The best forest glamping near Imperial Beach, California

Looking for a unique camping experience near Imperial Beach, California? Hipcamp has over 580 options that offer glamping in a forest setting. Choose from top-rated campsites like Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch (518 reviews), Splitrock Farm and Retreat (320 reviews), and 2 The Rescue Animal Sanctuary (228 reviews). You'll have access to popular amenities like toilets, campfires, and cooking equipment, and can participate in activities like off-roading (OHV), paddling, and climbing. With an average price of $100 per night and options as low as $18, there's something for every budget.

96% (813)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking for a unique camping experience near Imperial Beach, California? Hipcamp has over 580 options that offer glamping in a forest setting. Choose from top-rated campsites like Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch (518 reviews), Splitrock Farm and Retreat (320 reviews), and 2 The Rescue Animal Sanctuary (228 reviews). You'll have access to popular amenities like toilets, campfires, and cooking equipment, and can participate in activities like off-roading (OHV), paddling, and climbing. With an average price of $100 per night and options as low as $18, there's something for every budget.

96% (813)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Manzanita Hill Woodland Camping

100%

(13)

46mi from Imperial Beach · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Julian, CA

The perfect blend of a relaxing San Diego local mountain getaway with access to nearby local attractions and restaurants! Manzanita Hill offers private camping with proximity to historic Julian, shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities. Located on over 8 acres of mountain woodlands, Manzanita Hill boasts of spectacular views of the Spencer Valley and the hills of nearby Santa Ysabel Preserve East. Bring your own tent, pull in your camper van, or book into our Safari tent, nestled in oak woodlands on a deck, with private compost toilet. Manzanita Hill is just: - a five minute drive to antique shops, Patchwork Market, cideries, farm stands, bakeries, and restaurants at Wynola Junction. - 10 minutes from historic Julian township, an old gold mining town. - A scenic 10 minute drive up Wynola Road to the Volcan Mountain Preserve trailhead, Menghini Winery, and apple orchards. - 15-20 minutes to Santa Ysabel for Julian Pie Company, Dudley's Bakery, Santa Ysabel Art Gallery, access to Santa Ysabel Preserve and Interpretive Center, Cuyamaca Lake, and more! Manzanita Hill Homestead, an early 20th century structure is under going a revival to modern homestead and community space. The surrounding woodlands are receiving some TLC focusing on forest health and wildfire prevention. There is one adventure trail onsite and a community propane fire pit (allowed when extreme heat or high winds are not forecast), because, well... s'mores.

2. Time Traveler Retreat Julian Cabin

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(5)

44mi from Imperial Beach · 3 sites · Lodging · Julian, CA

Built in the 50’s it is sitting on 2 parcels and is over ½ acre in size. We also have 2 other cabins for rent in Julian for larger groups. The outhouse that you see was used when it was first built and now is for storage. The original owner built the house himself and it was originally on piers alone with no other foundation! There is a folder in the bedroom closet of the house over the years. The decorations were here when we bought it so we kept them to preserve the house’s uniqueness. We treasure this house which is nestled amongst the trees and has so many beautiful birds that visit. Many turkeys love to stop by too! If you hear the deep cooing from the monster doves (who are very shy) you can try to spot one. They are amazing. We really hope you love it as much as we do.

3. San Diego Canyon Creek

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(373)

24mi from Imperial Beach · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · El Cajon, CA

Try out camping without having to rough-it! You can rent the Honeycomb Cabin! Or swing through for a safe place to spend the night in your van, or tent, while taking advantage of San Diego and all it has to offer! So much to be seen or done within 30 miles! You can plan a visit to the World Famous San Diego Zoo, Museums, Sea World, Birch Aquarium, Safari Park, Lego Land and more! San Diego county has wine tasting, breweries, theaters and eateries of all kinds. There are several beaches, mountain lakes, and even the deserts! You can skydive, or scuba dive, go deep sea fishing, or lake fishing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, or walking the boardwalk! SAN DIEGO CANYON CREEK is a SMALL PATCH of WOODS, NEAR a ROAD, in a NEIGHBORHOOD. In the midst of the trees we have a great view of the stars at night. Harbison Canyon is surrounded by rocky peaks, with a CREEK! We have multiple species of song birds, owls, hawks, and other wildlife that live in this Riparian Habitat. There is a chorus of frogs throughout the spring nights, and crickets year round! It's a very short walk to the neighborhood park- equipped with several types of playground equipment and public creek access, or a five minute drive to a Crestridge Ecological Reserve containing multiple trails. We have three campsites and a cabin on about an acre of land. If you'd like to hang out on the property, we offer a table and chairs with each campsite to lounge in while enjoying the fresh air and nature. There are also a couple of hammocks available. In addition, our SHARED amenities include an outdoor kitchen that includes a sink with hot water, 2 mini fridges,(full at times, extra coolers available) coffee maker, a two burner stove, a griddle, a toaster oven, blender, tea kettle, and a few pans, plates, bowls, cups, and utensils. Also here to SHARE is a Propane fire pit and BBQ area. The bathroom now includes a flush toilet, sink and shower. We are continuously making improvements. Fun Fact: Harbison Canyon was named after John Stewart Harbison - aka the King of the Bee Keepers. He arrived with over one hundred colonies of bees in 1874 and within 7 years he became the world's largest honey producer! Today there are just a few bees in the area.

4. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

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(47)

233 sites · Descanso, California

Summit peaks, visit waterfalls, and beat the SoCal heat at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Madre Sanctuary

42mi from Imperial Beach · 1 site · Lodging · Escondido, CA

Tucked away in the private hills of Hidden Valley lies a Sanctuary dedicated to the preservation of ancestral ways. The land offers an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Enjoy the rockscapes and tranquility this space has to offer. Walk to see the our vegetable gardens and visit our friendly goats. But more importantly, a place to relax and just be.

6. Stallion Oaks Ranch (Retreat)

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(227)

35mi from Imperial Beach · 18 sites · Tents, Lodging · Descanso, CA

In 2003, the Grosvenor Family Foundation donated the 238-acre retreat property located in Descanso to The Unity Center. Much of the land, including more than 12 structures were destroyed during the Cedar Fires in October of 2003. In the years since the fire, members of our community have lovingly tended to the land and slowly nurtured the trees and flowers. The result is acres of pristine wilderness, with hiking trails, a small lake and even a hill of daffodils that bloom every Spring.Our vision is to create a world-class retreat center and campground that promotes spiritual renewal and personal growth in a natural setting, by providing a location for education, inner reflection, positive recreation and acceptance. The Ranch is owned by The Unity Center, a progressive spiritual community that emphasizes living consciously and making a positive difference in the world. This is a sacred and special place . So whether you're planning a retreat, a wedding or a special event, we hope you'll come away from the Ranch feeling renewed.

7. Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry

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(141)

45mi from Imperial Beach · 6 sites · Lodging · Mount Laguna, CA

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.

Public campgrounds near Imperial Beach

The Azalea Glen loop trail will take you through the forest that was ravaged by the Cedar Fire of 2003.

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Paso Picacho Campground

41mi from Imperial Beach · 170 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Stories from the community

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Andrea

October 2025

Group trip

2 nights at Manzanita Hill Woodland Camping

We had a wounderful time. From the very start Diana was very responsive. Upon our arrival she got all checked in a familiar with supplies and amenities. I was very impressed by all the small details such as signage and provided materials. Even more so impressed by how much work Diana takes to make the experience comfortable and environmentally sustainable. We got to see some wild turkeys at night and enjoyed looking at her bee hive boxes. Compost toilet was a new one for me and like she promised it was easy, comfortable, and left no smell. It would be a pleasure to stay again!

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Christy

October 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry

We wanted to take our grand babies who are 2 and 9 months on a trial run to see how they liked it and this was the most amazing place to do that trial run. There was a total of 5 adults and 2 little ones and we had so much room to spread out and get comfy. The bathrooms were a little far of a walk for a toddler who potty trained recently but other than that the site had everything we needed and then some. Anything we weren’t sure of and Shantel was right on it helping us out. The first night we caught 46+mile an hour winds dropping the temps into the 30’s but we turned the propane heaters on and hunkered down in the yurts and were just fine. The tree hammocks were a hit for naps and playing with babies. Lots of chairs around the fire and kitchen supplies. We plan to make this a yearly tradition with our family. So pack your clothes and food and head up! Unplug from life and make some memories.

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Joe

September 2025

Weekend Trip to San Diego Canyon Creek

Laura is an excellent host! The site was very well kept, the sounds of nature were relaxing. It’s a very charming cabin. It had every amenity needed, and went above my expectations. Laura was kind to also suggest a spot nearby (Sunrise Highway, Cuyamaca Lake Pub Restaurant, and Old Mining Town) nearby that we went to after departing the cabin and it was a lovely experience. I’m very happy to have stayed here. I really enjoyed cooking here, journaling, and the comfy bed.

Juliet

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Manzanita Hill Woodland Camping

This was probably my favorite Hipcamp stay so far-- it's conveniently located a short drive outside of Julian, but still perfectly quiet and with gorgeous mountain views peeking out behind the trees. With the cozy bedding package and cooking set we felt we had everything we could possibly need out here. Must recommend the hot propane shower too! Our hosts live on the property (with their tiny pup) and were as sweet as can be + very accommodating. Perfect spot to spend a solo weekend with a book, or for a peaceful getaway for two. There's a cot for a third person, and room around the campfire for plenty more if friends camp at the other site. Must, must recommend Manzanita Hill!

Jenifer

August 2025

1 night at San Diego Canyon Creek

Second time staying. It was just as lovely as before.

C

Chelsea

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry

This campground was incredible. Every little detail was thought out, the host was so kind and welcoming, and the tents and hammocks were top notch. I HIGHLY recommend staying here, especially if you have kids. We will definitely be staying here again.

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Graham

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Manzanita Hill Woodland Camping

Lovely site with oak-shaded hang-outs and a private spacious safari tent. Diana was great, super responsive and helpful. Wonderful spot to stay close to Julian. Great for 2 people, a little cramped for 4 maybe but works fine for a family!

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Randy

August 2025

With kids

2 nights at Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry

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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Dawn

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to San Diego Canyon Creek

We had a great time at Laura’s cabin. It had everything we needed. Lots of green and shady spots. It was so nice hearing the crickets and frogs at night.

M

Melissa Juliet

July 2025

5 nights at San Diego Canyon Creek

It was such a cozy beautiful spot. Not far from downtown San Diego! Amenities were great. Can’t wait to come back!

K

Ky

July 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry

Great spot and it was very nice having so many things already set up for you, Shantel checked in on us thru text and we just had to bring our clothes, food, firewood/ice. Some tips for future peeps, showers are near the front of the campground and you need at least 4-7 quarters each time, bring a headlamp the restroom takes a few minutes to walk to, grab some apple from Julian about ~30 min away, but pack up your food so the squirrels don’t get to it while you’re gone. Happy camping! :3

kenny

July 2025

2 nights at San Diego Canyon Creek

Laura was a great host and very friendly. We had a very comfortable stay in the cabin. The Wifi worked very well, so I had no problem doing simple tasks. The entire place had a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The bathroom was also clean and well-maintained. It was nice to have a small market store nearby. And it was a reasonable distance to drive to the national park and San Diego Town. Thank you

M

Manuel

July 2025

2 nights at San Diego Canyon Creek

We had a great stay at the Cabin. Laura was a great Host and so kind. The outdoor kitchen was great and the whole place has a warm and friendly vibe. Would totally recommend it.

C

Culture Shock

July 2025

Weekend Trip to San Diego Canyon Creek

Amazing! Cozy! I’ve recommend to anyone looking for more of a nature outdoor vibe.

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Andrew

July 2025

1 night at San Diego Canyon Creek

This place is so calming and peaceful you will want to stop by and visit for years to come!

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Ashley

July 2025

2 nights at San Diego Canyon Creek

We celebrated our anniversary here and had such a wonderful time! The cabin was cozy and it was great to fall asleep and wake up to the sound of frogs, birds, and other critters. The kitchen area also had everything we needed to cook up dinner and breakfast. Laura was quick to answer any questions we had and it was a perfect distance for our drive to San Diego and La Jolla. Thank you for your hospitality Laura!

Noela

July 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry

We had such a great experience at this campsite! 🏕️ It truly has everything you need — it's clean, well-organized, and thoughtfully set up to make your stay super comfortable. We especially appreciated the little details like the hammocks 🌿🛌 — perfect for relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The private hiking trail on the property was absolutely beautiful 🥾🌄 — it felt like our own little adventure without having to leave the site. We also loved how easy it was to access the bathrooms and hot showers 🚿🚻. Everything was spotless and well-maintained, which made a big difference. If you're looking for a quiet, cozy spot with great amenities and natural beauty ✨🌲, this is the place. We would definitely come back! 🙌💚

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Andrew

July 2025

4 nights at San Diego Canyon Creek

Amazing place to stay! Laura was super nice! The site and cabin were fantastic! I'll be recommending this place to anyone I know can appreciate it!

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Ryan

June 2025

Weekend Trip to San Diego Canyon Creek

I really enjoyed spending a night at Honeycomb cabin. It was very quiet and peaceful. The cabin was clean, there were plenty of amenities and the sounds of the frogs in the creek was incredible. Laura is a great host and I highly recommend recommend!

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liz

June 2025

1 night at San Diego Canyon Creek

“Absolutely loved this tiny cabin! The simplicity and peaceful atmosphere made for such a relaxing stay. The bed was incredibly comfy, and the restroom was spotless and well maintained. Although you can still hear the road, it didn’t bother me at all—it almost added a cozy, tucked-away feeling. All the small, thoughtful touches really made the space feel special. Laura was so kind and welcoming. I’m truly grateful to have found this gem. Thank you again!”