Top Tent Camping near Ocotillo Wells, CA

If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Ocotillo Wells, look no further. Finding a place to camp in California with your tent has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your California tent camping excursion.

Best Tent Sites Near Ocotillo Wells, CA (17)

Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews In Ocotillo Wells

864 Reviews of 17 Ocotillo Wells Campgrounds


  • Osborn T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rancho Los Coches RV Park
    Sep. 25, 2024

    Rancho Los Coches RV Park

    Natural Language Processing

    I would like to emphasize that the implementation of natural language processing(NLP) technologies https://lightpointglobal.com/services/data-analytics/data-science/nlp-services can significantly improve customer interactions. With the help of solutions such as chatbots and virtual assistants, you can automate answers to frequently asked questions and provide round-the-clock support, which will increase customer satisfaction. NLP also allows you to analyze guest reviews, determine their mood and extract valuable insights from open data, which will help in further development and adaptation of services. Language translation capabilities expand accessibility to an international audience. Thus, integrating NLP into software allows you to improve user experience and increase the efficiency of business processes.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dos Picos County Park
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Dos Picos County Park

    Harassing Ranger

    I have never had a bad experience at a camp ground with any ranger. They have all been wonderful. Not at this park. My registration tags went to my home so I did not have current tags. I had to have a family member collect my mail and forward to me on my travels so it was delayed. I did have a receipt which I was required to provide. However, the ranger barged into my campsite in a huff, treated me as if I were vomiting a crime and demanded my receipt on the spot in front of all. It was quite over the top. Later the same man barged back into my campsite throwing accusations at me that I hadn’t paid my measly $4.00 parking fee and breaking the rules of the park. He had the nerve to argue with me after I explained that in fact I had paid. He backed down after realizing I had. He then returned to harass us for the kids using chalk. There were kids from several campsites using chalk. We apologized and made them clean it up, no big deal. But the ranger was didn’t simply ask for it to be cleaned. He was threatening and confrontational. I dealt with one other ranger here who was quite nice and helpful but this other was awful. I discovered I was not the only one to have this experience here. I would recommend Sweetwater or Lake Jennings in San Diego area or Aqua Caliente where they are quite friendly. Yikes this was horrible

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Provisions Farm
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Provisions Farm

    Delightful Area, Delightful Hosts

    Wow, Highland Valley is beautiful!  This is a great place to camp your RV - especially if you love the farm vibe.  We stayed in the front spot, up against the property line, which felt private.

  • 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!!

  • 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.

  • Gabriel S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Creek Road Camp
    Sep. 15, 2024

    Pine Creek Road Camp

    Nice quick and easy getaway

    Quite easy to get to. I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road). 

    There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed. Luckily just gnats and no mosquitoes from what we experienced.

    We applied for a permit on Friday and did not get it by Saturday when we departed. Luckily, no rangers patrolled during our stay.

    Some spots with good shade.

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Creek Road Camp
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Pine Creek Road Camp

    Peaceful and secluded

    A great spot if you want to get away and enjoy some alone time. It’s a little warm in the day in august this time of year so you can’t hike around or explore too much. My girlfriend and I stopped in Julian on our way out to get a late lunch and then head to the campsite. The road is paved until you turn off Lone Creek Road and then it is a dirt road. I have a stock Rav4 and it was able to drive on it although there are a few spots you need to be careful at so you don’t scrape the bottom of your car. We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay

  • Glen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Laguna Campground
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Laguna Campground

    Wonderful for dry RV or tent camping

    The scenery is incredible and varied from deeply forested to open meadow.  There are miles of hiking trails.  The campground layout is nice and for many of the loops it is possible to find a site that feels separated from your fellow campers.  This place fills up during the weekends in the spring through fall seasons, so book sites early on recreation.gov.  As implied by my title, there are no hookups here so any RV camping is dry camping.  For RVs with a good solar array, it is possible to find open spots that keep the energy flowing throughout the day.  There is one loop dedicated to longer RVs.  As a personal note, I don't recommend Site 62 for RV camping - it is angled and has some erosion issues coming off of the asphalt pad.  I have been to this campground several times as both a tent camper and an RV camper and have not had any problems with cleanliness of the facilities or excessively noisy neighbors.

  • Rose  D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    Aug. 9, 2024

    Blair Valley

    Quiet

    Peaceful dispersed campground. Wide open great views. Didn’t even know I had neighbors until I walked around in the morning and saw neighboring campers over the hill. Clear skies when I went back in November, could get pretty windy. Saw some coyotes pass by my camp.

  • anna I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kitchen Creek Road
    Jul. 10, 2024

    Kitchen Creek Road

    Decent spot to stop

    Pretty small spot off the road, does get kind of loud from cars but overall a decent and clean spots

  • Glen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rio Bend RV & Golf Resort
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Rio Bend RV & Golf Resort

    Perfect for Snow Birds and winter get-aways

    We have stayed here a few times now.  The best times are during the fall and winter months as the park welcomes back its community of Snow Birds coming from Canada and the northern US.  During those times the atmosphere in the evening is always festive, often with live music and an outdoor bar.  The staff are pleasant and accommodating.   It is also a pretty good overnight spot if you are passing through in the summer, but the temperatures in this area soar during the summer and are frequently above 110 degrees.  During summer time the pool becomes too warm to be refreshing, and the restaurant and bar are closed.  The rates are much lower in the summer.  This is also one of the few parks that accepts Passport America all days of the week.  Note that Passport America discounts cannot be used with pull-through sites.  The sites are fairly spacious and generally separated by hedges so you are not looking directly at your neighbor's rig.  Scenery around the park is beautiful any time of year, and for those who enjoy the RV Resort lifestyle the only reason to go out of the park during the snow bird season is for groceries.

  • 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.

  • Carter M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    May. 30, 2024

    Blair Valley

    Beautiful area but lots of bugs

    Here in late May and the bees and other bugs have been nonstop on me the whole time I've been here. It's a really beautiful area and the spots are spacious

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Creek Road Camp
    May. 27, 2024

    Pine Creek Road Camp

    Dispersed Camping

    This was a last minute Memorial Day weekend trip with my boyfriend and 2 dogs. Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit (after doing research and finding out you need one), filled out the form, and got it back in the same day. Easy to get there, easy directions once there just make you pass the sign that says leaving the recreation area after that you can find any spot and camp. It was a little bumpy but nothing too bad. Drove with my jeep renegade that isn’t a 4wheel drive. A little busy due to the holiday but not too bad. Cyclist riding by, vehicles, and hikers. Which was nice saying hi. Hardly any service for my carrier which is T-Mobile. Definitely will camp out here again.

  • Russ S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yaqui Wash Primitive Campground - Yaqui Well I'll
    May. 23, 2024

    Yaqui Wash Primitive Campground - Yaqui Well I'll

    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.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Corral Canyon Campground
    May. 12, 2024

    Corral Canyon Campground

    Incredible Privacy

    Saturday night in May. All other public campgrounds nearby are booked solid, but there are only 3 other groups here beside me. 1 camper told me the CG is always empty. Why? Because it's at the end of a 7.5 mile dead-end road in an OHV area, yet no OHVers here. No piped water, but the creek is flowing in mid-May of a wet winter. So peaceful. Lots of shade.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Tamarisk Grove Campground
    May. 11, 2024

    Tamarisk Grove Campground

    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.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Grove Campground
    May. 11, 2024

    Oak Grove Campground

    Pleasant campground

    A pleasant campground. I was able to find a shaded campsite with no reservation on a Friday in May at 5 pm. A few bugs, but nothing outrageous. My dog's happy. I'm happy. She's enjoying a chew stick. I'm enjoying a beer.

  • Beth W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Boulder Oaks Eqst
    May. 7, 2024

    Boulder Oaks Eqst

    Beautiful and quiet

    Super cute area, and much cooler since it’s a little higher altitude. Nice big sites and an entire loop with equestrian sites.

    Pit toilets. One dumpster. Water.

    I was there May 5, 2024 and the fee was $14.

  • Anne M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    May. 7, 2024

    Blair Valley

    Great weeknight spot

    Visited early May. Arrived right before sunset, there were people close to the bathrooms, but lots of space to spread out if you drive a little.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Corvina Beach Campground
    May. 4, 2024

    Corvina Beach Campground

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Guide to Ocotillo Wells

Camping near Ocotillo Wells, California, offers a unique blend of desert landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to explore the rugged terrain or just relax under the stars, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Off-roading: The Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area is a hotspot for off-road enthusiasts. One camper shared, "Great Area to take your OHVs. Season starts around Halloween and ends in May for Red stickers."
  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails for stunning views and wildlife. A visitor noted, "The campground is very close to the park. Very clean. Beautiful views."
  • Stargazing: The clear desert skies make for incredible stargazing opportunities. One camper remarked, "What an amazing place. Just be sure to pack what you need as there is very few bathrooms and it gets really cold at night."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review highlighted, "Bathrooms were clean; some are pit toilets and others are flush and even have showers."
  • Scenic views: Campers love the beautiful landscapes surrounding the campgrounds. One camper said, "Amazing place to come for the day but also perfect spot for camping. It’s breathtakingly beautiful."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: The campgrounds are often filled with families enjoying the outdoors. A visitor mentioned, "I love camping here, restrooms are close driving distance from our campsite. View of BlowSand, desert, mail road."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Blair Valley Primitive Campground, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper noted, "It is a peaceful dispersed campground. Wide open great views."
  • Wildlife: Be aware of the local wildlife, including coyotes and desert bighorn sheep. One camper shared, "Saw some coyotes pass by my camp."
  • Weather: Temperatures can drop significantly at night, so be prepared. A visitor cautioned, "It gets really cold at night. But the sunsets and the off-roading made it worth it!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for family comfort. A camper mentioned, "The sites we had were located on a slight hill. The tent pad sites were slightly slanted."
  • Plan for activities: Bring along games and outdoor gear to keep kids entertained. One family shared, "The terrain of the campground is ideal for kids. Trees, hills, and large rocks for the kids to climb on."
  • Pack extra supplies: Since some campgrounds have limited amenities, it's wise to bring extra water and snacks. A camper noted, "We had a few roadrunners and thrashers that hung out in our campsite and dozens of small birds with the bushes around."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campground's site dimensions. A visitor advised, "There are not many spaces for big rigs, but lots if you’re in the 20’ range."
  • Be prepared for dry camping: Some campgrounds, like Culp Valley Primitive Campground, do not have water hookups. A camper mentioned, "Lux primitive camping since the drop toilets were great and the spots are roomy with fire rings."
  • Bring cash for firewood: If you plan to buy firewood at the campground, be ready to pay cash. One camper shared, "Firewood is cash only. It's not bad 3 bundles for $20."

Camping near Ocotillo Wells, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature, with plenty of activities and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Just remember to plan ahead and be prepared for the unique desert environment!

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ocotillo Wells, 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 Ocotillo Wells, CA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Ocotillo Wells, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.