The best safari tent rentals near Lake Elsinore, California

Perched in the foothills below Los Pinos Peak, Lake Elsinore is a resort town developed around a freshwater lake popular for swimming and boating—perfect for camping enthusiasts. The wider area is even more scenic, with nearby Walker Canyon and Lake Perris also pulling their weight. Cleveland National Forest serves as a wonderland of outdoor beauty and adventure, while the Ortega Highway leads campers and RVers to San Juan Capistrano and the Southern California coast. The entire region is widely recognized for maintaining the natural beauty of its abundant open space, with campgrounds to be found all over.

83% (67)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Splitrock - Branch Out Glamping

79%

(7)

19mi from Lake Elsinore · 6 sites · Lodging · Fallbrook, CA

Nestled in the scenic coastal mountains of Southern California, Splitrock Farm & Retreat offers a serene escape just minutes from downtown Fallbrook. This 101-acre retreat features breath taking views of Mt. Palomar and the Pacific horizon, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a welcoming farm environment with free-roaming animals. Conveniently located near Temecula’s wine country, the Santa Margarita River Trail, and the Santa Rosa Plateau, it’s a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts and wellness seekers alike.

2. Eco Glamping Private Safari Tent

99%

(78)

31mi from Lake Elsinore · 3 sites · Lodging · Vista, CA

After relocating from South Africa to Southern California we searched to find the perfect property to enjoy endless mountain, ocean and sunset views and a property that was fertile enough to be able to grow our own organic food. Now that we've found and enjoy our dream property we wanted to share it in a unique and exciting way by incorporating our African background and created this Safari Eco Tent so that passionate eco minded campers can also experience this stunning property. Unplug, Relax and Unwind in this Luxury African Safari Eco tent complete with solar hot water shower, rain water catchment, state of the art compost toilet, solar electric, full bathroom kitchen & Eco Heater. Experience a bit of Africa on this 2½ acre organic property surrounded by South African Protea flowers, native sages and fruit trees. Fall asleep in your luxury queen size bed with beautiful linens and awaken to the sounds of nature, enjoy nearby beaches, Temecula wineries, Safari Park & outstanding local Vista micro breweries.

Perched in the foothills below Los Pinos Peak, Lake Elsinore is a resort town developed around a freshwater lake popular for swimming and boating—perfect for camping enthusiasts. The wider area is even more scenic, with nearby Walker Canyon and Lake Perris also pulling their weight. Cleveland National Forest serves as a wonderland of outdoor beauty and adventure, while the Ortega Highway leads campers and RVers to San Juan Capistrano and the Southern California coast. The entire region is widely recognized for maintaining the natural beauty of its abundant open space, with campgrounds to be found all over.

83% (67)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Splitrock - Branch Out Glamping

79%

(7)

19mi from Lake Elsinore · 6 sites · Lodging · Fallbrook, CA

Nestled in the scenic coastal mountains of Southern California, Splitrock Farm & Retreat offers a serene escape just minutes from downtown Fallbrook. This 101-acre retreat features breath taking views of Mt. Palomar and the Pacific horizon, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a welcoming farm environment with free-roaming animals. Conveniently located near Temecula’s wine country, the Santa Margarita River Trail, and the Santa Rosa Plateau, it’s a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts and wellness seekers alike.

2. Eco Glamping Private Safari Tent

99%

(78)

31mi from Lake Elsinore · 3 sites · Lodging · Vista, CA

After relocating from South Africa to Southern California we searched to find the perfect property to enjoy endless mountain, ocean and sunset views and a property that was fertile enough to be able to grow our own organic food. Now that we've found and enjoy our dream property we wanted to share it in a unique and exciting way by incorporating our African background and created this Safari Eco Tent so that passionate eco minded campers can also experience this stunning property. Unplug, Relax and Unwind in this Luxury African Safari Eco tent complete with solar hot water shower, rain water catchment, state of the art compost toilet, solar electric, full bathroom kitchen & Eco Heater. Experience a bit of Africa on this 2½ acre organic property surrounded by South African Protea flowers, native sages and fruit trees. Fall asleep in your luxury queen size bed with beautiful linens and awaken to the sounds of nature, enjoy nearby beaches, Temecula wineries, Safari Park & outstanding local Vista micro breweries.

Stories from the community

B

Ben

3 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Eco Glamping Private Safari Tent

The tent and site were great! Lauri was communicative and friendly!

D

Darin

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Eco Glamping Private Safari Tent

We absolutely loved this spot. Every detail on the site made us feel like we were in our own oasis. So thoughtfully done and I can’t recommend this site enough!

B

Brenda

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Splitrock - Branch Out Glamping

We had a fantastic weekend at Split Rock! Despite the rain every day, we managed to relax and recharge. Pros: The tent was spacious, the fire pit was a nice touch, and the area was wonderfully quiet. It was just a quick 20-second walk to the bathroom and shower, plus the views were stunning. We even had some fun encounters with farm animals (skip paying for the service, though). Everything we needed for cooking was available on-site, and the sound of rain on the canvas tent was soothing. The dirt paths were well-maintained and free of debris. Cons: We did face some challenges with Branch Out Glamping regarding a late check-in (there's no key to pick up). We noticed mouse droppings on the bed pillows and under the bed, and even saw one scurry across the floor late at night. For more privacy, I recommend using the showers by the office, as the one closest to our site was poorly constructed. There was also a missing chair by the fire pit (the pictures showed two loungers), and the bed was quite firm (if you like extra support, you might appreciate it). The next campsite was about 20 yards away, so if it's occupied, be aware they can hear everything happening at your site. Lastly, there was no place to charge electronics; BOG mentioned a communal area for phone charging, but the office staff said that wasn't true. I know this may sound like nitpicking, but don't let that fool you. We had an incredible time and plan to return soon.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best safari tents near Lake Elsinore guide

Where to go

Walker Canyon

Just north of town, the Walker Canyon Trail is popular for wildflower spotting in late winter and early spring, although Lake Elsinore has closed the trail during recent superblooms to combat excessive crowding. If it’s safe to visit, the Walker Canyon hills may be covered with the California state flower, painting the hills orange, green, and tan for visitors camping nearby.

Lake Perris State Recreation Area

About 40 minutes’ drive from Lake Elsinore, Lake Perris State Recreation Area is a larger waterfront spot offering camping facilities to go along with boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking along the shores.

Ortega Highway (State Route 74)

Ortega Highway connects Lake Elsinore to San Juan Capistrano with scenic pullouts and campgrounds along the way. The Spanish mission, established in 1776, is considered one of California’s most picturesque sights, and the area is recognized by wildlife enthusiasts for hosting “the swallows of Capistrano” on March 19 each year, when migrating swallows briefly pause on their seasonal journey. San Onofre State Beach is just an additional 15 minutes down I-5 from San Juan Capistrano, offering coastal camping with ocean views.

Palomar Mountain State Park & Cleveland National Forest

A bit over an hour’s drive southeast of Lake Elsinore via Temecula, Palomar Mountain State Park offers campgrounds surrounded by scenic views, birdwatching opportunities, and nighttime stargazing. Cleveland National Forest is right there too, with designating campsites, dispersed camping, and hiking trails. Keep going to hit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, known for its vast desert landscapes, wildflower blooms, and campsites.

Mount San Jacinto State Park

Mount San Jacinto State Park is all about hiking—the 10,834-foot peak is the second highest mountain range in Southern California, after all. This park sits about 90 minutes’ drive from Lake Elsinore and houses a number of drive-in and hike-in campsites. From Palm Springs, take the aerial tramway to reach the park's higher elevations without the hike. Otherwise, charming Idyllwild is also nearby, a mountain town full of campsites and cabins near rock climbing and area hikes.

San Bernardino National Forest

Situated about 1.5 hours northeast of Lake Elsinore, San Bernardino National Forest is another popular spot for campers thanks to a huge number of fishing spots, hiking trails, and dispersed camping opportunities.