Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Poway, CA

Dos Picos County Park offers pet-friendly camping throughout its oak-shaded grounds in Ramona, just a short drive from Poway. Dogs are permitted at all campsites including tent areas, RV spaces with electric and water hookups, and cabin accommodations. Lake Jennings, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, and William Heise County Park also welcome pets at their campsites, with each location providing picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean restrooms and showers. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to remain on leash at all times, and owners must clean up after their animals. The campgrounds are well-maintained with rangers regularly patrolling to enforce quiet hours and ensure camper compliance with pet policies.

Hiking trails surrounding these pet-friendly campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for exercising dogs while exploring the natural landscape. Many campers appreciate the small fishing pond at Dos Picos where dogs can cool off on leash during hot summer months. The campground features wide walking paths ideal for dog walks, though visitors should watch for poison oak in some areas. Nearby Mount Woodson and Iron Mountain trails offer additional pet-friendly hiking options within a 5-10 minute drive from Dos Picos. Campground bathrooms remain clean and well-stocked even during busy weekends. Most sites provide partial shade from mature oak trees, helping pets stay comfortable during warmer weather. Wildlife including squirrels, rabbits, and hawks are common sightings, so keeping dogs properly leashed prevents unwanted encounters.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Poway, California (156)

    1. Dos Picos County Park

    35 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

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

    "Nearby hiking and golf, as well as a short drive to Poway/Rancho Bernardo where any service, shopping, etc you may need is available."

    2. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

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

    $50 - $650 / night

    "South Carlsbad State Beach is extremely crowded (like many coastal campsites in Southern California), but has very easy access to your own space on the beach below the cliffs."

    "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."

    3. Lake Jennings

    33 Reviews
    Lakeside, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 390-1623

    $35 - $140 / night

    "Tennis courts dog parks. The list just goes on and on"

    "This location is a hidden gem in the outskirts of the city."

    4. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    38 Reviews
    Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 753-5091

    $50 - $520 / night

    "Pick a spot - $75 gets you on the bluff with hookups $50 gets you on the bluff but no hookups $35 gets you on the other side Trash, recycling, and sewage disposal ($10) nearby."

    "If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."

    5. Dixon Lake Campground

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

    $39 - $50 / night

    "You can drive right up and park and camp! Nice beautiful lake to look at and fish. You must purchase a license, which they sell there for a few bucks. Bon fires allowed as well."

    "We come here to hike all the time, our dog especially loves this trail! The campsites looks dispersed and absolutely beautiful! The views are worth taking in."

    6. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

    16 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 596-3141

    "Being a native San Diegan The east county location allows for easy access to San Diego sites from two freeways."

    "The fishing lakes are and best indoor walking paths are a bonus."

    7. Escondido RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 239-5273

    "Location near I-15 and Gas stations. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups. Fill propane avaible. Resort-style amenities. Heated outdoor Pool. Nice dog park. Access to a park for walking."

    "Dog park, pool, clubhouse. We loved site 3 so close to the amenities and restrooms. Overall amazing stay"

    8. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park

    33 Reviews
    Bonita, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 472-7572

    $34 - $38 / night

    "The campground also has some nice amenities: good trail system, a splash pad (open in spring and summer months), a playground, some areas to have a group picnic, even a large event room."

    "This campground is very close to downtown and beaches in San Diego. I paid $36 a night for electricity and water hookups plus my pet."

    9. William Heise County Park

    46 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-0650

    $24 - $34 / night

    "It was great and super dog friendly but WOW so much dirt created so much dust in the air and it got on everyone and everything. With that being said… TONS to do! Such beautiful sights to see!"

    "Nice campground away from the main roads. All spots outside of the R.V. loop are spread out and pretty secluded. Very friendly and helpful rangers. About a 10 minute drive from Julian pie co."

    10. Campland on the Bay

    21 Reviews
    Coronado, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (858) 581-4205

    $60 / night

    "There’s a pool, a park, a dog park, the beach, a bar, an arcade, and so many things you can rent for the water and on land."

    "It's a beautiful location with lots of amenities. Many people don't know about the dog park, which is quite large! There is also a well equipped gym."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Poway, CA

1401 Reviews of 156 Poway Campgrounds


  • Sabrina V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Circle RV Resort

    It’s OK for a couple weeks

    Amenities isn’t all that great when they’re not maintained well. Gym has damaged equipment, pool has lose hand rails and heated pool is filthy. Pool furniture is outdated, broken and dirty. They will only play country music at the pool. The shower house looks like it has recently been updated but smells and has mold growing already. They do not allow any kind of camper except big rigs/trailers. They have a “dog park”, which is very small and smell horrendous due to there only being fake plastic grass. Most owners will also not clean up after their pets, so you or your dog may step into feces quite often there. RV park is between highway and main road - no quiet found here. Rules on what you’re allowed to put up for shade will vary depending on how much management likes you there. All in all an Ok place if you aren’t actually spending you time there.

  • Milagros B.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Escondido RV Resort

    🚙Campground🔹

    Location near I-15 and Gas stations. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups. Fill propane avaible. Resort-style amenities. Heated outdoor Pool. Nice dog park. Access to a park for walking. 🔹For sure we will stay again and recommend🔹

  • Chuck T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2018

    Admiral Baker RV Park

    Centrally located near Mission Valley

    Nice park, huge grassy area..dog park near by. Sites are close but there is open space behind your unit..NOT on a base, but bathhouse is coded entry to only allow registered guests use..

  • C
    Apr. 7, 2022

    Admiral Baker RV Park

    Beautiful clean RV park within a park

    RV spots are arranged in a horseshoe around a park with a playground. Sites on outside of horseshoe have to walk between interior sites to get to the park, bathrooms and laundry. Wi-Fi is good enough to work remotely. We didn’t try streaming.

    Adjacent to the RV park are sports fields, picnic areas and a golf course.

    The dog park is nice and clean and is reserved for RV park guests. The pool is beautiful and has a two-story tall slide. The pool is closed this summer and next (2022-23) but is normally open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

    RV park is open to military and retired military.

  • Moo
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Oceanside RV Resort

    For tent campers - pretty solid place for a quick couple stays

    First, the campsite has the MOST CLEANEST restroom and shower booths I have ever visited for tent camping. This is no doubt that for those folks who are needed for good built qaulity toiletery, this will be your location.

    For the down sides;

    1. The trains - There is a rail right behind the tent sites so if you are looking for the tent sites with quiet location: PLEASE STAY AWAY from here. the trains do not operate from around 10 pm, back on operating starting from 5 am.

    2. for T1 tent site, BE AWARE that there is a dog park RIGHT next to the tent site: there will be a urine odor all over the place.

    3. If you are planning on cooking, just be aware that there is no proper location to do a dish wash. You would need some sort of wipes to do.

  • Jeff T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2024

    Escondido RV Resort

    Amazing resort style amenities. Spacious sites

    People are complaining about freeway noise, we stayed in site 3 (the closest site to the freeway) and it was quiet as a mouse from inside our (insulated) RV. Amazing amenities. Dog park, pool, clubhouse. We loved site 3 so close to the amenities and restrooms. Overall amazing stay

  • Chad C.
    Oct. 8, 2022

    Loomerland

    Excellent little getaway with animals!

    Our family of 3 just left the campground this morning, and we had a great time during our 1 night stay.  To find it, just plug the GPS coordinates into Google maps and follow the instructions.  It’s fairly primitive (outhouse and water spigot), but the sky is clear and the whole place is very serene with trees and nature. They have several protective, very human-friendly dogs on the property.  They also open the barn around 0800 and allow campers to pet the rabbits, chickens, cats, pigs, turkey, ducks, and even feed the goats.  Sites have campfire rings (bring your own wood), picnic table, and a couple Adirondack style chairs.  The staff is also very friendly and informative.  We will certainly be back.

  • Milagros B.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Pala Casino Spa Resort

    🚙Forest campground🔹

    🔹location in front of Pala Casino. 🔹Great guest services. Full hookups sites. Propano fills available. The spot are big as well, each spot have a picnic table! Resort-style amenities. Nice Pool, kids playground and dog park great! Near Gas station and small market! 🔹We sure

    will stay again and recommend

  • Beaux B.
    Mar. 5, 2025

    Lake Jennings

    Mission bay

    It's wonderful! A very big rv park with lots of things to do. Hot tub heated pools several shower rooms, bathrooms. Tennis courts dog parks. The list just goes on and on


Guide to Poway

Campgrounds near Poway, California offer diverse terrain ranging from oak woodlands to lakeside settings at elevations from 500 to 4,000 feet. The area experiences warm summers with daytime highs reaching 90°F and mild winters with occasional frost at higher elevations. Most campgrounds stay open year-round with peak season running April through October when weekend reservations should be made at least 2-3 months in advance.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake Jennings offers a stocked fishing pond that's popular with families. "Really enjoyed the Tipi camping so fun! Totally worth spending a bit more. Very roomy," shares Rachel H., who found the campground's unique accommodations enhanced their fishing experience.

Trail exploration: Dixon Lake Campground features hiking trails with varying difficulty levels surrounding the campground. "The campsites looks dispersed and absolutely beautiful! The views are worth taking in. Our dog especially loves this trail!" notes Taylor, highlighting the pet-friendly nature of the trails.

Bird watching: William Heise County Park provides habitat for wild turkeys and deer. "We love this campground," shares Susan E., who specifically mentions seeing "camping here is the best deer and flocks of wild turkey." The park's higher elevation creates diverse wildlife viewing opportunities.

What campers like

Spacious sites: South Carlsbad State Beach Campground receives praise for site layout despite busy periods. "Beautiful ocean views! Next to Coast Hwy which is busy but not totally annoying. Stores down the road for any necessities. Beach is accessible by stairs--nothing at beach level. Basic and RV hook-up sites," reports cynthia S.

Clean facilities: Sweetwater Summit Regional Park maintains well-kept restrooms and showers with WiFi access. "The camping is good and the amenities are really clean. The bathrooms and the showers are clean and there's WIFI near them. The only draw back is that you have to pay for the showers but with $1.50 per person you can take a good quick shower," explains marisela I.

Family amenities: Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve offers extensive recreational options beyond camping. "Perfect spot to forget you're in San Diego. It's lake in the middle of neighborhoods. My moms company has a party here every year, we take my nephews fishing here almost twice a month. It's a great place to forget about reality," says Taylor about this pet-friendly option.

What you should know

Reservation timing: San Elijo State Beach Campground requires significant advance planning. "The worst part is trying to get a spot secured," explains Jonathan G. "Difficult to book. 6 months in advance but if you do. The full hookup spots are located in the middle of the campground," adds Dane H.

Weather considerations: Summer temperatures in higher elevation campgrounds can exceed 90°F while coastal options remain cooler. Always check seasonal restrictions before bringing pets as some trails limit dog access during high fire danger periods.

Wildlife interactions: Many campgrounds have active wildlife populations. Keep food secured in approved containers to avoid attracting animals. Raccoons are particularly common in several campgrounds near Poway.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several pet-friendly camping options near Poway include dedicated play areas. "It's a great place for kids to run around. Ramona is close to: shop, eat, etc.," mentions Linda R. about Dos Picos County Park.

Water features: Look for campgrounds with fishing ponds that allow supervised children to fish without licenses. "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 :)," shares Dave L.

Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger-led programs during summer months. Check individual campground schedules for junior ranger activities that are both educational and entertaining for kids.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Escondido RV Resort offers varying site sizes and layouts. "Space 49 is small. The park is hilly. They didn't give us the right spot we needed when we made our reservations. They have a very nice staff and is dog friendly," explains Elaine R., highlighting the importance of confirming specific site details when booking.

Utility hookups: Most campgrounds offer water and electric, but not all have sewer connections at individual sites. Many campers recommend bringing an extension cord as hookup placement varies between campgrounds.

Dump station access: Most RV-friendly campgrounds near Poway provide dump stations, but they may have limited hours. "You have to drive to the RV dump to dump. It's close but you don't have the convenience to dump at your site," notes Linda R. about facilities at certain parks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Poway, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Poway, CA is Dos Picos County Park with a 4.4-star rating from 35 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Poway, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 156 dog-friendly camping locations near Poway, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.