Tent campsites near Rancho Mirage, California sit at dramatically varied elevations, from below sea level in the desert to over 9,000 feet in the San Jacinto mountains. This creates temperature differences of up to 40°F between desert floor and mountain campsites on the same day. Winter tent camping in desert locations can reach comfortable 70°F days while mountain sites remain snow-covered and inaccessible.
What to do
Ladder canyon hiking: Access unique slot canyon trails from Box Canyon Dispersed camping areas. "My favorite is the ladder canyon hike which has you climb up a series of ladders in the canyon. Most of the time they are well maintained and replaced if they are falling apart but beware just in case," notes one camper who visited the area.
Mountain biking trails: The road to Tool Box Springs - Yellow Post Campground offers technical riding options. "You've got a pretty fun, 30 minute 4X4 ride up the mountain," shares a reviewer. The nearby Romona trail begins directly behind the campground washhouse.
Geocaching adventures: Several geocache locations exist within Box Canyon areas. "The kids did some exploring. Found a Geocache... we had two foxes come and visit the campsite," reports a camper who stayed in November when temperatures remained mild during daytime hours.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Round Valley Campsite offers secluded backcountry camping. "We didn't see a single person camping, it was very isolated so make sure to let friends/family know your travel plans and when to expect you to return," advises one camper who rated the experience highly.
Wildlife viewing: Several tent camping areas near Rancho Mirage provide opportunities to see desert wildlife. At Tool Box Springs, one camper reported: "Lots of wildlife. Raccoons in the night, gray squirrel, other squirrels, many birds."
Year-round accessibility: Yucaipa Regional Park provides reliable tent camping when mountain sites are snowed in. "It's a lot of fun for the whole family. A good place to go if you like to be around other people," notes one reviewer about this more developed option.
What you should know
High-clearance vehicle requirements: Many dispersed camping areas demand appropriate vehicles. For Box Canyon, "The road is loose sand and is possible by most vehicles as long as you stay on the road," while at Tool Box Springs one camper warns, "Without a high clearance vehicle, it took me an hour and a half to go six miles up, and still scraped and almost got stuck."
Seasonal insect concerns: Summer months bring increased bug activity at certain sites. A camper at Santa Rosa Springs Campground noted concrete tables and large fire rings at each site, while visitors to Tool Box Springs reported: "The flies were unbearable. I planned to stay two nights but I couldn't make it past the next morning."
Water availability varies: Mountain tent sites often require water filtration or carrying supplies. "Bring a filter for the water because drinking it is iffy, I wouldn't trust it," recommends a Round Valley camper. Backcountry sites typically have no potable water sources during dry months.
Tips for camping with families
Regional park amenities: Families seeking tent camping with more facilities should consider Yucaipa Regional Park. "There's a lot to do here, including fishing, playgrounds, and even a waterpark in the summer. The bathrooms are decent, no showers. There's no larger wildlife, like bears, so less stressful when you have pets or kids."
Accessibility considerations: Tamarack Valley Campground requires hiking but rewards with cooler temperatures. "We stayed at group sites and man, it was unreal. We came here once a month last year and had the time of our lives," shares an enthusiastic camper about this tent camping option.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings require extra planning for family tent camping. Box Canyon can be "extremely hot in the summer so I wouldn't recommend it other than winter," while mountain sites might need cold-weather gear even in spring months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for tent/RV combo: Mineral Springs Date Farm offers both tent sites and RV hookups with drinking water, electric connections, and shower facilities. Located near Rancho Mirage, this seven-site campground provides convenient access to desert activities.
Recreational facilities: RVers who also tent camp appreciate Yucaipa Regional Park's combination of hook-ups and activities. "Excellent campground. Well maintained. Large concrete pads that can handle any rig. So much to do all around a park. Does get very cold, was in the teens overnight when I was there in Feb. Fires allowed which is nice."
