River, stream, or creek RV camping near Imperial Beach

The area offers everything from private outdoor hideaways to family-friendly campgrounds.

96% (683 reviews)

United States
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California
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Imperial Beach

96% (683 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Imperial Beach

Community favorites near Imperial Beach

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds near Imperial Beach

100%

(11)

Cibbets Flat Campground

25 sites · RVs, Tents In Cleveland National Forest

98%

(25)

Laguna Campground

49 sites · RVs, Tents In Cleveland National Forest

100%

(1)

El Prado Group Campground

5 sites · RVs, Tents In Cleveland National Forest

Great family trip! Kids loved running around the campground.

96%

(16)

Burnt Rancheria Campground

57 sites · RVs, Tents In Cleveland National Forest

Bobcat Meadow Campground

20 sites · RVs, Tents In Cleveland National Forest

Corral Canyon Campground

20 sites · RVs, Tents In Cleveland National Forest

Boulder Oaks Campground

47 sites · RVs, Tents In Cleveland National Forest

Wooded Hill Group Campground

1 site · RV, Tent In Cleveland National Forest

Horse Heaven Group Campground

3 sites · RVs, Tents In Cleveland National Forest

Stories from the community

Victoria

2 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at San Diego Canyon Creek

it was a very a nice place to camp. they had a refrigerator and bathroom to use which came in handy

Weekend Trip to King Creek Campground

We loved our camp ground it is so beautiful there with a little creek and lots of little trails around. Very nice hosts

Weekend Trip to San Diego Canyon Creek

My stay was lovely. Listening to the birds and frogs was incredibly peaceful. Having the outdoor kitchen was so nice! The convenience of the lovely bathroom was exactly what I was looking for in a campsite, so appreciated!

1 night at Wild Seeds Ranch

Very quiet, and has all the creature comforts you need. Convent location. The grounds are like a magical fairy land. Beautiful.

5 nights at Wild Seeds Ranch

My dog & I loved walking around the gorgeous property- so green, lovely flowers, & koi fish! Lexi was absolutely wonderful, everyone on site was so helpful and nice. The fellows campers were very friendly. I used the RV site with an electrical hook up- it was a nice spot, convenient plug in, Lexi sent specific directions to the location. And GREAT price!!! They have a full kitchen, lounge area, & washing machines available. I stayed for an event 30 minutes away and told everyone there about this place. Definitely check it out!!

1 night at King Creek Campground

Absolutely stunning spot surrounded by oak trees. So peaceful and quiet. Could not hear near by campers. Carlotta was so nice and helpful greeting us to our spot. Very enjoyable and I will definitely return!

1 night at King Creek Campground

Great stay at the Flat Rock camp location! The creek down below was making relaxing creek sounds all night. I slept like a rock. I was here solo, looking for a night away from the city. This is the perfect place for some quiet stargazing. Carlotta is an amazingly informative and welcoming host. I recommend bringing a high clearance vehicle coming here because that's what the road calls for. I borrowed my fiance's lifted F150. He just showed me how to drive it the day before and I made it down the switchbacks to the camp location. The 1.5mi drive down was an adventure on its own; for me at least. The truck made the journey down an easy breeze. I couldn't recommend this location more. As a San Diego local, this place will definitely become a regular spot for me. Thank you!

Weekend Trip to King Creek Campground

We loved our camping trip! Went with a group of friends and stayed over Memorial Weekend at Lake Campsite. Had plenty of space for tents, parking, and activities— including lots of shady areas. Bathroom was a pit toilet, well kept and clean. Water was provided in a 5-gal jug (could go up to house to get more) so recommend bringing some extra. Wifi only at the main house, we had 0 service at the site. There was water in the Creek, definitely not enough to swim and we weren’t able to find an area to hangout down by the Creek. Beautiful areas to hike, hosts were super nice and helpful. Would also add that a heavy SUV struggles to get up the driveway, so be mindful of that with car choices. 10/10 would stay again!

1 night at San Diego Canyon Creek

Great dry camping, it was really nice to have hot showers and common kitchen area to wash dishes. The host was also very friendly and welcoming!

Weekend Trip to San Diego Canyon Creek

What a little gem Laura's place was. Close enough to everything bit far enough away. Beautiful surrounding and a symphony of frogs at night. My husband and our dogs fully enjoyed this little camping trip.

3 nights at King Creek Campground

Carlotta and her husband were great hosts and their land was beautiful. We stayed at campsite #4 - Flat Rock, near the creek. It was so relaxing being able to hear the running water from our tent. Each campsite also has an outhouse which came in handy. I would 100% recommend this campground for all campers. P.S. Believe them when they say you’ll need a truck or SUV to get through the dirt roads. It was quite an adventure getting to our space!

Weekend Trip to King Creek Campground

We had an incredible stay and can’t say enough good things about our experience. Carlotta, the host, was absolutely fantastic—punctual, super helpful, and full of great local tips. She gave us a map and recommended some beautiful hikes nearby, which we really appreciated. The campsite itself was everything we hoped for and more: private, peaceful, and surrounded by lush greenery. The shade from the trees made it extra comfortable during the day. We were a group of 19 people, including kids, and there was more than enough space for everyone—plenty of room for tents, a food area, and even a dedicated space for the kids to play. Everyone had a great time, and we’re so happy with the whole experience that we’re already planning to come back soon. Highly recommend!

Weekend Trip to Wild Seeds Ranch

Great spot to camp, very quiet environment super friendly and helpful hosts! Some really good hiking trails nearby. I would definitely come back again!

1 night at San Diego Canyon Creek

Always a pleasure to stay at Laura's place. Very clean and quiet. She is a great host. The outdoor kitchen is great and the little creek makes it very idyllic. Much nicer and cheaper than most other camping spots in this area.

1 night at Wild Seeds Ranch

The people there are super friendly and welcoming. Bathroom and shower were clean. I didn't use the kitchen. I got there after dark and after the host had gone to bed, I don't recommend arriving after dark if possible. It's VERY dark and hard to see. If Im ever back in the area I'd happily stay there again.

2 nights at San Diego Canyon Creek

Our family had such a special time here! We loved falling asleep to the sound of frogs and waking up to cook breakfast in the cozy outdoor kitchen. The location was perfect—close enough for a few days of surfing and a trip to Legoland, yet tucked away in peaceful nature. We have two autistic boys and a 1-year-old just starting to explore the world. This space was incredibly sensory-friendly and calming. The boys could splash, dig, climb, and explore at their own pace. Watching them catch crawlers in the creek while I read Frog and Toad Are Friends was unforgettable—they truly believed the book was written about this very place! Everything was clean, thoughtfully set up, and full of charm. Our toddler was relaxed and engaged the entire stay. It’s rare to find somewhere that feels so safe, enriching, and accommodating for our whole family. We can’t wait to return!

2 nights at King Creek Campground

Carlotta was a super kind host! The land we stayed on was beautiful and well-kept—it was an old boys' scout camp. The property is also only about an hour from San Diego.

Weekend Trip to San Diego Canyon Creek

Everything needed for camping was well thought out, and having a kitchen was a huge comfort for us. The bathroom and toilet were very clean. The internet connection was good. The campsite, located by the water, was very relaxing. The tiny crayfish in the water were a lovely surprise! Laura was also a very kind and attentive host. We only wish we could have stayed longer.

7 nights at Coastal Rancho Soledad

Joel was a great host! His place worked great for us and our RV. Close to Coronado Island and the downtown area

Weekend Trip to King Creek Campground

I recently had the most incredible camping experience, and I have to share my thoughts! From the moment I arrived, the hosts Richard and Carlotta made me feel incredibly welcome and attended to every need we had. The location itself was breathtaking, with places to hike, and a small river. This is hands down the best place I've ever camped, and I can't wait to return!

3 top river, stream, or creek RV sites near Imperial Beach

95%

(330)

San Diego Canyon Creek

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · 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.

95%

(53)

Wild Seeds Ranch

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents4 acres · Dulzura, CA

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 property is off-leash friendly, but you are required to supervise your furry friends at all times. Our residents have several outdoor cats, so you will be required to leash your dog if they are not good with felines.

98%

(652)

King Creek Campground

5 sites · RVs, Tents140 acres · Descanso, CA

Mild seasonal temperature swings, fresh air, clear evening skies for star gazing, the property is in a valley surrounded by the Cleveland National Forest and it was formally used as a 1950's Boys Scouts of America campsite. Our Mom purchased the family property over 40 years ago, and my siblings and I grew-up with weekend trips exploring and camping on the property. With love and respect that all that Mother Nature designs be left wild and free, the more than 100 acres is dispersed with groves of old oak trees, mountains are covered in chaparral and manzanita shrubbery, and seasonal waterfalls, streams, a lake with a dam, dirt roads, and hiking trails. Our family's wish is to share our little bit of heaven on earth property with others who will love it as we do. We are happy to share more about the history of the more than 100 acres when you come up to the property for your next camping adventure. Our property is located in Descanso, California. Descanso is located east of Alpine and west of Pine Valley. Descanso is a small census-designated place in the Cuyamaca Mountains, within the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, California. Elevation: 3,573′Zip code: 91916

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

93%

(82)

Cleveland National Forest

Descanso, California

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

River, stream, or creek RV camping near Imperial Beach guide

Overview

If you're looking for a camping experience near Imperial Beach, California and prefer an RV accommodation near a river, Hipcamp has over 1,200 options for you to choose from. Some of the top campsites include Down-to-Earth Ecoshire (552 reviews), Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch (518 reviews), and PTC (Closed) (390 reviews). The average price per night is $50, but there are options as low as $10. Popular amenities include potable water, cooking equipment, and campfires. Popular activities include wind sports, paddling, and off-roading (OHV).