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Best Tent Camping near San Diego, CA

1,035 Reviews

Tent campsites in the San Diego area range from urban wilderness settings to remote backcountry locations in Cleveland National Forest. Kumeyaay Lake Campground offers tent camping within Mission Trails Regional Park, just minutes from downtown San Diego, while more secluded options like Corte Madera Mountain provide primitive tent sites requiring permits from the ranger station. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm and The Eyrie Farm offer established tent camping on private land east of the city.

Most tent campgrounds near San Diego have basic amenities, though facilities vary significantly by location. Kumeyaay Lake provides flush toilets, hot showers, and fire rings, but is only open Friday and Saturday nights. Walk-in tent sites at Corte Madera Mountain require a 7.5-mile round-trip hike with significant elevation gain and no water sources. A visitor commented, "At 4,657 feet, it is a continuous climb, so don't forget to take plenty of water." Dispersed tent camping areas like Pine Creek Road Camp and Kitchen Creek Road allow free camping but require advance permits and have no facilities.

The tent camping experience around San Diego offers diverse environments from desert to mountain terrain. Sites in Mission Trails provide access to extensive hiking and mountain biking trails within an urban park setting. One camper noted that Kumeyaay Lake is "perfect for a little urban getaway" with clean facilities and numerous recreational opportunities. Backcountry tent sites at higher elevations offer more seclusion and cooler temperatures, particularly valuable during summer months. Primitive walk-in tent locations often feature natural surroundings with granite boulders, oak trees, and seasonal creeks. Desert tent camping areas like those in Anza-Borrego provide wide-open spaces but require careful planning for extreme temperatures and limited shade.

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Best Tent Sites Near San Diego, California (17)

    1. Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    20 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 668-2748

    $24 - $25 / night

    "No hookups here but they have great clean bathrooms and hot showers. Lots of hiking/biking straight from your campsite. This place is a jem, being so close to most parts of San Diego."

    "This campground is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, and we absolutely loved it. There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things."

    2. 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.  "

    3. The Eyrie Farm

    1 Review
    Ramona, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (844) 843-3978

    $30 / night

    "We're happy to have this property on our platform. There are 2 sites to choose from, please read about them before booking. Check them out and leave them some love!"

    4. Corte Madera Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Guatay, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 445-6235

    "If you’re looking for a nice hike, in the wild, with few people around, this is the one. Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest, just east of San Diego."

    " Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest, just east of San Diego. You will need a permit, but you can get a free permit emailed to you if you call the rangers station. "

    5. Corral Canyon Campground

    2 Reviews
    Potrero, CA
    21 miles
    Website

    "All other public campgrounds nearby are booked solid, but there are only 3 other groups here beside me. 1 camper told me the CG is always empty. Why?"

    "This is a beautiful area to off-road, it is closed temporarily due to covid so hopefully that opens back up here pretty soon. I’ve never camped here but have always wanted to."

    6. Pine Creek Road Camp

    6 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    26 miles

    "Great area--it's just close enough to some expensive campgrounds and a few connecting trails, so it's awesome to camp here for FREE. "

    "I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road). 

    There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed."

    7. Kitchen Creek Road

    4 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    27 miles

    8. YMCA Camp Surf

    Be the first to review!
    Imperial Beach, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 423-5850

    9. Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Borrego Springs, CA
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 767-5391

    "I stayed here for a few days on my way to San Diego. I was SO relieved to finally use a real shower while on the road. They are available for a few quarters."

    "I stumbled upon this area by chance, after weathering the craziness of San Diego."

    10. Julian Hideaway

    Be the first to review!
    Julian, CA
    22 miles
    +1 (760) 421-8705

    $80 - $50 / night

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near San Diego, CA

28 Photos of 17 San Diego Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near San Diego, CA

1035 Reviews of 17 San Diego Campgrounds

  • K
    May. 21, 2018

    Green Valley Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    Close and Perfect for Weekends

    This is my favorite out of the two campgrounds in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. While both have their positives, I personally love this one for its close proximity to the waterfalls that are a short trail from the campsites. Depending on what campsite you are in, you can walk to the trail and down to the falls which are perfect for swimming around when it is hot outside. I love this campground for a quick weekend getaway from San Diego that has minimal preparation. Every site is a drive up site, most have shade and there are plenty of bathrooms. Most sites also have a fire ring and picnic table to use as well. A perfect, lower cost campsite that is great for families and people who want an easy camping experience with some water involved!

  • 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.

  • Jonathan G.
    Oct. 25, 2020

    Burnt Rancheria Campground

    Great campground!

    Only an hour from San Diego, this is accessible but feels so far away. At 6,000 feet, the pine and oak trees provide great shade in almost all sites, but there's still plenty of sun. Bathrooms were clean; some are pit toilets and others are flush and even have showers. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit, plus there are lots of potable water spigots throughout. The Mt Laguna store is only half a mile up the road, the Desert View hike goes right out from camp (plus the PCT), and there are many other hikes along the highway.

  • Krystle L.
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Burnt Rancheria Campground

    Mountain Solitude in the city

    Mount Laguna is a wonderful destination if looking for some fresh mountain air without a long commute being just 30-45min drive from San Diego. We really enjoyed our time at this campground. Lots of wonderful trails right from the campground. Sites are nice with lots of tree for more privacy. Restroom facilities were pretty nice. Would come back again!

  • 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.

  • Denise G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2022

    Lake Jennings

    Hidden Gem

    This place is truly a hidden gem. Just 30 minutes from San Diego, with friendly staff and partial or full hookups. We were in a preferred lake view site#96 which had water and electric hookups. There was a play area that had ladder golf, tetherball, and ping pong. Have extra guess? Have them reserve a Tipi that has a max of 6 people. We had thee bars on our Version service and the campground WIFI is one of the best I have seen camping. Lake Jennings has some supplies available as well such as ice, propane, firewood, etc. at reasonable prices. Bathrooms and showers are clean. There is a dump station in the campground, and I suggest checking out the best way to get into the dump station before taking your rig. there are several roads around the dump station but only one that takes you in straight without having to make a sharp turn and possibly having to back up. The lake is drinking water for the local town and therefore no swimming allowed but they do stock the lake with fish. Just a long walk or short drive to the other side of the Lake and you can go fishing or boating. I would not suggest checking in early. The road in is very narrow and if you arrive before the noon checkout time you may find yourself falling into the lake while trying to squeeze by another on coming RV or trailer.

  • Trip Over Life
    May. 28, 2018

    Tamarisk Grove Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Anza-Borrego campground with primitive cabins and tent sites

    Tamarisk Grove Campground is about 20 minutes south of Borrego Springs. It sits next to the highway but there’s minimal traffic so it isn’t terribly loud. There are tent sites as well as primitive cabins. Each site has a fire ring and table. There are also flush toilets and paid showers. There is no potable water at this campground - be sure to bring your own. The cabins are simple structures with platforms for sleeping. There are no amenities in the cabins - no electric, no water, no mattress, no linens, etc.

    The campground is across the street from both the Cactus Loop and Yaqui Well trail heads. We recommend the short Cactus Loop hike over the Yaqui Well hike. Go at sunset to catch the cholla cacti backlit by the sunset.

  • T
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    Close and Friendly

    No hookups here but they have great clean bathrooms and hot showers. Lots of hiking/biking straight from your campsite. This place is a jem, being so close to most parts of San Diego. The two biggest drawbacks are 1) overnight camping is only Friday and Saturday nights, but they’re looking to extend that in the future. 2) Leave the booze at home; since this is a SD park there is no alcohol allowed. Great family camping though!

  • Ryan W.
    Feb. 21, 2023

    Borrego Palm Canyon Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    It's a fine campground. Just fine. Except for all the people.

    It's a fine campground. There is a check-in kiosk that was well run and you can pay for an extra car or an open site with a credit card.* The sites are set up in two main loops. One for big campers and one for the rest of us. There is no real separation between sites.

    This is convenience based campground. You're at the jump-off for some challenging yet accessible hikes into the desert. Close enough to town to ride a bike for ice cream. The camp has flush toilets and token based showers.** Each site has a deep fire pit, a picnic table under a shade pergola, and access to a nearby water source. Oh yeah, and it's less than two hours from San Diego.

    The outer ring sites look out towards the desert. You'll always know you're in civilization, but they offer the illusion of solitude...if you can tune out the generators. There will be generators, and probably unattended kids riding e-bikes or kicking balls at you as your try to use the bathroom. Site 75 is a great site because in addition to looking out away from inner loop, the fire place is set further away from driveway and picnic table. Site 56 is fine. It's just fine.

    Temper your expectations for desert solitude, appreciate the conveniences for what they are, and this becomes a four star site. The site is mostly, always, definitely full, but cancellations offer last chance drive up opportunities. The park rangers said that most sites were booked through the entire season which ends at the end of April, and we couldn't find a site when searching online for a second night (Saturday), but there were at least three open sites whose reservations had been canceled we could have stayed in.

    Notes:

    Anza is particularly great for star gazing and spring flowers. There are often big horn sheep along the Palm Canyon trail leaving camp. We met one we named Barnabas. 

    Extra vehicles are an additional $10.

    *Pro-tip: Fire wood is cash only. It's not bad 3 bundles for $20. If you don't have cash, you can find wood in town for cheaper without the convenience of it being at camp.

    **Pro-tip: Showers require tokens which are purchased from a machine. 2 tokens for $1. 1 token = 2m in the shower.

Guide to San Diego

San Diego offers a variety of tent camping options that allow you to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. From scenic views to outdoor activities, there’s something for every camping enthusiast.

Tips for tent camping near San Diego

  • Make a reservation at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground to secure your spot, especially since it’s only open Friday to Sunday.
  • Prepare for hot weather during summer months; camping in winter or early spring is recommended for a more comfortable experience.
  • Bring your fishing gear, as the nearby lake offers accessible fishing opportunities for those with a proper license.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy hiking and mountain biking at Kumeyaay Lake Campground, where trails are abundant in the surrounding Mission Trails Regional Park.
  • Experience the stunning views while hiking the 7.5-mile trail at Corte Madera Mountain, perfect for those seeking a challenging climb.
  • Explore the beautiful landscapes and wildlife at Corral Canyon Campground, known for its incredible privacy and peaceful atmosphere.

Unique features of local campgrounds

  • The GoodVibes Ranch & Farm offers a glamping experience with amenities like running water, flushable toilets, and outdoor hot showers.
  • At The Eyrie Farm, you can enjoy a unique organic farm setting with friendly animals and the option for a delicious breakfast served right to your campsite.
  • YMCA Camp Surf provides a family-friendly environment with various accommodations, including cabins and tent sites, along with access to beach activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent camping spots in San Diego County?

San Diego County offers excellent tent camping options for nature lovers. Kumeyaay Lake Campground stands out for its accessibility, being close to most parts of San Diego while offering clean facilities and direct access to hiking/biking trails in Mission Trails Regional Park. For those seeking a more remote experience, Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest provides summit camping with spectacular views over Lake Morena. This 7.5-mile out-and-back trail requires a free permit from the ranger station. Additional notable options include Los Coyotes Reservation for wilderness camping and Pine Creek Road Camp for a more rugged experience.

How much does tent camping cost in San Diego?

Tent camping costs in San Diego County vary based on location and amenities. Bow Willow Primitive Campground in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park charges $20 per night for basic sites with vault toilets. At Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, camping is available at no cost, though you'll pay a few quarters for shower access. Most county and state park campgrounds range from $15-35 per night, while national forest sites typically charge $15-25. Private campgrounds like Julian Hideaway can range from $25-50 per night. Some areas offer free dispersed camping with proper permits, particularly in Cleveland National Forest and parts of Anza-Borrego.

What amenities are available at tent-only campgrounds in San Diego?

Tent campgrounds in San Diego offer varying levels of amenities. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm, located just 30 minutes east of San Diego, provides beautiful oak-shaded sites on 150 acres with access to hiking trails, a seasonal creek, and recreational facilities like a pool table. At many public campgrounds like Corral Canyon Campground, you'll find basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and toilets. Higher-service campgrounds may offer flush toilets, hot showers, potable water, and trash service. Some locations provide unique amenities like the ranger-supplied Dr. Bronner's Castile soap at Kumeyaay Lake bathrooms. Primitive sites in wilderness areas typically offer minimal facilities, sometimes just vault toilets and designated campsites.

When is the best season for tent camping in San Diego?

San Diego's mild climate makes tent camping possible year-round, but the optimal season depends on your location within the county. Coastal campgrounds like YMCA Camp Surf are pleasant throughout the year, with summer temperatures typically in the 70s-80s°F. For desert camping at The Eyrie Farm or similar locations, fall through spring (October-April) is ideal, as summer can bring extreme heat. Mountain areas like Cleveland National Forest are best from late spring through fall. Kumeyaay Lake Campground can get extremely hot in summer months, while winter nights in higher elevations can drop below freezing. Spring (March-May) offers wildflower blooms in desert regions, making this a particularly scenic time for camping throughout the county.

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