Searching for the best camping near Ocotillo, CA? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Ocotillo is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Ocotillo camping trip.
Vallecito County Park
30 min away
San Diego County Vallecito Regional Park
30 min away
$29 - $75 / night
"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."
"we love coming here to camp in the winter when the heat isnt too bad. the pools are fun for the whole family. the campground can be loud but its family friendly so that's a plus."
$35 / night
"And others felt much more secluded in the forest. Also, there was a great difference in the amount of shade and flatness available."
"Bathrooms were clean; some are pit toilets and others are flush and even have showers. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit, plus there are lots of potable water spigots throughout."
$35 / night
"This was a great place to disconnect and was close to SD. It was an easy and scenic drive up."
"We hiked in and got the last walk in spot, so keep in mind that it can be busy on the weekends. The spots are fairly large and include parking, fire pits and picnic tables."
$75 - $85 / night
"Every building is relatively new and the showers, laundry and common building facilities are in top notch condition."
"Every one of the staff was friendly, helpful and seemed like they loved working there!! Extra props to James and Gabriel for their hard work and new friendships! We will DEFINITELY be visiting again!"
$24 - $34 / night
"Table and fire pit at each site.
Hiking available walking distance from camp, trails leading out of camp. Family friendly environment."
"The drive up was amazing. They had plenty of water to wash and drink with a lot of bathrooms as well.
You can walk trails, stargaze, take your bikes around and so much more!"
$24 - $34 / night
"Our site had electricity and water, a fire pit, and a picnic table. There were plenty of sites to go around. The rangers were helpful and the facilities were very well maintained."
"Stayed in space 10, a partial hookup with a view of the lake. They have full and partial hook up spaces and "primitive" tent only sites."
$35 - $125 / night
"My practical side enjoys the clean bathrooms with hot showers and proximity to markets for refills on ice and beer."
"Each site has a large fire pit, charcoal grill and a water spout near by. Bathrooms with flushing toilets and coin operated showers."
$24 / night
" The Lake Morena campground is well-kept and relaxing. It has a variety of sites including full-hookup, partial hookup, and tent only."
"It's a small multi-functional burger grill, ice cream store, convenience store, and well-stocked (if your beer tastes run solely to IPA) beer/wine store."
$20 - $50 / night
"Found this spot after being turned away from lake Moreno campgrounds. Plenty of room for our trailer and enough space between sites to feel like we were alone out here."
"There’s a wonderful path call Bill Kenyon Overlook trail that’s trailhead is on the side of the campground."
"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."
RangerLots 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.
GuideThis campground is one of my favorites. My practical side enjoys the clean bathrooms with hot showers and proximity to markets for refills on ice and beer. My adventurous side enjoys the hikes, coyotes singing and clear skies to observe the night sky. This campground has been enjoyable every time I’ve gone. I’ve been to many campgrounds where neighbors keep you up late, but something about this location demands quiet enjoyment. Don’t get me wrong, my friends and I stay up laughing around the campfire well after sunset but everyone seems to respect the quiet hours. The sites are spacious, each with a shade ramada, grill and fire-ring. The visitors center is a must see and there are numerous hiking trails near the campground. As beautiful as the wildflowers are during a super bloom, the crowds are super distracting. March is the best time of year to go, if there is a super bloom you’ll enjoy that, if not, you’ll enjoy the solitude.
ScoutStayed in site #73 this past weekend. I wouldn't recommend that spot. It is too close to #74. They are both large spots but the actually fire pits are too close to eachother. Luckily there was a nice family staying next to us so we hardly noticed them. Had they been too loud it could have ruined the trip. Also this spot had very little shade in the afternoon when the sun was the hottest.
The bathrooms were shut down for maintenance in that loop so they offered portable toilets which got full quick. The hand washing station ran out of water the second day and was never refilled so you had to go back to your site to wash your hands. The running water coming from the spigot was orange and frothy and had a sign saying not to use it for drinking.
The hiking trail that was near by was the best part. Tons of wildflowers everywhere and beautiful views.
I probably won't come back to this campground next time I got camping. There are campgrounds closer to San Diego that are have bigger sites.
GuideThis was a great place to disconnect and was close to SD. It was an easy and scenic drive up. Each camp site was large and had privacy but since it was hilly, some sites may have few flat spaces to pitch a tent.
GuideSweet campground with pines trees and a mountain feel. Table and fire pit at each site.
Hiking available walking distance from camp, trails leading out of camp. Family friendly environment. Can get busy in the summer, so be sure to leave it just as beautiful or better than before you arrived.
LegendIt's a fine campground. There is a check-in kiosk that was well run and you can pay for an extra car or an open site with a credit card.* The sites are set up in two main loops. One for big campers and one for the rest of us. There is no real separation between sites.
This is convenience based campground. You're at the jump-off for some challenging yet accessible hikes into the desert. Close enough to town to ride a bike for ice cream. The camp has flush toilets and token based showers.** Each site has a deep fire pit, a picnic table under a shade pergola, and access to a nearby water source. Oh yeah, and it's less than two hours from San Diego.
The outer ring sites look out towards the desert. You'll always know you're in civilization, but they offer the illusion of solitude...if you can tune out the generators. There will be generators, and probably unattended kids riding e-bikes or kicking balls at you as your try to use the bathroom. Site 75 is a great site because in addition to looking out away from inner loop, the fire place is set further away from driveway and picnic table. Site 56 is fine. It's just fine.
Temper your expectations for desert solitude, appreciate the conveniences for what they are, and this becomes a four star site. The site is mostly, always, definitely full, but cancellations offer last chance drive up opportunities. The park rangers said that most sites were booked through the entire season which ends at the end of April, and we couldn't find a site when searching online for a second night (Saturday), but there were at least three open sites whose reservations had been canceled we could have stayed in.
Notes:
Anza is particularly great for star gazing and spring flowers. There are often big horn sheep along the Palm Canyon trail leaving camp. We met one we named Barnabas.
Extra vehicles are an additional $10.
*Pro-tip: Fire wood is cash only. It's not bad 3 bundles for $20. If you don't have cash, you can find wood in town for cheaper without the convenience of it being at camp.
**Pro-tip: Showers require tokens which are purchased from a machine. 2 tokens for $1. 1 token = 2m in the shower.
TravelerThis is a fairly large campground in the Laguna mountains. We hiked in and got the last walk in spot, so keep in mind that it can be busy on the weekends. The spots are fairly large and include parking, fire pits and picnic tables. Wood is available for purchase on site and kindling is easy to find. This is a nice alpine getaway with pine trees, meadows, a small lake and nearby views of the Anza Borrego desert. Located just off the PCT and other hiking trails.
TravelerThis campground has great amenities and is very well run. Each site has a large fire pit, charcoal grill and a water spout near by. Bathrooms with flushing toilets and coin operated showers. They sell firewood if you get there before they leave for the day, around 5pm. During the cooler months it seems to fill up quickly so it’s best to make reservations ahead of time. Overall a great trip.
GuidePretty place with fire pits, picnic tables, trails, playgrounds, bathrooms, pay showers, and friendly staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Ocotillo, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ocotillo, CA is Agua Caliente County Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 21 reviews.
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