Top Tent Camping near Mission Viejo, CA

Looking for tent camping near Mission Viejo? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Mission Viejo. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your California tent camping excursion.

Best Tent Sites Near Mission Viejo, CA (20)

    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground

    1. San Clemente State Beach Campground

    35 Reviews
    144 Photos
    742 Saves

    San Clemente State Beach camping is located at the south end of the city of San Clemente, California. The area around San Clemente is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish Colonial style architecture. The city slogan is "Spanish Village by the Sea." Visitors are attracted to the San Clemente area for its intense winds and dramatic location. San Clemente has been a California state beach since 1937 and is popular among water sport enthusiasts, and anyone who wishes to escape from inland heat and nearby metropolitan areas for the day. The beautiful mile long beach stretches between the curling ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff.

    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Cabins

    $45 - $300 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Cove Beach Cottages

    2. Crystal Cove Beach Cottages

    6 Reviews
    3 Photos
    214 Saves
    • Pets
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from China Camp State Park

    3. China Camp State Park

    10 Reviews
    15 Photos
    144 Saves

    All campsites at China Camp Campground are HIKE-IN SITES for tent-camping only. Visitors must handcarry all equipment from the parking lot to the campsites. Campsites range from 50-300 yards from the parking lot. Eight persons maximum are allowed in each site. Check in time is 2pm or later and check out is Noon. Enroute camping is available for RV's with a grey water holding tank for one night only. No dump station or hook-ups are available. Enroute Camping is limited to space availability. Check in for enroute camping is 6pm and check out is 9am. A "Hike and Bike" site is available for those who travel to China Camp on foot or by bicycle.

    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group

    $35 - $175 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Falcon Group Campground

    4. Falcon Group Campground

    1 Review
    6 Photos
    29 Saves

    Overview

    Falcon Group Campground has three individual group campsites just off the scenic Ortega Highway in Southern California, which connects San Juan Capistrano and Temecula Valley Highway. The pleasant climate, scenery, trail system and convenient location, make this a popular destination for groups from Los Angeles and San Diego. Hiking is especially popular among campers.

    Recreation

    Hikers of any level can find trails that challenge and accommodate their recreational goals around the campground. Among them are the Falcon Trail, a 1.4-mile easy trail that connects to the campground, and Trabuco Canyon Trail, which provides scenic 6.8-mile hike into the backcountry. The San Juan Trial, which is popular with mountain bikers, has a trailhead at Blue Jay campground, adjacent from Falcon Group Campground. The trail climbs a very steep set of stacked switchbacks from the floor of Hot Springs Canyon and traverses briefly before steeply ascending a ridge toward Sugarloaf Mountain. There are also many ideal picnic spots and scenic overlooks along Ortega Highway.

    Natural Features

    The campground sits at an elevation of 3,300 ft. off the Ortega Highway scenic drive in the Santa Ana Mountains, a route that offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, valleys and forest. The area lies in a mixed forest and chaparral ecosystem and is inhabited by a variety of birds, plants and wildlife.

    Nearby Attractions

    The closest town is Lake Elsinore, which has various shops, restaurants and recreation opportunities.

    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group

    $120 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground

    5. Manker Campground

    12 Reviews
    26 Photos
    408 Saves

    Camp high in the clouds at Manker Flats Campground. This campground sits at 6000-feet and offers 21 campsites open year-round. However, piped-water is turned once temperatures reach freezing. Each site comes with a spacious spot for all your family camping needs and includes a picnic bench, fire ring, and vault toilets. It's located within a short drive to historic Mt. Baldy Schoolhouse and Visitor Center where visitors can discover the land's Native American roots. Close by, hikers have several options to begin their day's adventure including, Mt. Baldy Bowl trailhead. This trailhead can be combined with another major route, Devil's Backbone, to reach the summit (10,069') to form an impressive 11.3-mile loop hike. For the more casual hiker, a 1.4 mile round trip to the 75-foot San Antonio Falls is available. Bears are very active in this area, so it is recommended that all campers use provided bear boxes, personal bear canisters, or seal all food as to eliminate scent.

    • Pets
    • Electric Hookups
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Trash

    $12 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Jack Campground

    6. Black Jack Campground

    8 Reviews
    16 Photos
    27 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Harbors Campground

    7. Two Harbors Campground

    10 Reviews
    63 Photos
    72 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group
    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Little Harbor Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Hermit Gulch Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Hermit Gulch Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Hermit Gulch Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Hermit Gulch Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Hermit Gulch Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Hermit Gulch Campground

      10. Hermit Gulch Campground

      5 Reviews
      17 Photos
      25 Saves

      Hermit Gulch Campground is Avalon’s only camping facility located within city limits. The campground is situated in Avalon Canyon near the Nature Center and the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden.

      The campground offers a nice view of the surrounding hills that are home to a wide variety of endemic plant and animal species. Hermit Gulch Trail is accessible from the campground, and there's access to other hiking trails nearby.

      Hermit Gulch is great for first-timers and experienced campers alike. Being so close to town allows easy access to groceries, shopping, restaurants, tours, sight seeing and nightlife.

      • Pets
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • Tents
      • Tent Cabin
    Showing results 1-10 of 20 campgrounds

    Recent Tent Reviews In Mission Viejo

    974 Reviews of 20 Mission Viejo Campgrounds


    • Jeff T.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Dixon Lake Campground
      Oct. 21, 2024

      Dixon Lake Campground

      Great forestry feel. And good price ($30)

      We stayed here multiple times to car camp and have stayed in sites 3, 6, and 28. We really enjoyed site 28 due to the spectacular views of Escondido. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because their can be some creepy people occasionally like some old guy was following my son in his car. But other than that we had a good stay. If you are in a camper I would recommend Escondido RV resort instead due to the more inviting feel (we stayed there in our Coleman travel trailer). But if you car camp a lot like myself I would recommend staying here at Dixon lake. Great stay overall👍😊

    • Brittany W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Cherry Valley Lakes
      Oct. 5, 2024

      Cherry Valley Lakes

      Convenient Location for Seeing Family

      Staff all friendly and facilities while dated are kept very clean. Campers are respectful and quit at night but it’s a very noisy location right next to the freeway which took some getting used to the first few days.

    • 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

    • Kyle F.
      Camper-submitted photo from Champagne Lakes RV Resort
      Sep. 17, 2024

      Champagne Lakes RV Resort

      REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS!

      Let's start off with the fact that this"resort" has REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS living there and TWEAKERS SELLING DRUGS. When I mentioned it to the management they could care less, didn't say a word and walked away laughing. They DO NOT perform ANY BACKGROUND CHECKS and especially with children in the park I find that very disturbing. They nickel and dime you for every little thing and the rent has gone up 3x in one year. The water supply smells like sewage when you take a shower. Because they do pump outs the resort smells like human excrement most of the time. The lakes are polluted as well and completely full of cyanobacteria AKA green algae which is a respiratory hazard. POTENTIAL BEWARE.

    • jennifer G.
      Camper-submitted photo from O'Neill Regional Park
      Sep. 1, 2024

      O'Neill Regional Park

      Great little campground in south OC!

      Clean, quiet campground located in one of the OC Parks, with plenty of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. I stayed here on a weekday, and there were a few couple of vacant campsites in my area, so it was an extremely quiet visit. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked for my stay. I didn’t use the showers since I was only staying one night, but I heard they were free!

      Rangers were very friendly and firewood was only $5 for a decent bundle that lasted me over 2 hours.

      The city of Rancho Santa Margarita is right up the hill, so you can grab food and any necessities if needed.

      My site backed to the creek, so I never had people walking through my campsite.

      My dog & I slept in my van, but there was room for multiple tents, and a decent amount of shade in my spot.

      My spot didn’t have its own water spigot, but there was one at a site across from me.

      I was fortunate that all of the campers around me were quiet and considerate. I know that it doesn’t always work out that way, and having obnoxious neighbors can really ruin your experience.

    • Anita A.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Bonelli Bluffs
      Aug. 30, 2024

      Bonelli Bluffs

      Less crowded ocale while visiting family nearby

      Visiting family in Santa Ana and LA. Not to far for them to come to us and all to go to beach. Park clean and well maintained, personnel very kind and friendly Beautiful view from our site on area B. Crowded on weekend, much less during week Campground is not associated to adjacent Frank Bonelli Regional. Charge $12 to enter with vehicle but no fee to ride in on bikes

    • Kim N.
      Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Cove State Park Primitive
      Aug. 24, 2024

      Crystal Cove State Park Primitive

      beautiful beach

      Clean dump station, beautiful sites, very strict on rules. We came 10 minutes early before check in time, they made us wait. Campsite comes with wifi but very weak. We have t mobile and had bad reception. Would come back again for beautiful views, small hike, sandy beaches with lots of sand crabs.

    • Michael W.
      Camper-submitted photo from The Secret Place
      Aug. 19, 2024

      The Secret Place

      Peaceful, Private, Beautiful

      Although we booked a campsite, it felt more like we were invited to Mazen's home. He was communicative and responsive, happily answered all of our questions, and was beyond generous. I can't say enough about the beautiful views of Lake Elsinore! We can't wait to visit this campground again!

    • J
      Camper-submitted photo from Bolsa Chica State Beach
      Aug. 14, 2024

      Bolsa Chica State Beach

      Beach view

      The parking lot is next to the beach on the one side but also next to the highway on the other side. So the view and the breeze is beautiful, but the traffic noise in the evening and morning is not so nice. With earplugs everything is fine! ;) The host Jim is very kind and helpful!

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from San Clemente State Beach Campground
      Aug. 12, 2024

      San Clemente State Beach Campground

      Camping

      It was overall a nice campsite. Our site seemed to be pretty large it came with a picnic table & fire pit. The walk to the beach was close seemed maybe about 10 minute till we reached the beach from our site. It is on a hill you need to walk down & back up. The only down side was the bathrooms on the same road as our site were pretty dirty did not seem to have any maintenance during our stay.

    • IThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from The Secret Place
      Jul. 29, 2024

      The Secret Place

      Friendly, knowledgeable and respectful hosts, best views I have ever experienced.

      We couldn't find any campgrounds, after calling multiple places we came across "The Secret Place". They have the best views I have ever experienced! Especially during sunset and as the city lights start to twinkle. Very nice and quiet place. No full hookups, but good bathrooms and showers available. The camp host was knowledgeable about the area and recommended great things to do. Very helpful, very respectful and very friendly. Will definitely stay here again, made our honeymoon trip very memorable! A+ recommend.

    • Madisyn L.
      Camper-submitted photo from Woods Valley Kampground
      Jul. 28, 2024

      Woods Valley Kampground

      So beautiful, quiet, and very nice employees !!

      My fiancé and I were last minute camping and this campground was beautiful, quiet, and very aesthetic! There is a lot to do near by, a very convenient store about 5-10 minutes away called valley center foods! Employees were sooo sweet and friendly! DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! Ps isn’t that expensive when tent camping ⛺️ 🙌🏻

    • Bo L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Oceanside RV Park
      Jul. 21, 2024

      Oceanside RV Park

      Solid spot for being near the beach

      Nice little site that is right in the middle of everything.

      It's crowded and you don't have much space, but if your using this instead of a hotel room it works great.

      It had a game room and pool so kids had something to do. There were families all over with kids riding bikes. We had a quick stay over while we were seeing family in the area and it worked great .

      Only issue we had is both entrances have a hell of a dip, we scraped the ass end real good going in and out with our 24ft class c.

    • GThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Blue Jay Campground
      Jul. 20, 2024

      Blue Jay Campground

      Hidden gem

      Awesome spot, lots of sights and some even have overlooks of the entire park. Can get crowded but no one was there on a Friday night in July. Bathrooms, trash, water and even buckets to fill to put out your fire. Fire pits, benches and grills nothing more you could want.

    • S
      Camper-submitted photo from Olive Dell Ranch
      Jul. 12, 2024

      Olive Dell Ranch

      Olive Dell Resort

      I have been a member of this place for 20+ years.

      Most times if someone has a problem at the front gate. It because of the many background checks and or any one of the Screening Process...

      The previous review does not mention anything about that factor???? I wonder why??

    • E
      Camper-submitted photo from Manker Campground
      Jul. 3, 2024

      Manker Campground

      Mankers campground

      We spent 3days and 2nights here and enjoyed our stay, the caretaker was so nice! Although the restroom are very dirty but overall it was a great stay!

    • 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.

    • dThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from South Carlsbad State Beach
      Jun. 19, 2024

      South Carlsbad State Beach

      Nice Camground!

      Nice campground. Mostly no hookups, but has toilets and fresh water throughout. Great little restaurant serving pizza and snacks over looking the ocean. Beach access. Lots of sites.

    • Vincent B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from San Mateo Campground—San Onofre State Beach
      Jun. 10, 2024

      San Mateo Campground—San Onofre State Beach

      Nice spots with shade, clean facilities

      Site had tree cover which had some nice shade to provide relief from the sun. Lots of room for a couple vehicles and tents. Clean bathrooms and showers, but we stayed midweek and the place was very, very minimally occupied. Good access to walking and biking trails.

    • C
      Camper-submitted photo from Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest
      May. 29, 2024

      Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest

      Great place

      I had a positive impression of this small campground, located just 5-7 miles away from the 215 highway, amidst natural surroundings. I can join many activities here such as playing merge fruit. However, I was taken aback to discover that the campground was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It would be great if they were open full-time, although it didn't affect our stay as we had planned to leave by Monday night. While the bathroom facilities could benefit from some renovations, the actual campsite itself was quite enjoyable. Despite a previous reviewer mentioning that the road near the campground was busy, we personally didn't find it bothersome as there were only occasional cars passing by during the day, and the traffic volume was relatively light during our visit

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8
      May. 27, 2024

      Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8

      Prepare the climb; also not for big RVs

      The turn is not marked well, in fact the coordinates are a little bit off. If you miss the turn like we did you have to go 5 miles or more to get a turnabout big enough to turn around. You climb a big steep hill to get to the turn in. On the way back down from the turnaround we almost burned out or brakes. We decided not to go to the site because it looked like a one lane road and too tight for our 35 ft bumper pull. Disappointed because pictures from others looked great and it is a beautiful area. We found a spot near the road that I’ll post for others.

    • Roxanna L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Canyon RV Park
      May. 21, 2024

      Canyon RV Park

      Anaheim CA

      This is our second stay here and probably our last. It was super expensive this time and we were put in the back (overflow) lot which name I use loosely as when it rains it floods. Had to park the car at the office so it wouldn’t float away. Upon our arrival my husband pulled up in our 42’ 5th wheel and parked to go into the office. There is a painted line on the curb where I guess you’re supposed to park but our unit would have been longer and wider than that space provided. She also could have used some tact and nicely asked if he could park the unit in the space provided but she was asking for a fight. He went to register and a lady with longer gray hair and glasses, who I’d seen there before, greeted him with..you need to park by the curb in the designated area- you’re blocking my driveway!! That kinda set the tone. He said I thought you’d open the gate so I could get out of the way. About that time I pulled up in the car and he was storming out the bldg saying I have to get out of the way- park in the designated area! So I went in and couldn’t understand why he hadn’t registered already. She very hatefully said I told him to move he was blocking my drive! (There was nobody out there but us). The tone could have been better, but I wasn’t in the mood for a confrontation- she took my information and said you’ve been here before so you know where you’re going! Maybe she is the owner or maybe an employee but it wasn’t a great way to start off our 2 wk stay at the rate of $2k! She was a real bitch!



    Guide to Mission Viejo

    Camping near Mission Viejo, California, offers a great mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a beachside escape or a mountain retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

    What to do:

    • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, provide direct access to the beach. One camper mentioned, "Great little restaurant serving pizza and snacks overlooking the ocean. Beach access. Lots of sites."
    • Biking and Running: The area has excellent bike lanes and trails. A reviewer noted, "Great if you want to ride along PCH. This stretch has good bike lanes that take you into Oceanside or Encinitas."
    • Fishing and Water Activities: At Lake Hemet Campground, fishing is a popular activity. One visitor shared, "The campground is clean and the fishing is good, most of the time."

    What campers like:

    • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views. A review for Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park said, "Almost every site has an ocean view of some kind."
    • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A camper at Bonelli Bluffs remarked, "Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen."
    • Friendly Staff: Campers appreciate helpful staff. One visitor at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach noted, "The staff were also friendly and helpful, adding to the overall positive experience."

    What you should know:

    • Crowded Conditions: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at San Clemente State Beach Campground mentioned, "It is loud, even if it isn't because your neighbors are on top of you."
    • Limited Hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. A camper at Lake Hemet Campground pointed out, "You do not get much privacy as the sites are quite close to each other."
    • Noise Levels: Some areas have noise from nearby roads or trains. A visitor at Doheny State Beach Campground said, "The train is loud, but passes seldom."

    Tips for camping with families:

    • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for more room. A family at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach enjoyed the privacy, stating, "There are mature trees between every campsite that provide privacy between sites."
    • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or plan hikes to keep kids entertained. A reviewer at Dogwood Campground mentioned, "Great mountain bike or hiking trail about 5-6mi loop."
    • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. One camper at Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground noted, "There’s a marina store with food trucks."

    Tips from RVers:

    • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park advised, "The roads that lead to the sites is a bit narrow, so if your towable is on the long side, you might have to work a bit to back it in."
    • Bring Your Own Shade: Some campgrounds may not have enough shade. A visitor at Lake Hemet Campground suggested, "Bring your own shade for this campsite."
    • Be Prepared for Noise: Expect some noise from neighboring sites. A reviewer at Doheny State Beach Campground mentioned, "The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy."

    Camping near Mission Viejo, CA, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mission Viejo, CA is San Clemente State Beach Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 35 reviews.

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

      TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Mission Viejo, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.