Best Tent Camping near Palomar Mountain, CA

Tent sites were massive, basically could be used for RV as well. Everything on the grounds were nice and as expected with KOA quality but the price is a bit much for tent camping.

We decided to stay at a campground closer to home (Oceanside) coming back from Palomar Mountain. We were just looking for a place to stay for one night. We showed up and every campsite was stacked on top of each other. We asked if there were any other options so we circled the entire campground and ALL the sites were super close to each other. The RV section didn’t look like camping, people live there! With that said, most of the RV’s look like junkyards. So much stuff/junk everywhere. The lake isn’t pretty or swim-able. Don’t let the pictures on their website fool you, it’s crowded. I didn’t take pics myself, but I got them from their website and circled in red where people would be camping. We decided the 45 minute drive home would be better than staying there even for one night. The receptionist was late coming back from her lunch break & wasn’t helpful when we wanted our money back when we didn’t even stay there. One of the worst campsites I’ve ever seen & I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who knows real camping.

This is totally a great place to go tent camping it's peaceful and quiet during the week. It's clean and just a fun place to camp.

Great county park. Quiet and well maintained. Pay showers. $29/ night. Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well.

Went camping in August, during a heatwave, and had Covid restrictions. Even with all of that, we had a good time! We were in spot 21 right by the pond. Camped in a tent trailer and had plenty of room to set up an outdoor sitting and cooking areas. The only issue was “meat bees” that came around when we were trying to eat. Bathrooms were clean and stocked with supplies. Pool was nice and refreshing but had little shaded areas. We definitely would camp there again when it isn’t so hot!

I brought my family with our 2 dogs for Thanksgiving and unfortunately we left early because it was a major danger for our dogs with the very bold and brave coyotes.

We tent camped but I feel like if we had an RV it would have been safer for the dogs.. for us alone with out the dogs, tent camping would have been fine!

Other than that. BEAUTIFUL!!! We loved every single moment from the colorful drive up to the stars and checking out the observatory which was also pet friendly. It’s SO FUN to see all the different color leaves and the sunsets, the sunrises, the crisp air, the views on the way up….all of it was so beautiful.

This is listed as horse campsite, but there’s few tent sites available. Not crowded and winds from mountains keep area cooled.

Best tent campground

I have only tent camped here and enjoyed the quite and clean site. I like that it is not far from civilization but feels very remote. My kids caught their first fish in the little pond.

There has never been tent camping allowed here. There is RV or trailer camping but no tent and no bathrooms here.   Make sure you check the water quality since it can be an issue at times since it is near the Mexico border.

I have only tent camped here and really enjoyed the clean and quiet spot not too far from civilization but feels like in the middle of nowhere. My kids caught their first fish in the little pond :)

Can’t say enough about this park. 56 full hook up spaces and two tent camping spots. Very clean and very friendly staff. Definitely recommend and will go back again soon. Has on site shower and laundry facilities.

Cabins are fun and shelter you from the occasional strong gusty winds.

Tent camping in the rain is also do-able here due to the temperate climate. There are a couple playgrounds, so a very kid-friendly environment as well.

Spot #45 is very private, I highly suggest this spot!! I don’t tent camp, and there is a spot to pull my van up which was perfect! Dogs are only $1 a night & they have a small snack stand during the day

Campsites are fairly tight together. Our tent site was second row, intermixed with rvs. But being that close to the ocean was wonderful! You just can’t beat falling asleep to ocean waves!