Luis P.
Traveler
TravelerBlack Mountain Yellow Post #6
Black Mountain Yellow Post #6
Great spot to camp
Camping near Rancho Mirage, CA
431 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The Coachella Valley surrounding Rancho Mirage, California features a diverse camping landscape spanning from luxury RV resorts to primitive desert sites. Emerald Desert RV Resort provides upscale accommodations with full hookups and resort amenities, while several campgrounds in Desert Hot Springs, including Catalina Spa and RV Resort and Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA, offer year-round access to thermal mineral pools. Within an hour's drive, Joshua Tree National Park presents a stark contrast with its boulder-strewn primitive campgrounds like Jumbo Rocks and Black Rock. Mountain destinations such as Idyllwild Campground in Mount San Jacinto State Park and Lake Hemet Campground provide cooler alternatives at higher elevations during summer months.
Weather considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region, with extreme temperature variations between seasons. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F in the valley floor locations near Rancho Mirage, making camping inadvisable from June through September except at higher elevations. Winter brings mild days and cold nights, particularly in Joshua Tree where campers report excellent conditions. "The wind here can be very intense, especially at night," notes one camper who stayed at Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort. Many desert campgrounds have limited or no shade, requiring proper shelter and sun protection. Reservation requirements vary significantly, with national park campgrounds often filling months in advance during peak spring wildflower season, while some BLM dispersed camping areas remain available without reservations.
Visitor experiences highlight the dramatic contrast between developed and primitive camping options. Luxury RV resorts near Rancho Mirage feature swimming pools, organized activities, and manicured grounds. One visitor described Emerald Desert as "extremely clean, well-maintained, and quiet" with "daily trash pickup" and "sparkling swimming pools." In contrast, Joshua Tree campsites offer natural features like massive granite boulders that serve as windbreaks and create privacy between sites. Dark sky viewing opportunities abound in the desert, with Borrego Springs designated as an official dark sky community. Road noise can be an issue at some valley floor locations, particularly those near Interstate 10 and railroad tracks, though many visitors report the convenience of nearby shopping and restaurants outweighs occasional noise concerns.
Best Campgrounds near Rancho Mirage (431)
1. Thousand Trails Palm Springs
"The 30 Amp side is pull through so we decided to set up at site 61 further away from the Highway because it is a bit noisy from road noise."
"The is a beautiful Thousand Trails RV Resort in Palm Springs, California! The park is large, very spacious and so clean!"
2. Catalina Spa and RV Resort
"This gem is located on the outskirts of Desert Hot Springs, CA. With two hot spring-fed pools and hot tubs (one of which is massive and SO luxe), we didn’t want to leave. Like, ever."
"You don’t get many good views inside the RV park gates, but once you walk out there driveway and along the street you can actually get some good mountain views on clear days."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability3. Palm Springs-Joshua Tree KOA
"The KOA is reasonably priced for KOA and California. 3 hot spring tubs. Pool is warm and wall stops wind. Many activities for kids miniature golf, jump board, play ground."
"ALSO not the parks fault but 2 small trailers pulled in next to us around 10 pm and had lots of people and lots of kids."
4. Lake Hemet Campground
"You can fit two 10' x10' canopies to cover the bench table, and fit 2 individual tents (4-6 person) OR a bigger 12p tent however you decide to position it. It has its own Fire pit."
"I've been camping at Lake Hemet since I was a kid, and absolutely love it there."
from $45 / night
Check Availability5. Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
"They're situated between HUGE boulders so they're nicely tucked away from high winds that can sometimes pick up."
"bathrooms but no water access and the main entrance is about 45 drive, so come prepared. great access to climbing walking distance or short drive. stunning rock formations and sunrise/sunsets."
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Black Rock Campground — Joshua Tree National Park
"Originally booked this site because it is a good endpoint for the California Riding & Hiking trail though the national park, so if you’re looking to run or complete the traverse, it is a good spot"
"The ranger and host at the store were very helpful with information about the surrounding area.
- Trails run right out of camp...lots of them...of all different difficulty levels."
from $35 / night
Check Availability7. Idyllwild Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park
"Kinda close to main road. But, store close by. Around the corner next to the village."
"Kings Canyon is one of the coolest places I've been in a long time and Southern California"
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability8. Sam's Family Spa RV Resort & Motel
"Mail delivery is convenient, but the lack of security at the campground entrance feels like a gap."
"With snow in the surrounding mountains. It seems to be surrounded by mountains in the winter months."
from $60 / night
Check Availability9. Hurkey Creek Park
"This is one of our family's favorite campgrounds because it's a quick drive from San Diego (and OC) and it gives us our "mountain fix" when we don't have time to drive to the Sierra Mountains."
"It's a lovely campground, and our spot wasn't too far away from the restrooms or the creek. Once Friday afternoon hit though, it did fill up to what felt like near full capacity. "
from $30 - $35 / night
Check Availability10. Sky Valley RV Resort
"It's a lovely location with almost perfect weather in the winter. April very windy and May, it starts getting hotter. However, you can take the tram up majestic Mt."
"Lots of exploring within a hours drive to great sights like Joshua Tree NP, Palm Springs, Salton sea, Idlewild, Borrego Springs, etc."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 38 min from El Centro, CA
- 1 hr 57 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 11 min from San Diego, CA
- 3 hrs 2 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
Recent Camping Photos near Rancho Mirage, CA
790 Photos of 431 Rancho Mirage Campgrounds
Lauren K.
Emerald Desert RV Resort
Laura P.
Catalina Spa and RV Resort
Lynn G.
Sandy Cove RV Park
CAPOTISTA
Rancho Capotista
Jan D.
Caliente Springs RV Resort
Ronald C.
Mineral Springs Date Farm
Jeff C.
Pinyon Flat Campground (San Bernardino National Forest) — San Bernardino National Forest
Jonathan G.
Little Round Valley — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Imerie T.
Apple Canyon Yellowpost
Alana H.
Strawberry Junction — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Dad & B R.
Hurkey Creek Park
Pablo L.
Lake Hemet Campground
Recent Reviews near Rancho Mirage, CA
1991 Reviews of 431 Rancho Mirage Campgrounds
- NNigel S.Traveler
Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Nice and quiet
Lovely little place just off the road but not bothered by it. Clean pit toilets and the sites were far enough away from each other that we didn’t notice the two other campers.
Reasonably level site, truck was able to self level no issues.
105f during the day but it was July and it is the desert so plan accordingly.
- NNigel S.Traveler
Tool Box Springs Campground
Will do this again
Sitting at 6kft about 40 minutes from the main road up a reasonably rough road. Although there was a guy in the first campsite in a mini.
This site was reached by going a little further than the first few campsites and then taking a leap of faith that the road to the right going down hill that wasn’t on the map lead somewhere.
It has amazing views, minimal amenities, and a washed out rough road. I wouldn’t attempt this site except in something with ground clearance and Awd. We had a Rivian.
Site is super peaceful, reasonably flat, you should expect firepit bans at this time of year, also the wind is fairly constant but not terrible. Over night temp is ~78f
There were a reasonable amount of flies nothing biting though, they were replaced by moths at dark.
The occasional plane was the most annoying thing. Other than that bliss.
Jenny L.
ScoutEast Flats
Lovely place near Big Bear
Peaceful,beautiful place to stay. Got to camp @1130 pm. I had no trouble finding a spot. No fires.
Jeff R.TravelerVail Lake RV Resort
Great KOA
Great camp spots, clean campground with good ammenities.
Trash M.
GuideLake Perris State Recreational Area Campground
A CRAP HOLE
If you like camping in a Walmart parking lot or on the streets, this place is for you.
No rangers working after the park close for day use. Didn't see one going through the campground. If you like to party all night and you have a loud system no problem. NO RAGERS AROUND. Be prepared keep your food in your car lot of rats, mice, skunks and coyotes. THE LAKE SUCKS, hard to launch your boat on and off, docks will mess up your boat. Fishing no fish they don't stock the lake. Marina is very over priced and out in the sunny parking lot. I live in LA I now got to SILVERWOOD LAKE, just as close as this place, and nicer, if you like to stay up all night Perris Lake is for you. If you want to work hard to get you boat on and off lake so you don't damage your boat, this place is for you.
Rebecca C.TravelerThomas Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Campites
Wow!! The views
This is not for most RVs. It probably wasn't even for mine but I didn't do enough research and just jumped in. That being said, I lost my stairs and took a lot of the paint off. You'd think that I would hate this spot given how much damage I did. I love it. It was amazing. Totally worth the stairs. This place can keep it. The views. Oh my goodness the views. You can enjoy the view, taking an off-road vehicle or hiking. This was just so amazing! It was totally worth the difficult road in and all the damage. Two thumbs up!!
Jan V.TravelerPinyon Flat Campground (San Bernardino National Forest) — San Bernardino National Forest
Quiet Campground
This was my first solo camping trip. The campground fees were $8 per night for single vehicles. Since I have an Access Park Pass, I was able to pay half the amount. So I paid $4 per night. I stayed two nights, so paying $8 for two days was great on my wallet. There are only 18 sites in this small, quiet campground. I picked campsite #7. I chose that campsite because it was quite roomy and had a trail leading to the bathroom, although I brought my own potty tent and set-up. The site had a huge cement picnic table right under a tall tree. There was a campfire ring, but fires weren't allowed at that time because of recent fires in the area. I chose to visit the Santa Rosa Visitor Center before I drove to the campground so I could get information on bears, coyotes, and other dangerous predators. You can also check online for that information. I brought plenty of protection with me. The sites were fairly clean. I always pick up any trash before setting up my camp. Please leave no trash behind. There are trash cans along the main road, and potable water at each campsite. I had such a good time. The only drawback was I couldn't have a campfire, so I had to go inside my SUV because I could hear Coyotes coming closer. I would definitely recommend this campground for anyone wanting to get away from the noisy city. I will be back!
FiftysevenNine T.TravelerTemecula-Vail Lake KOA
"Pathétique" Sonata
KOA probably has the best app that indicates availability and precise grand total price. There are bargains under "deals." I've been a Rewards member since June 2024 when I transitioned from a stucco house to a tiny travel trailer fulltime. All my KOA stays were through the app, never a telephone call that is precarious with other RV parks that have hidden charges and deposits seldom refunded.
The Temecula KOA panders to campers with varying finances, but is far from free. While the fluffy class A crowd stays on a picturesque hill-with-a-view under shade, the Lower Merlot section where I docked is a treeless dusty ghetto that has a dilapidated but functional 18th century bathroom. It beats the boondocking bush toilets, and better than an outhouse vault. In fact, it has plumbing and showers that Beethoven probably appreciated.
But still not cheap. During summer Temecula is cooler at 90°s f than Palm Springs at 118° f, but unlike the coast at 70°s f with very high summer site rates and limited availability because of travelers from everywhere. Tent camping and non-air-con RVs in Temecula could be unbearable for the meek in summer.
Guide to Rancho Mirage
Rancho Mirage and the surrounding Coachella Valley area provide multiple campground options for both tent and RV camping. Developed campgrounds including Palm Springs Thousand Trails, Catalina Spa and RV Resort, and Lake Hemet Campground offer full hookup sites with amenities like swimming pools, showers, and electrical connections. Several resorts in the area feature cabin accommodations, including Sky Valley RV Resort and Thousand Trails Palm Springs. The region's campgrounds span from luxury RV resorts in Palm Desert to more rustic options at nearby Joshua Tree National Park campgrounds such as Jumbo Rocks and Black Rock Canyon.
The Coachella Valley camping season runs primarily from fall through spring, with many campgrounds operating year-round despite summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during the peak winter months when snowbirds migrate to the area. The region offers easy access to outdoor activities with proximity to Mount San Jacinto State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and various hiking trails. Sites range from full-service RV resorts with concrete pads to more primitive camping options at higher elevations outside the valley. As one visitor noted, "We stayed here for 4 nights while visiting our parents who live in Rancho Mirage. The resort is extremely clean, well-maintained, and quiet."
Campers consistently rate the hot mineral pools and spas as standout features at several Desert Hot Springs locations like Catalina Spa and RV Resort. Palm tree-lined sites provide welcome shade at many of the valley floor campgrounds, while proximity to shopping, dining, and cultural attractions remains a significant draw. Those seeking a more natural setting can find it at campgrounds in the surrounding mountains, which offer cooler temperatures and forest settings. A review of Palm Springs Thousand Trails mentioned, "The park is covered with palm trees and a few citrus trees you can pick from. Lots of stuff to do/see in surrounding areas." Road noise from Interstate 10 affects some campgrounds in the valley, while campgrounds at higher elevations like Lake Hemet and Idyllwild provide quieter settings with mountain views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rancho Mirage, CA?
What camping is available near Rancho Mirage, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rancho Mirage, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 431 campgrounds and RV parks near Rancho Mirage, CA and 115 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Rancho Mirage, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Rancho Mirage, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rancho Mirage, CA is Thousand Trails Palm Springs with a 4-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rancho Mirage, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rancho Mirage, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 115 free dispersed camping spots near Rancho Mirage, CA.
What parks are near Rancho Mirage, CA?
What parks are near Rancho Mirage, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Rancho Mirage, CA that allow camping, notably Joshua Tree National Park and Cleveland National Forest.
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