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Best Glamping near Pauma Valley, CA

751 Reviews

Oak Knoll Campground in Pauma Valley offers glamping accommodations at the base of Palomar Mountain, about 30 minutes from Temecula. The property features upscale canvas tents and luxury accommodations with comfortable beds, private decks, and essential amenities like drinking water and electricity. The glamping campsites are positioned among oak trees with picnic tables, fire rings, and trash service. Doane Valley Campground at Palomar Mountain State Park complements the area's glamping options with premium accommodations featuring private bathrooms, climate control, and well-appointed interiors. According to one camper, "The area surrounding the campsites is lush and beautiful. A small pond is nearby, that allows for fishing, and there are at least 15 miles of trail surrounding the park."

Hiking trails wind directly from the glamping accommodations, with Palomar Mountain State Park offering scenic paths through pine forests and meadows. Glamping guests enjoy stargazing opportunities at the nearby Palomar Observatory, just 5 miles from Doane Valley's luxury camping sites. The area boasts abundant wildlife viewing with many visitors spotting deer, wild turkeys, and numerous bird species from their comfortable accommodations. Several glamping campsites feature stocked fishing ponds where visitors can fish without venturing far from their luxury tents or yurts. For those seeking resort-style camping, amenities include hot showers, flushing toilets, and markets at select locations. One visitor noted, "It's very scenic, with large pines, small ponds, a stream. The stars are just an absolute sight, we took the rain-fly off our tent so we could see the stars." Seasonal considerations include mild summer temperatures and potential for snow during winter months.

Best Glamping Sites Near Pauma Valley, California (51)

    1. Dixon Lake Campground

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

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Make sure you bring a shower caddy and some water proof laundry bags because there aren't many wall hooks to hang your towels or clothes.

    • **Flushable toilets with drum roll SEAT COVERS!!"

    "They clean the fire pits out etc. Some of the 40 series sites are very secluded and have excellent lake views."

    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."

    "Friendly staff, beautiful beautiful location, magical in many ways. Sometimes the bathrooms we're a bit messy but never anything that was over the top they wee also very busy that weekend."

    3. Palomar Mountain State Park Campground

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

    $40 - $130 / night

    "Also, you walk down a few stone steps to pitch your tent, so your car parked a level about you on the street provides nice privacy."

    "I stumbled across this campground while looking for a nearby spot to set my tent up under some trees."

    4. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

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

    $50 - $650 / night

    "South Carlsbad is another Cali jem set up on a bluff overlooking the pacific. It is long and thin so it has a nice thinly populated feel. All bathrooms are clean."

    "The breeze kept the bugs and beach heat at bay. Bathrooms were fairly clean and non-pottable water spickets also available for rinsing after the beach visit."

    5. Fry Creek Campground

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

    $15 / night

    "No matter if you have good camp neighbors but if your camp neighbors starts setting up a portable chainlink fence for a cadre of dogs they are training...There are some more segregated sites near the back"

    "They all have a fire pit and picnic table. I stayed at site 6. Very spacious, private and off the road. Stayed Tuesday-Thursday and we were the only campers in the entire campground."

    6. Woods Valley Kampground

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

    "The kids all love fishing at the pond on site. Plenty of space between campgrounds. No issues with hook-ups or amenities. Pool was still closed due to COVID restrictions but looked clean."

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

    7. Dos Picos County Park

    34 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well."

    "The missus and I decided to do a midweek overnight escape and chose Dos Picos Park due to its close proximity. Great little campground with partial (electricity & water) hookups."

    8. Lake Skinner Recreation Area

    27 Reviews
    Temecula, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (951) 926-1541

    $25 - $45 / night

    "They have a fire pit with a cooking grill attached to it. But you can bring your own."

    "The park does allow fires in the fire pits, of course. And the lake does have fish, so if you’re a fisherman you’re going to love this campground."

    9. Lilac Oaks Campground

    7 Reviews
    Valley Center, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 979-8869

    $30 - $50 / night

    "Bathrooms a pool and a game room. Plus there are many trails to walk. Light fishing and a mini mart as well. It is fun"

    "We stayed here next to the lake for a few days and just loved it."

    10. Oak Knoll Campground

    4 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 742-3437

    "There is a nice lake to go to about 20 minutes up the road, lake Henshaw. Only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is because the crazy ruts on most the campsites to pull into your site."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Pauma Valley, CA

39 Photos of 51 Pauma Valley Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Pauma Valley, CA

751 Reviews of 51 Pauma Valley Campgrounds

  • Brian N.
    Apr. 25, 2015

    South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    Carlsbad culvert

    South Carlsbad is another Cali jem set up on a bluff overlooking the pacific. It is long and thin so it has a nice thinly populated feel. All bathrooms are clean. I was here during week of 4/20/15 and it was as nice as always. Like San Elijo it has a private feel at your site with the mature growh btw each site. You are along the rr tracks but that's a small price to access the sick beach and the incredible view. There is a nice hilton with a pool across the street. In. Are your kiddies need some creature comforts(I didn't say pool 'hopping' just using facilities as a client of the restaurant...), or daddy wants a bottle of red and a crisp flatbread without driving anywhere. There are nice a frames north and south, plenty of waves for all.

  • J
    Feb. 24, 2022

    San Onofre Recreation Beach and Camping

    Beautiful views - would stay again

    I stayed here three weeks in February. I stayed up top and site 91 was great! I would stay here again and request that site.

    Cons:

    • Noise from I-5 and helicopter sorties. Occasional bombing exercises also.
    • Top bathrooms under construction since January but I wasn’t notified until I got there (provided ports-potties and hand washing station were stocked and cleaned regularly).
    • No dogs allowed on beach. 30 min drive to Dog Beach in Solana.
    • Lower bathrooms. These were the only showers available. The bathrooms are well stocked but the showers were not cleaned regularly. The same clump of hair was in the same shower for three weeks. Four out of six showers have no hooks to hang clothes. Shower caddies are all rusted. Surfers bring their boards in a rinse them off in the showers. The showers/bathrooms are gross. This was by far my biggest complaint. Regular cleaning, a few extra hooks, and new shower caddies would go along way.

    Pros:

    • Beautiful views and lots of beach at low tide.
    • Very quiet during the week (weekends are very busy).
    • Close to a small exchange, commissary, and gas station.
    • Nice fire pits
    • Cheap laundry facilities
    • Close to San Clemente and San Diego is only an hour away.
  • Alicia F.
    May. 2, 2020

    Oceanside RV Resort

    Ocean 🌊 side

    We camped here on a trip up the coast and found this spot at the end of the day. There are 5 spots where you can walk your stuff and camp right on the beach. Each spot was secluded and had a picnic table and a good size area for your tent. It’s a newer retro campground with spots for RV’s, tents, cabins and yurts. There are a lot of option and facilities with showers, bathrooms and laundry.

  • Moriah M.
    Nov. 24, 2020

    Lake Jennings

    Great Campsite

    Lake Jennings Campground is a great campsite tucked away in Lakeside, CA. There are a good amount of campsites, and plenty with great views of the lake (“Preferred View” sites). We stayed in site 91 for 4 nights from Monday to Thursday night while the campground was pretty empty. I imagine it would be a little louder when it’s at full capacity, but we had no noise issues from fellow campers. However, there was plenty of random noise from the military helicopters that randomly flew overhead. It wasn’t disruptive, just unexpected. This campground is not secluded by any means, so the air traffic shouldn’t be a surprise. Honestly, it’s hard to go anywhere in San Diego County without air traffic interruptions.

    We chose Site 91 because it was at the top of a moderate hill at the end of the road, in an attempt to experience reduced traffic from other campers. The site was a Preferred View site and it did not disappoint! Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing and made for the perfect vista from our RV bed. An added benefit of the Preferred View sites is the privacy since no one is camped behind you. Our particular site even had useful shrubbery on each side to create a quasi sense of privacy between sites. Each site has a nice little fire pit and picnic table, and there was plenty of room for a second vehicle in addition to our van.

    There are plenty of restroom facilities sprinkled throughout so nothing is inconvenient. The restrooms are individual bathrooms with showers that are hot and NOT coin operated, so enjoy a full hair washing session if there’s not a line. The only caution: pincher bugs. Just brush them off and go about your business. But like everything, check the toilet seat and your clothes before proceeding.

    Finally, internet service was great for Verizon. We got 23 Mbps with 3 bars of 4G LTE unboosted, and 69 (!!!) Mbps with 5 bars using a simple MIMO antenna. We live and work in our RV (20’ Class B) full time, so this was crucial. The staff was also great. They were regularly driving by, cleaning or maintaining the grounds. In the end, we will definitely camp here again.

  • cal K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Agua Caliente County Park Campground

    Large campground with lots of amenities

    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. 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.

  • E
    May. 20, 2019

    Borrego Palm Canyon Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Stars galore!

    This 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.

  • Deb S.
    May. 13, 2018

    Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

    Remote yet close to town! Lots of acres, lots of trails, clean bathroomms

    Just out of the town of San Juan Capistrano, one might think that it is too city like. Once you get into the park however, you feel like you are in a remote woods with the city far behind you. The electric hook up camp area to me unfortunately it’s too close to State Route 74 however I have never stayed there so I do not know what the noise is like. It is a nice area though and much better than camping in a trailer park that is filled with concrete. Live Oak is where my husband and I stay and I am not going to tell you the space because it is the most perfect of all. There is plenty of space between most of the campsites. It is quiet And very scenic. Upon arrival they were fliers and signs that warned us to be careful because they were mountain lions in the area. We have stayed there at least a dozen times and have never seen a mountain lion. There are also rattlesnakes and although we have never seen one, a friend who was visiting us so saw one on the road on their way to our site. We have truly enjoyed this campsite and campground. I have an area where they display the history of the area and the animals in the area. Very beautiful view as well up on the hill. Although we have never gone hiking, I hear there are many many trails that are very beautiful. I am disabled but the sides and the showers and bathrooms are very friendly to those who are disabled. This is one of my favorite campground and you don’t need to get on a year in advance to get a reservation! We did have a coyote one night in our campsite in our kitchen area, while we were sitting around the fire. Once we shooed him away, he ran off. Probably why no pets!

  • Pablo L.
    Aug. 29, 2023

    Lake Hemet Campground

    Great Time!

    Visited the last 2 weeks of August. Great place for family and kids. Affordable. Campsite #295. You can fit two 10' x10' canopies to cover the bench table, and fit 2 individual tents (4-6 person) OR a bigger 12p tent however you decide to position it. It has its own Fire pit. Different campgrounds for all chosen methods (Tent, RV, Glamping, etc..) There's restrooms you can use. There's showers you can pay per use. The swim zone isn't too far from this campsite, 5-10 min walk w/ no accessories. If you have little ones, you can take them with a wagon but I'd recommend just driving your car with a few items to the zone. Bring your own shade for this campsite, your own water too. The marketplace is near the entrance BUT they only sell individual waters (No 48 pack types). You'll definitely hear your neighbors snore at night after a long day LOL.. quiet hours are from 10pm - 8am. Overall, this is a great spot. If you're lucky to snag other spots with trees covering you then great but this is still a good campsite. Happy camping! ... Oh yeah, T-Mobile no service up there (apparently Verizon, AT&T do)

  • Matthew D.
    Jun. 26, 2017

    William Heise County Park

    Fire pits too close to eachother

    Stayed 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.

Guide to Pauma Valley

Pauma Valley sits at the base of Palomar Mountain in northeastern San Diego County at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. The region transitions between mountain and desert climates with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than coastal areas. Summer daytime temperatures typically range from 75-90°F while winter nights can drop to near freezing, making spring and fall particularly comfortable for camping and outdoor activities.

What to do

Stargazing at Palomar Mountain: Located just 5 miles from Palomar Mountain State Park Campground, the Palomar Observatory offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. "You could spend a week there and see something new everyday. Lots of nature to see. Paloma observatory is relatively near and can drive for some space exploration," notes camper Susie F.

Fishing at multiple locations: Fish at Dixon Lake where California fishing licenses aren't required. "Bonus: No CA fishing license needed! Just the lake permit of $7 per adult. Big fish in this lake," shares Dad & B R. The lake is stocked regularly and offers boat rentals.

Hiking diverse trail systems: Explore mountain trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "There are several trails nearby with a great mix of easy and moderate hikes that are easily accessible and clearly marked," notes Michelle C. from Palomar Mountain. Most trails are well-maintained and clearly marked with maps available at ranger stations.

River tubing in season: When water levels permit, La Jolla Indian Campground offers tubing down the San Luis Rey River. "Love taking the kids near the end of summer for tubing," writes Monica M. Check water conditions before planning as seasonal fluctuations affect availability.

What campers like

Secluded, shaded campsites: Many sites at Dixon Lake Campground offer privacy and lake views. "Nice, well maintained sites. Very well taken care of. They clean the fire pits out etc. Some of the 40 series sites are very secluded and have excellent lake views," according to Steve.

Clean, accessible facilities: Most campgrounds maintain good bathroom and shower facilities. "The bathrooms are well kept and include flush toilets and showers, but make sure to bring quarters for the showers," advises Michelle C. from Palomar Mountain State Park. Many campgrounds offer token-operated showers costing $1-2 for 5-10 minutes.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area hosts diverse wildlife including deer, wild turkeys, and numerous bird species. "The birds are loud, but if you don't care about that they're very fun to watch! The largest critter we saw was a wild turkey. We didn't hike much because we brought our pet, but the rains this year produced out a lot of beautiful native flowers," shares Matty F.

Proximity to local attractions: Most campgrounds are within driving distance of amenities. "It's a very picturesque drive with lots of twists and turns and watch out for those motorcycles," warns Lindsey W. about the drive to Palomar Mountain. Several campgrounds are within 15-30 minutes of markets, gas stations, and restaurants.

What you should know

Weather variations by season: Mountain elevations experience significant temperature swings. "We stayed 3 nights which was plenty for our first time but now we can't wait to plan our next adventure. We had plenty of wildlife to see including a turkey chasing crows around the camp site," notes Teeum H. who camped at Palomar Mountain State Park Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Pauma Valley, CA?

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

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Pauma Valley, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 51 glamping camping locations near Pauma Valley, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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