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Best Cabin Camping near San Diego, CA

396 Reviews

San Diego County offers several cabin accommodations within established campgrounds. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve provides lakeside cabins including floating units on the water. William Heise County Park features rustic cabins near Julian, while Dos Picos County Park in Ramona offers cabin lodging alongside tent sites. San Diego Metro KOA in Chula Vista and Thousand Trails Pio Pico in Jamul provide cabin rentals as alternatives to traditional camping. Cabins typically include electricity, beds, and basic furnishings, though amenities vary significantly by location. "The tent had nice cots and plenty of space for my wife, myself, and our little son. He had a BLAST with all the farm animals and hiking around the trails."

Rustic cabins without utilities exist at some locations, while other properties offer deluxe accommodations with full kitchens, bathrooms, and climate control. Hidden Haven Farms provides a more private cabin experience on an active farm property. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm offers cabin accommodations with access to hiking trails, disc golf, and other amenities across their 150-acre property. Most cabin locations require advance reservations, especially during summer months when demand peaks. According to reviews, "Mostly for RV camping but has a few cabins by the water and some even floating cabins on the water! Great place to take your kids fishing, biking, paddle boating, or just relaxing."

Most cabin rentals provide beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, pillows, and towels. Kitchen facilities vary from basic countertops to full cooking setups. Cabins at Santee Lakes include lakeside locations with fishing access directly behind the units. Some properties maintain on-site stores for basic supplies, though guests typically bring most food and personal items. Proximity to urban areas means grocery stores remain accessible for most cabin locations. Reservation windows vary by property, with some locations booking up to six months in advance for prime waterfront units.

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Best Cabin Sites Near San Diego, California (40)

    1. Dos Picos County Park

    34 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "General: A mix of partial hook-up and tent sites plus six cabins about an hour from San Diego. "

    "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."

    2. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

    16 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 596-3141

    "Nice campground just 20’ from San Diego city. Set up our 16’ travel trailer at a lakeshore full hookup site #27 (no fire pit though)."

    "Being a native San Diegan The east county location allows for easy access to San Diego sites from two freeways."

    3. San Diego Metro KOA

    32 Reviews
    Bonita, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 427-3601

    "San Diego KOA is an oasis campground. There's a pool, sauna, basketball court, and jumping sand pit for the families to enjoy. They have a variety of spaces to park your RV or Van."

    "This is hands down the best campground around."

    4. William Heise County Park

    46 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-0650

    $24 - $34 / night

    "Pros:

    easy to get to, nice amenities

    right next to Julian (perfect for day trips into town)

    there are a few campsites where you can create some privacy (much more so than many other San Diego park campgrounds"

    "The drive up here from San Diego is quick and picturesque. You'll pass through a couple quaint and historic little mountain towns, but Julian is the best stop."

    5. Thousand Trails Pio Pico

    13 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "I was looking for a place to camp that wasn't too far from San Diego and offered some hiking in the desert landscape. The grounds are quite large - there's 2 pools and rec centers."

    "Bathrooms are clean and the showers are free. There are even halls where you can play BINGO and a game room with Wii games."

    6. Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay

    12 Reviews
    Coronado, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 489-3950

    $150 - $280 / night

    "Great place for glamping."

    "Great place right on San Diego Bay. Very clean and has everything you need!

    Large pool area. Splash pad for the little ones, bar for the bigger ones, activities poolside and HUGE TV!"

    7. Paso Picacho Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    23 Reviews
    Descanso, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-3023

    $40 - $250 / night

    "This Is a really fun family friendly campsite that is a short drive from San Diego. There are convenient market within a 10 minute drive of the site for extra supplies."

    "Didn’t know that this type of camping (actual woods) existed this close to San Diego."

    8. Dixon Lake Campground

    24 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 839-4045

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Tented in spot #6, it has a steep driveway downhill but the spot is super private and has a beautiful view of the lake."

    "This is one of my favorite campgrounds in San Diego County. The campground is located within the city of Escondido but you feel you are not in the city."

    9. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm

    2 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    $50 - $175 / night

    "Only 30 mins East of San Diego. 150 acres of beautiful pristine land. Gorgeous oaks shading our camp site. Loved the kitties & the ranch doggies. Went for a hike."

    "Plenty of room for beautiful hikes on their many acres of land packed with some great views a few decks scattered around the property.  "

    10. Hidden Haven Farms

    1 Review
    Alpine, CA
    10 miles
    Website

    $100 / night

    "The tent had nice cots and plenty of space for my wife, myself, and our little son. He had a BLAST with all the farm animals and hiking around the trails."

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Recent Cabin Photos near San Diego, CA

20 Photos of 40 San Diego Campgrounds

Cabin Reviews near San Diego, CA

396 Reviews of 40 San Diego Campgrounds

  • R
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Lake Morena County Park

    Great campsite, easily accessible

    I loved how accessible this campsite was, especially if you're coming from San Diego. Our site had electricity and water, a fire pit, and a picnic table. There were plenty of sites to go around. The rangers were helpful and the facilities were very well maintained. You can buy firewood from the front entrance or get some from the local general store down the street. There were coin operated showers available and bathrooms at each end of the campground. It did get pretty hot during the day, so I would bring a canopy if you have one. My boyfriend and I hit the trails in the afternoon and at night. We saw wild turkeys and the stars were endless. Overall, I loved staying here. This was a perfect escape from the madness going on right now.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2023

    Dos Picos County Park

    Convenient getaway from San Diego

    General: A mix of partial hook-up and tent sites plus six cabins about an hour from San Diego. 

    Site Quality: All the sites have paved pads except 64-68 and 70-75; these have gravel pads. These sites also have a curb which can be a bit challenging when backing in an RV. A fire ring and picnic table complete the site. Some have better separation/privacy than others. This area had a lot of recent rain so the creek that meanders through the park was very high. Sites 74 and 75 were flooded and unoccupied when we were there.

    Bathhouse: The one closest to site 73 was very basic (no hooks, shelves, or mirror); there was also one handicap-accessible separate bathroom. Although there were showers in other parts of the campground, there were not any in the bathhouse closest to our site.

    Activities/Amenities: Campfire program, horseshoe pit, short nature trail, dump station. There is also a large, enclosed picnic pavilion. This park seemed to attract family groups (at least on a Friday) and it was great to see so many kids around the campground not on their devices! Appreciate the dishwashing sink and the propane canister recycling. 

    We had to change our plans at the last minute so we were fortunate to secure a site at this park on a Friday night in late March and it was fine for an overnight.

  • Jerry H.
    Jul. 2, 2019

    Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

    Great local campsite!

    Nice campground just 20’ from San Diego city. Set up our 16’ travel trailer at a lakeshore full hookup site #27 (no fire pit though). Kids loved the convenient fishing right behind our trailer and the swimming pools a short drive away. Also was able to rent paddle boats to cruise around the lakes. Only problem was the ants we encountered (first time ever) and had to run over to the local Lowe‘s to purchase some DE to spread around the anchor points and connections. Facilities were clean and well maintained though and will definitely return for our local weekend getaways.

  • Erin M.
    Aug. 1, 2016

    Del Mar Beach Cottages

    Absolutely Beautiful!

    Really beautiful beach very clean with large bathrooms hot showers food nearby first come first serve shade structures. Camping on the beach also cabin rentals available through del mar beach reservations

  • A
    May. 7, 2019

    Agua Caliente County Park Campground

    One of the Best Campground in Southern California

    2 outdoor pools and an indoor adult spa (102 degrees), RV sites with Power, Water and Sewer as well as tent sites. Flush toilets and hot/cold showers. This place is well maintained and the cleanest campground I have ever stayed at. Shuffleboard and Horseshoes courts, lots of hiking trails and things to see. The campground / pools are all fed from natural mineral springs. Pets are allowed within the campground and all sites have picnic table and fire-ring. Small store at the park entrance is great for the simply things you may have forgotten. They even have cabins available but they book up pretty fast. Rangers are all very friendly and helpful. Enjoyed my stay, I will be back.

  • e
    May. 31, 2023

    Hidden Haven Farms

    Private, scenic camping on an active farm!

    The tent had nice cots and plenty of space for my wife, myself, and our little son. He had a BLAST with all the farm animals and hiking around the trails. The tent is up the hill away from all the noisy animals so it is very private and peaceful. Plus the view is beautiful!

    The outhouse worked great for us, it is just a bit of a hike down the hill from the tent. The cabin is much closer to everything, so if you are planning to stay there you won't have to walk as far. 

    Some of the animals are roaming free (it is a farm). Our son LOVED that but just be aware if you are not comfortable with animals.

    Karen, the farmhand, helped us out with everything we needed and provided a fire pit, firewood, lounge chairs, trash bins, and a canopy. We bought eggs fresh from the farm and cooked them over the fire for the full experience!

    The weather was perfect in May, cool in the evenings but totally comfortable with some warm jackets.

  • J
    Jun. 4, 2017

    William Heise County Park

    Great for beginner campers; lacks privacy/peace; over-zealous rangers patroling

    Pros:

    easy to get to, nice amenities

    right next to Julian (perfect for day trips into town)

    there are a few campsites where you can create some privacy (much more so than many other San Diego park campgrounds)

    cool, easy trails to hike nearby

    Cons:

    most campsites are right on top of each other, many don't provide shade. One occasion, a family with a giant RV parked in the middle of the tent campground area, their generator/other RV components were extremely loud, and they brought two power wheel cars that their young children promptly began to drive around (adding to the sounds of other battery-powered crap) at 6am. My solace came when the batteries finally died.

    rangers are constantly patrolling and there are A TON of rules for the campground ("quiet hours", no ropes or anything else tied to the trees)

    the area is ridden with flies at certain times of the year- i believe it was late summer

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 22, 2020

    Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

    Very unfair !! I am done with them. Rediculus !!

    EDIT: I was a regular, NO MORE!! I have been trying for 2 1/2 years to get back in, almost every day so we can visit our grandchildren. The thing is if you are not from town or immediate area you can only reserve Monday afternoon to Friday morning! Out of state like us, forget it.They ALWAYS have Friday to Sunday blocked off forever and ever.We did give in and stayed during the week. On Friday morning when we had to leave there was empty sites all around us. When we went to the office they would not give one to us. Waiting for people from town to camp for the weekend? I would think they get state or federal funding so going to find out and if so hope they loose it. End of edit———Nice lots with trees, small lakes, camp store, bar, kids play grounds, clean showers close, water, electricity, walking. I spent a month here to be just minutes from San Diego and grand children. Something this nice you have to reserve at least 6 months ahead for nicest tree sites. Many sites (200+) but very popular. With the virus locals are camping here to just get away from it all. So as I said At least 6 months to reserve. Pushers no problem. Goggle Santee Lakes to view camp sites and to reserve one.

  • Lindsey W.
    Sep. 3, 2017

    William Heise County Park

    Great campgrounds, a little hot for summer!

    The drive up here from San Diego is quick and picturesque. You'll pass through a couple quaint and historic little mountain towns, but Julian is the best stop. Make sure to grab some pie and hard cider before you leave, apples grow everywhere in Julian. As for the campgrounds, they are located at an elevation of 4,200 ft and feature rolling hills with deer and wild turkeys! We were able to see both, as well as a pack of 20 raccoons when we were about to go to sleep. Most sites have trees, but you can't tie anything to them FYI. Bathrooms and showers were close and very clean...bring quarters for the showers.

Guide to San Diego

Cabin camping near San Diego offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the conveniences of home.

Cabin campers like these nearby activities

  • At William Heise County Park, families can explore scenic hiking trails and enjoy wildlife sightings, including deer and wild turkeys.
  • Lake Morena County Park provides opportunities for fishing and hiking, making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • For a unique experience, Vintage in the Vineyard offers wine tasting alongside cabin accommodations, perfect for a relaxing getaway.

Some prices for cabin camping range from $30 to $50

Cabin campers appreciate these amenities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do cabin rentals cost in San Diego?

Cabin rental prices in San Diego County vary based on location, amenities, and season. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve offers lakeside cabins just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego, with rates typically ranging from $95-175 per night depending on size and day of week. For a more rustic experience, glamping tents at Hidden Haven Farms provide a cabin-like experience with cots and private spaces at lower price points. Most county park cabins require a 2-night minimum stay on weekends, and holiday periods generally command premium rates.

Where can I find cabin camping in San Diego?

San Diego offers several excellent cabin camping options within a short drive from the city. Dos Picos County Park features six cabins about an hour from San Diego, set among beautiful surroundings with hiking opportunities. For beachfront cabin experiences, Del Mar Beach Cottages provides rentals right on the clean, sandy shoreline with convenient access to food and facilities. These locations offer a perfect balance of comfort and outdoor adventure without venturing too far from the city.

What amenities are included in San Diego cabin accommodations?

Cabin amenities in San Diego vary by location but typically include essential comforts. Agua Caliente County Park Campground offers cabins near its renowned outdoor pools and indoor adult spa (102°F), with access to flush toilets, hot showers, and recreational activities like shuffleboard and horseshoes. Many cabins throughout the county provide electricity, beds/cots, picnic tables, and nearby restroom facilities. Some locations like Lake Morena County Park include fire pits and access to well-maintained facilities with helpful ranger service. Most cabins don't include linens or cooking utensils, so guests typically need to bring their own.

Are there mountain cabins available near San Diego?

Yes, several mountain cabin options are available within a short drive from San Diego. William Heise County Park offers cabins in a picturesque mountain setting with a quick, scenic drive from San Diego through historic mountain towns like Julian, famous for its apple pie and cider. For those seeking mountain adventures, Paso Picacho Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park provides family-friendly cabin accommodations with convenient access to hiking trails and a state park visitor center just a short distance from San Diego, with markets within a 10-minute drive for supplies.

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