Best Campgrounds near Pauma Valley, CA

Join the fun near Pauma Valley. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Pauma Valley and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Pauma Valley, California (297)

    1. Dixon Lake Campground

    24 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 839-4045

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Dixon lake is a perfect spot for my nephews to fish and play in the dirt. The campsites look really nice and ideal for tents. The walks around the lake are definitely worth doing!"

    "I grew up in Oceanside and people talked about camping at Dixon lake in Escondido and I thought it was lame and not “real” camping. Having never been there, I based this off nothing."

    2. La Jolla Indian Campground

    20 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 742-1297

    $40 - $120 / night

    "You can camp next to it as well and get in! It’s $35 per car they do have military discount. The total of $32 with discount. They also have porta potties every few 500 feet."

    "The spot we initially reserved was located on the little river, but once we got there, we realized we were a little too packed in with the rest of the visitors, so we requested to move to a more open spot"

    3. Palomar Mountain State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 742-3462

    $40 - $130 / night

    "Most of the sites are on slopes, or require walking up/down a series of steps to access."

    "We drove up for an impromptu camp trip, it was only about an hour drive. I've never been up to Palomar Mountain although I've lived here for 30 years!"

    4. Observatory Campground

    17 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 788-0250

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Palomar Mountain Observatory Campground is one of the prettiest spots I've seen to camp close to San Diego in Southern California."

    "Very pretty setting in forested valley below the famous telescope (now closed to all visitors - even to walk around outside). 30 or so sites, nice variety, some cater to astronomers, handicapped, doubles"

    5. Temecula-Vail Lake KOA

    20 Reviews
    Cleveland National Forest, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (951) 303-0173

    "Bike trails are right next to the park. Fun trails watch out for rattle snakes. Only downside is the kids racing around in golf carts at night."

    "She told me that it had been around for decades under a different name, Buttercup I think. It has an established rotation of regular guests that come for access to wine country."

    6. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    77 Reviews
    Carlsbad, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 438-3143

    $50 - $650 / night

    "If you’re headed to San Diego, be sure to stop and check out Carlsbad just off of the 5. this awesome beach town is quintessential Southern California beach awesomeness and it is absolutely gorgeous."

    "One of best beach campgrounds in California. Beach is right there next to camping. Restroom and shower are clean even though too many people there"

    7. Oak Grove Campground

    20 Reviews
    Aguanga, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 788-0250

    $15 - $30 / night

    "We were there for the full moon last month and even though it rained in the morning as we packed up me and my motorcycle camping friends had a blast sitting around the campfire and enjoying peace and the"

    "This campsite is located just a short drive from Temecula, campsites are well cared for, clean bathrooms, and some sites have great California oak tree cover."

    8. Fry Creek Campground

    11 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 788-0250

    $15 / night

    "Just south of Palomar Mountain Observatory (a must visit) Fry Creek is a heavily wooded (oak, fir, pine) campground in a narrow valley surrounded by steep forested banks."

    "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"

    9. Dripping Springs Campground

    15 Reviews
    Aguanga, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 788-0250

    $25 - $50 / night

    "One of the water faucets with potable water was on the outskirts of our space, not at all bothersome. The toilets and dumpster were conveniently close, but not too close to be noticed."

    "It's close proximity to Temecula makes it easy to get to. Also, because it is small there were no issues with noise or traffic."

    10. Woods Valley Kampground

    8 Reviews
    Valley Center, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 749-2905

    "My family owns a 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia since 2020 and use The Dyrt to find hidden gems near our home for weekend camping."

    "There is a lot to do near by, a very convenient store about 5-10 minutes away called valley center foods! Employees were sooo sweet and friendly! DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!"

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Recent Reviews near Pauma Valley, CA

1707 Reviews of 297 Pauma Valley Campgrounds



Guide to Pauma Valley

Camping near Pauma Valley, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around William Heise County Park. One visitor mentioned, "The hiking trails were great for exploring and getting some exercise."
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Jennings for some fishing fun. A camper shared, "The lake is well-stocked with trout and bluegill."
  • Beach Access: If you want to hit the beach, check out San Elijo State Beach Campground. One reviewer said, "Amazing site in a little town with all you need for a weekend getaway…great beach and surfing possibilities."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach noted, "Clean bathrooms and showers, but we stayed midweek and the place was very, very minimally occupied."
  • Privacy: Many campers enjoy the privacy offered at Lake Jennings. One happy camper said, "Each full hookup spot being super private surrounded by trees."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor at Dos Picos County Park remarked, "This is a very well-run county park."

What you should know

Tips for camping with families

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach mentioned, "Sites are quite large with bushes/trees between sites."
  • Bring Dollar Bills for Showers: Some campgrounds have token-operated showers. A camper at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground advised, "Showers require tokens which are purchased from a machine."
  • Plan for Dump Station Waits: Be prepared for long lines at dump stations. A visitor at Dos Picos County Park noted, "The line for the dump is long and slow-moving."

Camping near Pauma Valley, California, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pauma Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pauma Valley, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 297 campgrounds and RV parks near Pauma Valley, CA and 18 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pauma Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pauma Valley, CA is Dixon Lake Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pauma Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Pauma Valley, CA.

What parks are near Pauma Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Pauma Valley, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.