Best Tent Camping near Potrero, CA

Recent Tent Reviews near Potrero, California

792 Reviews of 15 Potrero Campgrounds

• 

  Prisc M.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 16, 2017

  Lake Jennings

  lake jennings was a dream. local fun, good vibes, and a blast with good friends!

  Tent camping overnight!

• D

  Douglas F.

  Scout

  

  May. 15, 2021

  Skyline Ranch RV Park & Campground

  Tent

  Tent site

• 

  Shainna M.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 3, 2023

  Dos Picos County Park

  Gorgeous!

  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.

• L

  Lisa L.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 19, 2020

  Ramona Oaks RV Resort

  Close by get away

  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!

• 

  Renee C.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 19, 2022

  Silver Strand State Beach

  No Tent Camping

  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.

• S

  Steve S.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 21, 2022

  San Diego County Potrero Regional Park

  39 RV sites, 7 Tent Sites; Spacious sites, Great staff of Rangers

  68-year old, still tenderfoot tent camper. This was my first experience in California after three prior stays in Texas and Arizona. The San Diego County system centrally handles reservations of its campgrounds, which was fortunate for me. I mistakenly reserved one campground thinking it was another (my preferred, Potrero), but it was 30 miles away. Even though I paid for two nights in advance, their phone reservations help was superb and got me transferred without any hiccups. Big shout-out to the ranger at Potrero for suggesting. I interacted with several and they were all professional, friendly and helpful.

  There's one central plumbed restroom and shower facility. Further out along the tent sites there was a hand portapotty. When you first drive in you'll go past a very large day-use area with its own facilities before you get to the overnight camping sites. Alcohol is permitted if alcohol content < 20%.

  My site #7 was the last in the row of tent-only sites and appeared to be the largest with plenty of shade and flat pad site. Without seeing other tents it's a little hard to gauge size, but I'd guess walking by the other sites that there's probably at least 80-100 feet between tent pads, or even more. Lots of open spaces. The seven tent sites shared a couple (maybe more) of water spigots.

  The primary annoyance was with the park's neighbors who seemingly had a whole pound of dogs who barked loudly through the nights. Given how otherwise silent it was, it was the barking was noticeable and to be distinguished from the coyotes, birds and owls. I think I also heard roosters crowing each morning as early as 3am.

  The major event of my stay was the arrival of, as Steely Dan sang, "Here come those Santa Ana winds again …" At 5 a.m. the first morning, it was still and quiet as can be (sans the neighborhood dogs). A few minutes later, the winds hit. For the next 11 hours, surviving the wind 30-40 mph sustained winds, gusts over 50 was the only concern – both for my little tent and my car and myself due to the wind effects on the large trees surrounding us. In the end, there was no noticeable damage but seldom have I spent a full day out in the weather like that.

  All in all, I'm not sure you could ask for more at about $25/night. Although I would've paid double if there were a no-wind option. I also had two great tent parties my second night, a couple about my age who were returning to California after summering in Baja, and a young woman from Germany traveling by herself around the world. Interesting neighbors to say the least.

  At site #7 I had zero T-Mobile signal. Outside the Ranger Station I could get at most, 2 bars LTE.

• 

  Ana G.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 7, 2021

  Yaqui Well Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

  Super easy, free, and fun!

  We rolled in after dark and found a spot super easy that was secluded and perfect for tent camping. We had a nice hike in the morning before heading back to Julian for pie :)

• D

  Dave L.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 8, 2018

  Dos Picos County Park

  Great for Kids & Adults

  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.

• 

  Jose J.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 27, 2024

  Fiddlers Cove RV Park

  Great Military Base Park

  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.

• D

  Dave L.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 8, 2018

  Dos Picos County Park

  Great for Kids and Adults

  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 :)

• 

  Jill F.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 31, 2018

  William Heise County Park

  Tame camping

  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.

• 

  Julia P.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 3, 2021

  Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

  Ocotillo Wells OHV State Park

  Great Area to take your OHVs. Season starts around Halloween and ends in May for Red stickers. They have public restrooms spread through the grounds. It's great for tent camping and RVs/campers, tents. Town is about 25 minutes away, however they have a few stores/restaurants nearby.

• 

  cal K.

  Ranger

  

  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.

• 

  Care B.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 24, 2022

  Dixon Lake Campground

  Spot #45

  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

• 

  Leslie M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 15, 2018

  Del Mar Beach Cottages

  Oceanfront

  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!

• V

  Vic A.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 10, 2018

  Paso Picacho Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

  Tent camping and must-do hike

  have only tent camped so not sure about hook ups. hike across the road is great but do it early before it gets hot. bathrooms get a little trashed by Sunday morning. crew doesn’t keep up. spots nice size for three tents, group of 8. bring ant spray. hard to get reservations. stop for breakfast at the lake while you’re in the area.

• 

  John B.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 5, 2023

  Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District

  Great Time Nice Facility

  Friendly staff kept everything clean and gave great advice. Some in our party tent camped and had the best space, view, shade trees. We had a trailer as well, nice and level with water and power. Both had aluminum picnic tables and iron grills. Propane fire pits we allowed but no wood fires.

• 

  Jesse C.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 6, 2020

  Ramona Oaks RV Resort

  Ramona Oaks

  Ramona Oaks is exactly what it says RV Resort, they do have 4 tent sites available which are ok just very rocky. One thing i didn’t like was the tent sites being so close to the main road that all night long you hear semi trucks and rice burners with their load exhaust driving down the windy road. A lot of the RV spots look to be permanent or semi permanent residence and nobody really comes out to socialize. There wasn’t a lot of kids out like i thought there would be like when i used to go camping as a kid. They do have a small lake that is catch and release only, don’t know exactly what fish are in there but i did catch a few sun fish. They do have a nice playground for the kids.

• 

  Madisyn L.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 28, 2024

  Woods Valley Kampground

  So beautiful, quiet, and very nice employees !!

  My fiancé and I were last minute camping and this campground was beautiful, quiet, and very aesthetic! 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!! Ps isn’t that expensive when tent camping ⛺️ 🙌🏻

• 

  Candy H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 14, 2023

  Dos Picos County Park

  Quiet Park Near San Diego

  The county park is quiet and peaceful. During the week I’m 1 of about 4 campers. It has filled up on the weekends with mostly families and scout troops. It is a mix of RV and tent campsites.

• A

  Alicia W.

  Traveler

  

  May. 28, 2020

  Dos Picos County Park

  Really enjoyed!

  I really like this campground! The bathrooms are very clean and well maintained! The campground features a creek that runs through the tent sites towards the back! There were so many frogs and tadpoles! The creek eventually flows into a pond located on the other end of the campground. The pond is actually pretty large! Lots of space to walk around and explore. There is quite a bit of poison oak in the area, however you are in an old oak tree grove so it’s inevitable. Every other site was occupied in order to maintain new physical distancing requirements, the added privacy is great. Site 59 has to be one of the best tent sites, right on the creek with bathrooms close by. Lots of families so it was a little loud at some points of the day with all the kids running around, but not too much of an annoyance. Overall, I enjoyed my stay here. It is far enough from the main highway that you feel like you’re out in the woods. I would stay here again!

• 

  Cantrell C.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 30, 2020

  San Diego County Potrero Regional Park

  Quiet & Satisfying

  We found this park last minute because our original place had fire restrictions. We picked right! Park has a nice playground and a trail that has lots of shoot offs. We tent camped, which was a lot of fun! Hardly anyone at this campground. Very quiet. Bathrooms are well-kept, but you have to pay to use showers. Small bundles of firewood was a little overpriced. Staff was nice. Good campground for families!

• B

  Branden

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 28, 2021

  Lake Jennings

  Close to home

  I took my kids here for a trial run of tent camping with them. The campground is well maintained. They sell wood, fishing licenses, and other items you may need.

  We stayed in space 45 which had a nice view of the lake. This space was surrounded cactus that may be hazardous for little tikes.

  I'd also highly recommend bringing some shade of your own as there are not many trees at some sites.

• 

  Jessie W.

  Traveler

  

  May. 9, 2022

  Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs

  A nice dispersed RV resort

  A beautiful RV resort, stayed pretty dispersed by staying in couple tent sites.

  Wouldn’t come again this time of year without a heater, as it got uncomfortably cold at night. But the bathrooms are kept warm and very clean. The lodge is also warm and clean, worked out of there a couple of mornings, and the Wi-Fi was actually decent.

• m

  marisela I.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 4, 2018

  Thousand Trails Pio Pico

  More of a Resort than a campground

  Went here with friends and it was nice but there are way too many RV'S and ATV'S. there's no place to have a fire because there might be a wild fire outbreak. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are free. There are even halls where you can play BINGO and a game room with Wii games. Camping spots are big enough for 2 8 person tents or 1 small rv and a 4 person tent. If you want to glamping this is a good place but if you want to tent camp I would look somewhere else.

• 

  Berton M.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 6, 2019

  Lake Morena County Park

  Hike the PCT from Lake Morena

  The campground at Lake Morena has around 80+ spots that range from hookups for RV to basic tent camping. There's a indoor entertainment room and multiple bathrooms. The campground is not located right on the lake but a 15min walk away. The cell service is roaming but was decent; around 500kb download. The PCT goes thru the campground and there's an area designated for thru hikers camping. The campground can get crowded during the weekend. The adjacent town has a small store.

• A

  Anna K.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 15, 2018

  El Prado Campground

  Great SoCal Mountain Getaway

  I love this camp site. I prefer the Hillside loop for tent camping as the spots are large, lots of trees, and feels fairly private. It was easy to get a walk up site, the campground hosts are helpful, and there is super easy access to all of Mount Laguna hilling trails. We went once on a Monday in April and had the place to ourselves, and once over Thanksgiving weekend and we were still able to get a good spot! Dogs allowed as well!