Best Tent Camping near Mecca, CA

Searching for a tent camping spot near Mecca? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Mecca with tent camping. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your California tent camping excursion.

Best Tent Sites Near Mecca, CA (24)

Showing results 1-10 of 24 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews in Mecca

1136 Reviews of 24 Mecca Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Salton Sea Sra
    Nov. 9, 2024

    Salton Sea Sra

    I love this place

    I have been coming here for 25 years. Sadly the lake is disappearing, but it have beautiful sunsets and is isolated and peaceful ( except for the occasional train). Avoid in the summer, but winter is amazing.

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Cove Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
    Nov. 8, 2024

    Indian Cove Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    Joshua tree np without the fee

    I’ve camped at Joshua tree national park numerous times but this is the first time at this site. It was great. Lots of climbing at hiking at this spot. Great Joshua tree experience without the long drive and entrance fee.

  • Karen D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Ryan Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Ryan Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    Beautiful and quiet

    We stayed two nights here in a campervan. It's a really great location to explore the park. The rocks give some good shade. Space #9 was shady in the mornings. The toilets were fine. It was really quiet, they're were a few other campers mostly in tents. No sign of any rattlesnakes or other critters either. Except loads of cute squirrels, and some mice and lizards.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Ridge Yellow Post Sites
    Sep. 27, 2024

    South Ridge Yellow Post Sites

    Awesome dispersed site with amazing views

    Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)

  • Kate
    Camper-submitted photo from Chiriaco Summit Dry Camp Area
    Sep. 21, 2024

    Chiriaco Summit Dry Camp Area

    free camping outside joshua tree

    i loved camping here! the campsites are pretty close together but only a few others were there when we visited so we were spaced out. the first campsite we chose had a few pretty big ant hills so we moved to another which had none. wood fires are allowed. the stars were absolutely beautiful at night! you are near the highway so you will get headlights shining towards you occasionally but it was overall still pretty dark and quiet. no amenities but you’re within a half mile of a cute family restaurant and gift shop, the general patton museum, and a gas station. when you first drive into the campground, you will pass some old tanks. keep going until you see the campground sign. i had an amazing time camping here with my dog and my friend. i hope to come back here with my family sometime!!

  • Carol L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shabby Shanty
    Sep. 20, 2024

    Shabby Shanty

    cool

    What a stunning view from this hillside property! Overlooking the dry lake bed with a neighbor half a mile away sounds like the perfect retreat for those seeking peace and privacy. The proximity to downtown Joshua Tree and JTNP offers the best of both worlds—seclusion and convenience. If you’re considering moving to such a beautiful area, it’s important to communicate your vision clearly. That’s where https://stateofwriting.com/uk/sociology-writing-service comes in. Their expert writing services can help you craft compelling content, whether it’s for a personal blog, a real estate listing, or any other writing project. Enjoy the tranquility of this amazing location!

  • Annie G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Fry Creek Campground
    Sep. 18, 2024

    Fry Creek Campground

    Very beautiful

    This is a very nice and quiet campground and everyone there was very respectful of quite hours. The place was very clean and very beautiful. The only con was that there are way too many insects everywhere, My base camp got bombarded with a swarm of wasps, And I was forced to leave a day early, and had to leave my cooking pot behind because of the swarm of wasps... I wish there were some kind of rangers or someone there that I could have asked for help about this, or I wish someone would do something about this issue but I guess it is what it is at this location lol 😆 Other than not being able to cook and eat without wasps in your face and In your food, it was really nice

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tool Box Springs - Yellow Post Campground
    Sep. 18, 2024

    Tool Box Springs - Yellow Post Campground

    Canpsites a plenty

    There’s a few designated camp areas up this way. Went out in early Sept 2024 and the road was fine. I drive a lifted AWD overloaded Honda Element and I had no issue. There were two sections on the final ascent loop to the top of Thomas Mountain that were a little scratchy. You do not need to complete the final ascent to the top to enjoy the camping areas. Although if your car is capable there’s an excellent spot at the very end of the loop.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
    Sep. 14, 2024

    Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    We were too big

    Heads up about this place if you’re in an RV like we are. We reserved spot #40, we are a 26ft class c (28 ft total length) and the length limit for this spot is 30 ft, and RVs are allowed. But we felt like we barely fit side to side, and definitely wouldn’t have put our slides out. Not to mention it was so unlevel that we wouldn't have wanted to take the slides out anyway. The spot was cute, a little spot by itself between a hill and the “bump out” type parking spot where you’d park your vehicle. There’s a picnic table, a grill, and a fire pit. We ended up parking there for a bit, walking over to skull rock and the discovery trail to face rock (dogs not allowed on trails), walked back, and left. We would have been way too uncomfortable if we’d tried to stay the night. Oh well- we only lost $20. 

    There are dumpsters throughout the campground, and recycling at the entrance. We didn’t see any hosts or staff. There are pit toilets as well. We did see some other RVs in spots that looked fine, but overall I’d recommend this place for tents only unless you know for sure you’ll fit in the spot. Zero cell service in the entire park.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
    Sep. 14, 2024

    Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    Beautiful

    This place is reservation only, through recreation.gov. The rangers at the visitor center do not handle anything with reservations whatsoever. We managed to get two nights fairly last minute, only to arrive and find the campground mostly empty. That’s pretty aggravating, probably due to people making reservations and not showing up. 

    Sites are $25/night, and rec.gov does not charge a processing fee, which is so nice. 

    The roads throughout the campground are in terrible shape, but we managed in our 26ft class C. The roads and many of the sites are washed out and crumbling. Most sites are not level. Our site,#90, was ok with leveling blocks. 

    There’s recycling here (no glass accepted), trash dumpsters, flush toilets, and a free dump station with potable water fill. No showers here. There are many hiking trails directly from the campground, which is nice, but dogs are not allowed on the trails. 

    ATT had good service and Verizon was usable but very weak.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree
    Aug. 25, 2024

    BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree

    Definition of Dispersed Camping

    Everything about this site is not only free, but literally free to park and camp anywhere. There are private properties around, so just double check, but for the most part its wife open land to camp. Also currently in a fire ban, but that should be getting lifted in October. So campfires would be a great idea out here as well.

  • Heather L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park
    Aug. 22, 2024

    Stone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park

    Some of the Campsites are great, others not so much

    We traveled as a group of 17 campers and were able to disperse evenly between 4 close together campsites. We were in 19, 20, 21 and 23. Even though the website says it allowed 2 cars per site we were charged for the 2nd vehicle. In each site. I had also checked online prior to make sure we would have cell service with that many people meeting us. Only those of us that had Verizon had only a single bar. The campsites in the inner ring (ours was #21) are VERY close together. Not at all private, your camp is literally up against a couple others. We had children from the other sites running all through ours and it was so close you could hear everyone else’s private conversations. #19 and #20 were on the outer circle but just enough space to park and then walk through very sticky manzanita trees into the campsite and picnic table area. None of them had much or any shade. Our saving grace was our 4th spot - which gave us enough room to have all of us sit out of the way of the sticky trees and one tree in the middle to give us a touch of shade throughout the day. It had 2 picnic tables and was much more private so we didn’t disturb anyone and we didn’t have everyone else disturbing us. The vault toilets (yes, I know what they entail, and yes, it’s summer) were horrendous and barely useable, but we had 2 within very quick walking distance of us. They do allow dogs (we had 5 dogs and 3 cats with us) and it’s a short drive into the little town of Idyllwild. It’s a campground that served its purpose in getting all of us together and of course we had a blast, but it’s not on my “must camp here again” list.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Observatory Campground
    Jun. 23, 2024

    Observatory Campground

    Great place! Bad timing!

    The pictures can be deceiving. It’s beautiful there, however, other than the picture showing flat ground, and wide space, this isn’t accurate.

    This time of year, mosquitos and flies everywhere to the point where it really ruined the experience. No matter what sprays, lotions, candles or anything we tried, it was not working.

  • Russ S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yaqui Well Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
    May. 23, 2024

    Yaqui Well Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Nice but small sites, easy access, good views

    I don't think this map pin is correct for Yaqui Wells Primitive Camp, the location according to Google Maps is a little further south just off Yaqui Pass Road off Highway 78. There are two different camps similarly named, Yaqui Wells and Yaqui Pass, fairly close to each other. Anyway, we stayed here at Yaqui Wells for one night after attempting to camp at Blair Valley but getting swarmed by bees. Only saw 2 other vehicles, and while the sites are pretty small and close to the dirt road, they are nice enough. BE AWARE THOUGH: pull your vehicle well into the sites, we had 6 lifted off road trucks come flying through around midnight at a ridiculously high speed without slowing down at all and it could have been catastrophic if we were closer to the road or if we had been walking our dog at that time.

  • Jason M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground
    May. 13, 2024

    Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

    Good Times and Clear Skies!

    We booked and traveled here to show the kids the stars from a desert view, and it did not disappoint! My camera couldn't capture the magnificent view from just our site. We stayed three nights and had two perfect days, but the final full day was filled with wind, as expected in this part of the desert. No worries, though—explore the town and escape the wind. We did not use any facilities, but the hookups were great and the park was clean. I would come again in the off-summer season!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
    May. 12, 2024

    Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

    GOOD ENOUGH

    The area was easy to navigate; even when we pulled in late at night. There were a lot of people coming in and out as well. I wouldn’t recommend if you’re looking for privacy. Aside from that, I would camp if you’re looking for something easy, safe, and accessible.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
    May. 11, 2024

    Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Desert campground

    I stopped here for lunch. You're in the desert, so hot during the day. There are some trees for shade, especially for the campsites along Yaqui Pass Road. All sites have lattice-work shelters for shade over the picnic tables. Water is listed as non-potable at all faucets. Besides campsites, there are one-room cabins for rent. $35/night for the campsites is a lot, but that is state park practice in CA. National Forest campgrounds are cheaper.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Fry Creek Campground
    May. 11, 2024

    Fry Creek Campground

    Beautiful Campground

    I grew up right down the road in the early 60's. Great Campground with a lot of trails, awesome views, and some opportunities for fishing. Taught my very young nephew how to trout fish at Dohnes Pond, right below the Observatory.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mecca, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mecca, CA is Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Mecca, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.