Best Tent Camping near La Quinta, CA

Recent Tent Reviews near La Quinta, California

1384 Reviews of 34 La Quinta Campgrounds

• R

  RICH

  Traveler

  

  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.

• F

  Fairen T.

  Guide

  

  May. 4, 2019

  Idyllwild Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park

  Quiet Mountain Camping

  Offers wide range of tent camp sites, RV camping, showers, toilets. Beautiful scenic hikes. Small creek runs through property. Campsite grills and picnic tables.

• 

  Elliott B.

  Legend

  

  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.

  Guide

  

  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.

  Scout

  

  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.

  Traveler

  

  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

  Pete

  Scout

  

  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.

  Traveler

  

  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.

• 

  Ana G.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 7, 2021

  Yaqui Well Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

  Super easy, free, and fun!

  We rolled in after dark and found a spot super easy that was secluded and perfect for tent camping. We had a nice hike in the morning before heading back to Julian for pie :)

• 

  Harry E.

  Traveler

  

  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.

• 

  Paul V.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 10, 2020

  Fry Creek Campground

  Absolutely beautiful

  Best tent campground

• 

  Paige H.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 19, 2022

  Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Super Sick

  Awesome tent sites in Joshua Tree, tucked between some Jumbo Rocks. The sites are pretty spacious and private and have primo scenery and star gazing opportunities.

• S

  Solmar L.

  Scout

  

  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.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Gary H.

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 5, 2025

  Indian Cove Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Big rocks and lots of sunshine

  Nice place to visit in early January. With sunshine and daytime temperatures of 60s and 70s. Most sites are suitable for tent camping or small campers.

  Would be a 5 star if it had water, a dump station or electric.

• 

  Jill F.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 31, 2018

  William Heise County Park

  Tame camping

  Cabins are fun and shelter you from the occasional strong gusty winds.

  Tent camping in the rain is also do-able here due to the temperate climate. There are a couple playgrounds, so a very kid-friendly environment as well.

• 

  cal K.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 20, 2023

  Agua Caliente County Park Campground

  Large campground with lots of amenities

  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. 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.

• 

  jeff B.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 6, 2021

  Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

  Camping in the big rocks

  Super campspots among the boulders. Great hiking out of the campground. Some of the tent sites are "really" walk in sites so it makes it a bit more challenging if sleeping in van. Bring everything you need ie. Water!

• 

  John B.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 5, 2023

  Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District

  Great Time Nice Facility

  Friendly staff kept everything clean and gave great advice. 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. Propane fire pits we allowed but no wood fires.

• 

  Rae M.

  Guide

  

  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.

  Traveler

  

  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

  Geoffrey R.

  Traveler

  

  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

  Dawn

  Traveler

  

  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

  Amanda T.

  Traveler

  

  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

  Michelle S.

  Traveler

  

  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.

  Scout

  

  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.

  Guide

  

  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.