Map showing campground location near Imperial Beach, California

Camper submitted image from Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground

Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and a walking route to the Pacific coast make Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground a functional base for active campers in the far southwest corner of California. Set within the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park estuary near places to camp around Imperial Beach, the campground sits close enough to the U.S.-Mexico border that at least one visitor reported their phone briefly registering a Mexican network upon arrival. The border wall is visible from the sites.

Sites here are dry camping only. No hookups, no dump station, though water spigots are distributed throughout the campground for filling jugs. The facilities are relatively new, and multiple reviewers consistently flag the bathrooms and showers as clean and well-maintained. Showers require tokens purchased from the ranger. The campground includes a tent-only loop, yurt rentals, and equestrian sites, with a natural wood playground noted as a draw for families. As Matthew D. puts it: "No trees, no bushes, nothing separating you from your neighbors." Shade is essentially absent, and site separation is minimal, though vegetation may fill in over time.

Trails run directly from the campground, and the beach is roughly 1.5 miles on foot, though flooding has closed access during wet years. Swimmers should note posted warnings about water quality at Imperial Beach. Cell coverage is generally reliable on AT&T and Verizon. Nightly rates run $24 to $90, with reservations available. Campers wanting full hookups can look at La Pacifica RV Resort as a nearby alternative.

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Map & DirectionsTijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground is located in California near Imperial Beach

Public Campground

Coordinates

32.54519304 N
117.1030204 W

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Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Last on 8/22/25
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/1/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Last on 8/22/25
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/1/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Yurts
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

38 min from San Diego, CA
1 hr 55 min from El Centro, CA
2 hrs 14 min from Los Angeles, CA
2 hrs 57 min from Yuma, AZ

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

A basic county campground with large primitive sites and clean facilities. Multiple visitors noted the complete lack of privacy between sites, though families appreciated the natural playground and quiet setting.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Nina M.

Guide

Reviewed May. 23, 2023

If you want to camp near San Diego

We stayed in April; the trails were closed due to the heavy rain this year. Imperial Beach is not the place for swimming. There’s a sign going in that says there’s chemicals and sewage in the water. You can camp here though and go north to other beaches.

Site34

Month of VisitApril

Laura M.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 21, 2023

So Close to Mexico!

Nice basic county campground, everything is nice and new and clean. I think once the trees and bushes and things start to grow in, there will be a little bit of separation between the sites, but for now most sites are wide open.

The playground area is really cool, all the structures are made of wood and are all natural. Decent showers, you buy tokens from the ranger. There are nice trails and walking paths right from the campground. We didn’t walk to the beach because the area was flooded when we were there, but it appears that you can easily walk to the beach from the campground, it’s about 1.5 miles away.

Sites are all dry camping, no power or water at sites, and no dump station at campground. There are water spigots throughout the campground though to fill your jugs. There are yurts to rent, and some equestrian sites as well. The little loop off to the side is tents only.

You can see the border wall from the campground, and Verizon thought I was in Mexico when we arrived, haha. Good cell service with ATT and Verizon (not sure if Verizon switched me to the international plan during our stay there).

Site39

(17) View All

Kathryn F.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2022

Quiet campground with nice amenities....Close to awesome tacos!

We stayed here in February 2022 and it was a great campground in an area where there aren't many free or cheap options to stay in a van or RV. The only drawback we can think of is that all sites are primitive (no hookups). But if you don't need that this is a great place to stay.

The campground is very nice with new facilities. The showers and bathrooms were clean and the staff working were very friendly and welcoming.

There are walking trails walking distance from the campground and the playground in the park was very cool! If you have kids it would be a fun spot for them to play.

The park has cell service, showers, playground, access to hiking trails, super easy to access, and the best part for us is its proximity to delicious tacos. We HIGHLY recommend Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria for birria tacos!

Month of VisitFebruary

Matthew D.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 10, 2021

Affordable campground

The hiking trails are nice and the staff that work at the campground are friendly. The facilities for showers and restrooms are clean and well maintained. The main drawback is there is no privacy whatsoever at the sites. The camp sites are right next to each other and all in the open. No trees, no bushes, nothing separating you from your neighbors.

SiteDo not recall

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Laurie E.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 7, 2021

Nice and clean, friendly staff.

Sites are large, restrooms and showers are clean. There is no shade and mosquitos were a problem. It's super quiet there is nothing around you just crickets and other campers.

Site35 I think

Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about camping at Tijuana River Valley Campground?

Campers appreciate the large, spacious sites and consistently clean restrooms and showers at Tijuana River Valley Campground. The staff receives positive mentions for their friendliness. Many highlight the campground's quietness and peaceful atmosphere. However, the lack of privacy between sites and absence of shade are common concerns. The campground is considered a good option for those seeking affordable camping near San Diego, particularly for self-contained van and RV campers who don't require hookups. The natural playground is noted as an attractive feature for families.

What facilities and amenities are available at Tijuana River Valley Campground?

Tijuana River Valley Campground offers primitive sites with no hookups, clean restrooms and shower facilities. The campground features a unique playground area with structures made from natural materials. While sites are spacious, they lack shade and privacy as they're positioned in open areas without significant vegetation between them. The campground is known for being quiet and peaceful, though mosquitos can be an issue during certain times. Hiking trails are available in the surrounding area, though they may close seasonally due to weather conditions.

How far is Tijuana River Valley Campground from San Diego?

Tijuana River Valley Campground is located in the southern part of San Diego County, near Imperial Beach. While specific mileage isn't provided, it's considered close enough to make it a convenient camping option for those wanting to visit San Diego attractions. The campground's location makes it one of the few affordable camping options in the immediate San Diego area, though visitors should note that nearby Imperial Beach isn't recommended for swimming due to water quality concerns.

Is Tijuana River Valley Campground part of the regional park system?

Yes, Tijuana River Valley Campground is part of the county regional park system. It's managed as a county campground within the larger Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, which explains its well-maintained facilities and official oversight. The campground benefits from being part of this larger protected recreational area, which includes various trails and natural spaces for visitors to explore.

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