Best Tent Camping near Poway, CA

Tent camping options near Poway, California include several established campgrounds within a short drive. Kumeyaay Lake Campground in Mission Trails Regional Park offers tent sites with access to hiking trails and basic amenities. Pine Creek Road Camp provides dispersed camping opportunities in a more remote setting, while The Eyrie Farm offers private tent camping on an organic farm property. These locations provide varied experiences from urban-adjacent to backcountry primitive tent sites.

Most tent campgrounds in the area have limited amenities, with facilities varying significantly between established and dispersed sites. Kumeyaay Lake provides clean bathrooms and hot showers but is only open Friday and Saturday nights. Pine Creek Road Camp requires high clearance vehicles to access its primitive tent sites along a 7.5-mile road with limited passing areas. According to one visitor, "There are way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed." Fire restrictions are common, particularly during dry seasons, with some areas prohibiting fires entirely.

Areas farther from San Diego offer deeper seclusion and less noise for tent campers. Corte Madera Mountain provides backcountry tent camping at 4,657 feet elevation with views over Lake Morena, though hikers need a free permit from the ranger station. The 7.5-mile trail requires substantial water supplies due to continuous climbing. Kitchen Creek Road offers walk-in tent sites with more primitive conditions. A camper noted that Kumeyaay Lake "is a good spot for close to town camping... the park has a TON of hiking and mountain biking trails with some great views." Most tent sites throughout the region fill quickly on weekends, with reservations recommended where available.

Best Tent Sites Near Poway, California (20)

    1. Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    20 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 668-2748

    $24 - $25 / night

    "This campground is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, and we absolutely loved it. There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things."

    "No hookups here but they have great clean bathrooms and hot showers. Lots of hiking/biking straight from your campsite. This place is a jem, being so close to most parts of San Diego."

    2. The Eyrie Farm

    1 Review
    Ramona, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (844) 843-3978

    $30 / night

    "We're happy to have this property on our platform. There are 2 sites to choose from, please read about them before booking. Check them out and leave them some love!"

    3. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm

    2 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    24 miles
    Website

    $50 - $175 / night

    "Gorgeous oaks shading our camp site. Loved the kitties & the ranch doggies. Went for a hike. Saw lots of flowers, a seasonal creek, sage, views of the valley & nearby mountain."

    "Plenty of room for beautiful hikes on their many acres of land packed with some great views a few decks scattered around the property.  "

    4. Pine Creek Road Camp

    6 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    32 miles

    "Great area--it's just close enough to some expensive campgrounds and a few connecting trails, so it's awesome to camp here for FREE. "

    "I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road). 

    There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed."

    5. Corte Madera Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Guatay, CA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 445-6235

    "If you’re looking for a nice hike, in the wild, with few people around, this is the one. Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest, just east of San Diego."

    "You will need a permit, but you can get a free permit emailed to you if you call the rangers station. The Trail is a 7.5 mile out and back trail near Morena Village."

    6. Corral Canyon Campground

    2 Reviews
    Potrero, CA
    32 miles
    Website

    "All other public campgrounds nearby are booked solid, but there are only 3 other groups here beside me. 1 camper told me the CG is always empty. Why?"

    "This is a beautiful area to off-road, it is closed temporarily due to covid so hopefully that opens back up here pretty soon. I’ve never camped here but have always wanted to."

    7. Kitchen Creek Road

    4 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    34 miles

    8. Julian Hideaway

    Be the first to review!
    Julian, CA
    23 miles
    +1 (760) 421-8705

    $80 - $50 / night

    9. Los Coyotes Camp Cahuilla Reservation

    1 Review
    San Ysidro, CA
    33 miles
    +1 (760) 782-2790

    "This place was so big it had space for another 10 cars and tents. We’re coming back for sure."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Poway, CA

1257 Reviews of 20 Poway Campgrounds


  • Trip Over Life
    May. 28, 2018

    Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Anza-Borrego campground with primitive cabins and tent sites

    Tamarisk Grove Campground is about 20 minutes south of Borrego Springs. It sits next to the highway but there’s minimal traffic so it isn’t terribly loud. There are tent sites as well as primitive cabins. Each site has a fire ring and table. There are also flush toilets and paid showers. There is no potable water at this campground - be sure to bring your own. The cabins are simple structures with platforms for sleeping. There are no amenities in the cabins - no electric, no water, no mattress, no linens, etc.

    The campground is across the street from both the Cactus Loop and Yaqui Well trail heads. We recommend the short Cactus Loop hike over the Yaqui Well hike. Go at sunset to catch the cholla cacti backlit by the sunset.

  • Elise F.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    Perfect weekend getaway

    This campground is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, and we absolutely loved it. There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things. The rangers even supplied Dr. Bronners Castile soap in each bathroom. We stayed in site number 17 and it was lovely. Each camp site has a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. Online says you can buy firewood but they no longer provide that service, so make sure you bring your own firewood! You can’t swim in the lake, but you can fish and it’s very pleasant to walk around and bird watch. There is so much to do in this urban park, you could spend many days here. P.S. the Mission Trails visitor center is spectacular.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

    A World Away from the City Surrounding It

    Tucked on the outskirts of Mission Viejo is an oasis of green grass and groves of the twisting and searching limbs of Coastal Live Oak trees.  If you stuck me in the middle of this park, I’d never know that I was miles away from the sprawl of suburbia of a major metropolitan area…shhh don’t tell anyone.

    There are 3 campgrounds within this regional park -- one soley dedicated to RV's that require electrical hook-ups (Ortega Flats), a group campground (San Juan Meadow), and another which is a mix of tents and off-grid RVs (Live Oak).  This review is specifically for the off-grid Live Oak Campground which s aptly named because you’ll find yourself enjoying the ample shade of these amazing arbors, but plenty of sun to run our solar powered system.  

    The campsites can be reserved but there is plenty of room for first-come first-served travelers as well.  The sites offer enough space to tuck away a tent in the corner, or set up the longer trailer, as well as the typical picnic table and fire ring.  Plenty of port o potties are scattered throughout the campground and served the large groups gathered here on Easter weekend.  We indulged in making a fabulous brunch of Wood Fired Waffles to celebrate the holiday!  As of April 2023, they were still experiencing a well water issue, so no water was available from the faucet, but the river running through the park was useful for obtaining water to wash dishes.

    Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails meander throughout the park. The campground borders on a small creek for fishing, but is off-limits to wading and swimming because of the instability of the opposite bank. Keep an eye on the kids!  Be sure to check out the volunteer-run Nature Center on the property which is full of great information about flora, fauna, and native history.

    The closest store for firewood, and groceries is just a few miles back toward town.  And, the closest beach is just about 30 minutes away, so a great option for a day trip.

  • Javier L.
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Palomar Mountain State Park Campground

    Southern California- Quick Getaway

    This park is great for all Southern California natives to get away for the weekend. Has clean facilities and the campgrounds have ample space between them. This area has a ton of beautiful landscape, during the fall/winter wonderful foliage appears. Leave no trace & enjoy our lands!

  • Ryan W.
    Jul. 16, 2016

    Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    The Desert in Spring is beautiful and terrifying.

    We went to Culp Valley in April just in time to explore the Anza-Borrego State Park during an especially rainy desert season. There were wildflowers everywhere and despite high heat during the day it was so bad you felt like you were in the desert. It's a beautiful time to explore. There is a small city just outside the park where you can get any need supplies, lunch or do some antique/thrifting.

    The campground is just West of the state park and at a higher elevation. The sites are first come first serve, and best of all they are FREE! The ground is sand and rock, and outside of clean vault toilets there are no amenities. We had a decent spot with three tents set up and brought our own fire ring. No fires allowed outside a fire ring/pit you bring along. It's a smaller campground and is well known in SoCal but if you arrive before afternoon you'll usually find a spot.

    Because of it's location on hill it is subject to gusty winds. Keep that in mind. You will get dusty and check the weather so you set up camp facing away from the wind or you'll get a full tent of sand. The night we were there most recently they broke wind gust records which was unexpected. It was a long night of whooshing wind coming up and over the desert hills before slamming into our tent at speeds nearing tornado strength. That sucked but that was more our fault than the campgrounds.

    It's less of a leisure camping spot and there were no big RVs the times we visited. There is a reservable state park campsite nearby if you need more amenities.

    This area is know for it's stargazing and the night sky in the desert is incredible. The lights from the nearest town are blocked by the rock.

  • j
    Jan. 12, 2023

    Dos Picos County Park

    Quiet, dark skies, scenic

    We came in January so we had the entire upper camping loop to ourselves. The rangers were very helpful. This Campground has partial hookups with electricity at sites but no water. Level well spaced sites. Firepit and picnic table. Nice clean grounds, restrooms and showers (pay).They also have tent sites and cabins. County Park with playground is adjacent . 

    Beautiful scenery, great star gazing, at least on our upper loop. There's only a small light on restrooms. We saw F16s practicing overhead. Very cool.

    Good Verizon reception.

  • Sita B.
    Aug. 8, 2018

    La Jolla Indian Campground

    3.5 Stars

    La Jolla Indian Reservation Campground is located 30 mins south of the Observatory on Palomar Mtn, and 60 mins north of San Diego. There are ~38 reservable RV sites with hook-ups. Half of them are along the river front. There are multiple group tent sites and even more first come first serve, get in where u fit in, no hookup RV and tent sites. There is a gas station/convenience store just before the entrance, where a 20lb bag of ice is $4. Load up, you’ll need it. There are very few campgrounds that are near the water AND you’re allowed to play in the water. There are only two in SoCal, that I know of, the other is Yucapai.

    We reserved RV space 10, for our tent trailer. The 30’ site was a tight fit for out 22’ trailer and two cars. But we’re able to put up out shade tent, tarp, and seating.

    The good… RV Park area had a lot of trees that provided shade in the 100 degree heat. The hookups were easy and we had no problems with neighbors. The river cooled things down once it got going, you can rent or bring your own tube/river rat to ride down the river, at your own risk! Bring water shoes. Kids loved swinging on the make shift swings along the water. Propane grills recommended, not every site has a charcoal grill and depending on weather and fire conditions will determine if fire pits will be allowed.

    The bad… the river only runs Friday to Sunday. However, Lake Henshaw turns the water on Friday at 7:30 am and it doesn’t make it down to the res until 4:30 pm. It was a long hot wait for water. Saving grace was the hose we brought to water down the dirt. Only one bathroom and multiple port-o-potties (sp?) and I don’t recommend those. Bring TP. The lines are long in the morning. There’s no grey water disposal. Keep track of your valuables. The first come first serve camp area tents to be more rowdy than the RV area, though both are loud (music & kids).

  • Jen D.
    Oct. 23, 2018

    Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Free Desert Camping!

    Free camping! Located off the S22, border of Anza Borrego,just 3.5 miles past the town of Ranchita. If you keep going down the hill you'll hit Borrego Springs. Keep an eye out for the Culp Valley Camp sign because otherwise there isn't much indication. Barely any service so make sure you prepare well for an extended stay. It does extremely windy here, especially in early fall with the Santa Ana winds. Hot during day, frigid at night. It's primitively camping so No water, picnics tables, fire rings, and charcoal grills, but vault toilets and ground to put a tent on are available. In Culp Valley there is TONS of boulders to climb; varying from beginner v0's to advanced bouldering. Check out mountain project to check out some routes or just go spot out some of your own! This is place is definetly worth a weekend trip, but Shhh try to keep it a secret. ;) 

    Campground coordinates: 33.220541, -116.458858 (33° 13′ 13.94″N 116° 27′ 31.88″W)

  • S
    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.


Guide to Poway

Tent camping near Poway, California offers outdoor recreation opportunities in areas ranging from urban-adjacent sites to remote backcountry locations. The region contains diverse ecosystems spanning from coastal sage scrub at lower elevations to oak woodlands and pine forests at higher elevations in the nearby Cleveland National Forest. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F in inland areas, while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevation campsites.

What to do

Hiking trails access: Mission Trails Regional Park offers extensive hiking opportunities from Kumeyaay Lake Campground with varying difficulty levels. As one camper noted, "Lots of trails to hike. Family friendly." The park features multiple trail networks suitable for day hikes directly from tent sites.

Fishing opportunities: Anglers can access fishing spots at several locations, including Kumeyaay Lake where catch-and-release fishing is permitted. "At the right time of year there is a stream which is really pretty. The hikes around here are beautiful and mostly uphill," reports one Kumeyaay Lake Campground visitor.

Mountain biking: The region offers various terrain for mountain biking enthusiasts, particularly at higher elevation campgrounds. One tent camper at GoodVibes Ranch & Farm mentioned, "They have a full size professional disc golf course here! I don't bring my discs, but Carolyn and Bernie happily lent me some discs so I could try it out."

Wildlife viewing: Campsites throughout the area provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. Bird watching is particularly productive near water features. Pack binoculars and be prepared for seasonal variations in wildlife activity and potential rattlesnake encounters.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Tent campers consistently rate bathroom cleanliness as a priority factor. One visitor to Kumeyaay Lake Campground appreciated that "There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things. The rangers even supplied Dr. Bronners Castile soap in each bathroom."

Privacy between sites: Dispersed camping areas offer significant space between sites. A Pine Creek Road Camp visitor noted, "We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay," highlighting the seclusion available at some locations.

Natural features: Campers frequently mention specific natural elements that enhance their tent camping experience. "Saturday night in May. All other public campgrounds nearby are booked solid, but there are only 3 other groups here beside me. 1 camper told me the CG is always empty. Why? Because it's at the end of a 7.5 mile dead-end road in an OHV area, yet no OHVers here," reported a visitor to Corral Canyon Campground.

Proximity to towns: The convenience of nearby communities for supplies appeals to tent campers. Many sites are within reasonable driving distance of Julian, Ramona, or other small towns where campers can purchase supplies, ice, or fuel.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Some tent sites require advance planning while others allow same-day access. For Pine Creek Road Camp, one camper advised, "Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit (after doing research and finding out you need one), filled out the form, and got it back in the same day."

Road conditions: Access roads to more remote tent sites can present challenges. As one camper at Kitchen Creek Road noted, "Pretty small spot off the road, does get kind of loud from cars but overall a decent and clean spots." Many dispersed camping roads have limited passing areas.

Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns significantly impact camping conditions throughout the year. Extreme summer heat affects lower elevation sites, while winter conditions can make higher elevation areas inaccessible. Spring typically offers the most moderate conditions for tent camping in the Poway region.

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically between tent camping locations. Most remote sites have minimal or no cell service. One Pine Creek camper reported, "Very spotty service (Verizon), which makes navigation and planning difficult if you don't pre-download trail maps."

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: Families new to tent camping should consider established campgrounds with amenities. One visitor to Kumeyaay Lake Campground shared, "Perfect campground located right in San Diego. Great for families with small kids and there are many close trails. There is something for everyone."

Educational opportunities: Several tent campgrounds offer nature programs or educational facilities. "The Mission Trails visitor center is spectacular," noted one Kumeyaay Lake camper, highlighting opportunities to learn about local ecology and natural history.

Insect preparation: Pack appropriate insect repellent based on location and season. One Pine Creek Road Camp visitor warned, "There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed. Luckily just gnats and no mosquitoes from what we experienced."

Water availability: Many tent camping locations near Poway have limited or no potable water. At The Eyrie Farm, tent campers should note that while drinking water is available, facilities are limited. Families should pack additional water containers for cooking and cleaning needs.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Most dispersed camping areas around Poway have significant restrictions for larger vehicles. "I have a stock Rav4 and it was able to drive on it although there are a few spots you need to be careful at so you don't scrape the bottom of your car," advised one Pine Creek Road Camp visitor.

Generator restrictions: Many tent camping areas prohibit generator use to maintain natural quiet. Check regulations before arrival as policies vary between established and dispersed sites.

Leveling challenges: Tent sites in dispersed areas often have uneven terrain. One camper at Corte Madera Mountain described the summit camping area as "surrounded by large granite boulders," which can make finding level tent spots challenging.

Security considerations: Remote tent camping locations may have limited ranger patrols. RVers and car campers should secure valuables appropriately when leaving camp for hiking or other activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Poway, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Poway, CA is Kumeyaay Lake Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 20 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Poway, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Poway, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.