Craig S.
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Scoutcrown pointe park mission bay, California
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Camping near Lakeside, CA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Lakeside, California provides access to several campgrounds within San Diego County, offering a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Lake Jennings Park features 97 campsites with lake views and full amenities, while Dos Picos County Park offers a more wooded setting with tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins. Campgrounds near Lakeside span lakefront settings and more remote sites in the surrounding mountains and desert areas, with most developed campgrounds situated within a 30-minute drive of Lakeside.
Camping facilities in the area range from fully-developed sites with electric hookups and showers to more primitive options in the nearby Cleveland National Forest. "Lake Jennings Campground is a great campsite tucked away in Lakeside, CA. There are a good amount of campsites, and plenty with great views of the lake," noted one visitor. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays, particularly during summer months when temperatures can exceed 90°F. Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall. Cell service is generally reliable at established campgrounds but may be limited in more remote areas.
Campgrounds near Lakeside vary significantly by location and elevation, giving campers a choice between lakefront sites and higher-elevation mountain settings. Lakefront campgrounds like Lake Jennings provide water recreation opportunities and tend to attract families, while mountain sites in nearby areas like Cuyamaca Rancho State Park offer cooler temperatures and hiking trails. A camper described Green Valley Campground as "close and perfect for weekends" with "minimal preparation" required and noted its proximity to swimming holes. Campgrounds in the area typically provide fire rings and picnic tables, though fire restrictions may apply during dry summer months. Noise levels can vary, with some campgrounds experiencing regular helicopter traffic from nearby military installations, while others offer more secluded settings away from urban sounds.
Best Campgrounds near Lakeside (200)
1. Lake Jennings
"We took our 28-foot travel trailer and two young kids (ages 5 & 8) for a long weekend at Lake Jennings Campground in Lakeside, CA — and it was a fantastic quick escape."
"Lake Jennings Campground is a great campsite tucked away in Lakeside, CA. There are a good amount of campsites, and plenty with great views of the lake (“Preferred View” sites)."
from $35 - $140 / night
Check Availability2. Dos Picos County Park
"The creek eventually flows into a pond located on the other end of the campground. The pond is actually pretty large! Lots of space to walk around and explore."
"The missus and I decided to do a midweek overnight escape and chose Dos Picos Park due to its close proximity. Great little campground with partial (electricity & water) hookups."
from $24 - $100 / night
Check Availability3. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park
"Close to the city, camp is clean and staff is friendly and helpful. Showers were clean, and partial hookups are only $35 a night. Cheapest I've found in California."
"Only complaint is the airplane noise from being in a flight path and the highway noise from the bordering highway. We stayed in the South Loop which is older, so has more developed trees."
from $34 - $38 / night
Check Availability4. Kumeyaay Lake Campground
"Campground was close to freeway exit and nearby local neighborhoods. Despite that, it still felt quiet and comfortable. Sites were clean snd a good size. Bathrooms were nice and clean."
"You are away from the city, but not too far. The facilities were nice and the only scare was the GIGANTIC spider seen outside the bathroom. We'd for sure come pack...the price is right too :$"
from $24 - $25 / night
Check Availability5. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
"Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve provides a well-managed 190-acre oasis ideal for large families seeking natural serenity and structured recreation near San Diego."
"Being a native San Diegan The east county location allows for easy access to San Diego sites from two freeways."
6. San Diego Metro KOA
"The gate makes it feel more safe as it's right next to a path by a river, which seemed sketchy at times.
+ During the week it felt spacious.
+ We worked remotely from here and picked up a good"
"Walking distance to stores if something is needed."
7. Circle RV Resort
"Short walking distance to numerous stores, fast food joints, and to make you feel safe, a Highway Patrol office is right across the street."
"Most owners will also not clean up after their pets, so you or your dog may step into feces quite often there. RV park is between highway and main road - no quiet found here."
8. William Heise County Park
"Nice campground away from the main roads. All spots outside of the R.V. loop are spread out and pretty secluded. Very friendly and helpful rangers. About a 10 minute drive from Julian pie co."
"Lots of flat areas for pitching tents well away from the fire pit."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability9. Silver Strand State Beach
"Great choice for camping along the ocean in Southern California."
"Can’t beat the proximity to the beach! Spots next to the road are loud and the campground is busy with small parking lot style areas, but if you can get a spot backing on to the beach, A+."
from $65 - $85 / night
Check Availability10. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground
"If you’re headed to San Diego, be sure to stop and check out Carlsbad just off of the 5. this awesome beach town is quintessential Southern California beach awesomeness and it is absolutely gorgeous."
"One of best beach campgrounds in California. Beach is right there next to camping. Restroom and shower are clean even though too many people there"
from $50 - $650 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 min from San Diego, CA
- 1 hr 16 min from El Centro, CA
- 2 hrs from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 17 min from Yuma, AZ
Recent Camping Photos near Lakeside, CA
380 Photos of 200 Lakeside Campgrounds
Rachel H.
Lake Jennings
Jerry H.
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
Melissa O.
Kumeyaay Lake Campground
Colleen D.
Dos Picos County Park
Jake C.
Hidden Haven Farms
Dante D.
Hidden Lake
Dante D.
Hidden Lake
Elwood
Sweetwater Ranch
GoodVibes Ranch & Farm M.
GoodVibes Ranch & Farm
Ryan K.
Sweetwater Summit Regional Park
Dawn S.
Dome Asylum - Closed
Giuseppe G.
Shepherd's Trail Catholic Campground
Recent Reviews near Lakeside, CA
1290 Reviews of 200 Lakeside Campgrounds
- GGenesis H.Scout
Banner Ranch Julian
Creepy
Booked for two nights couldn’t eve stay for 1 due to strange sounds like walking around that would only stop when the lights were shone in that direction
Anthony M.
TravelerSun Outdoors San Diego Bay
It's good for what it is
It's a really nice facility, which is good because there isn't much around it. Sites are large with good spacing, the place has everything; pool and spa, arcade, restaurant, bar, private showers (some have a toilet), playground , dog parks, and a great laundry facility. On site store has a lot of things you need, including some basic RV stuff. No rig, they have bungalows for rent as well. Staff is really nice, fire pits work on lpg 20 pound tank only which we rented full for 26 bucks since we couldn't connect it to our rig, you can use your own though. Downside is your pretty much driving anywhere for anything but the living coast is definitely worth the trip which is behind the park. Side note, this was definitely one of the buggier places I have been to, mosquitoes, flies, spiders, roaches, you name it, you'll see it.
- Anthony M.Traveler
Silver Strand State Beach Campground
100 series is amazing
Was able to score a 100 series spot which you back right up to the sand. Sites are tight but it felt huge in our 24½ foot rig. Power (standard, 30, 50) and water at site, one dump station that is 10 bucks at the south end or a truck comes around in the morning for 20. It's basically a giant parking lot with rigs stacked in, I would only want 100-200 sites. Bathrooms are fine on the south side, never found inside showers, just the outside beach style. Mix of folks but everyone was pleasant, enforcement of rules seems lax. Beautiful spot, short bike or Uber into IB or Coronado. Beach was mellow, uncrowded for how packed the campground was, clean and beautiful.
- CCandice M.Scout
Sweetwater Summit Regional Park
Well Kept
Sweetwater is very nice. Only complaint is the airplane noise from being in a flight path and the highway noise from the bordering highway.
We stayed in the South Loop which is older, so has more developed trees.
The pull through spots are piggybacked, which does make privacy a bit harder.
Staff and rangers are very nice, helpful, and personable.
- CChristopher J.Traveler
Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District
Lone Pine: Great for Gatherings Not hot for silence
Pretty lake views, good plots with easy access to restrooms. However, if you want to enjoy peace and quiet this place isn't for you. The 3 closest had large groups gathering so don't expect the limit of 6 to be honored. Ditto goes for quiet hours. Gave it a 3 b because I was using a truck tent (couldn't actually connect to my spot) and hoped for p&c. But the folks around me were having a great time.
- 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.
Josh S.ScoutPaso Picacho Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Large Shaded Campsite
Site 52 is great! Two parking spots with a large flat space. You could easily place three tents on the flats and another two tents on the slight incline. There are three trees perfectly set up for hammocks. There is decent shade but still gets sun. Bushes and shrubs create a little gulf to give you great privacy. Site 51 is downhill of the site and the fire pit is a bit close to your neighbors. Bathrooms and camp host are just around the corner. Bathrooms were very clean and water taps and sewer grates were convent for dishwater. Squirrels are confident here so they will only runaway if you are nearby them. We loved this site and would suggest it for big groups or someone looking for a flat campsite!
- CCrystal M.Traveler
KOA Boulevard
Don't be fooled by the KOA name
Same ownership, same deep disappointment. Do not be fooled by the rebranding.
I genuinely hate writing this because this property has so much natural potential, but I cannot believe it currently carries the KOA name. I did my homework before booking and hoped that becoming a KOA meant things had improved. They have not. It is the same management, the same issues, and the same disregard for guests—just under a new label.
To start with the positives: the frontline staff are kind, helpful, and clearly doing their best. Unfortunately, they are completely undermined by the owner’s behavior, which sets the tone for the entire experience.
We paid extra for an RV site specifically advertised as having a patio table and chairs. What we got was neither—just a small, wobbly picnic table sitting in direct desert sun.
The pool itself is nice, but it closes far too early, which is frustrating given the heat. The hot tub was broken during our stay, which was especially disappointing since we were looking forward to relaxing and stargazing at night.
The laundry facilities should have been avoided (sadly the main reason we paid to stay). The coin-operated washers left our clothes dirtier than when they went in—covered in sandy residue and grime. We now have to spend additional time and money finding somewhere else to rewash everything. Completely unacceptable.
I also want to call out something I saw in other reviews because it aligns with our experience: people mentioned issues with shower curtains being off or unusable. In our case, there weren’t even any curtains at all. So yes—those reviews are accurate.
Another surprise: the “meditation labyrinth” and small farm area (ostrich, pigs, goats) are no longer free amenities. The owner also operates the adjacent Harvest Host location and now charges for access to what used to be included perks. Between that and the smell in the desert heat, it’s not exactly the charming add-on it’s presented as.
And then there’s the owner.
We had a minor issue and called the after-hours number around 9:30 PM—the number they explicitly provide for guest support. An employee answered and was already handling it professionally when the owner took the phone from her and proceeded to yell at us for “making him get out of bed.” He then aggressively offered to “kick us out with a refund,” even though we never asked for one. It felt like a power play, not a solution. Completely unnecessary, unprofessional, and frankly uncomfortable.
If you somehow manage to avoid interacting with him entirely, you might get through your stay. But based on our experience—and many others here—that’s a gamble.
This property could be amazing. But until ownership changes or management practices drastically improve, it remains a poorly run park hiding behind a reputable brand name.
Avoid.
Guide to Lakeside
Camping areas near Lakeside, California sit at elevations between 400-700 feet in east San Diego County, with summer temperatures regularly reaching the high 90s. The region features a mix of lakefront properties and mountain camping spots in the nearby Cleveland National Forest. Fall and winter bring milder temperatures in the 60s-70s, creating better conditions for outdoor activities at many campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Jennings offers bank fishing and boat rentals for anglers. "We stayed in site 91 for 4 nights from Monday to Thursday night while the campground was pretty empty," reports one camper at Lake Jennings. For weekend fishing, timing matters: "We stayed two nights but never could get on the lake. It opens Friday at 3pm (after checkout)."
Hiking trails: The area contains numerous day hikes within a 30-minute drive. At Kumeyaay Lake Campground, "There are many close trails. There is something for everyone. Bring a picnic to eat by the dam and let the kids explore. But beware of rattlesnakes. They are everywhere during the summer." Most trails in Mission Trails Regional Park range from easy to moderate difficulty.
Local attractions: Julian, a historic mining town, sits just 30 minutes from William Heise County Park. A camper noted: "It's also close to Julian so it's easy to pop in for some pie." The town features apple pie shops, small museums, and seasonal festivals throughout the year.
What campers like
Temperature variety: Higher elevation sites provide relief from summer heat. At William Heise County Park, campers appreciate the cooler mountain climate: "Wooded beautiful county campgrounds a couple miles from sweet town of Julian. Hiking and biking trails. Spacious campsites. Great facilities."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds near Lakeside offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "We love this campground. We can hike, play football/soccer in the meadow and join in when they have activities at the amphitheater," notes a camper at William Heise, while another mentions "deer and flocks of wild turkey" as highlights.
Urban convenience: For campers preferring modern amenities, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve combines outdoor activities with proximity to services. "Nice campground just 20' from San Diego city. Set up our 16' travel trailer at a lakeshore full hookup site #27. Kids loved the convenient fishing right behind our trailer and the swimming pools a short drive away," shared one visitor at Santee Lakes.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. At Dos Picos County Park, a camper found "the well-maintained campground boasts paved pads for most sites, making setup a breeze. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, perfect for cozy campfires and outdoor meals."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience aircraft noise from nearby military facilities. At Lake Jennings, one visitor noted: "However, there was plenty of random noise from the military helicopters that randomly flew overhead. It wasn't disruptive, just unexpected."
Water access rules: Several lake campgrounds have specific regulations about shoreline access. At Santee Lakes, a camper shared, "Perfect spot to forget you're in San Diego. It's lake in the middle of neighborhoods. There's lots for kids to do here! Feed the ducks, fish, ride the pedal boats."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Dos Picos County Park has "a tranquil pond, nice hiking trails, places for kids to play…just a fantastic option close to home for locals and well worth consideration for visitors to the area."
Safety considerations: For families with young children, consider campground layout and proximity to water. "Watch out for the geese!" warns a Lake Jennings visitor. "We come here once a week to feed the ducks with my nephews. We've come to this lake my whole life. Don't come here alone and I wouldn't go at dark either."
Seasonal activities: Sweetwater Summit Regional Park offers seasonal recreation options including a splash pad. "We visited during the questival race, campground was easy to find and easily accessible. Get away without going too far," noted one visitor. Another mentioned, "A splash pad (open in spring and summer months), a playground, some areas to have a group picnic, even a large event room."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Full hookup sites are available at several campgrounds but vary in size and privacy. "We stayed one night with a trailer and a tent, it was clean, nice and well maintained. Not much to do in terms of nature settings, but if you're looking for something cheap for full hookups close to town, it's a great spot," explains a visitor at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park.
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require significant leveling for RVs. At Lake Jennings, a visitor shared that "some sites need much leveling" and recommended scouting ahead: "I know which site to reserve next time!!"
Cell service reliability: For working campers, Lake Jennings provides strong connectivity. "Internet service was great for Verizon. We got 23 Mbps with 3 bars of 4G LTE unboosted, and 69 Mbps with 5 bars using a simple MIMO antenna. We live and work in our RV full time, so this was crucial."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities and features are available at Lakeside camping?
What amenities and features are available at Lakeside camping?
Mission Bay RV Resort offers excellent lakeside amenities with full hookups right by the water in a quiet neighborhood with a family-friendly atmosphere. Another great option is Dripping Springs Campground, which features large, flat sites with nice shade from trees while still offering plenty of sunshine. Sites include potable water faucets nearby, and the campground provides clean facilities for a comfortable lakeside experience.
Where is Lakeside Campground located and how do I access it?
Where is Lakeside Campground located and how do I access it?
Lakeside camping in California offers several options. Lake Jennings is located in the Lakeside area of San Diego County, accessible via I-8 with well-marked signs. For mountain lakeside views, Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest offers camping near Lake Morena. You'll need a free permit obtained by calling the ranger station. The trail is a 7.5-mile out-and-back near Morena Village, providing excellent views of the Lake Morena area.
Is Lakeside camping in California different from other locations?
Is Lakeside camping in California different from other locations?
California's lakeside camping offers unique coastal and desert lake experiences not found elsewhere. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground provides beachfront camping with perfect sand and consistent waves—a distinctly Southern California experience. For desert lakeside camping, Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort near Anza-Borrego offers full hookups (30 and 50 amp) close to desert landscapes, creating a unique blend of comfort and wilderness that sets California lakeside camping apart.
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