Tent and yurt camping near Riverside, California provides access to desert, mountain and lakeside environments within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 95°F and mild winters where overnight temperatures can drop into the 40s. Several campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, with peak visitor numbers occurring during spring wildflower season and fall when temperatures moderate.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: At China Camp State Park Campground, visitors can explore the wilderness on horseback. "I brought my horses one time and it was amazing the best time of my life. I will provide some photos. The views are incredible," reports Jessica P.
Mountain biking access: Located just 15 minutes from urban areas, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park offers extensive cycling paths. "If you love hiking, they have so many trails to choose from, from easy to strenuous. There is a trail for everyone. Also great for cyclists," notes Chanel C.
Fossil hunting opportunities: Caspers Wilderness Park sits on ancient seabed with marine fossils along riverbanks. "Fun fact: This park used to be covered by the Pacific Ocean so there are remnants of marine fossils along the riverbanks," mentions one visitor who explored the unique geological features.
Swimming and splash pads: Bonita Ranch Campground offers creek access for cooling off during hot summer days. "You're literally a box throw away from the creek if you're not really big on hiking but enjoy the scenery this would probably be a good way for you to experience the outdoors in the creek... you could definitely enjoy the ice cold water on a really super hot day," notes Sara H.
What campers like
Weekend entertainment: Many campgrounds program special activities during peak seasons. "They also have a band on Saturday nights. The only bad part is they strictly enforce quiet time at 10pm. I felt like a kid being told to go to bed," reports Marcella D. about her experience at Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park.
Privacy barriers: Some sites offer physical separation between campsites. "Clean, friendly & a beautiful location! Launch Pointe was a great stay for our family and dog! The privacy fence in each spot is nice and our kids loved the playground," writes Stephen H.
Accessible wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "Lots of wildlife! A coyote walked right by us. Brave raccoons. Yellow jackets are pesky. Trees for hammocks," reports Laura F. about her camping experience at China Camp State Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness ranks high on camper priorities. "The park is clean as can be - no overflowing garbages, all utilities tastefully hidden," notes Stephen H. about Launch Pointe, while another camper at Bonita Ranch mentions, "Restrooms are clean showers clean too."
What you should know
Seasonal lake conditions: Water quality can vary throughout the year. "The lake was closed due to algae bloom," reports one Launch Pointe visitor, while another notes, "This is probably the nicest thing in lake elsinore along with the bowling alley... bummer that the lake is gross."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife interactions. "The raccoons here are AGGRESSIVE! They won't attack you, but they will walk right up to your camp and try to steal your food," warns Rosie C. at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes RV Resort.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience nearby traffic sounds. "The campground is bordered by highways on both sides, and they create noise day and night. They're also clearly visible," notes Christina S. about Canyon RV Park.
Internet limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "Internet was great but it had bandwidth restraints that would turn your internet off after very small amounts of data used. There was no option to upgrade so you had to use your own hotspots," explains Brian C. about his digital nomad experience at Launch Pointe.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated child areas: Some campgrounds offer specific kid-friendly zones. "Great campground for families. Lots of activities for the kids to do, like smores by the fire, art, splash pad, and play ground. Facility was clean," reports Jeff E. about his yurt camping experience at Launch Pointe.
Consider walk-in sites for tent campers: Tent sites often require a short walk from parking. "This is more of your traditional campground where you must carry all your food and gear to the campsite. It is a short hike from the parking lot to the camping area and the camp hosts can provide containers to carry your items," explains Tim J. at China Camp.
Check shower coin requirements: Some facilities require coins for showers. "The showers are coin operated and aren't in the greatest shape but they get you clean and it is clean inside. The bathrooms are also clean and well maintained for the most part," notes Veronica H. about her family stay at China Camp.
Bring water shoes for beach areas: Rocky shorelines can be hazardous for children. "BEWARE-- WEAR WATER SHOES and be careful if you swim here... there are tons of sharp rocks and oyster shells bits & pieces," warns Sara W. about the beach area at China Camp State Park.
Tips from RVers
Campsite leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some locations. "The sites were all uneven. Every camper we saw had to do major leveling efforts," notes Brian C. about Launch Pointe, highlighting the importance of bringing leveling blocks.
Creative parking techniques: RV spots can require strategic positioning. "We reserved a spot for a rig with slide outs on both sides to accommodate our 39'er but it took some creative parking to get the rig into the spot in a way that we could actually open both sides," explains Bryan H. about maneuvering at Launch Pointe.
Electrical capacity limitations: Some campgrounds have limited high-amp availability. "They don't have enough 50amp sites and not all of them are always working. This park is first come / first served and they don't prohibit a 30amp rig from taking a 50amp site, so you can see the problem," explains david N. about Wilderness Lakes RV Resort.
Shower and restroom proximity: Consider location when selecting sites. "There are restrooms and a place to get water, but when I was there the showers were closed," mentions Tim J., while another camper notes about a different campground, "FREE SHOWERS and clean restrooms. No tokens needed here. Only downside is that they are a little far to get to."
