Outdoors
Campgrounds and camping areas near Solana Beach on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Crestline Group Campground is located in a wooded area on Palomar Mountain, at approximately 5,390 feet in elevation. Many trees including Black Oak, Cedar, White Fir and Live Oak surround the site.
Fry Creek Campground is situated in the heart of Cleveland National Forest, uniquely located down the road from the world-famous Palomar Observatory.
Science buffs and families are drawn to Observatory Campground for its proximity to the Palomar Observatory, a world-class center of astronomy research operated by the California Institute of Technology.
Dripping Springs campground is a wonderful campground adjacent to the Agua Tibia Wilderness. Recreation Recreation in the area includes hiking, trail running, and backpacking.
The Otay Mountain Wilderness has a total of 16,885 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
Located on the Cleveland National Forest, Oak Grove Campground is nestled in a valley of large oak groves and manzanita. Recreation Oak Grove Trail is a short walk of 1.5 miles and is located across Rt. 79, behind the Ranger Station.
17 sites. Pacific Crest Trail Access. No Water. The nearest water can be found at the Warner Springs Gas Station.
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
Corral Canyon Campground Distance 1.2 miles with connecting options Campfires Campfires are not allowed when elevated fire restrictions are in effect. Please see our current fire restrictions page for more details.
Bobcat Meadow Campground Trails 1.2 miles with trail connection options Campfires Campfires are not allowed when elevated fire restrictions are in effect. Please see our current fire restrictions page for more details.
Falcon Group Campground has three individual group campsites just off the scenic Ortega Highway in Southern California, which connects San Juan Capistrano and Temecula Valley Highway.
El Prado Group Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.
Laguna Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.
Boulder Oaks offers equestrian and family sites in the scenic Cleveland National Forest, about an hour away from San Diego, California.
Contrary to its name, Horse Heaven Group Campground has no equestrian sites. Instead, this tent-only facility can accommodate gatherings of up to 100 people.
25 sites.
Wooded Hill Group Campground is a great mountain getaway for groups of up to 110 people to take a retreat from the city.
The Carrizo Gorge Wilderness now contains a total of 14,741 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
This San Bernardino County Parks managed area is an oasis within one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California. Riverside County and the City of Corona also provide recreation facilities.
Surronded by the stark beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area in the Coachella Valley.
The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet.
The Coyote Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 18,630 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
The Fish Creek Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 21,388 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
The Jacumba Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 31,357 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Solana Beach. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Crestline Group Campground (USDA Forest Service), about 32 miles northeast of Solana Beach as the crow flies. Next are Fry Creek Campground (33 mi) and Observatory Campground (33 mi).
Based on Solana Beach’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
11 of the 27 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.