Located in Riverside County, Murrieta sits in a valley surrounded by the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest at an elevation of around 1,175 feet. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers reaching 95°F and mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F. Camping near Murrieta CA provides access to diverse ecosystems from oak woodlands to chaparral, with seasonal considerations affecting comfort levels at different campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking trails: 1.5-mile route to Trestles Beach from San Mateo Campground offers a coastal experience. A reviewer notes: "The trail to Trestles Beach was very pleasant, although the beach was not quite a swim beach. The park staff was probably the friendliest I had ever encountered and the bathrooms were very clean."
Mountain biking: Trail network access through Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park provides varied terrain options. According to a camper: "LOTS OF HIKING TRAILS! If you love hiking, they have so many trails to choose from, from easy to strenuous. There is a trail for everyone. Also great for cyclists."
Fishing: Daily permits required at Lake Skinner with stocked waters throughout the year. One camper mentioned: "The lake is stocked with fish, so if you're a fisherman you're going to love this campground." Note that additional fishing fees apply beyond your camping reservation.
Beach access: Drive 40 minutes to San Clemente or Dana Point beaches from inland campgrounds. A camper at San Mateo explained: "It's close proximity to the beach as well as the town of San Clemente as it offers campsites for both rv and tent venturers."
What campers like
Campground layout: Spaced sites at Temecula-Vail Lake KOA provide good separation. A reviewer shared: "We spent the weekend up in the 'Rincon' loop, it was nestled up away from the main group of RVs. It was a perfect spot for the kiddos to ride their bikes and goof around, there is a big loop of about 20+ sites in that area and was loaded with mostly younger families like ours."
Shower facilities: Free hot water at multiple campgrounds, with varied availability. According to a camper at Launch Pointe: "This park is clean! Like no park I have seen before. The staff are always moving around the grounds and 'picking up' as they go. Quiet hours are strict - some may see that as a bad thing but I appreciate it."
Wildlife encounters: Dawn viewing opportunities for local species. One camper noted: "Don't bother setting an alarm here. There are roosters nearby that will crow which will wake the dogs and then about a dozen other types of birds will join in at dawn. Crows will chatter. Bluebirds will chip. California Quails will...I don't know...quail?"
Local dining options: Within driving distance of most campgrounds. A camper at Dripping Springs Campground shared: "There's a nice little cafe down the road and a winery a bit further that I like with a beautiful view."
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Summer heat management requires planning. A camper at Blue Jay Campground advised: "This campground is ok. Everything about it is just mediocre. It's easy to find, and close to Orange County. We enjoyed Ortega Falls which is about a 10 minute drive from the campground, and there are a few other hikes nearby."
Wildlife concerns: Ants can be problematic at certain campgrounds. One camper warned: "We made the mistake of not being prepared for the ANTS!!! Campground looked pretty cool, so close to the beach, some trails nearby. Room for kids to ride bikes... but we picked up about a gazillion ants."
Noise levels: Weekend crowds increase at most locations. A review of Launch Pointe Recreation Destination noted: "The only bad part is they strictly enforce quiet time at 10pm. I felt like a kid being told to go to bed. I feel like on weekends people should be able to stay up late in front of their camper with low voices."
Cell service: Variable connectivity depending on campground location. One camper at Wilderness Lakes reported: "There is no WiFi at this location and my Verizon cell service was choppy."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Splash pad facilities at Launch Pointe provide safe alternatives when lake conditions aren't ideal. A camper shared: "Amenities are very good for young kids. Canopy Court area has easy and close access to the splash pad, the playground, a large grass area, and even the pool."
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Paved loops make for safe riding areas at certain locations. One camper at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes noted: "We enjoyed the pool, watching the ducks in the pond, and the kids loved the basketball court. Some parts closed on certain days- store, jacuzzi, community room. Big spots with room to set up, but this place is booked and it's mid week late September."
Activity planning: Structured programs available at some campgrounds. A visitor reported: "They had a band play while we were there" and another mentioned, "They have some beautiful sites and some good hikes."
Pet considerations: Variable policies across different campgrounds. One camper at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park warned: "No fur friends allowed so leave your pets at home. Unless you own a horse! Lots of horse trails which also means you have to watch out for horse poop on the trail."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Electrical capacity varies between campgrounds near Murrieta. A camper at Pechanga RV Resort noted: "Great stay, extremely clean. Wifi was very spotty. Very easy walk to the casino. Concrete pads that are level. Great water pressure."
Leveling requirements: Uneven sites at several campgrounds require blocks or levelers. One reviewer shared: "The sites were all uneven. Every camper we saw had to do major leveling efforts."
Site selection strategy: Book early for preferred locations. A camper advised: "Sites to the right as you drive in have more tree cover. There are no power hookups in this section. If you're tent camping or car camping it doesn't matter."
Reservation systems: Varied booking platforms across the region. A camper explained: "Part of OC Parks so getting a campsite is relatively easy compared to other online booking systems like ReserveAmerica. We're usually able to book a site 2 weeks before we decide to go."
