at midnight, and they blasted music, partied, and screamed at the top of their lungs often (for whatever reason), and we couldn't sleep. We were super bummed and had thought it was pretty much going to be an awful trip. However, we talked to the campground host and the staff at the entrance, and they were super understanding and helpful. They said that they know people come here for peace and quiet, and that they take it seriously when any campers violate their quiet hours rules.
The camp host hopped on a cart right away and sped away to the offending sites to give them a talking to and made sure to mention that if they violated the noise rules again, they would send in rangers and have them booted out of the campground. It worked like gangbusters! The rest of our trip was amazing, and we didn't hear so much as a peep from the neighboring sites (it was a big group) all weekend. The camp host followed up with us afterward and said that we could come by his site anytime and tell him if the other campers were loud again, even if it was 3am in the morning. He said, "It's no trouble. That's what I'm here for."
Awesome, awesome, awesome. The fire pit worked out great, and we were able to cook all of our meals on the grill that comes with it using the cast iron skillets we bought. They had plenty of wood for sale at the front, as well as ice. The wood price is a little steep ($8 per bundle), but all that money goes back into the park. Knowing that, it actually felt good paying them for the wood rather than buying it elsewhere.
The trails were well kept, and the views were fantastic even with the fire damage. We got to do everything that we wanted to do and then some. We even had time to go to Julian and do some shopping - check out the Cider Mill for some delicious treats!
As far as campsites go, our site (#30) was so, so great. We researched a lot online beforehand (campsitephotos.com was helpful along with this site, Google reviews, and Yelp), so we had a pretty good idea of what the site was going to look like. But it was even better than the pictures. It was a huge site with plenty of room for 2 tent pads. The picnic table and fire pit were positioned just under a huge, climbable tree that gave us plenty of shade while we were there. The only downside to this site is that it was very close to the bathrooms. That actually bummed me out a bit when we first arrived, but it ended up not being much of an issue at all. The traffic to and from the bathrooms was very light, and the section of the bathroom building facing our site was all showers, which barely anybody used. There is also a lot of bushes and tree cover in between the site and the bathrooms, so we barely saw anybody the whole time we were there.
Reading reviews online is what helped us find such a great spot, so I promised myself I would walk the grounds and post all of the good site numbers online when we got back. So here they are, at least in my opinion:
Top Three
30: our site- the best!
70: easily the 2nd best site on the grounds- very private, secluded, lots of bush cover, fire pit and table are far from the road- the only downside to this site it that it has very little shade, so bring a canopy or tarp to setup your own shade situation. Other than that, this site was incredible. We will probably check this one out when we go back here in the fall.
85: My pick for the 3rd best site on the grounds, although my wife disagreed. This site is surrounded by forest, trees, and bushes on 3 sides. If you don't count the front facing view, it is one of the most secluded sites in the campground. It is on the outside of a bend in the road, and there are no other sites to the left and right of it. I personally prefer a"bathroom bush" close by to save myself from having to walk to the bathrooms in the dark, and this place has tons of'em. The downside here is that the front of the campsite faces 2-3 other sites that are right across the road. If the site were a house, basically the"front door" is wide open to the campers across the way. If you had a bad group camping across from you, it might be not so fun. However, you can park your car in such a way that it would block out some of that wide open space in the front, making it more private.
Honorable Mention
44: my wife's pick for 3rd- big site, lots of shade, secluded, a little too close to the neighboring site on the left side(facing the site from the road) but nothing but road on the right side
8: Nice, big site that is not close to other campsites. Private, secluded. Lots of trees and shade. The downside to this one is that it is right across from a cabin. Depending on the campers using the cabin during your visit, that proximity to the cabin might be a bummer. However, there were no big parties at the cabins while we were there.
51: Good site, lots of trees and shade. Semi-private.
54: Good site, lots of trees and shade. Not all that private- kind of open and on a little bit of a slope.
20: Just kinda okay. Trees and shade but not very private or secluded. Good if all of the above are booked.
TravelerNice campground away from the main roads. All spots outside of the R.V. loop are spread out and pretty secluded. Very friendly and helpful rangers. About a 10 minute drive from Julian pie co. Nice well maintained trails, easy to moderate level. Site 24
RangerLots going on here but felt peaceful midweek in Jan. 3 spring-fed pools, hot showers quarter operated, clean flush toilet bathrooms, water, hiking trails and ample roads to walk the dog on. Mountain lion country - be alert. Friendly rangers. Clean facilities and well-kept grounds. Horseshoe pits and large group picnic areas. Cute cabins for rent - no pets allowed in those. Will definitely visit again. Many of the tent sites are close together - if the campground was full you’d have little privacy but it’s a large place and there were hardly any tent campers when I was there, though more RVs and vans in the hookup section. Tent site 106 is very private. I liked 109 it was in a kind of bird thicket with privacy from the road etc.
Cabin camping near Julian, California offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of well-reviewed options that cater to different preferences and budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cabin rentals cost in Julian, California?
Cabin rental prices in Julian vary based on amenities, size, and season. At Lake Hemet Campground, cabins are noted for being affordable, making them a good option for families on a budget. Premium cabin options at KQ Ranch Resort typically range from $100-175 per night depending on season and day of week. Most basic cabins in the Julian area start around $75-100 per night, while more luxurious options with additional amenities can exceed $200 nightly. Many locations offer discounts for extended stays and off-season rentals, with weekday rates often being significantly lower than weekend prices.
What types of cabins are available for rent in Julian, CA?
Julian offers a variety of cabin accommodations to suit different needs. William Heise County Park provides camping cabins that are popular for those seeking a rustic experience with modern conveniences. These cabins are situated within a beautiful forested setting, perfect for nature lovers. For beachside options, Del Mar Beach Cottages offers cabin rentals with ocean proximity. Beyond traditional cabins, you'll also find glamping-style accommodations at some locations, like canvas tent cabins at Hidden Haven Farms that feature comfortable cots and scenic views.
What amenities are typically included in Julian camping cabins?
Julian area camping cabins typically include basic furnishings like beds, tables, and seating. At Agua Caliente County Park Campground, nearby amenities include exceptional features like outdoor pools and an indoor adult spa. Many cabins provide electricity, heating, and sometimes air conditioning. Paso Picacho Campground offers cabins in well-maintained grounds with access to hiking trails. Common shared amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, communal bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. More upscale cabins might feature private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and outdoor decks or porches. Most sites have water access and parking nearby.
When is the best time of year to rent a cabin in Julian?
Fall is widely considered the prime season for Julian cabin rentals, offering comfortable temperatures and spectacular foliage, especially at Dos Picos County Park where the natural surroundings shine. October through November brings apple picking season and Julian's famous apple pies. Spring (April-May) delivers wildflowers and pleasant hiking conditions at Lake Morena County Park. Winter can be magical with occasional snow, though prepare for colder temperatures. Summer brings warmer days but cooler nights than nearby desert areas. For maximum availability and potentially lower rates, consider midweek stays and booking several months in advance during peak seasons.
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