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Best Campgrounds near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

1,334 Reviews

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Rancho Santa Margarita campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Rancho Santa Margarita, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

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Best Camping Sites Near Rancho Santa Margarita, California (185)

    1. O'Neill Regional Park

    30 Reviews
    Trabuco Canyon, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 923-2260

    $20 / night

    "Clean, quiet campground located in one of the OC Parks, with plenty of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use."

    "It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds. 

    Free dump station.  "

    2. San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach

    52 Reviews
    San Clemente, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 492-4872

    $45 - $250 / night

    "San Mateo is one of the better beach campgrounds in California, some sites have some great privacy."

    "Another beautiful gem along the California Coast. Although not on or too near the beach, this campground is truly a lovely spot. All or most of the campsites boast a bit of privacy."

    3. Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park

    35 Reviews
    Laguna Beach, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 444-7275

    $25 - $75 / night

    "Luckily Booked last minute on reserve California (the worst web thing ever) on site 49. Looks like there is a oven view from every site. Close to beach and shopping."

    "There is an elementary school adjacent to the campground so you get a few PA announcements to start your day.

    There is a small visitor's center on site."

    4. Doheny State Beach Campground

    35 Reviews
    Capistrano Beach, CA
    12 miles

    $50 - $350 / night

    "I frequently stay at this site since it's close to my house and on the beach. 

    THE SITES:

    The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy."

    "This campground is at the edge of the Dana Point Harbor.  The sites are small, but many of them are right on the beach.  All sites have easy access to the beach.  "

    5. Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

    22 Reviews
    Coto de Caza, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 923-2210

    $20 - $25 / night

    "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.  "

    "Rangers at entrance to check for pets (not allowed) and where you can buy bundles of wood for $5 if you want. Technically not allowed to bring in outside wood."

    6. San Clemente State Beach Campground

    38 Reviews
    San Clemente, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 492-3156

    $45 - $300 / night

    "California beach camping can be very hard to come by. Unlike some other campgrounds in Southern California this one gives you ample room to move around and set up camp."

    "The hardcore surfing nomads stealth camp in their bubble-top vans outside of the park on the streets. Walking distance to Cottons point for surfing and to hangout among the beach huts."

    7. Blue Jay Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    21 Reviews
    Trabuco Canyon, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (858) 673-6180

    $20 / night

    "We were able to find a spot tucked away off one of the loops to the left after a small hill. Neighbors played loud music but we didn’t mind at all."

    "clean restrooms and sites. large campground with paved roads was nice for strolling through. pretty far off the beaten path above lake elsinore. the views near by were fantastic. the staff was fairly friendly"

    8. Newport Dunes RV Resort

    26 Reviews
    Newport Beach, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 765-7661

    $75 - $550 / night

    "As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites."

    "There's a nice bike trail that circles around the bay, which is great for kids. Also, lots of amenities for families, including playgrounds, water toys, movie nights and fire pits."

    9. Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park

    12 Reviews
    Lake Elsinore, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 471-1212

    $55 - $140 / night

    "Canopy Court area has easy and close access to the splash pad, the playground, a large grass area, and even the pool. The boat launch is very near by too but we had no use for that."

    "I had site 126 in the fields, corner site and lake view. This campground has a pool, splash pad, park, dog park and access to the lake. They also have a band on Saturday nights."

    10. San Onofre Recreation Beach and Camping

    20 Reviews
    San Clemente, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 763-7263

    $45 / night

    "The campground is on the bluffs, and nearby Old Man's beach has some of the best beginner's surfing waves in Southern California."

    "This military campground is located within walking distance of two world class surfing breaks; Old Man's and Tressels. This campground has a variety of camp spots from tent, RV to cabins."

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Recent Camping Photos near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

373 Photos of 185 Rancho Santa Margarita Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

1334 Reviews of 185 Rancho Santa Margarita Campgrounds

Guide to Rancho Santa Margarita

Camping near Rancho Santa Margarita offers a fantastic escape into nature, with beautiful campgrounds that cater to all types of campers. Whether you're looking for a beachside retreat or a mountain getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, provide direct access to the beach. One camper noted, "Great little restaurant serving pizza and snacks overlooking the ocean. Beach access. Lots of sites."
  • Biking and Running: The area is perfect for outdoor activities. A reviewer mentioned, "Great if you want to ride along PCH. This stretch has good bike lanes that take you into Oceanside or Encinitas."
  • Fishing and Hiking: Campgrounds like Lake Hemet Campground are great for fishing. A visitor shared, "The campground is clean and the fishing is good, most of the time."

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views. One said, "Couldn’t have better views. We watched dolphins and seals playing in the waves" at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground.
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A camper at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach remarked, "Clean bathrooms and showers, but we stayed midweek and the place was very, very minimally occupied."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One visitor at Bonelli Bluffs noted, "Personnel very kind and friendly."

What you should know

  • Crowded Conditions: Some campgrounds can get quite busy. A reviewer at San Mateo Campground mentioned, "It can get very crowded and packed."
  • Limited Hookups: Not all sites offer full hookups. A camper at Lake Hemet Campground pointed out, "You do not get much privacy as the sites are quite close to each other."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near highways. A visitor at San Clemente State Beach Campground said, "You can try to imagine it’s the sound of the water but it doesn’t really work out when it’s off sync with the sound of the waves."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for more room. A family at Dogwood Campground appreciated, "Most of the sites are spaced out fairly decently."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or plan hikes to keep kids entertained. One camper at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park mentioned, "Lots of hiking and bike trails."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A camper at Lake Hemet Campground suggested, "Bring your own shade for this campsite, your own water too."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to confirm if your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Bonelli Bluffs noted, "Most the campers have their own facilities."
  • Arrive Early: Getting to the campground early can help secure a good spot. A camper at Doheny State Beach Campground mentioned, "The outside sites along the edge of the campground are much more spacious."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at San Mateo Campground said, "Hard to get a site."

Exploring the campgrounds around Rancho Santa Margarita can lead to memorable adventures, whether you're camping in a tent, RV, or cabin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 185 campgrounds and RV parks near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is O'Neill Regional Park with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

What parks are near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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