Best Campgrounds near La Mesa, CA

Camping options surround La Mesa, California with established campgrounds offering varying levels of amenities and services. Kumeyaay Lake Campground, located in Mission Trails Regional Park, provides tent camping with basic facilities approximately 7 miles north of La Mesa. Several RV-friendly sites including Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, Lake Jennings, and San Diego RV Resort accommodate both tent and RV campers within 10 miles of the city. Many campgrounds in the region feature cabin rentals and glamping options for visitors seeking alternatives to traditional camping.

Campground availability in the La Mesa area follows seasonal patterns, with many sites requiring advance reservations, particularly on weekends. Kumeyaay Lake Campground operates only on Friday and Saturday nights, limiting weekend options for tent campers. "This campground is only open Friday-Sunday. Most of the sites were occupied but didn't feel packed or overcrowded," noted one camper about Kumeyaay Lake. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months, making spring and fall more comfortable for camping. Most established campgrounds provide amenities such as showers, toilets, and drinking water, though specific features vary by location. Campers should verify alcohol policies as some parks, including Kumeyaay Lake Campground, prohibit alcohol consumption on premises.

The camping experience near La Mesa offers urban accessibility while maintaining natural surroundings. Mission Trails Regional Park contains numerous hiking and mountain biking trails directly accessible from Kumeyaay Lake Campground. Several visitors mentioned the clean facilities and family-friendly atmosphere at regional campgrounds. Road noise affects some locations, particularly San Diego RV Resort which sits between freeways. A review observed that "this RV resort is situated between free ways. Road noise is the main issue." Waterfront camping options include Campland on the Bay and Silver Strand State Beach, providing beach access approximately 15-20 miles from La Mesa. Most campgrounds in the region maintain reasonable proximity to urban conveniences while offering adequate natural settings for weekend getaways.

Best Camping Sites Near La Mesa, California (168)

    1. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park

    33 Reviews
    Bonita, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 472-7572

    $34 - $38 / night

    "Close to the city, camp is clean and staff is friendly and helpful. Showers were clean, and partial hookups are only $35 a night. Cheapest I've found in California."

    "I’m not sure you’ll find a campground like this anywhere else in California for $29/night with partial hookups. It was quiet and peaceful. Bathrooms could have used some attention."

    2. Lake Jennings

    33 Reviews
    Lakeside, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 390-1623

    $35 - $140 / night

    "This location is a hidden gem in the outskirts of the city."

    "We had scoped this out as a wintering location for my snowbird dad, and I always remembered how powerfully silence of that hillside had impacted me... finally camped there- it was lovely!"

    3. San Diego Metro KOA

    32 Reviews
    Bonita, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 427-3601

    "The gate makes it feel more safe as it's right next to a path by a river, which seemed sketchy at times.

    + During the week it felt spacious.

    + We worked remotely from here and picked up a good"

    "Walking distance to stores if something is needed."

    4. Kumeyaay Lake Campground

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

    $24 - $25 / night

    "Campground was close to freeway exit and nearby local neighborhoods. Despite that, it still felt quiet and comfortable. Sites were clean snd a good size. Bathrooms were nice and clean."

    "You are away from the city, but not too far. The facilities were nice and the only scare was the GIGANTIC spider seen outside the bathroom. We'd for sure come pack...the price is right too :$"

    5. Silver Strand State Beach

    23 Reviews
    Coronado, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 435-5184

    $65 - $85 / night

    "Great choice for camping along the ocean in Southern California."

    "Can’t beat the proximity to the beach! Spots next to the road are loud and the campground is busy with small parking lot style areas, but if you can get a spot backing on to the beach, A+."

    6. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

    16 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 596-3141

    "Being a native San Diegan The east county location allows for easy access to San Diego sites from two freeways."

    "The fishing lakes are and best indoor walking paths are a bonus."

    7. Dos Picos County Park

    35 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "The creek eventually flows into a pond located on the other end of the campground. The pond is actually pretty large! Lots of space to walk around and explore."

    "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."

    8. Fiddlers Cove RV Park

    18 Reviews
    Coronado, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 522-8680

    "Facilities are immaculate.. adjacent to the marina, so many boats, kayaks and watercraft are available for rent.."

    "Great location, quaint little town. Levels concrete pad, have room to put your stuff. Laundry and close to base."

    9. Campland on the Bay

    21 Reviews
    Coronado, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (858) 581-4205

    $60 / night

    "It sits next to the bay, which is calmer and the beach. I've seen people jet ski, sail, paddle boat, play beach volleyball, and swim, and there are even bonfire pits on the beach!"

    "We had 4 campsites all next to each other. The camp hosts were all very nice, they drove around quite a bit making sure all was good. For how many sites they have it didn’t seem too crowded."

    10. Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay

    12 Reviews
    Coronado, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 489-3950

    $150 - $280 / night

    "The bay and the marina are within walking distance and there is a restaurant at the marina. There is water electric sewer and cable at each site."

    "Great access to bike trails, close to all that San Diego has to offer."

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Recent Reviews near La Mesa, CA

1128 Reviews of 168 La Mesa Campgrounds


  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Oak Grove Campground

    Quiet, small and dark... simple camping.

    A great little hidden site with not much to offer but stargazing, fresh air and nice campers. My 2nd trailer camping trip was 1 night and it was awesome, plenty of stars and the Milky Way was so clear... years since I've seen it. Non hook ups but there is water throughout the grounds, plenty of wildlife birds, I had a bluejay sing for me all day. Clean restrooms... and red ants. Loved my space so I'll be getting it again.

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Dos Picos County Park

    A family fun zone site.

    Nice site I stayed 1 night with W/E hook ups, my first time with my new camper trailer. It was ok, trailer spaces were tight but have plenty of tall trees, not much privacy. My space was next to a rec center to have a security light on all night, more stars than the city and the moon looked good in my telescope. Overall decent site, didn't have time to enjoy the hike, fishing or park.

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Borrego Palm Canyon Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Open Desert Fun

    October 4th stay was new to me, my 3rd trailer camping trip from San Diego. It was nice and warm at arrival and cool by the moonlit night with the gnats going away until morning. No one was next to me so I had it good, most were tent camper and quiet by 10pm... great views. Shack guard was nice and helpful... I liked this site.

  • C
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Granite Springs

    Little Known Gem

    Primitive camp site with chemical bathrooms. Has 3 areas to set up tents. First come first serve, but you must check in at the ranger station before you go. $5 per camper. We comfortably fit 3 tents on one site.

  • M
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Mission Bay RV Resort

    Trashy park

    Several issues here. First the most obvious the connections are at the front of the space on the drivers side. If you back in you better have 100 feet of hose sewer and power cord. Reservations failed to tell me while on the phone that the power was out but they’re still charging full price. Most of the lots are dusty dirt lots well over half of the park is not in use and in disrepair. There is trash everywhere and the staff could care less if you’re enjoying yourself. Do yourself a favor and spend the 20 extra dollars to stay at Campland Overall a waste of money and beach front property

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater Summit Regional Park

    Great camp

    Close to the city, camp is clean and staff is friendly and helpful.

    Showers were clean, and partial hookups are only $35 a night. Cheapest I've found in California.

  • Kai K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Loved The Off-Roading and Beautiful Views

    Loved how much road there was to explore. We went about 2 hours deep into this area and there was still more to explore. The best part here was the stars, so stunning. Be careful in the summer as it is very hot during the day.

  • j
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake Henshaw Resort

    My stay review

    This place is pretty cool The staff is nice and not too strict. The place can definitely use a lil tlc but for the price per day its nothing too complain about. The pool is cool the showers and bathroom are all functional. Wich is a good thing. I was told to pick any spot i liked wich made my stay even better. No hookups at all i had my rv/camper but that was no problem i took my generator. Place is definitely recommended if you're a not too picky person.😉

  • D
    Aug. 31, 2025

    San Elijo State Beach Campground

    Cool spot

    Difficult to book. 6 months in advance but if you do. The full hookup spots are located in the middle of the campground. Don’t feel like you missed anything if you can’t get beachfront. Bushes, fences block any views unless your in dry camping down toward south end of park. Camp store is permanently closed so that Convenience is no longer here. Bathrooms and showers are clean and somewhat nice.


Guide to La Mesa

Camping options near La Mesa, California provide a mix of urban convenience and natural surroundings within San Diego County. The area sits at approximately 500-600 feet above sea level, with a Mediterranean climate featuring warm, dry summers and mild winters. Campsites within 15 miles of La Mesa often experience temperature differences of 5-10 degrees cooler than coastal locations, making early fall camping particularly comfortable.

What to do

Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Jennings offers several fishing opportunities with stocked lakes just 7 miles from La Mesa. "We camp frequently since we live 5mins away. Always enjoy Easter and Halloween with friends and family," notes a camper at Lake Jennings, which provides lake access for fishing enthusiasts.

Hiking accessible trails: Trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty can be found throughout the area, with some suitable for beginners. "Little loop around side of campground. Nice view of the reservoir," mentions a visitor at Sweetwater Regional Park regarding the hiking options.

Water activities beyond swimming: Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve offers paddle boats and water recreation beyond just swimming. "There's lots for kids to do here! Feed the ducks, fish, ride the pedal boats. It's an awesome place for a day outside!" shares a camper at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

What campers like

Urban camping with nature elements: Many campgrounds offer a blend of urban amenities while maintaining some natural surroundings. "This is a San Diego County Park/Campground. It offers everything from tent/car camping to full hook-up for large RVs... The campground also has some nice amenities: good trail system, a splash pad, a playground," explains a visitor at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park.

Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and shower facilities receive positive mentions. "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," reports a camper at Kumeyaay Lake Campground.

Variety of site options: Campgrounds offer diverse site types from basic to premium. "Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing and made for the perfect vista from our RV bed. An added benefit of the Preferred View sites is the privacy since no one is camped behind you," explains a visitor at Lake Jennings about their experience in Site 91.

What you should know

Limited reservation windows: Several popular campgrounds require advance planning. "We've been trying for 2 1/2 years to get back in, almost every day so we can visit our grandchildren. If you are not from town or immediate area you can only reserve Monday afternoon to Friday morning!" warns a camper about Santee Lakes reservation challenges.

Noise considerations: Highway and air traffic noise affects some locations more than others. "The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because of the bathrooms/showers. Clean but so cramped. At $35 a night, though, definitely worth it!" mentions a visitor at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park.

Military-only options: Some excellent campgrounds are limited to military personnel. "This is a military installation so it's not open to the public. This is our go to staycation place on San Diego bay. Close enough to Coronado but far enough to be secluded," notes a visitor at Fiddlers Cove RV Park.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds that entertain children during non-hiking hours. "They have an event gazebo you can rent and a really nice playground," mentions a camper at Dos Picos County Park, which offers family-friendly amenities.

Water recreation options: Consider campgrounds with water features for children's entertainment. "We camp here once a week to feed the ducks with my nephews. We've come to this lake my whole life. Don't come here alone and I wouldn't go at dark either," advises a regular visitor at Lake Jennings.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer opportunities to view local birds and animals. "Beautiful wildlife, sunsets, sculptures, beach, marina, bike paths. The staff is well organized, prepared and professional," comments a visitor at Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability varies: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups and amenities. "Spots are the concrete and very big. Resort-style Amenities. Great pool and kids playground. Pet stop nice!" shares an RVer at Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay.

Site selection matters: Carefully review site maps when making reservations. "Be cautious about what site you select. We had #1 and it is so noisy that we had to buy a white noise machine. The freeway is close by and it seems having a really loud car or a motorcycle is a thing there in Chula Vista," warns a repeat visitor at Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay.

Internet connectivity: For those needing to stay connected, internet service varies by location. "Internet service was great for Verizon. We got 23 Mbps with 3 bars of 4G LTE unboosted, and 69 Mbps with 5 bars using a simple MIMO antenna," notes a full-time RVer at Lake Jennings, important for those planning to work remotely while camping near La Mesa, CA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near La Mesa, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, La Mesa, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 168 campgrounds and RV parks near La Mesa, CA and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near La Mesa, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near La Mesa, CA is Sweetwater Summit Regional Park with a 4.4-star rating from 33 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near La Mesa, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near La Mesa, CA.