99% (2.1K)
Top-rated campgrounds near Desert Shores
99% (2.1K)
Top-rated campgrounds near Desert Shores
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
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Xiyue
1 week ago
Weekend Trip to Clara Vista High Desert Retreat
We truly loved our stay at Tom's cabin. It's perfect for stargazing with stunning non-blocking views, a dark sky, cozy outdoor chairs, and a warm cabin.
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Erin
2 weeks ago
With pets
Always a magical time! Thanks Tom for making it so special!
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Brett
3 weeks ago
5 nights at Manzanita Village Retreat
Stayed here for a 5 day solo retreat. Beautiful location, the cabin is private and set away from the main complex, and is very well insulated, warm at night and cool during the day. Caitriona, Michele, and Tom are all very friendly, welcoming, and respectful. Highly recommend.
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Betty
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Manzanita Village Retreat
I’m almost too zen-ed out to write a review! This was such a tranquil getaway & Caitriona & Michele were very kind hosts. Thank you! The “hermitage” was very private & stayed magically cool through the afternoon sun while still getting warm enough to keep the window open at night! I’d describe it as 50% camping (sleeping on cots & peeing outside if you don’t want to do the walk to the common area) & 50% cabin (everything is set up for you and there’s access to the super well stocked kitchen, shower etc). The kitchen & bathroom are a short (2 min?) walk down the hill. There’s a beautiful stretch of the PCT less than 10 mins away. Sunrises & sunsets & stars, oh my! I hope to be back again soon. Thanks again!
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Tom
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Starry Night at Rancho Moto
Alex was an excellent host. Beautiful property. Remote and quiet.
Very well kept.
We'll definitely be going again.
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Kellen
October 2025
Group trip
Awesome camp site - the set up was perfect, the camper was great and the host was helpful and communicative. Would 100% recommend to anyone that’s looking for a spot out in the Chihuahua Valley.
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J
May 2025
Tent
With pets
Beautiful site, very private. There are two camp sites side by side but the area is wide enough to not be crowded. Camp site was nicely shaded and flat so it was easy to set up our tent. There were areas we could drive up and unpack the cars directly in to camp. The ad says no potable water but there is a hose with water which was convenient for other uses. Tubing was fun but we did find used fishing line wrapped around a branch near the bank. That was a little gross and dangerous. Definitely recommend river shoes. Our pups were happy running around and also enjoyed the water but there is a resident peacock that although gorgeous, does make a lot of noise. Our pups were curious so we had to keep an eye on them and make sure they stayed close to camp. At night, Mr. Peacock likes to perch on a tree near the restrooms so be prepared for the giant bird silhouette looming over you! It's beautiful! There were a lot of sounds at night, machines, vehicles, and wildlife. If you're a light sleeper, may not be easy to ignore but otherwise it was very relaxing. Julian was quick to respond to any questions. This is definitely our new favorite camp spot.
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Mary
May 2025
Weekend Trip to Starry Night at Rancho Moto
What a great place to connect with the natural world and destress. The area around is full of trails. Eric is the best host! It was a lovely weekend.
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Arun
April 2025
1 night at Clara Vista High Desert Retreat
Incredible one-night stay there. If anything, the views from the cabin are underrated. Overlooks so much gorgeousness AND got to wake up basically inside a cloud. While it was near freezing outside, stayed plenty toasty inside.
Oh, and did do the 20- to 25- minute drive to Borrego Springs for dinner and had several nice options there. Otherwise, prepared simple meals using the the propane stove and kettle. Highly recommend for a single/couple looking for a simple get-away.
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Ellie
April 2025
With pets
The perfect weekend with my daughter. Caitriona was incredibly welcoming, both on hand to help with any questions, but also very calm and respectful of our space. The hut was idyllic. Warm at night and cool in the day, with two comfy futons. It’s situated a little away from the main house and felt completely private and serene.
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Wendi
April 2025
16 ft car
Group trip
The site's description is precisely what it is! It is peaceful and isolated. Plus, there were trees that provided shade for us. The weather was perfect when we went. Please check the weather and prepare for a windy stay. Overall, it was an amazing experience!
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Wendi
April 2025
15 ft pop-up camper
Group trip
It was an excellent place for group camping! The camp had great amenities such as a portal toilet (spotless!), tables and stools, water (not for drinking), and trash bins. Since the weather was projected to be very windy, it wasn’t! Which I was very grateful for! I would say the two campsites are not far apart. For reference, the space between the two campsites is four trucks parked next to each other. Since I came with a big group, I got both campsites for more privacy. It was only 35-40 minutes from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Overall, the campsite was perfect!
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Preksha
April 2025
Weekend Trip to Manzanita Village Retreat
We loved staying at the village. It’s a peaceful and comfortable place to spend the weekend. Caitriona and Michele are kind and welcoming hosts, was inspiring to experience their beautiful space.
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Mathew
April 2025
Tent
Great clean place with a wonderful host, the pond is nice I would bring a float if you want to get in but wash yourself off with the hose if you do, peacock was really cool and the place was easy to get to.
See moreErin
April 2025
With pets
I feel so lucky that my doggies and I found Tom's Artist's Ranch and Cricket's Cabin. I will be revisiting the place as often as I can. It's the perfect spot to get some quiet time, with nature and the spectacular mountain views inspiring positivity and creativity. Bonus points if you're artistic, as the land is full of art for you to stumble upon as you hike and explore. Tom is a gifted sculptor and ceramicist, and his work is scattered throughout the property, making each foray out on the trails feel like a treasure hunt.
Pros:
I came out to get some work done in private, and it was the perfect place to do it. I edited on my laptop from the bed while enjoying a spectacular view of the mountains and the desert.
Tom has a well-appointed AC electrical system in the cabin, so you can keep all your devices charged while you're there.
There are no other pets on the property, making it the perfect place to let your fuzzy kids explore.
The cabin is nice and warm (even in below-40-degree evening temps) due to the propane heater Tom installed.
No need to bring your backpacking stove, as there is an outdoor kitchenette outfitted with a burner and propane grill.
Tom also provides drinking water and a well-water tap faucet for washing.
There is a cute outdoor shower, too.
Almost Cons:
The location is just inaccessible enough to be cool. Make sure you put the address in the GPS - not the coordinates.
Overall it's a great place and I hope you love it!
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Alex
March 2025
With kids
The location is incredible. Eric went above and beyond to ensure that we were comfortable and happy. The RV is well kept and is very comfortable to stay in. Eric’s property is right across from public land and a hike to the stone formations is a must.
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Austin
March 2025
Tent
My friends and I had a wonderful time camping at this site. It has an intimate, secluded feel that makes it seem like it’s just you and the stunning natural surroundings. Although we weren’t able to have a campfire the first night due to strong winds, we enjoyed a fantastic one the following evening. Firewood is available for a very reasonable price and lasted much longer than we expected. The site is also conveniently located within a short drive to Anza-Borrego, making it easy to access for our day hikes. We’re already looking forward to coming back!
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Charlie
March 2025
16 ft car
The views were absolutely stunning! Absolutely no complaints. Super easy directions and perfect place to set up! I suggest bringing an inner tube or something to float on in the pond as this was easily my favorite part of the trip. Very clean and the property was awesome to explore. Plus there’s a gorgeous peacock that we loved to go search for as it is a bit shy but definitely lets you know it’s there! 100% recommend this sweet spot. Will be coming back!
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Brianna
March 2025
Tent
With pets
This tent camp option, only 2hrs from San Diego, was exceptional! It was peaceful & serene with the pond! Best part was that there was a bathroom (port-a-potty), but serviced and clean for its purpose of use. Also, the fire pit was massive and awesome with numerous seating options at the West campsite. We even had a neighbor at the East campsite and they created privacy for themselves with the way they parked their vehicles, but I still feel as though the campsite was a decent enough distance away from us that we weren’t bothered at all. It’s located on a bunch of farm land so if you are looking for a lot to do right nearby your campsite…this may not be it. But, if you want to just chill and enjoy the outdoors, this was perfect! Also, Julian was very helpful in providing the proper details needed to arrive and was helpful and responsive if I had any questions. Thank you!
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Mariana
March 2025
Weekend Trip to Manzanita Village Retreat
The place was quiet and peaceful. I ended up leaving a day early due to the weather but overall my experience was good.
Everything was kept up really well, there was access to hot water, restrooms, and kitchen.
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