98% (1.5K) • 12 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Chula Vista
Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch
1. Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch
93%
(1275)
49mi from Chula Vista · 22 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
This land has been a community gathering space for the Native's Ceremony and Healing Space for over a thousand years. Feast your eyes upon the Matates and traces of the people that once gathered here so long ago.Upon the mid 1800's we had a Settler named Nate Harrison find this to be the ideal space, and he set up homestead here, and lived an amazing full life. He was to become the first African American to aquire land here in San Diego County, and his homestead remains to this day; studied by archaeology students to this day.Sensitive habitat and magic lies within our gates, and we must approach the mountain as we would any sacred space; with RESPECT.We welcome you to enjoy Nate's land and inspire who you are deep inside your heart.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$59
/ night
Campo Nopalito
2. Campo Nopalito
99%
(594)
44mi from Chula Vista · 7 sites · Lodging
Welcome to Nopalito Farm! We’re so happy you’ve decided to spend some time on this beautiful property! In case you’re interested, here are a few interesting things about our farm.
Nopalito Farm has been in operation since late 2014, but the property itself has been a working farm for over 50 years. Lemons and avocados were the primary crops from the 70’s through the 00’s, and are still prominent throughout our 15 acres. Our predecessors then diversified the growing operation by planting a wide range of fruit trees ranging from guavas and passion fruit to peaches and figs. For a decade, hops were grown on 2 acres and were sold to breweries throughout southern California. We’ve since replaced the hop yard with perennial flowers, but continue to cultivate a wide variety of delicious fruits.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$94
/ night
Wild Seeds Ranch
3. Wild Seeds Ranch
96%
(98)
15mi from Chula Vista · 12 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Wild Seeds is a sustainable conscious coliving community and live-work space in nature 30 minutes outside San Diego 🫶🌵🌞
The ranch is full of enchanting spaces -- a koi pond, 100 year old oaks, and a seasonal creek. You can have a totally private camping experience, or join our fun and engaging events.
We are creative professionals, ecopreneurs, social impact artists, and spiritual activists. Our community space is inclusive, period. We embrace and celebrate people of all backgrounds, body types, and nonviolent self-expression.
PLEASE NOTE: Our residents have outdoor cats, so you will be required to leash your dog while not using the dog park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$18
/ night
Thundering Hawk Retreat
4. Thundering Hawk Retreat
96%
(144)
46mi from Chula Vista · 10 sites · Lodging
Welcome to our Hipcamp located on a 40-acre flower farm in the heart of Valley Center. As soon as you arrive, you'll be surrounded by lush greenery. The sound of the creek flowing nearby will immediately put you at ease. Our serene setting is the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Our property is bursting with color and nature, thanks to the many types of flowers and plants that we cultivate here. You'll love wandering through the fields and taking in the beauty that surrounds you. Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful getaway, our Hipcamp is the perfect place to disconnect and recharge.
At night, the stars shine bright overhead, and the peaceful sounds of the creek and wildlife create a calming atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else. Whether you're camping in a tent, staying in a camper, or enjoying one of our glamping bell tents, you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our farm.
We can't wait to share our little slice of paradise with you!
Follow us on Instagram @thunderinghawkretreat
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$108
/ night
Black Mountain Llama Farm
5. Black Mountain Llama Farm
100%
(12)
32mi from Chula Vista · 1 site · Lodging
Our property is 5 acres of flat land with a well and solar system. The house is the old FBI communications building from the 1950's with a flat roof for people to see views in all directions. The Cleveland national forest is less than a mile away and Black Mtn is in the distance stands at 4000 feet. We hike it with the Llamas and feel blessed to live in a beautiful place. We want to share this wonderful location with our community.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$108
/ night
Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry
6. Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry
99%
(141)
38mi from Chula Vista · 6 sites · Lodging
Alter Experiences LLC is a glamping & nature travel company based out of San Diego, CA. We're dedicated to creating meaningful experiences in nature & getting people outdoors.
Our glamping sites are located in the Cleveland National Forest - Mount Laguna, CA.
Our plush tents are nestled in the high mountain forests of San Diego's backcountry - sky islands where pristine nature & wild-life thrives. These are some of the most remote & biologically diverse habitats in all of Southern California.
Our sites are handpicked to offer you a truly nature immersive experience. We strive to create the most comfortable outdoor experiences, even at our most remote locations. We take all that's fun about traditional camping & combine it with modern comfort & state of the art equipment.
We offer various accommodation styles depending on location. Our Tentsile tree tents are definitely the most popular - a lightweight tree house that uses 3 anchor points to create a "living space" suspended between trees. Our elevated tree tents bring a whole new dimension to camping.
Our plush & cozy bell tent was designed with the ultimate comfort in mind! It feature all the amenities you can expect at a hotel - therapeutic mattress, buddy heater, quality linens and more. The provided kitchen comes fully outfitted with everything you need including; hot chocolate, tea, spices and multiple cooking tops. All you need to bring is your cooler and food! Open fires are allowed (weather permitting) and bundles of wood are sold at $8.
There are a network of trails to explore nearby, as well as Lake Cuyamaca and the historic town of Julian. You can choose from various restaurants, breweries wineries and we also have two hard cider locations, as well as various other attractions and activities. We also offer mountain bike rentals right from the campsite.
Glamp with us and discover all the beautiful and natural wonders of our San Diego Backcountry.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$113
/ night
98% (1.5K) • 12 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Chula Vista
Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch
1. Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch
93%
(1275)
49mi from Chula Vista · 22 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
This land has been a community gathering space for the Native's Ceremony and Healing Space for over a thousand years. Feast your eyes upon the Matates and traces of the people that once gathered here so long ago.Upon the mid 1800's we had a Settler named Nate Harrison find this to be the ideal space, and he set up homestead here, and lived an amazing full life. He was to become the first African American to aquire land here in San Diego County, and his homestead remains to this day; studied by archaeology students to this day.Sensitive habitat and magic lies within our gates, and we must approach the mountain as we would any sacred space; with RESPECT.We welcome you to enjoy Nate's land and inspire who you are deep inside your heart.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$59
/ night
Campo Nopalito
2. Campo Nopalito
99%
(594)
44mi from Chula Vista · 7 sites · Lodging
Welcome to Nopalito Farm! We’re so happy you’ve decided to spend some time on this beautiful property! In case you’re interested, here are a few interesting things about our farm.
Nopalito Farm has been in operation since late 2014, but the property itself has been a working farm for over 50 years. Lemons and avocados were the primary crops from the 70’s through the 00’s, and are still prominent throughout our 15 acres. Our predecessors then diversified the growing operation by planting a wide range of fruit trees ranging from guavas and passion fruit to peaches and figs. For a decade, hops were grown on 2 acres and were sold to breweries throughout southern California. We’ve since replaced the hop yard with perennial flowers, but continue to cultivate a wide variety of delicious fruits.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$94
/ night
Wild Seeds Ranch
3. Wild Seeds Ranch
96%
(98)
15mi from Chula Vista · 12 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Wild Seeds is a sustainable conscious coliving community and live-work space in nature 30 minutes outside San Diego 🫶🌵🌞
The ranch is full of enchanting spaces -- a koi pond, 100 year old oaks, and a seasonal creek. You can have a totally private camping experience, or join our fun and engaging events.
We are creative professionals, ecopreneurs, social impact artists, and spiritual activists. Our community space is inclusive, period. We embrace and celebrate people of all backgrounds, body types, and nonviolent self-expression.
PLEASE NOTE: Our residents have outdoor cats, so you will be required to leash your dog while not using the dog park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$18
/ night
Thundering Hawk Retreat
4. Thundering Hawk Retreat
96%
(144)
46mi from Chula Vista · 10 sites · Lodging
Welcome to our Hipcamp located on a 40-acre flower farm in the heart of Valley Center. As soon as you arrive, you'll be surrounded by lush greenery. The sound of the creek flowing nearby will immediately put you at ease. Our serene setting is the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Our property is bursting with color and nature, thanks to the many types of flowers and plants that we cultivate here. You'll love wandering through the fields and taking in the beauty that surrounds you. Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful getaway, our Hipcamp is the perfect place to disconnect and recharge.
At night, the stars shine bright overhead, and the peaceful sounds of the creek and wildlife create a calming atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else. Whether you're camping in a tent, staying in a camper, or enjoying one of our glamping bell tents, you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our farm.
We can't wait to share our little slice of paradise with you!
Follow us on Instagram @thunderinghawkretreat
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$108
/ night
Black Mountain Llama Farm
5. Black Mountain Llama Farm
100%
(12)
32mi from Chula Vista · 1 site · Lodging
Our property is 5 acres of flat land with a well and solar system. The house is the old FBI communications building from the 1950's with a flat roof for people to see views in all directions. The Cleveland national forest is less than a mile away and Black Mtn is in the distance stands at 4000 feet. We hike it with the Llamas and feel blessed to live in a beautiful place. We want to share this wonderful location with our community.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$108
/ night
Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry
6. Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry
99%
(141)
38mi from Chula Vista · 6 sites · Lodging
Alter Experiences LLC is a glamping & nature travel company based out of San Diego, CA. We're dedicated to creating meaningful experiences in nature & getting people outdoors.
Our glamping sites are located in the Cleveland National Forest - Mount Laguna, CA.
Our plush tents are nestled in the high mountain forests of San Diego's backcountry - sky islands where pristine nature & wild-life thrives. These are some of the most remote & biologically diverse habitats in all of Southern California.
Our sites are handpicked to offer you a truly nature immersive experience. We strive to create the most comfortable outdoor experiences, even at our most remote locations. We take all that's fun about traditional camping & combine it with modern comfort & state of the art equipment.
We offer various accommodation styles depending on location. Our Tentsile tree tents are definitely the most popular - a lightweight tree house that uses 3 anchor points to create a "living space" suspended between trees. Our elevated tree tents bring a whole new dimension to camping.
Our plush & cozy bell tent was designed with the ultimate comfort in mind! It feature all the amenities you can expect at a hotel - therapeutic mattress, buddy heater, quality linens and more. The provided kitchen comes fully outfitted with everything you need including; hot chocolate, tea, spices and multiple cooking tops. All you need to bring is your cooler and food! Open fires are allowed (weather permitting) and bundles of wood are sold at $8.
There are a network of trails to explore nearby, as well as Lake Cuyamaca and the historic town of Julian. You can choose from various restaurants, breweries wineries and we also have two hard cider locations, as well as various other attractions and activities. We also offer mountain bike rentals right from the campsite.
Glamp with us and discover all the beautiful and natural wonders of our San Diego Backcountry.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$113
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
M
Mina
2 weeks ago
With pets
Beautiful spot, well maintained, and great amenities. Kitchen was practically professional grade and really did have everything you could want/need. Lots of hot water in bathrooms (which was great in December). Hilltop yurt was spacious and clean and the tempurpedic mattresses and down comforter were perfect on those cold rainy days. And the fact it was set on a covered platform really protected us from the worst of the wind and rain.
See more
Allison
2 weeks ago
With pets
My partner, Pyro (dog), and myself had a great stay at Jacob's property. We arrived a bit later in the evening due to heavy traffic and it was so nice to get out of the city and just relax. The kitchen area was a great spot to socialize with Jacob and his partner and a couple other guests. The setup is pretty neat and offers privacy from other hip camping guests and has some great views. We stayed in the tent and the beds and bedding were both very comfortable. The nice hot outdoor shower was a bonus to have and Gurtie (farm dog) was also a sweety.
See moreS
Sara
November 2025
With pets
Had a great time. Tent was clean and comfortable. The kitchen had everything we would have ever needed. We made pizza, tea, and breakfast. The bathrooms were clean. My only complaint would be that the showers were cold. We tried morning and night and there was no hot water. Would come back again. My daughter loved pointing out all of the avocados on the property.
See more
J
Joelle
November 2025
With pets
We had an amazing time glamping at Vicki’s. The stars were amazing, the forest calming, and we loved the yoga deck. Vicki was easy to communicate with and very helpful. The land is magical!
The beds were super comfy and my young children and older dog really enjoyed themselves.
Amazing adventure just over an hour away from home.
Warning- we did use our 4 wheel drive to get around certain areas (and we loved it). Not the place to drive a lowriding car.
We will most definitely be back!
See moreM
Marc
November 2025
With pets
My wife and I along with our two dogs had a wonderful time at the Nopalito farm. The entire setting from the communal outdoor kitchen to the shower and outdoor seating areas were great.
Jacob and his parents worked diligently to make all guests stay most comfortable.
We definitely plan to come back.
See more
J
Janelle
November 2025
With pets
We loved serenity ranch. We stayed one night with our 3 year old and dog. Will be back!
See more
L
Laura
October 2025
With kids
Beautiful spot and lovely amenities- we had a great stay!
See moreT
Tatiana
September 2025
With kids
We had such a great time here! The place is super peaceful and relaxing, and Vicki was really helpful in finding us a spot that worked best with our child. Our kid loved meeting the pigs and chickens — it made the stay extra fun.
The tents are nicely spread out, so you don’t feel crowded or disturbed by others. We especially enjoyed the foggy mornings with the fresh forest smell — such a perfect little getaway!
See moreM
Mark
September 2025
With pets
Great spot to get away! Quiet, comfortable, and nice amenities on site.
See more
Y
Yang
September 2025
With pets
We (me+my partner+our two dogs) loved the experience! Tent was clean and comfortable. Good distance with neighbors. The ranch dog Cosmo is super friendly and made friends with our pups too! Highly recommended!
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C
Chelsea
September 2025
With kids
Terrific stay, we loved the hammock and solar lights in the tent. Everything was provided and easy and what a view. We will be back!
See moreD
Dare2findme
September 2025
With kids
Jacob’s land was amazing! Although it got extremely hot and sunny starting at about 8:30am, our tent’s area stayed shady and cool until 12pm thanks to the large tree planted next to it. The tent itself was nice and comfortable; ours was actually set up on a wooden deck, not directly on the ground- so at night, you wouldn’t hear any critters/insects scurrying or anything of the sort.
A bit away from the tent is a decent sized outdoor kitchen (shaded) where pans, utensils, and dishes are provided, along with salt/pepper. A large fridge is included. There is also a clay fire oven, which our family had fun with, making pizzas in it. Behind the kitchen is a nice sitting area which is also shaded.
Jacob is a very kind and considerate host. His dog, whom we saw occasionally, is also super friendly towards the kids. Overall, I’d be very sure to recommend this place to lots of people, and we’re definitely coming back with a couple friends.
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J
Jennifer
August 2025
Group trip
We had a great time and loved the setup. The beds were very comfortable. They slept 4 of us without complication. The staff was very friendly and helped set up charcoal and a propane tank as well as a heater in case we got cold. The picnic table and sitting spaces around the tent were welcoming, clean and spacious. We will definitely come back again. It was a great stay—our in the wilderness without all of the hard work! We loved it.
See moreB
Blaine
August 2025
With kids
We’ve returned to Harrison Serenity Ranch 2 years later for another great night camping and stargazing. We had a little difficulty with our fire this time, and Rick came right over to get us going and saved the day! Thanks!
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R
Randy
August 2025
With kids
We were a group of 12 and we loved the campsite. Shantel showed us the site and she was a nice host.
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Ana
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Campo Nopalito
Beautiful place with great ambiance and amenities! Kitchen is fully equipped, Jacob is a great host and very attentive. We will definitely be back.
See more
Shweta
August 2025
With kids
This was our first camping experience, and loved every bit of it. We were 4 families with kids and booked the Bodhi tree and Breakthrough camps, both with amazing views. Kids had so much fun, especially with Daniel the property manager. He was very friendly and took the kids on the ride on his pickup truck. Lance the property owner was very responsive throughout our booking and camping duration. We would definitely come back!!
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Shweta
August 2025
With pets
This was our first camping experience, and loved every bit of it. We were 4 families with kids and booked the Bodhi tree and Breakthrough camps, both with amazing views. Kids had so much fun, especially with Daniel the property manager. He was very friendly and took the kids on the ride on his pickup truck. Lance the property owner was very responsive throughout our booking and camping duration. We would definitely come back!!
See more
I
Inderpreet
August 2025
With kids
We had an incredible experience at GlampCamp! From the moment we arrived, everything was thoughtfully set up and ready to go—clean beds, cozy interiors, and a peaceful, nature-filled setting that instantly helped us unwind. Bathrooms were clean and had toilet paper hot water for showers. Special thanks to the hosts for their quick communication and attention to detail. This place is perfect for families or groups looking to enjoy nature without giving up comfort. Highly recommend and would love to return!
See moreA
Angela
July 2025
Group trip
We loved camping at Victory! The views were beautiful, especially at sunset. So much to see on the property, and the hosts were super accommodating. Two cute dogs, too!
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The best bell tents near Chula Vista guide
Where to go
Chula Vista Surrounds
Chula Vista’s Otay Valley Regional Park features eight miles of scenic hiking and biking trails right in town. There’s also a campground at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park, while RV travelers will find an assortment of RV parks in and around Chula Vista with full hookups, free wifi, and other amenities. At the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Sanctuary, you can explore nature trails and birdwatching on a salt marsh.
Silver Strand State Beach
With 2.5 miles of ocean beach and a half-mile of bay beach, Silver Strand is a local go-to for surfing, swimming, and sunsets. The beachside campground is for self-contained vehicle camping only, meaning no tents.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
In the Peninsular Range east of Chula Vista, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is an excellent place to beat the SoCal heat in a mountain climate. Cuyamaca Rancho features Lake Cuyamaca, the Sweetwater River, and 100-plus miles of hiking and biking trails through forest and meadows. Campgrounds offer tent camping and RV camping sites with picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, and showers.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a rugged preserve in the Colorado Desert about 1.5 hours east of Chula Vista. The park features hiking and OHV trails, a spring wildflower bloom, a palm-studded desert oasis, International Dark Sky Park status, and a number of popular camping options. Plan for intense desert conditions in summer and bring plenty of water and sun protection.
When to go
Chula Vista’s coastal location gives it temperate weather that makes for enjoyable camping year-round, but If headed to the mountains, check summer forecasts for high temperatures and adjust accordingly. Desert camping is best in winter and should be avoided in summer. The region’s wildflower bloom is variable but typically occurs in spring.