98% (1.2K)
Top-rated campgrounds near Vista
98% (1.2K)
Top-rated campgrounds near Vista
Public campgrounds near Vista
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
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Madeline
2 weeks ago
3 nights at Splitrock Farm and Retreat
The view was stunning, the bus was comfy and was an added part of the experience for sure. Every morning I was woken up by the running of the goats lol. They would stop sometimes and hang out as well. Had a lovely solo camping trip here and would definitely return again!
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Janille
2 weeks ago
Tent
This place is so great. I want gatekeep but also tell everyone about it. This campsite in particular was very secluded, but still within walking distance of toilet. Granite Tabernacle had two campfires and the space it was in was so big there was so much room for activities. The animals walking around were so cute and the views were beautiful. The bathroom/showers were much cleaner than expected. The shower didn’t get warm but I got used to it eventually. The road leading up to each of the campsites did feel a little scary driving up, but I’m sure most cars can get there. Interacted with just a few people that worked there, but everyone was nice. The loop around the grounds was about 30 minutes walking and was nice to scope out potential next stays, which I definitely will be doing next year!
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Dominic
3 weeks ago
Tent
Got there at night didn’t really know where to go. Great spot had a good time.
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Alyssa
3 weeks ago
24 ft Class C
Group trip
Had an amazing time!! The property is so beautiful and absolutely loved all the goats roaming around the sites. Outdoor shower?!? Yes please! Had great water pressure too :)
Very quick communication with Ben regarding any and all questions. Only issue with our specific site was very little level ground for tents but we made it work!
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Andrea
3 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Such a beautiful campground! We’ve never been to one quite like it. Lush green and trees everywhere. Exploring different sites was an adventure, each one with a unique setup. It was an incredible experience being there with all the beautiful goats too! Really looking forward to our next visit!
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Brittany
3 weeks ago
3 nights at Splitrock Farm and Retreat
Magical! Great response from host when I had questions before & after booking about what to bring. The VW bus was nice and warm at the end of November. Absolutely adored the goats: super sweet. I loved seeing ALL the animals there. There was not one thing I didn’t love about this campsite: private, lovely views, bathroom within close walking distance, literally all the things. 5/5 stars, 100% would do again.
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Kimberly
3 weeks ago
12 ft Class B
With pets
Great camping place. Its a beautiful piece of property, amazing sunsets, very peaceful, facilities were clean and in good order. We were at the Granite Gulch site and it was awesome, plenty of space, private, convenient to toilet. The goats were cute, a plus if you love animals. We will definitely be back.
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Courtney
3 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
What an awesome weekend with family and friends! Splitrock Farm and Retreat was a joy! Remote, but not too far from others campers and Fallbrook, it was a great escape for tent camping. Host was communicative and the team on site was lovely.
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Rachel
3 weeks ago
Tent
Amazing place! We loved it. Easy to find and easy to find a spot. Peaceful and adventurous
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Kenneth
3 weeks ago
20 ft Class B
With kids
Great views. Well kept. Family friendly. I will come back in the future.
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Morgan
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Granite Mountain
Great location. Our visit was nice and peaceful. We were initially concerned with the tiny heater that was provided but we found that it worked great, we even had to turn it off halfway through the night. The Eagle Nest has a great view while still being secluded in the rocks and Manzanita.
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Nina
November 2025
Tent
With pets
We only stayed one night, but plan to come back again! It felt peaceful and safe. We saw goats roaming around too!
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Fernanda
November 2025
Tent
We visited during Thanksgiving and it was even better than I expected: truly fantastic! The place is peaceful, relaxing, and surrounded by nature, wildlife, and beautiful views. I’m already looking forward to coming back!
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Sophia
November 2025
Tent
What a hidden gem! This place is incredible, the photos don’t do it justice. Campsites are spread out and private, amenities are good. It’s so fun to have goats walking around
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JY
November 2025
16 ft car
Our current favorite spot to camp!
Definitely will be back.
Clean bathrooms, campsites and it felt super safe.
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Jacob
November 2025
Tent
The land and setups are truly spectacular, for a place so beautiful you really can have every amenity you could possibly want. The individual sites are absolutely worth it, and the visits from the goats and dog are something special. It can feel cramped on the busy days in the communal areas but there are tons of sites.
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Bob
November 2025
Tent
With pets
Surprisingly, secluded among the metropolitan city. Great memories thank you.
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Lisa
November 2025
Tent
With pets
Loved this campground! Was even nicer and prettier in person (maybe because we went after a lot of rain too). The host is super responsive and you might see him leading a group of goats and an alpaca on a hike in the mornings. Our kids loved that. This is like real camping though, so be prepared for all that comes with nature. We still have cell reception out there but there is no electricity. Bathrooms and showers are limited and are a bit of a walk and may be scary at night time with the coyotes howling. There are definitely other sites closer to the bathrooms and showers but we loved the remoteness and views at tabernacle. Can’t wait for our next visit!
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Thomas
November 2025
Tent
With pets
Great campsite. We stayed until thanksgiving morning so there wasn’t a ton of people. It’s a beautiful area and we loved it. I’d come here again for sure!
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Jonathan
November 2025
Tent
My son and I did a quick "get away" camp to Splitrock and booked the Hilltop Hideaway. Because it was our first adventure here we only relied on reviews to figure out what site to chose and to get a sense of the property itself. Having just retruned I can say we were absolutely blown away and had an amazing time.
My son confirmed that after having been to about 110 campouts together in California (including Big Sur, Napa, San Elijo, etc.) this by far was our favorite and the most spectacular of them all. Reasons being many including insane views, privacy of site, beautiful property, A+ bathroom and shower situation, and the big kicker being the friendly animals and how well the roads and sites are taken care of.
Just can't say enough good things about the place and so thankful we got a chance to stay. Plan is to make it a regular excursion until he no longer wants to go with his dad!
See moreNearby public parks
Browse national and state parks near Vista
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Where to go
Vista Surrounds
One of Vista’s most popular attractions is the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, which features native California plants, a butterfly habitat, and nature paths. RV travelers will find a good selection of private campsites and RV parks with full hookups around Vista and nearby Encinitas. The closest beach park to Vista is Cardiff State Beach, a classic SoCal surf spot with swimming areas.
South Carlsbad State Beach
For the closest beach camping, head to South Carlsbad State Beach. The blufftop campground has tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings, plus access to restrooms, showers, and a dump station.
San Elijo State Beach
San Elijo State Beach is another great beach camping option south of Vista in Encinitas. This 2-mile-long section of Pacific Ocean beach has a large campground and quick access to stores and restaurants in Cardiff.
Palomar Mountain State Park
For a break from the beach, head inland to Palomar Mountain State Park. This Peninsular Range park has multiple campgrounds and an average elevation of 5,000 feet, allowing for cooler weather and unique flora like cedar and Doug fir trees. Miles of hiking and mountain biking trails traverse the park, and the nearby Palomar Mountain Observatory offers public tours. Keep an eye out for mule deer, coyotes, and red-shouldered hawks when visiting.
When to go
Vista’s temperate climate makes it a good camping choice year-round. Beach campgrounds tend to book out well in advance during the summer season, so plan ahead. It’s also a good idea to monitor weather for summer heat waves around Vista and winter freezes in the mountains just outside of town. Whale watching season runs from late winter to early spring when gray whales pass through the area. Spring visitors may also witness wildflower blooms.