Best Tent Camping near Mecca, CA

Recent Tent Reviews near Mecca, California

1162 Reviews of 26 Mecca 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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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 :)

• 

  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.

• 

  Paul V.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 10, 2020

  Fry Creek Campground

  Absolutely beautiful

  Best tent campground

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  Jeannie B.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 29, 2020

  Salton Sea Sra

  Fascinating landscapes

  We camped here on New Years Eve. It was quiet. This area is interesting. Has a Mad Max Thunderdome vibe. Definitely go to Salvation Mountain then drive thru Slab City. I walked thru the odd Outdoor Art Gallery called “East Jesus” fascinating population of people live out there. We camped at the Mecca camp which is a mile south of the ranger station. The actual Salton sea is right there. Great for bird watching bring binoculars. The sunrise and sunsets were some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. Best hook up site #138 but hands down best tent site #134. If I didn’t get either of those I would not have stayed as sites are very close with zero privacy barrier. The best part of this campground were the hosts. Good folks

• 

  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!

• 

  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.

• 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.

• 

  Jeannie B.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 29, 2020

  William Heise County Park

  Quiet and Cold winter camping

  In February we had the place to ourselves. Temperature dropped to 43'. Best hook up site #24. Best tent site #65. A few pretty good trails to get the heart pumping. We took the Cedar Trail on the left side of the fork. The water at the spigots spewed dark brown water. Bring your own water source. Definitely cougar country so kept pups close to us. Clean bathrooms and wild stormy skies.

• 

  cal K.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 17, 2023

  Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

  Cute spot- high winds

  Small camp with $35 tent sites eith shelter, table and fire ring and $75 cabins both reservable and first come (pay with card at kiosk tho cabins were not rentable like this due to no attendant present. Non-potable water. Token showers. Accessible site reserved for disabled folks and wheelchair accessible showers. Trailhead with views of ocotillo, agave and the other desert plants nearby. Only reason I’m giving 3 stars are the high winds made car camping without a tent pretty miserable. But I know that’s the nature of the park- windy!

• M

  Marcie S.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 11, 2020

  Bierbaum Pepper Farm - Temporarily Closed

  Exactly as Advertised

  The place is exactly as advertised. Hosts are kind as can be but give you your space as well. We had campsites 5 and 6 and it was perfect. Would highly recommend this site for those looking for a tent camping experience. You could not even see the hosts house from the site and we had 10 plus people very comfortably. We went to the local dog friendly wineries which Marcella recommended for the day and came back for a sunset hotub. We could not have been happier with it all.

• 

  Brandon R.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 1, 2022

  Salt Creek Beach Campground

  Great spot if you are self-contained

  This is a great little spot with a lot of level area if you are self-contained and don't need to hook up to anything. Not a great place for tent camping though, think of it more as a great desert parking lot with a view. There are plenty of picnic tables and fire rings available though (be prepared and bring your own wood). There are several porta-potties and trash cans available as well and even some recycling bins available. The views here are solid, space was quiet aside from the occasional train. Would definitely recommend for a night. Cost was $10.

• 

  Erika V.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 14, 2022

  Boulder Basin

  Love it!

  Love camping here via both tent camping and van life. Beautiful surroundings and nature all around. Tricky to get to and recommend 4WD/AWD vehicles. Trailers would be tough on the dirt switch backs. Bathrooms are gnarly but tolerable if you’re in and out quickly. But they are clean and stocked, it’s just the stench! No water so bring plenty of your own. No open fires this time of the year but nonetheless enjoyable and plenty of stars to be seen. Plenty of bouldering to be had in the area. Super fun times! Can’t wait to go back!