The Best San Diego Campgrounds

San Diego County is 4,526 square miles, making it bigger than the state of Delaware.

Covering such a vast amount of space, there is bound to be some great places to set up your tent and spend the night under the stars with friends and family.

Much of San Diego county is in a desert environment making for great hiking and camping.

When camping in San Diego, you have a lot of options. You can camp on the beach, in the desert, or in the mountains all within the same county!

This list of the best seven camping spots in San Diego covers some of the most unique places to spend times outdoors in the county. 

Gear Needed for San Diego Campgrounds

The gear you need to camp in San Diego varies greatly on where you decide to camp.

Unless you are planning on staying in a cabin or an RV, it is important to bring a tent, a sleeping bag and a ground pad.

Always remember to bring flashlights and first aid gear so that you are prepared for any situation.

When camping near the beach, it can be helpful to bring a towel, a change of clothes, and an extra pair of shoes. If you don’t want to sit on the sand, bring beach chairs to set up.

When camping in the desert, bring thin clothes that protect you from the sun.

You’ll also want to bring extra water to combat the extreme heat you’ll most likely be in. 

The Best San Diego Campgrounds

1: San Elijo State Beach

This campground is a great option if you are looking to camp on the beach. If you want to spend your day at the water relaxing or playing in the sand, San Elijo is one of the best choices. This state beach is located in Encinitas, California and requires reservations to camp. The reservation price varies based on how many people you want to camp with. The starting price for a middle section campground is 15 dollars a night. This beach is great for snorkeling, swimming, surfing, picnicking and more. 

2 Agua Caliente County Park Campground 

This dessert campground is very popular in the winter and offers beautiful desert springs and sunsets. The campground is located west of Anza-Borrego State park. The campground is near three natural pools that offer a great way to enjoy swimming in fresh mineral water. This campground offers full hook-ups, partial hook-ups and tent sites. The campground also offers seven camping cabins with temperature controls, two queen size bed frames, a sink, and a bathroom. The campground includes an indoor pool, outdoor pool, and a children’s pool. Visitors can make a reservation for a campsite 24 hours or more before their arrival at the campground. 

3 Paso Picacho Campground

This campground is located in Cuyumaca Rancho State Park and offers camping in an oak woodland forest. The campground is located close to over 100 miles of trails that can be hiked or biked. Each campsite at Paso Picacho campground includes picnic table and fire ring. The campground also has restrooms and pay showers within walking distance. This is a great campsite If you want to stay in a forest with various creeks and meadows to explore. 

4 Polomar Mountain State Park

Polomar Mountain State Park is encompassed with Forests and meadows in northern San Diego County. Reservations are recommended if you would like to camp at this park. This campsite is another great option for those who are looking for something other than desert or beach camping. 

5 Lake Morena County Park

This campground offers views of the desert, mountains, and coastal nature. The campground offers RV sites, 86 campsites, group sites, and wilderness cabins.

This campsite is perfect for those who love to hike and fish, additionally, you can rent motorized boats nearby and enjoy the lake.

Boat rental and fishing fees vary based on the day you decide to camp.

The price to reserve a campsite also varies based on the day you visit. This campsite is open Labor day weekend through Memorial day, however, it is closed during the summer. 

6 William Heise County Park

This campground is surrounded by a pine and oak forest along the Laguna Mountain Range. The park has almost 11 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

Wild turkey and Mule deer can also sometimes be seen in the park. This campground offers cabins, trailer sites, individual tent sites, and group camping areas. 

7 Kumeyaay Lake Campground

Kumeyaay Lake Campground is a very popular camping spot, however, the campsite is only open on the weekends. There are 46 campsites that are all available first come first serve.

This campground Is part of the Mission Trails Regional park. 

The Bottom Line: San Diego Campgrounds 

San Diego has countless beautiful campsites regardless of if you want to sleep at the beach, in the desert, or in the mountains.

This list provided some of the best places to camp in the county, however, there are various other campsites you can enjoy.

Making sure you are properly prepared for the environment you are camping in is sure to improve your camping experience in San Diego.