- Southern California
The best dog-friendly camping in Southern California
93% (3.7K) • 426 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Southern California
Lakeshore Retreat
1. Lakeshore Retreat
95%
(166)
1 site · Tent, RV · Lake Elsinore, CA
Enjoy a private lakefront camping area on Lake Elsinore. You will never get tired of the beautiful sunsets, night sky, or all the water-sports on the lake. Historic downtown is just minutes away where you will find restaurants, and stores all within walking distance. Perfect place for a basecamp for nearby hiking, biking, off-roading. Amenities include private dock, potable water, deluxe porta-potty, fire ring, 2 picnic tables(under a 10' x 10' canopy with water mister), and some shady trees🌴
Toilets
Campfires
Water hookup
from
$72
/ night
Caribbean Mojave Escape
2. Caribbean Mojave Escape
91%
(104)
2 sites · Tents, RVs · Yucca Valley, CA
The Land:
Outstanding views of the west mountains and San Gorgonio. Within 20 minutes from the Joshua Tree National Park and the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. We offer a peaceful place surrounded by several Joshua trees and natural foliage. Amazing sky filled with stars to see in every direction.
The space:
You will be at your own private acre equipped with benches, fire pits (wood no provided) and several solar powdered lights.
Guest access:
Guests will find a metal chain across the entrance used to avoid trespassing, take the unhook the chain to get into the property. Please do not forget to hook it back upon your checkout.
The property counts with 2 campsites - A & B, and each guest will be assigned with either one accordingly at the time of the booking confirmation.
Other things to note:
We encourage our guests to pack in their trash and take it with them, as trash cans are not provided to avoid wild animals on the property and the wind to blow the trash out.
Also, please make sure to clip the chain back to the post on the main entrance before you leave to avoid trespassing.
A portable toilet is provided to our guests for their convenience.
Toilets
Campfires
from
$53
/ night
NowHere Drive Inn
3. NowHere Drive Inn
92%
(114)
5 sites · Lodging · CA
Escape the city and immerse yourself in nature with our camping experience at a beautiful 5-acre piece of land near Joshua Tree National Park. Our campground is perfect for artists, couples, or first-time campers looking for a rustic and affordable getaway.
Our Camp Features:
- Campgrounds with vintage campers and structures
- Basic amenities provided: communal area with shade, tubs for cooling off, and a bath tub (wood heating required).
- Camping experience without electricity: embrace off-grid living. Solar lights and lanterns for lights. Portable batteries available for charging devices.
-Propane stove provided for cooking. French press available with Coffee & Tea (please bring drinking water). Kitchen essentials like pots & pans, utensils etc provided.
- Propane shower (hot water) available in the common lounge area
- Bring your own sleeping bags and blankets (check the weather prior to arrival) We are happy to provide extra blankets, just ask!
- Peaceful and secluded location, only 15 minutes from the north entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.
- Ideal for those seeking a simple and affordable camping experience
Please note that this is camping, not glamping, so come prepared for a back-to-nature adventure. Join us for a unique and immersive outdoor experience at our cozy campground.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$58
/ night
Bombay Beach
4. Bombay Beach
4 sites · Lodging · Niland, CA
Various unique homes and trailers are spread throughout Bombay Beach.
Bombay Beach, California, is a tiny, offbeat community on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea. Once a mid-century vacation hotspot, it now stands as a surreal desert outpost where the decaying remnants of its glamorous past meet striking, experimental art installations.
Known for its haunting beauty, stark landscapes, and vibrant creative scene, Bombay Beach attracts artists, dreamers, and curious travelers seeking an otherworldly blend of nostalgia and avant-garde culture.
Toilets
Showers
Wifi
from
$72
/ night
The Lodge at Deer Creek
5. The Lodge at Deer Creek
90%
(119)
2 sites · Tents, RVs · Malibu, CA
At The Lodge at Deer Creek you'll be nestled between the majestic Santa Monica Mountains and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Enjoy sunsets and stargazing from this 25 acre ocean view property. During the day you can swim or surf the famous Malibu waves, hike or bike in the mountains, or enjoy shopping at Pt. Dume or Cross Creek.
Grocery, restaurants, and retail are just 15 minutes away along the beautiful coast.
from
$75
/ night
93% (3.7K) • 426 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Southern California
Lakeshore Retreat
1. Lakeshore Retreat
95%
(166)
1 site · Tent, RV · Lake Elsinore, CA
Enjoy a private lakefront camping area on Lake Elsinore. You will never get tired of the beautiful sunsets, night sky, or all the water-sports on the lake. Historic downtown is just minutes away where you will find restaurants, and stores all within walking distance. Perfect place for a basecamp for nearby hiking, biking, off-roading. Amenities include private dock, potable water, deluxe porta-potty, fire ring, 2 picnic tables(under a 10' x 10' canopy with water mister), and some shady trees🌴
Toilets
Campfires
Water hookup
from
$72
/ night
Caribbean Mojave Escape
2. Caribbean Mojave Escape
91%
(104)
2 sites · Tents, RVs · Yucca Valley, CA
The Land:
Outstanding views of the west mountains and San Gorgonio. Within 20 minutes from the Joshua Tree National Park and the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. We offer a peaceful place surrounded by several Joshua trees and natural foliage. Amazing sky filled with stars to see in every direction.
The space:
You will be at your own private acre equipped with benches, fire pits (wood no provided) and several solar powdered lights.
Guest access:
Guests will find a metal chain across the entrance used to avoid trespassing, take the unhook the chain to get into the property. Please do not forget to hook it back upon your checkout.
The property counts with 2 campsites - A & B, and each guest will be assigned with either one accordingly at the time of the booking confirmation.
Other things to note:
We encourage our guests to pack in their trash and take it with them, as trash cans are not provided to avoid wild animals on the property and the wind to blow the trash out.
Also, please make sure to clip the chain back to the post on the main entrance before you leave to avoid trespassing.
A portable toilet is provided to our guests for their convenience.
Toilets
Campfires
from
$53
/ night
NowHere Drive Inn
3. NowHere Drive Inn
92%
(114)
5 sites · Lodging · CA
Escape the city and immerse yourself in nature with our camping experience at a beautiful 5-acre piece of land near Joshua Tree National Park. Our campground is perfect for artists, couples, or first-time campers looking for a rustic and affordable getaway.
Our Camp Features:
- Campgrounds with vintage campers and structures
- Basic amenities provided: communal area with shade, tubs for cooling off, and a bath tub (wood heating required).
- Camping experience without electricity: embrace off-grid living. Solar lights and lanterns for lights. Portable batteries available for charging devices.
-Propane stove provided for cooking. French press available with Coffee & Tea (please bring drinking water). Kitchen essentials like pots & pans, utensils etc provided.
- Propane shower (hot water) available in the common lounge area
- Bring your own sleeping bags and blankets (check the weather prior to arrival) We are happy to provide extra blankets, just ask!
- Peaceful and secluded location, only 15 minutes from the north entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.
- Ideal for those seeking a simple and affordable camping experience
Please note that this is camping, not glamping, so come prepared for a back-to-nature adventure. Join us for a unique and immersive outdoor experience at our cozy campground.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$58
/ night
Bombay Beach
4. Bombay Beach
4 sites · Lodging · Niland, CA
Various unique homes and trailers are spread throughout Bombay Beach.
Bombay Beach, California, is a tiny, offbeat community on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea. Once a mid-century vacation hotspot, it now stands as a surreal desert outpost where the decaying remnants of its glamorous past meet striking, experimental art installations.
Known for its haunting beauty, stark landscapes, and vibrant creative scene, Bombay Beach attracts artists, dreamers, and curious travelers seeking an otherworldly blend of nostalgia and avant-garde culture.
Toilets
Showers
Wifi
from
$72
/ night
The Lodge at Deer Creek
5. The Lodge at Deer Creek
90%
(119)
2 sites · Tents, RVs · Malibu, CA
At The Lodge at Deer Creek you'll be nestled between the majestic Santa Monica Mountains and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Enjoy sunsets and stargazing from this 25 acre ocean view property. During the day you can swim or surf the famous Malibu waves, hike or bike in the mountains, or enjoy shopping at Pt. Dume or Cross Creek.
Grocery, restaurants, and retail are just 15 minutes away along the beautiful coast.
from
$75
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
Brett
2 weeks ago
Tent
Grateful for Claribel and the quiet remote spot we had to stay at for 2 nights. Great spot to get if (like us) you can't get a spot inside JTNP [they were fully booked]... explored the region and kept on rolling west... would there stay again!
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S
Sophie
2 weeks ago
18 ft campervan
Beautiful spot! It’s very relaxing. We made a fire and slept what felt like in the middle of nature.
Toilet was very clean.
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l
lin
3 weeks ago
13 ft pop-up camper
With pets
Beautiful views, had a great time camping on Ed's land. Private dock was a plus
See moreC
Christian
November 2025
Tent
With pets
Once again, we had an awesome stay. Thanks again for everything Ed.
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K
Kc
November 2025
1 night at NowHere Drive Inn
most beautiful time here:) it's so relaxing to be so in the elements. note that it's secluded, but not entirely remote (around 10-15 mins inward from the main road), which was actually great for us because 1, we were in a passenger car, and 2, we forgot some key things like firewood etc and it was easy to be back and forth.
windy is extremely responsive if you have any questions and makes the whole experience extremely comfortable!!! cannot recommend this place more, only wish i was able to stay for longer.
See moreJ
Jeanette
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
Stayed here during Thanksgiving and truly had the most relaxing time. We loved it so much we booked for the spring. Thanks Ed!
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Yasemen
November 2025
Tent
With kids
The private campsite had a clean bathroom, and the host was very thoughtful and kind with their messages. We really liked the setup overall.
But after around 9–10 PM, there were so many dog noises that it became really hard to get my little girls to sleep in the tent. At one point we almost packed up and left, because we kept hearing 10–15 different sounds and we honestly couldn’t tell if they were dogs, coyotes, or something else. It felt like they might come close to the tent, and that really scared us.
We also noticed what looked like dog urine around the site. We’re not pet owners, so that was uncomfortable for us. It could have been from wild coyotes, so I don’t want to blame the host, but the nonstop dog/coyote noises went on for hours and we couldn’t sleep.
There were also a lot of motorcycles in the area, and some were riding even late at night.
We left the campsite cleaner than we found it, but unfortunately, because of the nighttime dog/coyote noises, we don’t think we would return.
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B
Berkay
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
We had an amazing time camping at Ed’s place near Lake Elsinore!
The site was clean, peaceful, and easy to find. The sunset view over the lake was absolutely beautiful, and the stars at night were incredible.
Ed was a great host—he gave clear directions and even checked in to make sure we had everything we needed.
Highly recommend this spot for families or anyone who wants a quiet getaway close to nature.
See moreA
Ariel
November 2025
Tent
Nice property near the lake clean porta potty. Ed is very responsive and a good host.
See moreM
Michael
November 2025
20 ft Class B
With pets
Great spot lake front. The view is fantastic. Like other reviews, it is close to the road. The lights on pergola was a nice touch. I would stay again.
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K
Kelsa
November 2025
Weekend Trip to NowHere Drive Inn
Host was very responsive & we had a great time!! It felt remote enough but safe & super close to the national park. The bed fit my friend and myself, but I’d probably bring a tent if more than two people were coming :-)
See moreC
Christopher
October 2025
2 nights at NowHere Drive Inn
This was one of the best hip camp experiences I’ve ever had!! Host was very informative, trailer was comfy and cool as ice! Location was private and beautiful! Only 15 min away from Joshua Tree Park entrance! I would 1000% recommend this stay to anyone.
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Scott
October 2025
16 ft car
It was in the same area as the Highway 62 Art Tour sites (weekends Oct 1 - 21) and not far from Joshua Tree National Park. There are a couple of houses within 1/2 mile. I enjoyed staying there and the dark night sky and the stars.
See moreS
Saud
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
The Place is absolutely gorgeous.
Very clean and private with great parking spots for non 4X4 vehicles.
Port potty was clean.
You can park your vehicle on the shore although I wouldn’t advise it for non 4X4 vehicles.
The only con I would say is that it’s so close to the street that you can hear the cars go by but it was okay.
There is everything you need in 5 minute drive radius, so don’t worry if you forget anything.
The host is super friendly and responsive.
Definitely coming back again.
See moreN
Noah
October 2025
Weekend Trip to NowHere Drive Inn
Super responsive host. Lovely site and locations. Really well maintained. Highly recommend!
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M
Mark
October 2025
Tent
My spot was lovely and quiet. Watching the cloud/fog layer creep over the mountain tops in view during sunrises and sunsets was wonderful.
Chris' knowledge of the human and natural history of the area was profound.
If you need a getaway from the city that is close by, this is the place.
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T
Tanya
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
Beautiful sunrises & sunsets! Enjoyed watching the birds around the lake.
See moreT
Trudell
September 2025
Tent
Fun spot, close to the road but nicely tucked away and thoughtfully laid out. Some road noise but nothing crazy. Porta potty was clean and the lighted canopy with misters was a nice touch. Loved the private dock. Close to shopping, too. Thanks, Ed!
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Evelyn
September 2025
With pets
It was a very relaxing trip and I got to see the most beautiful star-filled sky I’ve ever seen in my life
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D
Delaney
September 2025
15 ft campervan
With pets
Easy to find with helpful directions. Gorgeous views, and quiet location. Only 10-15 mins from the coast, it was perfect for us in our camper van.
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Exploring the beautiful vast landscapes with friends, family, or a solo adventure will be an experience you won’t soon forget.