Best Campgrounds near Santa Ysabel, CA

Join the fun near Santa Ysabel. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Santa Ysabel is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Santa Ysabel. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Santa Ysabel, California (284)

    1. William Heise County Park

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

    $24 - $34 / night

    "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."

    2. Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    35 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    16 miles
    Website

    "This site is located in anza borrego, the only dark sky community in California, so you will see more stars here than anywhere else in California (unless there’s a full moon then there won’t be stars)."

    "This place is tucked away off the S-2 with camping along a dry lake bed. Beautiful spring blooms here, the lake bed is a protected space, so admire from a distance."

    3. Paso Picacho Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

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

    $40 - $250 / night

    "The only downside to this site is that it was very close to the bathrooms. That actually bummed me out a bit when we first arrived, but it ended up not being much of an issue at all."

    "The trash cans were just a few feet from the site and the bathrooms were a short walk just a couple spots away."

    4. Dos Picos County Park

    33 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    18 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."

    5. Borrego Palm Canyon Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    31 Reviews
    Borrego Springs, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 767-5311

    $35 - $125 / night

    "Activities: numerous hiking trails, accessible from the campground. The most popular one is the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail which leads to the oasis of California Fan Palms."

    "Very clean, well-maintained, and nice location. Very strict check-in time. However, you can tell they are cleaning the sites and making sure the sites are in order."

    6. Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District

    11 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-0515

    $32 - $45 / night

    "Located at Lake Cuyamaca in Julian. Gorgeous views of the lake!!!! Picnic area, tent camping sites, and also cabins and condos as well."

    "Proximity to the lake was great for the kids. The view was also amazing. Bathrooms were clean but lots of bugs (but expected). No showers on this West Shore section of the campground."

    7. Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    17 Reviews
    Ranchita, CA
    15 miles
    Website

    "I’ve hit bottom coming out of California business driveways more often.

    It’s located well up the mountain from Borrego Springs on a scenic highway."

    "The ground is sand and rock, and outside of clean vault toilets there are no amenities. We had a decent spot with three tents set up and brought our own fire ring."

    8. KQ Ranch Resort

    9 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-2771

    "Membership costs us around $2000 And have access to / 3000 different camp sites nationwide At any time of the year a drop of a dime essentially"

    "Great location and beautiful scenery in the mountains. The resort has lost of activities to participate in. Also, great hiking trails."

    9. Green Valley Campground — Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

    16 Reviews
    Descanso, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 465-3020

    $40 / night

    "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."

    "Tucked away from the city lights of San Diego. Very nice camp ground with multiple trails climbing up Mt. Cuyamaca."

    10. La Jolla Indian Campground

    20 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 742-1297

    $40 - $120 / night

    "You can camp next to it as well and get in! It’s $35 per car they do have military discount. The total of $32 with discount. They also have porta potties every few 500 feet."

    "The spot we initially reserved was located on the little river, but once we got there, we realized we were a little too packed in with the rest of the visitors, so we requested to move to a more open spot"

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Showing results 1-10 of 284 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Santa Ysabel, CA

1468 Reviews of 284 Santa Ysabel Campgrounds



Guide to Santa Ysabel

Camping near Santa Ysabel, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around William Heise County Park. One visitor mentioned, "The hiking trails were great for exploring and getting some exercise."
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Jennings for some fishing fun. A reviewer shared, "The lake had nice clean water with plenty of fish."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at William Heise County Park noted, "Common animals are wild turkey, gray fox, and even the occasional mountain lion."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the parks. One reviewer at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground said, "Very clean, well-maintained, and nice location."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of the staff. A camper at Lake Jennings remarked, "The ladies at the front are always so incredibly sweet!"
  • Scenic Views: The beautiful surroundings are a big hit. A visitor at Dixon Lake Campground stated, "The view from our site was nice and the land was decent."

What you should know:

  • No Swimming at Some Lakes: While fishing is popular, swimming might not be allowed. A camper at Dixon Lake Campground mentioned, "You can’t swim in the lake to cool off at all."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A reviewer at Blair Valley Primitive Campground pointed out, "No drinking water or electric hookups."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of wildlife in the area. A camper at William Heise County Park warned about ticks due to nearby mule deer.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with amenities like playgrounds. A visitor at Lake Jennings noted, "There was a play area that had ladder golf, tetherball, and ping pong."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring along games and fishing gear. A family camper at William Heise County Park suggested, "Make sure to bring your spinning rods and reels."
  • Check for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to keep the peace. A camper at Paso Picacho Campground appreciated the staff's efforts to enforce noise rules.

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground details. A reviewer at Lake Jennings mentioned, "Each full hookup spot being super private surrounded by trees."
  • Be Prepared for Narrow Roads: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. A camper at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground advised, "The road in is very narrow."
  • Reserve Early: Popular spots can fill up fast. A visitor at Dixon Lake Campground noted, "The campground is mostly, always, definitely full."

Camping near Santa Ysabel, California, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're with family or friends, there's plenty to explore and enjoy in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Santa Ysabel, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Santa Ysabel, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 284 campgrounds and RV parks near Santa Ysabel, CA and 26 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Santa Ysabel, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Santa Ysabel, CA is William Heise County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 46 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Santa Ysabel, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Santa Ysabel, CA.

What parks are near Santa Ysabel, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Santa Ysabel, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.