289 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dog-friendly camping near Mountain Center ranges from developed sites with full amenities to primitive spots, with options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping in the San Jacinto mountains. Dogs are permitted throughout Lake Hemet Campground with standard leash requirements. Idyllwild Campground offers similar pet policies while maintaining a natural forest setting with ample privacy between campsites. Sites at Idyllwild tend to be slanted with good tree coverage providing shade during summer months. Both campgrounds feature clean restroom facilities with flush toilets and showers. The Thousand Trails Idyllwild RV Resort also accepts pets with designated areas for exercise. Primitive camping options like the South Ridge Yellow Post Sites welcome pets in a more rustic setting with picnic tables and fire rings but limited amenities.
Several hiking trails around Mountain Center accommodate leashed dogs, though visitors should note that dogs are not permitted on trails within Mount San Jacinto State Park. Yellow Post Sites provide excellent access points for pet-friendly hiking, particularly near Tahquitz Peak's south rim. The South Ridge Yellow Post area requires careful attention to mosquitoes during evening hours, with repellent being essential for both humans and pets. Elevation at these sites keeps temperatures moderate even during summer months, generally staying in the mid-80s. Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region, with campers reporting sightings of deer, lizards, woodpeckers, and squirrels. Most dispersed sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted, making weekday visits ideal for securing a spot.
"I've been coming to Lake Hemet for several years. The campground is clean and the fishing is good, most of the time."
"You can fit two 10' x10' canopies to cover the bench table, and fit 2 individual tents (4-6 person) OR a bigger 12p tent however you decide to position it. It has its own Fire pit."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Lake Fulmor is 3 miles away to take pups swimming off leash. Idyllwild is a charming town for small town vibe. Nice trails close to PCT and rock climbing by Humber Park."
"Kinda close to main road. But, store close by. Around the corner next to the village."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"This is one of our family's favorite campgrounds because it's a quick drive from San Diego (and OC) and it gives us our "mountain fix" when we don't have time to drive to the Sierra Mountains."
"2 for pets. With BBQ pits and plenty of picnic tables with shade, it’s well worth it."
from $30 - $35 / night
Check Availability"My sister, her 3 kids, and 2 dogs jumped into the car and headed out towards Idyllwild, CA."
"Located near Idyllwild, this is the smaller, less rowdy campground associated with the tourist town."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Located in the San Bernardino National Forest, within the San Jacinto District, Marion Mt. Campground is one of the best camping sites in Southern California."
"After walking around the entire campground well most spots were very nice. We did find that the spots in the center lacked privacy."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Pets allowed"
"When I first got to Idyllwild, a little heat wave was hanging around, but by the 2nd week, the weather was beautiful. They have plenty of spots for tents, RV’s, and cabins."
"Recommend four wheel drive to get to Tool Box Springs, the fire road is long but once you’re there it’s worth it."
"If you come here make sure that you have a suv or truck and water so you can put out ur fire in ur fire pit and when your by yourself trust me your by yourself no one else is really close by so be safe"
"The Campground is set off the main highway about 5 miles and only accessible if have a suv or truck as it is a switchback dirt road. Trailers would not be able to make this trek."
"The bumpy six mile drive up a dirt road to reach this campground is well worth it. The campground has garbage cans and pit toilets."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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)"
"Yellow Post #2 – San Bernardino National Forest Secluded, free, first-come-first-served tent site tucked deep in the forest near Hemet, CA."
"Clean, pet friendly and good for kids."
"This is a great family campground right around the corner from Temecula, Murrietta, and Menifee."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability
TravelerComfortable partial hookup sites, pet friendly, and nice people. Theres a dog park next door. The bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities work well (although coin only, no cards).
LegendLocation near I-15 and Gas stations. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups. Fill propane avaible. Resort-style amenities. Heated outdoor Pool. Nice dog park. Access to a park for walking. 🔹For sure we will stay again and recommend🔹
RangerVery clean, dog friendly ( with dog park) helpful nice staff, propane available, small playground and swimming pool, picnic tables and grills at each site
GuideNot a very attractive drive in. Lots and lots of trash in the shrubbery and fields along the highway. Reservation and check in was easy. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. The RV park itself is attractive and seems to be fairly well maintained. It seems there are two rv areas. A lower older area and an upper newer and more attractive area. We were in the older area. Site was gravel with a small concrete area. Unfortunately, no one there seems to care about the dog poop everywhere (not exaggerating!). We and the people behind us parking had to clean dog poop off our site before we could set up. When walking our dog we saw poop everywhere. Dog park was ok, but on the small side and would be better with a gravel base instead of the dirt (very, very dusty and results in a dirty, dusty dog). There is a huge field adjacent and owned by the rv park that you can walk and or run your dog. But also full of poop. Bathroom smaller, older in the lower area. Much nicer, more modern bathrooms in the newer area. Two laundry rooms but no front loaders and the older laundry room only had two washers and two dryers. Can use quarters or an app. Pool and spa seemed pretty popular but we didn’t use. Area could really use some lighting at night. Very dark with minimal lighting in the older section. Trash is picked up every morning if you leave outside your site.
TravelerThis is one of our family's favorite campgrounds because it's a quick drive from San Diego (and OC) and it gives us our "mountain fix" when we don't have time to drive to the Sierra Mountains. Hurkey is a large campground, 130 sites plus group areas, spread out under the Ponderosa Pines, oaks and cottonwood trees. The seasonal creek provides lots of fun for the kids and a cool place to soak feet on the hot days. The sites are well positioned to each other with the sites on the outer loops providing the largest space. There always seems to be groups of family and friends camping side-by-side here. Decent flush bathrooms and showers available. Large play structure for children at edge of camp. Some car noise can be heard from the Hwy but it's not too bad.
From the campground there are hiking trails (including the PCT) and mountain biking trails (some of the best!) but they are not well marked. For trail information and maps head a couple miles up the road to The Hub Cylcery. Lake Hemet is across the hwy for fishing and boating. No swimming allowed. No paddle boards allowed. Free access to lake is via Lake Hemet Road, not through the private camp at Lake Hemet.
THINGS to consider when camping at Hurkey Creek: Due to severe wild fire risk at times this campground will not allow wood fires (only propane). Check web site or call to confirm before heading up. Rattle snakes can be seen in this area in warmer months. This campground can get hot in the summer but there is good shade in many of the sites. If you check the weather for this campground look up weather in Mountain Center, not Idyllwild which is approx one thousand feet higher.
TravelerPeople are complaining about freeway noise, we stayed in site 3 (the closest site to the freeway) and it was quiet as a mouse from inside our (insulated) RV. Amazing amenities. Dog park, pool, clubhouse. We loved site 3 so close to the amenities and restrooms. Overall amazing stay
ScoutOur family of 3 just left the campground this morning, and we had a great time during our 1 night stay. To find it, just plug the GPS coordinates into Google maps and follow the instructions. It’s fairly primitive (outhouse and water spigot), but the sky is clear and the whole place is very serene with trees and nature. They have several protective, very human-friendly dogs on the property. They also open the barn around 0800 and allow campers to pet the rabbits, chickens, cats, pigs, turkey, ducks, and even feed the goats. Sites have campfire rings (bring your own wood), picnic table, and a couple Adirondack style chairs. The staff is also very friendly and informative. We will certainly be back.
GuideBeing reasonably close to our home base, we frequent this park with the family. Major grocery and shopping establishments are nearby, with Target directly across the street, In-n-Out, local parks, and the like. Our kids love the pool area, grandparents love the pickleball courts, and there are always fun activities to do throughout the year. Full-timers are friendly and inclusive of newcomers and passer-throughs. Dog parks are clean and located at either corner of the park. The entrance security kiosk is staffed 24/7, and they'll even help spot you while parking your rig. We cannot say enough good things about this place.
Check their website for events and specials.
Legend🔹location in front of Pala Casino. 🔹Great guest services. Full hookups sites. Propano fills available. The spot are big as well, each spot have a picnic table! Resort-style amenities. Nice Pool, kids playground and dog park great! Near Gas station and small market! 🔹We sure
will stay again and recommend
Dispersed camping opportunities near Mountain Center give visitors access to the San Jacinto mountains at elevations around 5,000-7,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically remain in the mid-80s during the day with significant cooling at night. The area sits at the intersection of high desert and mountain ecosystems, creating diverse terrain for outdoor activities beyond standard campground amenities.
Hiking to scenic viewpoints: From Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Campground, trails lead to panoramic views across the mountains. "The view from The San Jacinito mountain range is amazing. Clean bathrooms with showers, well maintained grounds, a private children's area and very nice front desk staff," notes Shannon C. The campground provides access points for both casual and challenging hikes.
Bouldering and climbing: Boulder Basin Campground offers direct access to climbing opportunities right in the camping area. "Great campsite about 30min up a fun easy rated 4x4 trail. The spots are well spaced out so you aren't on top of your neighbors," reports Peter R. According to Zack R., "it's got some great bouldering and amazing views," making it perfect for climbers looking for convenient access.
Fishing at nearby lakes: Lake fishing options abound within short driving distance of campsites. "We rented a boat and went out on the lake to do some fishing. We didn't catch anything but we did see some bald eagles which was super cool!" shares Jennifer D. about her experience at Lake Hemet. Local lakes are regularly stocked with trout throughout the year.
Private, secluded sites: At South Ridge Yellow Post Sites, campers appreciate the isolation. "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)," says Tony B. These sites feature fire rings and picnic tables in more primitive settings.
Well-maintained facilities: Marion Mountain Campground earns praise for its site organization. "We enjoyed the size and feel of the campground. Well, every campground has ups and downs. This one literally has slopes. Hahah some sites were more slope-y than others, but most had a flat spot for a tent," Brittany N. explains. Visitors note the clean facilities and accessible trailheads.
Stargazing opportunities: The mountain elevation and distance from city lights creates excellent night sky viewing. "We perched up on a rock watched the sun set over the city and then watched the shooting stars!" reports Stephanie J. The high elevation and clear mountain air provide optimal conditions for night sky observation.
Road conditions to remote sites: Access to Hurkey Creek Park and other mountain campgrounds varies seasonally. "Spots were relatively large. We had a decent sized group and many BBQ's. We all fit and had a great time," shares Taleen D. Road closures can occur during winter months, so checking conditions beforehand is essential.
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife includes deer, raccoons, and reptiles. "Lots of wildlife. Raccoons in the night, gray squirrel, other squirrels, many birds," notes Rhyn E. While larger predators exist in the area, they rarely approach campsites when proper food storage is practiced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mountain Center, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mountain Center, CA is Lake Hemet Campground with a 4-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mountain Center, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 289 dog-friendly camping locations near Mountain Center, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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