Best Tent Camping near Ranchita, CA

Tent Camping Reviews near Ranchita, CA

1364 Reviews of 31 Ranchita Campgrounds

• 

  Ryan W.

  Legend

  Aug. 8, 2020

  Stone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park

  Just Far Enough to Feel Remote. Just High Enough to Make Hiking Difficult.

  Stone Creek Campground in San Jacinto Mountain State Park is the perfect getaway for coastal Southern California residents. It is a few hours out of the major metro areas, but close enough to get to for just a night or two. 

  Located near Idyllwild, this is the smaller, less rowdy campground associated with the tourist town. There is also a camp right in town if you're looking for shopping and bars, and a few more further up hill.

  Stone Creek has about 35 sites. The outer ring sites are huge, and most of them are fairly private especially the loop to the right of the entry. Our site was #7, and after thoroughly campsploration it is unquestionably the best for individuals. If you're in a group rent the inner ring where the backsides of all the sites run together.

  We were trying to get away from people, from the pandemic, and spend some time doing something normal. Stone Creek was perfect for that. The only human interaction was having to check -in at the entry with a ranger. They wore a mask, and we spoke through a window in the ranger shed. They did have to hand me a parking pass, but after that we were on our own.

  Site 7 is extremely large, and extremely private with multiple flat spots that could accommodate tents, two large picnic tables, multiple spots for hammocks and a fire ring that has seen better days. We could see a car across the loop, but couldn't actually see other campers without effort from where we set up the tent or even the fire ring.

  This particular site extends back over a ridge and downhill. It was so private back there we strung up our camp shower next to a giant boulder for a shower without feeling like we needed to set up a privacy shade/curtain.

  Camp is just high enough to prevent most bugs, but there were a few flies and mosquitos. The vault toilets were clean, and well stocked with TP and antibacterial soap. There were three on-site. One in the middle of the center ring which was the busiest, but none of the solar lights were working making it difficult to find in the dark. No obvious trail. The other we used near the entrance was well lit, had a wooden path and seemed to be forgotten by most other campers.

  Multiple hiking trails led out of camp including one right from next to our site that led to multiple other trails heading up San Jacinto Mountain. The trails were a mix of gravel fire road, dirt trail and a few sandy areas through the flats. They were mostly well-signed, but one sign was down causing us to miss a turn so…bring a map. They're available at stands at the front of camp. Trails are…vertical unless explicitly labeled as short scenic hikes.

  There were warning signs for snakes, mountain lions, plague-infected squirrels and bears, but all we saw were deer. They didn't seem to consider bears a serious threat as there were no bear boxes or locks on trash cans. However, having bear-proof (Ha!) food storage is important.

  We really have no complaints about this place, and will definitely be back to explore more trails.

  Pro-Tip: It is a windy, windy road up into the mountains, and people travel too fast. We saw some serious accident sites when people were traveling too fast, and caught up to a slow moving camper around a curve. Drive carefully.

  Pro-Tip: We had full phone/wifi service here. We didn't want or need it, but if we were working from the road this would be an easy stop to set up.

  Pro-Tip: Outer ring is more private. Inner ring better for groups.

  Pro-Tip: In the summer add 5-10 degrees to the temperature which is taken from a higher elevation weather station.

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• 

  E B.

  Traveler

  Jul. 8, 2025

  South Ridge Yellow Post Sites

  Yellow post number 2

  Yellow Post #2 – San Bernardino National Forest Secluded, free, first-come-first-served tent site tucked deep in the forest near Hemet, CA. No amenities—no toilet, water, or trash—so pack in and out. Fire ring and picnic table on-site. Shaded by mature trees with a dirt/sand/rock surface. Site fits up to 8 people and 2 vehicles.

  Access road is rough and rocky but doable in dry conditions with a careful 2WD. Signage is limited—offline maps recommended. Site sits near a dry creek bed and has a short walk to a west-facing boulder with expansive views of the valley.

  Wildlife includes deer, lizards, snakes, woodpeckers, and lots of squirrels. Mosquitoes come out at dusk—repellent is a must. Fire bans usually in effect during summer. Great for quiet retreats, hiking, light climbing, and off-grid solitude.

  A rugged but rewarding forest stay for self-sufficient campers.

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• 

  Trip Over Life

  Ranger

  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.

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• 

  Jen D.

  Guide

  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)

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• 

  Elise F.

  Guide

  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.

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• 

  Brittany N.

  Legend

  Oct. 3, 2018

  Stone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park

  Beautiful Get-Away

  I was really excited to head out to this campground/ site because it was a close drive from my home, but far enough away to get up in the mountains.

  My sister, her 3 kids, and 2 dogs jumped into the car and headed out towards Idyllwild, CA. Though this is techincally condisdered Pine Cove, CA, it is only about a 10 min drive away from the adorable town of Idyllwild! The campsite had room for 1 car, and was allotted 8 people. A long picnic table and a campfire ring with a grill opition! We set up a hammock in the front, a slack line on the side, and a dog run behind our campsite! We took the kids on the nature walk and they loved it! Big brother read the signs about the pine cones to his little sisters! We went into town as well and bought a big bundle of local fire wood at Mountain Mike's off Cicle Dr. for only $10. ( The best firewood ever ) We mostly just hung out at the campsite for the kids to run around and be kids! They made some friends with some neighbor campers, so all 5 kids ran around having the time of their lives!

  Summary:

  Pros:

  • Close to Idyllwild
  • Clean site(s)
  • Clean bathrooms
  • Camp hosts were very nice
  • Fire rings w/ grill
  • Picnic Table
  • Non potable water faucets
  • Privacy between sites on the back side ( where we stayed )
  • Hiking trials out of the campground
  • Nature walk off the campground
  • Dumpsters for trash

  Cons:

  • No bear bins ( but there was not too much of a warning for the bears there )
  • The bees ( the ones that like your food )

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• 

  Javier L.

  Guide

  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.

  Legend

  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.

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• j

  janet H.

  Legend

  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.