RV full hookups river, stream, or creek camping near Carlsbad

Wicked surfing and oceanside camping sum up adventures near Carlsbad, California.

98% (201 reviews)

United States
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California
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Carlsbad

98% (201 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Carlsbad

Stories from the community

Shai

2 weeks ago

20 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Coastal Rancho Soledad

Another great stay!!! Joel is a super host. Great location to discover San Diego.

8 nights at Coastal Rancho Soledad

Joel is a good guy. He is very accommodating and a pleasure to talk to. Site is eclectic, quiet and very convenient to area attractions, stores, etc. I booked another stay later this month. Slept great!

2 nights at Cottonwood Creek Camp

It is a lovely place. In wine country. I loved the space I chose. It had full hookups. Very clean. I really enjoyed my stay. Very close to Temecula and many things to do. Flowering bushes. It is a space limited area. My rig fit fine. 27 ft travel trailer. Thank you John for the great place to explore!

2 nights at Cottonwood Creek Camp

Incredibly sweet spot smack dab in the center of wine country! We parked our 55 Flying Cloud no problem after turning into the property (good heads up on spotting the entrance - see the pictures they post on that..). Outstanding value for a boutique campground with full hookups! Would return in a minute.

1 night at Cottonwood Creek Camp

Great spot! Safe, easy to get around from and excellent communication from the host, which was speedy and so helpful as we were stuck for a spot to stay for the night after another place fell through.

Weekend Trip to Cottonwood Creek Camp

Another great visit to Temecula and John's little camping spot is so cool. I finally had some time to just hang out at the site for the day. Very chill place.

Weekend Trip to Cottonwood Creek Camp

My second time here. I love it. Nice location. Hookups are cool. Wifi is fast. It's really quiet at night too.

Weekend Trip to Cottonwood Creek Camp

Great place. Conveniently located minutes from the wineries. Easy get away from the bustle of the city.

Weekend Trip to Cottonwood Creek Camp

Great little campground. Quiet and cozy place to stay if you’re spending the days outdoors venturing. Host was great with communication.

12 nights at Cottonwood Creek Camp

The area is amazing. The hood is safe, quiet and very enjoyable and close to town. The host is very responsible and flexible so appreciated that. The camp is a bit tight with others staying there. Took some time but got to like it. You better like dogs cause there are a few roaming around.

7 nights at Coastal Rancho Soledad

Good, quiet and safe place close to everything and Joel is very friendly

8 nights at Cottonwood Creek Camp

Great stay! Great spot! Great hosts! Great wine! Great time! (See other reviews for more detail.)

1 night at Cottonwood Creek Camp

After viewing the pictures on HipCamp we were surprised by the density. However, all the campers were courteous, the sites were clean and level and who could complain about the location!

14 nights at Cottonwood Creek Camp

Stayed here for 2 weeks in a 42’ 5th wheel while visiting our son and really enjoyed our stay. John and Kim were helpful, accommodating and overall great hosts. The RV sites are good size and the full hookups are a plus, however, maneuvering a large 5th wheel and getting backed into the sites is a bit challenging due to the limited area available but John was very helpful spotting for me. Other than the Blue Heelers mentioned in the Hip Camp description and that we only met once, we did have two other dogs hang around camp but were no problem for us or cause any issues. John’s land is close to and just a short drive to many great wineries that we enjoyed as well. Overall a great stay that I would recommend to everyone. Looking forward to our next trip to Temecula and another stay at Cottonwood Creek. Thanks John and Kim!

3 nights at Cottonwood Creek Camp

Loved our stay at Cottonwood creek . So peaceful. We will definitely be back 😊

3 nights at Coastal Rancho Soledad

The was a great spot for us to set-up and explore San Diego. It was also great for the dogs, who could run free in the space and play with all the other camper's dogs. The toilet doesn't have a door and the shower is pretty open, so beware that you'll need a buddy to be on the lookout for people coming by if you're on the shy side.

3 nights at Cottonwood Creek Camp

This great little nook in the heart of wine country delivers as promised! John has a charming setup on about an acre of land, nestled in a small vale between two hills, right in the heart of Temecula Wine Country. The fall colors during our stay were stunning and added to the peaceful ambiance. The campsite is well thought out: the spots are level, the hookups worked perfectly, and the WiFi was surprisingly solid at about 12 Mbps (though I mainly used my Starlink, which had enough open sky for a strong connection). On Friday, I enjoyed a scenic hike at Wilderness Gardens County Park, just 30 minutes away through the Pala reservation. On Saturday, my wife and I had a delightful time wine tasting at local vineyards, a highlight of the trip. One thing to note for first-time visitors: the turn into John’s site off Calle Nopal is easy to miss. The sign is small and partially hidden behind a fence post, so drive carefully and keep an eye out. John is an exceptional host who went above and beyond when I needed help maneuvering my trailer after accidentally pulling into a neighboring property. His kindness and assistance made our stay stress-free. This is a fantastic spot for a quick getaway, and we’ll definitely return for more wine country adventures and relaxation. Highly recommend!

3 top river, stream, or creek campgrounds near Carlsbad

98%

(169)

RV full hookups river, stream, or creek camping near Carlsbad guide

Overview

Lined by the Pacific Ocean, camping near Carlsbad offers opportunities to surf, swim, and dive. Agua Hedionda Lagoon has kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking trails, while both South Carlsbad State Beach and San Elijo State Beach offer RV sites with full hookups with urban amenities nearby, in case something didn’t make it in the suitcase. For lovers of wildlife-watching, the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center invites visitors to explore a 1,000-acre wetland ecological reserve, too. Whether you prefer glamping or setting up camp at an oceanside RV park, Carlsbad in San Diego County is a sunny destination for Hipcampers.

Where to go

South Carlsbad State Beach

Drive about three miles south, past LEGOLAND California, to arrive at (the appropriately named) South Carlsbad State Beach campground. Choose between tent camping or reveling in an oceanside RV park, including RV sites with full hookups—over 200 campsites dot the coastal bluffs. Offering some of the best beach camping in California, South Carlsbad State Beach is a hot spot for swimming, surfing, skin diving, bodyboarding, scuba diving, and other watersports. Near the entrance to the site is the camp store for basic supplies, plus a pizza restaurant.

San Elijo State Beach

Soak in that California sunshine and hang ten—Encinitas in San Diego County, particularly Cardiff-by-the-Sea, is renowned for its gnarly surfing scene. And San Elijo State Beach is right in the heart of it all. One of the most popular breaks is Pipes, particularly great for longboarding. Hit the waves during low to mid-tide for the best experience. Stairs from the cliffside RV park, which allows trailers and motorhomes up to 35 feet, lead straight to the beach. The beach camping site offers showers, bathrooms, electricity, and water but no wifi.

Palomar Mountain State Park

For Hipcampers who prefer tent camping in the woods over beachfront camping by the Pacific Ocean, Palomar Mountain State Park boasts nearly 2,000 acres of hiking trails and mountain vistas surrounded by white fir, canyon live oak, and ponderosa pine trees. The higher elevations average 5,000 feet above sea level, making for a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere in San Diego County. Family-friendly campsites and RV sites include access to bathrooms and showers.

When to go

The best time of year to visit Carlsbad for camping is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and crowds are smaller. The summer months can be quite hot and crowded, while winter can be rainy and chilly. Fall, when the crowds thin out, is also a great time to go surfing. September and October mix the southwest, west, and northwest swells for a variety of beach breaks. That said, the weather near Carlsbad is generally mild year-round, so camping is possible at any time of the year.

Nearby attractions

Escape to Guajome Regional Park for a delightful camping adventure. Set up camp amidst picturesque landscapes, hike scenic trails, and enjoy peaceful moments by the lake. Engage in birdwatching, explore historic sites, and create lasting memories in this serene park.