- Chula Vista
The best river, stream, or creek RV camping near Chula Vista
97% (979)
Top-rated campgrounds
97% (979)
Top-rated campgrounds
Camper favorites near Chula Vista
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Public campgrounds near Chula Vista
Stories from the community
Wendy
2 days ago
8 ft campervan
Definitely had owls very close by in the night! So peaceful. There was some slight road noise but it was very minimal. A sanctuary for sure. Very good vibes, and Lacy was so welcoming and helpful. No facilities (although the gazebo was nice), just a water spigot. And a lovely walk down to the pond.
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T.C.
2 weeks ago
18 ft Class B
Rugged and remote location with lots of space to explore. The old dam is super cool. I spent two nights there and had fun adventures. Hosts are very cool with an interesting backstory. The dirt road is pretty steep in parts, so you gotta know what you're doing with a heavy vehicles.
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Isaac belmontes
3 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
Super awesome place. First time camping with kids and it was very nice experience.
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Quinn
November 2025
Tent
Lovely spot. Perfect for stargazing!
Just a tip-if you click on the map it will not take you to the correct place but if you directly plug in a ur coordinates, it’s perfect!
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Sheila
November 2025
Tent
Hidden Waters is a perfect name for Lacy's property. My site, "Cricket Cove" was very private right on the pond under Oak Trees and Palm Trees. Lacy initiated and replied to preparation messages promptly so I felt prepared and very welcome. I will definitely be coming back.
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Kyle
November 2025
19 ft campervan
With kids
Amazing spot, close to everything in North County San Diego. We fit our 19 foot van easily. Very quiet. Easy to find. Exactly what we were looking for.
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Sean
November 2025
Tent
Such a special place! The creek side spot was soothing and quiet. Just what the doctor ordered! Would love to come back
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Mike
October 2025
16 ft pop-up camper
So nice to find the green belt, live water, an audobon sanctuary, and a historic park -- nestled within a suburban area on a peaceful six acres.
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David
October 2025
Tent
With kids
We loved our night at Carlotta’s place. It all started with a fund ride down off roading (bring a higher car) which the kids loved, then she upgraded us to a bigger site with a decent outhouse. The highlights were definitely the privacy, the swings and the awesome hikes around the property. Would definitely recommend, especially with a nice host like Carlotta!
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Todd
October 2025
23 ft Class B
Lacey kept in constant contact with me prior and during my stay. She was very accommodating as well. Good place to just relax and get away by yourself. Property had plenty of space for my dog to explore.
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Neil
October 2025
Tent
Great location - less than an hour from San Diego, but you feel much further. Tons of stars at night and we couldn't hear any noise from the other sites. Road in isn't bad if you have some clearance and AWD/4WD. Would happily stay again.
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John
October 2025
16 ft campervan
I had a really peaceful stay and enjoyed the quiet and contemplative environment when I walked around. Thank you for providing great directions, Lexi! I will be coming back sometime soon.
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JOY
October 2025
31 ft pop-up camper
With pets
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Three days and two nights of pure relaxation — my solo stay couldn’t have been better!
Arriving after dark, Lexi kindly helped me find my way, which immediately made me feel welcome. She responded to every message I sent throughout my stay, making communication effortless and stress-free. The site is private, secure, and peaceful — I could even head into the city and return without a worry.
The hot shower was refreshing, and the flush toilet with toilet paper and hand soap was perfect — clean, convenient, and easy to use. The outdoor kitchen was a great bonus, and my drinks in the community fridge were fully secured. Cooking or just relaxing outdoors in this calm, natural setting felt so grounding. Waking up to earthy scents, the rooster’s crow, and warm sunshine made it easy to slow down and enjoy the moment.
On my second night, I received an invitation to the open mic night — professional talent and friendly people made it truly memorable.
Huge thanks to Lexi for sharing such a welcoming, beautiful space. I left feeling relaxed and grateful — and I’ve already booked my next stay! 🌞🐓🌿
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Jennifer
October 2025
Tent
I would definitely stay there again. Well curated. Loved the outdoor kitchen scene and I swam in the stream every morning as a cold plunge. No wifiin the shady grove area. So go close to the house to make a call.
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Jennifer
October 2025
Tent
Tent camped between two pepper trees. Was lovely. A few minutes walk to a bathroom and outdoor kitchen thst was so fun to cook in. No wofo at the tent space but WiFi near the main house. Did a cold plunge in the stream every morning! Absolutely loved the property and will be back
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Jone
October 2025
22 ft travel trailer
With kids
We camped at Turtle Flats and had an amazing experience that met our requirements. The view was spectacular from the campsite. It felt like you were in a tropical jungle. The family loved hiking around the property, swinging in the hammock, hanging out near the lake, looking at the wildlife . We saw an owl, egret, turtles, and ducks. We had a 22’ Airstream and there was 30amp available and water hookup. We brought our portable firepit since there was a fire ban in the area. For us it was easy to get in and out. The incline was not bad at all from some other comments. Highly recommend.
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Cae
October 2025
Tent
Really beautiful spot with friendly, accommodating hosts. We stayed at the Dam site and felt completely secluded. It was a warm day but the site has a big shaded area so we were very comfortable. There was an outhouse as expected and it even had a nice view. The hosts were kind enough to even leave us water for dousing the fire and a trash can. This is not a glamping situation at all, but it's exactly what we were hoping for and expecting when we booked it! There are many historical sites and features that we didn't have time to check out this time but are looking forward to seeing on the next trip. Only word of caution is that the road really is pretty rough to get in. You definitely need reasonably high clearance and we were glad to have 4WD on the way back out, although you could probably get by with FWD. Normally I think people overstate this in reviews but I really don't think you should try to access this site in a sedan or low-ish crossover. Not a complaint, just a heads up.
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Sophia
October 2025
Tent
Loved this spot! We did combo truck/tent camping and enjoyed a lovely weekend hosted by Carlotta and her 2 dogs. Hollow was the dog to stay with us practically the whole weekend and led us around the property while we explored. She also watched over us at night and had our backs throughout our stay. This is a great spot for beginning campers looking for a step up into a more secluded camp, we recommend bringing friends and enjoying this awesome nature rich spot. We definitely plan on coming back!
P.S. the drive in is a rocky dirt road, we recommend only bringing higher sitting verticales: trucks, jeeps, SUVs, etc.
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Stephanie
October 2025
20 ft toy hauler
With pets
We followed Joel’s directions and easily found where to go. Keep an eye on your upper camper as you travel the long drive. The trees come close in spots. There’s plenty of room. Joel met us when we drove in. He directed us to our spot and gave us information about the area and getting around. It’s right in the middle of town, but you’d never know it. It’s pretty quiet and feels secluded. There are others that live on the property and off the long driveway, but everyone is pleasant and friendly. There’s no street noise. There’s working people around, so you’ll hear neighbors coming and going for work. The ground is all gravel and fairly level. We had water and electric hook-ups. Joel’s dog Gwen patrols the property. She’s friendly, but a little shy. We had our 2 dogs with us and they were allowed to roam the property. We also had our own fencing when we didn’t want them to roam. The property is safe and not gated. Joel warned us about skunks. We smelled them, but never saw them. There are trees around the outside of the property, so not much shade, but the weather is so nice, we didn’t need any. Lots of birds around. There is a bathroom and shower available. We didn’t need them, as we had our camper. Others were using them. We got ants in the camper-not unusually when camping. Joel was friendly and never bothered us. We never felt intruded upon or uncomfortable. Everything is close and lots to do within 25 minutes drive. We’ll come again!
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Jim
October 2025
Tent
The property is beautiful, natural Southern California foothills with tons of wildlife. All I could hear was the wind and the birds, and lots of them! No noisy neighbors and it was wonderful! Carlotta was a great host, and I’m thankful to her and Richard for making their property available to others to enjoy. They provided well water, privacy and a beautiful landscape with lots of lovely trails to trek. The road in and out is a bit harrowing, and I’m glad I had my AWD Subaru. I want to come back again soon, and hopefully with more time to explore the little town of Descanso down the road. Download your maps before you leave because there is no GPS or cell service. Ahhh…
See moreNearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
The best river, stream, or creek RV camping 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.