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David S.
Scout
ScoutKQ Ranch Resort
Great staff lots of things to do
Glamping near Santee, CA
3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve and Lake Jennings Park provide upscale glamping accommodations in San Diego County, with both locations offering unique waterfront experiences. Santee Lakes features floating cabins directly on the water, while Lake Jennings offers premium lakeside yurts with panoramic views. Both locations provide comfortable bedding, private decks, and modern amenities that distinguish them from traditional camping. One visitor noted, "Beautiful preserve yet close to amenities. If you like bird watching and/or fishing you can do both right from your campsite." The glamping sites feature electricity, running water, and comfortable sleeping arrangements, with some accommodations including kitchenettes and private bathrooms for a truly luxurious outdoor experience.
Fishing enthusiasts particularly appreciate the lakeside glamping options, as both locations stock their lakes with fish and permit shore fishing directly from glamping sites. Hiking trails surround both properties, with Lake Jennings offering particularly scenic sunset views from its hillside glamping locations. While swimming isn't permitted in either lake (they serve as drinking water reservoirs), Santee Lakes compensates with swimming pools and paddle boat rentals for water recreation. According to a camper, "The preferred view sites did not disappoint! Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing and made for the perfect vista." For families, Santee Lakes includes multiple playgrounds and recreation areas, while both locations maintain quiet hours after 8pm to ensure a peaceful glamping experience. Reservations are recommended at least 6 months in advance for premium glamping accommodations, especially for weekend stays.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Santee (42)
1. Lake Jennings
"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)."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $140 / night
2. Dos Picos County Park
"Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $24 - $100 / night
3. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
"Pool, showers, laundry on site. Water , sewer and electrical on site."
"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."
4. San Diego Metro KOA
"Heated pool, jacuzzi, bike rentals, and more. They loan you fire pits if you don’t have one. And deliver wood to your site. There is even a cafe if you don’t feel like firing up the grill."
"Neighbors' campfires are 10 ft away from your trailer and makes your camper smell like smoke the whole next day when they start a campfire."
5. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground
"South Carlsbad is another Cali jem set up on a bluff overlooking the pacific. It is long and thin so it has a nice thinly populated feel. All bathrooms are clean."
"The breeze kept the bugs and beach heat at bay. Bathrooms were fairly clean and non-pottable water spickets also available for rinsing after the beach visit."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 - $650 / night
6. San Elijo State Beach Campground
"If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."
"Some sites are: big, medium and small; right next to each and a little distance; and beach side or inland."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 - $520 / night
7. William Heise County Park
"Table and fire pit at each site. Hiking available walking distance from camp, trails leading out of camp. Family friendly environment."
"The drive up was amazing. They had plenty of water to wash and drink with a lot of bathrooms as well. You can walk trails, stargaze, take your bikes around and so much more!"
Check Availabilityfrom $24 - $34 / night
8. Dixon Lake Campground
"Make sure you bring a shower caddy and some water proof laundry bags because there aren't many wall hooks to hang your towels or clothes.
- **Flushable toilets with drum roll SEAT COVERS!!"
"They clean the fire pits out etc. Some of the 40 series sites are very secluded and have excellent lake views."
Check Availabilityfrom $39 - $50 / night
9. Thousand Trails Pio Pico
"Heck, someone even built a track for RC cars to race on, and there is a laundry center as well. Showers were nice and warm, and not coin operated - a rarity given the water droughts around CA."
"Locations near Jamul Casino. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups sites. Fill propano available. Spot are very big. The pool and kid playground are great."
10. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm
"Plenty of room for beautiful hikes on their many acres of land packed with some great views a few decks scattered around the property. "
"Saw lots of flowers, a seasonal creek, sage, views of the valley & nearby mountain. Played some pool. The disk golf course is on the awesome hike I took. They have live music on the weekends."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $175 / night
Drive Time
- 6 min from San Diego, CA
- 1 hr 24 min from El Centro, CA
- 1 hr 50 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 2 hrs 25 min from Yuma, AZ
Recent Glamping Photos near Santee, CA
29 Photos of 42 Santee Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Santee, CA
657 Reviews of 42 Santee Campgrounds
- LLisa F.
GuideBOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY
A last minute stay that worked out
We had a last minute need for a stay in this area and found this off the beaten path KOA.
Frontline staff was very accommodating. The site I initially picked was too sloped for us so we were able to change (it was October and not busy).
It seemed like there were more long term, unoccupied rigs there than occupied ones so it was very quiet.
The bathrooms were old but clean. We didn’t use the showers or laundry so can’t comment on those.
We liked that there wasn’t freeway noise like so many other KOAs and would stay there again but not in the heat of summer.
- LLaney S.Guide
San Elijo State Beach Campground
My All Time Favoritee
I grew up camping here. It’s such a fun and surfy vibe, with great food in walking distance and the best beaches at your disposal. Last time I went the camp store and banging taco stand was closed but I haven’t been back in a while. South end is my fav.
- EEmma B.Guide
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
Great place to stay!
I really enjoyed my time at Santee.
Was here for four nights in site 52 which was great for Starlink and had a nice view.
Clean campsite/recreation center and the staff was super nice.
Went on walks and used the pool/hot tub as well.
Noise was not an issue for me at all, it was very quiet when I stayed with a lot of open sites. It was also cooler with a nice breeze at night which was lovely.
FiftysevenNine T.GuideSan Diego Metro KOA
August bargain
I got in on an August bargain using the KOA app. Consequently, I stayed a month because it was the cheapest place on-the-coast.
Weekdays empty, weekends full, noisy everyday. Good location for long bicycle rides, e.g. Coronado, SD, Zoo, La Jolla, TJ. Chula Vista downtown is modern, not gritty like Petco Park.
Get the bargain if you can. Otherwise, the coast is expensive.
- CCrystal M.
TravelerBOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY
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 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 advertised with a patio table and chairs. We got neither—just a small, wobbly picnic table in direct desert sun. The pool is nice, but closes far too early for the heat. The hot tub was broken, which was especially disappointing since we were looking forward to stargazing at night. The laundry facilities should have been avoided (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. Now we have to spend more time and money rewashing everything. I also want to call out something I saw in Google reviews because it aligns with our experience: people mentioned issues with shower curtains being off or unusable. In our case, there were no curtains at all—and the showers are unventilated (add desert heat). So yes, those reviews are accurate.
Another surprise: the "meditation labyrinth” and small farm area (ostrich, pigs, goats) are no longer free. The owner also runs the adjacent Harvest Host and now charges for what used to be included perks. Add in the smell in the desert heat, and it’s not exactly appealing.
And then there’s the owner. We had a minor issue and called the after-hours number around 9:30 PM. An employee was already handling it when the owner took the phone and yelled at us for“making him get out of bed,” then offered to“kick us out with a refund”(which we never asked for). It felt like a power play, not a solution. Completely unprofessional. If you manage to avoid him, you might get through your stay—but based on our experience and many others on Google, that’s a gamble. This property could be amazing. But until ownership or management changes, it’s a poorly run park hiding behind a reputable name. Avoid.
Hans V.
RangerSouth Carlsbad State Beach Campground
Beautiful cliffs, noisy road
Two long rows of spots, one beautiful ocean facing on top of the cliffs, the other with the back to the quite noisy road. We were exactly in the middle of the stairs to the beach so quite a walk for a swim. We had a large sandy spot. Pretty good and cleaner toilets than most other state parks we visited
- GGEORGEScout
Bluffs Campground — San Onofre State Beach
Beach an bike fun
Plenty of room at the beach an lots of bike riding areas.cold showers are free an nice in the summer,however there are no shower curtains ,be advised this might not be for you or shower after dark,is an option .fyi .nice entry staff,restrooms cleaned daily.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Rancho Corrido RV Resort
Off the beaten path older park
Mostly Park Model mobile homes and permanent RV's. There's 20 spots in the back for overnight stays. There is a pool but I didn't use it.
Guide to Santee
Camping options near Santee, California extend beyond the waterfront glamping experiences, with opportunities for traditional and yurt camping across San Diego County. Located in the eastern portion of the county at approximately 400 feet elevation, the area experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop into the 40s, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Hiking trails: At William Heise County Park, campers can explore miles of maintained trails suitable for various skill levels. "Nice well maintained trails, easy to moderate level," notes Michael S., who appreciates the park's proximity to Julian.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Jennings Park offers year-round fishing with seasonal restrictions. "We camp frequently since we live 5mins away. Always enjoy Easter and Halloween with friends and family," shares Monica M. about their regular visits.
Disc golf course: Some properties in the area feature unexpected recreational options. At GoodVibes Ranch & Farm, a visitor noted, "I found out they have a full size professional disc golf course here! I don't bring my discs, but Carolyn and Bernie happily lent me some discs so I could try it out."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At William Heise County Park, one camper mentioned, "Deer and flocks of wild turkey," making the wildlife viewing particularly memorable.
What campers like
Private campsites: Dixon Lake Campground receives praise for its secluded sites. "We chose Site 91 because it was at the top of a moderate hill at the end of the road, in an attempt to experience reduced traffic from other campers," notes one reviewer who appreciated the privacy.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Dos Picos County Park, a visitor commented, "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."
Lake views: Many sites offer scenic water views. At Dixon Lake, one camper shared, "Each site has a nice little fire pit and picnic table, and there was plenty of room for a second vehicle in addition to our van." The reviewer also noted that "Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing."
Proximity to Julian: Campers value the ability to visit nearby towns. A William Heise visitor mentioned it's "About a 10 minute drive from Julian pie co," making it easy to enjoy local attractions during your yurt camping trip near Santee.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly, especially during peak seasons. At South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, a camper advises, "If you're towing a vehicle it has to be literally towed onto the property. Don't disconnect and go get groceries prior to entering or you'll have to pay $15 a night for the vehicle."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or other sources. At San Elijo State Beach Campground, a visitor noted, "Campground is situated next to the highway and train tracks. No shade. Friendly beach crowd."
Wildlife interactions: Be prepared for local wildlife. At Dixon Lake, one camper warned, "The yellow jackets come out during the day and we got stung multiple times," while another mentioned, "Beware the Poison Oak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping
campsite near Santee, CA?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Santee, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Santee, CA is Lake Jennings with a 4.6-star rating from 38 reviews.
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Santee, CA?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Santee, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 glamping camping locations near Santee, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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