Best Campgrounds near San Marcos, CA

Several campgrounds surround San Marcos, California, giving campers different options within driving distance. Crystal Cove State Park sits by the ocean and has both beach access and hiking trails. Dos Picos County Park lies inland among oak trees with a small lake for fishing. Just a short trip from San Marcos, South Carlsbad State Beach Campground puts campers right on the oceanfront in both RV and tent sites. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather with mild temperatures and smaller crowds. You'll need to reserve spots well ahead during summer when local campgrounds fill quickly. Most places enforce a 14-day maximum stay, and weekend or holiday camping almost always requires advance booking. During dry periods, fire rules can be strict, so check current regulations before you go. When you're not at camp, San Diego city and the Pacific coast are close enough for day trips. Many campers come for hiking, fishing, or surfing in the area. Since amenities vary between campgrounds (some have very basic facilities), bringing your own supplies makes sense. The San Marcos area works well for both beach and inland camping trips.

Best Camping Sites Near San Marcos, California (238)

    1. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    77 Reviews
    Carlsbad, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 438-3143

    $50 - $650 / night

    "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"

    2. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    37 Reviews
    Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 753-5091

    $50 - $520 / night

    "If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."

    "It's classic California beach camping. Spots are fairly close together, and it's more like a parking lot than a campground. That said, the beach is great, and the river mouth is great for surfing."

    3. Dixon Lake Campground

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

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Dixon lake is a perfect spot for my nephews to fish and play in the dirt. The campsites look really nice and ideal for tents. The walks around the lake are definitely worth doing!"

    "I grew up in Oceanside and people talked about camping at Dixon lake in Escondido and I thought it was lame and not “real” camping. Having never been there, I based this off nothing."

    4. Guajome Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 724-4489

    $29 - $35 / night

    "For the price of full hook up ($35) in a location so close to the beach, I call it a win. It was beautiful with a pond and walking paths. There were many dogs and we saw horses on the paths too."

    "Flush toilets available and a nice nature walk around a lake. The park was a great/affordable base camp for nearby Legoland amusement park."

    5. Dos Picos County Park

    33 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "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."

    6. Escondido RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 239-5273

    "Location near I-15 and Gas stations. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups. Fill propane avaible. Resort-style amenities. Heated outdoor Pool. Nice dog park. Access to a park for walking."

    "The site itself is simply stunning, nestled in a peaceful and beautiful location that provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway."

    7. Del Mar Beach Cottages

    10 Reviews
    Encinitas, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 725-4640

    $35 - $65 / night

    "The campsites are small but it is clean and family friendly also located right on a big beautiful beach. You must have a military ID to camp here, you can have alcohol on the beach but no glass."

    "But being that close to the ocean was wonderful! You just can’t beat falling asleep to ocean waves!"

    8. Oceanside RV Resort

    14 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 864-2728

    "Overall liked this rv park, close to town for us to explore all the restaurants close by. Beach is a 5-10 minute walk. Staff was friendly ask for Diana sweetheart."

    "After circling back and now coming from the east, the narrow drive with the street light and curb wasn't enough for us to turn...so backed it up and went to the wider entrance down the street."

    9. Paradise By The Sea RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 439-1376

    "The campground is situated very close to the beach and has all the amenities to make life easier.  I was very impressed with the level of security at this campground to include day and night patrols,"

    "Love how there was so much to do on the grounds and around.

    They had an indoor rec room with billiards, shuffle board and more.

    Outdoor rec area with corn hole, picnic area and more."

    10. Woods Valley Kampground

    8 Reviews
    Valley Center, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 749-2905

    "My family owns a 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia since 2020 and use The Dyrt to find hidden gems near our home for weekend camping."

    "There is a lot to do near by, a very convenient store about 5-10 minutes away called valley center foods! Employees were sooo sweet and friendly! DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 238 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near San Marcos, CA

1581 Reviews of 238 San Marcos Campgrounds



Guide to San Marcos

Camping near San Marcos, CA, offers a great mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a beachside retreat or a peaceful spot in the woods, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sun and surf at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground. Campers love the easy beach access, with one reviewer noting, "Great little restaurant serving pizza and snacks overlooking the ocean."
  • Hiking and Biking: Check out the trails around San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach. One visitor mentioned, "Great if you want to ride along PCH. This stretch has good bike lanes that take you into Oceanside or Encinitas."
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Jennings for some fishing. A camper shared, "The lake is clean with plenty of fish. I will definitely stay again in the future."

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park. One camper said, "Almost every site has an ocean view of some kind."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Lake Hemet Campground states, "The bathrooms were clean, and the showers were hot."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at William Heise County Park. One visitor noted, "The rangers were nice. They have areas that are full hookup, partial hookup, no hookup, tent only areas, and group camping."

What you should know

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some sites can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A camper at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach mentioned, "It can get very crowded and packed."
  • Limited Hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. For example, Lake Hemet Campground has some sites with no hookups, which might not suit everyone.
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near busy areas. A review for Doheny State Beach Campground noted, "The train is loud, but passes seldom."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids, like Lake Jennings, which has a playground. One parent said, "The campground had a ton of bonuses, close to town if you need things but far enough away to feel the full camping experience."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or plan hikes to keep the kids entertained. A camper at San Elijo State Beach Campground mentioned, "Great surf spot. I’ve dry camped here many times and have always enjoyed it."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. One visitor at William Heise County Park noted, "They also have day use parking for $3."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A review for Lake Hemet Campground mentioned, "A more experienced human might not have struggled as much but it be hard to get a 20 ft plus trailer into this particular site."
  • Be Mindful of Hookups: If you need electric hookups, verify availability at your chosen campground. A camper at Doheny State Beach Campground said, "If you just need a place to crash and plan to spend the whole day in the water, go for it."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are located. A visitor at Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground mentioned, "There is a $10 fee, they have a convenient credit card machine."

Camping near San Marcos, CA, has something for everyone, from beach lovers to families looking for a fun getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near San Marcos, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, San Marcos, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 238 campgrounds and RV parks near San Marcos, CA and 13 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near San Marcos, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Marcos, CA is South Carlsbad State Beach Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 77 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near San Marcos, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near San Marcos, CA.

What parks are near San Marcos, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near San Marcos, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.