Best Campgrounds near Poway, CA

Pay a bit extra for the Oceanside view

We had a wonderful stay here! The campground was clean and well maintained. We had a campsite on the outer loop (9) that backed up to an overlook of a field. If you don’t need a pull through, definitely get one of the outer loop spaces - they’re way less cramped. It’s SD, so there is definitely traffic and airplane noise, but totally expected. The only reason it doesn’t get 5 stars is because of the bathrooms/showers. Clean but so cramped. At $35 a night, though, definitely worth it!

The best feature of this free camping area is the awesome metal sculptures right near this campground. 

Near the cute town of Borrego Springs, just a little off Borrego Springs road. Not secluded by any means. Please use existing pull outs. Keep it clean so we can continue to enjoy this free spot. 

It's one road in. The further back you go, the more privacy. I stayed fairly close to the front as I was only there one night.

If you have an RV probably be alright. I have a roof tent and stayed at a primitive campsite. It’s pretty chill. The campgrounds themselves is extremely clean. If you come around March, keep your fire wood dry because mine got wet and couldn’t start a fire. We’re next to Camp Pendleton and I’m pretty sure I could hear gun exercises lol. About 1.5 miles from the highway. Not a deal killer but if you want complete peace and quiet, this isn’t it. The actual campsites looked like they have some nice space to them. Still small overall. The trail to the beach is 1.5 miles. The beach isn’t great unless you’re a surfer. A lot of surfers camping here. It’s a cool spot to get away if you live nearby and wanna camp and grill. If you’re coming from far away, I’d say check out the site on the actual beach. At least you’ll be on the beach.

Ps - if you run into locals on the trails, don’t be nice, because they hate you and hate that you’re there. They’re insufferable. So do you and enjoy yourself and don’t be polite to them. The staff and other campers are awesome though

Spots are close together, but your steps to the sand.

On the outer southern edge of Borrego Springs is this private yet free camp area.

A few dozen sites exist, each some five hundred feet or more apart. All have views of the surrounding mountains, and the wide open skies.

Borrego Springs is a dark sky community, which means lights are kept to a minimum, thus enabling great star viewing.

The area is renowned for its hiking and other outdoor activities. It is also known for its iron sculptures, which many exist within this camp area.

This is basically a parking lot with water and electric hookups only. There is a clean out station available. Great bicycle trail to Coronado and imperial beach.

Spent 4 nights here in February. A good amount of other campers, but not too crowded. I found the perfect spot tucked up against the rocks. I had my own private rock garden with so many variety of cacti and lots of birds. So peaceful.  I would definitely come back here again. 

No cell signal, but plenty of solar. Primitive camping--no amenities.

It is mostly military affiliated patrons at the park but it is open to civilians. It’s pretty pricey but everything is sam Diego is. Overall it’s a decent place but it would be nice to see Navy MWR actually invest in the place as the road is crumbling and there have been several major water main leaks in 2024 (to the point of having to shut the entire park water off). Instead of updating infrastructure they bought new signs and a fence and hired a bunch of people that do little. Also there’s a water park on the property that has been closed for years but the water is still maintained?? Yeaaaa that’s definitely the government for ya. For what it’s worth I stayed there long term while I was active duty. The only reason military members do it is to try to save a little money but the price has steadily gone up each year and is almost $2K a month now as of 3/25. If you’re actually RV’ing and not full timing I would check out Mission Bay or Sun RV as there is so much more to do and you’re near the ocean.

Large campground split into 3 sections. The one side is mainly for RVs and has hookups — would only recommend for RVs as they’re stacked up. The other 2 sides are a bit more spread out, especially the sites on the outside of the loops. It’s well taken care of and clean. Plus it has token showers with hot water, a dish washing area, flush toilets, fire pits, grills, and cell signal. Anza Borrego park has tons of awesome dispersed sites around the park that are free, but this was a good spot to take a little break from the desert and grab a hot shower.

What a great spot for some dispersed camping. There are sites all over the place. However, on the weekend it can get pretty busy. Fortunately, I was able to find a spot with not many people around at all. Where I was, I had zero Verizon signal.

Stayed here on way to Joshua Tree. Was better than the Wash area nearby. Nice trail and views from hills nearby. Also great view of night sky. Tour hike group stopped here in morning though so may not always be quiet.

Far from off-grid, but very nice camping! Level, painstakingly maintained campsites in a golf course resort. Well-maintained amenities, community activities, and gorgeous natural beauty surrounding a full-service RV park. Reserve a year in advance if you want a site during the nicest months of the year (winter). Our only issue was that a neighbor kept a giant light “display” on until well past the Dark Sky hours.

Even if you lock your generators up, securing with cable and locks and securing in the back of a covered pickup there are thieves cutting through truck covers, cutting locks and stealing generators…. Be WARNED!!!

First car camp in Anza Borrego.  Wasn't disappionted.

Grateful for free camping sites. Just outside of Julian which is a charming little town.

Decent for some seclusion/isloation as the road through is winding.

When in early January. 65-70 during the day. ~45 at night.

The quiet was my favorite part.

Stayed there for one month. Used generator intermittently during the non-quiet hours and neighbors were complaining. Instead of talking to us they when straight to the office like 12 year old tattletales to complain. Manager asked to come by and talk with her but was unable to come that day due to work schedule so I intended to talk with her the following day except when I got home they had left a letter on our RV telling us to leave at the end of our stay and never come back. Mind you this RV park is right next to I-8 and is extremely noisy throughout most of the day and night but an onboard generator during the daytime hours were just to much to bear…got it!

The laundry mat is $5 per load and several people have had their belongings stolen; at one time it was their own security guard who doing the stealing - you can’t make this stuff up. On the elite side there is a creek that runs through and is eroding the ground at the edge of the road and almost floods the park during rainy season. There’s too many reasons to NOT recommend this place. Take your hard earned money elsewhere.

This place is a jewel, and if you live in San Diego, right in your backyard! Rangers are super helpful and friendly, the campground is clean and quiet, and the setting is beautiful. There’s a tranquil pond, nice hiking trails, places for kids to play…. Just a fantastic option close to home for locals and well worth consideration for visitors to the area.