There are many campgrounds in Orange County for outdoor enthusiasts looking to find a place to pitch a tent and relax in the great outdoors.
From bluff tops overlooking the beach to hidden backcountry gems, Orange County has something for everyone – even the glampers. Here’s a list of campgrounds in Orange County for you to explore.
Bolsa Chica State Beach
17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Bolsa Chica State Beach offers beachfront camping for RVs, trailers, and motor homes. There is no tent camping at Bolsa Chica. Camp sites are located in the paved lot in front of the sandy Orange County beach with views of the crashing waves and Catalina Island in the distance.
There are more than 50 campsites with water and electric hookups. Campers at Bolsa Chica have access to restrooms with flush toilets, outdoor showers, and picnic tables. There are 200 first-come first-serve fire rings for bon fires on the sand that can be used daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Campers are also conveniently located directly in front of the paved beach path that spans just over eight miles of shoreline between Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beach.
There is a visitor center located in the Lifeguard Headquarters near the camp sites that features educational and informative exhibits. Across PCH, the Bolsa Chica Wetlands offer hiking trails and an additional interpretive center to explore.
Features & Amenities
- Family Campsites
- RV sites, hookups, and dump station
- Bike trails
- Hiking Trails
- Picnic area
- Visitor Centers
- Environmental Education
- Interpretive Exhibits
- Fishing
- Beach Access
- Swimming, surfing, windsurfing
- Family Programs
- Geocaching
- Food Service
- Parking
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Potable Water
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Beach Wheelchair available for use
Caspers Wilderness Park
33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Campgrounds: Ortega Flats Campground, Live Oak Grove Campground, Starr Mesa Equestrian Campground, Owl/Quail Group Campground
Caspers Wilderness Park is the biggest park in the OC Parks System with 8,000 acres of protected area in the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. Campers will enjoy groves of Live Oak and California Sycamore, wildflowers, running streams, and views of local wildlife like the mule deer that frequent the area. Caspers is open to equestrians for both riding and camping, but dogs are not allowed at this campground or on the trails.
Caspers has multiple campsites for both individual and group camping with access for tents, trailers, and RVs. Campers have access to indoor restrooms with flush toilets and running water as well as showers in the Live Oak and Owl & Quail campgrounds.
There are many trails with something for everyone from beginning hikers looking for an easy walk in the wilderness to difficult hikes for experienced outdoor enthusiasts. For information about trail access and difficulty levels, head to the Nature Center to pick up a map and speak with a ranger. The interpretive center also features activities for kids and informational exhibits. Caspers also has a playground for the kids to enjoy located near the San Juan Meadow Group Area.
Features & Amenities
- Amphitheater
- Barbeques/Fire Rings
- Bicycling/Bike Trails
- Camping-Family Group: RV electrical hookups available
- Dump Station
- Equestrian Camping
- Equestrian Trails
- Family Picnic Area
- Hiking Trails
- Interpretive Center: Open Saturday & Sundays only, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Interpretive Programs
- Playground/Tot Lot
- Restrooms
- Scenic Overlook
- Showers
Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest Campgrounds are more primitive in nature and are located in the Santa Ana Mountains. The Orange County portion of the forest is managed by the Trabuco Ranger District and is bisected by Ortega Highway and includes Ortega Highway Area and San Mateo Wilderness South Area.
All campgrounds are first come first serve and feature vault toilets and potable water. Blue Jay Campground is the largest of the campgrounds here, with 50 sites. All campgrounds have access to hiking trails. Be sure to check the status of the campgrounds as some have been temporarily closed due to recent fires in the area. Follow the links below to learn more about the campgrounds in Cleveland National Forest.
Ortega Highway Area
San Mateo Wilderness South Area
Crystal Cove State Park
8471 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California 92651
Campgrounds: Lower Moro, Upper Moro, Deer Canyon
Crystal Cove State Park is in Laguna Beach along Coast Highway. There are two camping options at Crystal Cove, Moro Campground or primitive camping. Moro Campground has 58 campsites for varying degrees of RVs, trailers, and tents. The campground is located on the bluffs with several campsites offering ocean views. Campers at Moro Campground have access to restrooms with flush toilets and sinks, showers, and picnic areas.
There are walking trails and paved roads that offer easy beach access. There are three primitive backcountry campgrounds that are hike-in only – Lower Moro, Upper Moro, and Deer Canyon. They range in distance from 2.25 miles to 3.15 miles away from the parking lot. There are portable toilets located at the backcountry campgrounds but there is no potable water and dogs are not allowed. You must pack all belongings in, and pack all belongings and trash out of these campsites.
Features & Amenities
- Boating
- Environmental Campsites
- Family and Primitive Camping
- Lodging
- RV campsites with hookups
- Dump station
- Biking and Hiking Trails
- Horseback riding
- Historical sites
- Picnic tables
- Primitive campgrounds with beach access
- Environments exhibits
- Fishing
- Docent-led tours
- Scuba Diving and snorkeling
- Beach access
- Nature & Wildlife Viewing
- Windsurfing
- Surfing
- Family Programming
- Geocaching
- Food Service
- Restrooms and showers
- Drinking Water
- Wheelchair Accessible
Doheny State Beach
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive Dana Point, CA 92629
Doheny State Beach is located in Dana Point, is a popular surf spot, and plays host to many large events including the Ohana Festival and the KROQ Weenie Roast. Doheny features a 5-acre lawn, great spots for exploring tide pools, and a visitors center with aquariums. Doheny has 113 campsites that accommodate tents and RVs, 33 of the spaces are beachfront. Campers have access to hot showers, restrooms with flush toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Dogs are allowed at Doheny but must be on leash at all times and are not allowed on the beach.
Features & Amenities
- Campsites
- Dump station
- RV access
- Hiking and biking trails
- Historical and cultural site
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center with informational exhibits
- Educational programs
- Fishing
- Beach area
- Swimming
- Nature area & wildlife viewing
- Windsurfing
- Surfing
- Geocaching
- Food services
- Parking
- Restrooms and showers
- Potable water
- Wheelchair accessible
Newport Dunes
1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Located in the Back Bay in Newport Beach, Newport Dunes is less camping and more Glamping. Choose from camping with a fully equipped RV or stay in one of the beach cottages here. There are a variety of luxurious amenities including high speed internet, power outlets, a waterpark with inflatable waterslides, watercraft rentals, a waveless lagoon, pools and hot tubs, private beach cabanas, movies on the beach, and so much more. For a full description of all the events, amenities, features and to make reservations, visit the Newport Dunes website.
O’Neill Regional Park – Arroyo Campground
30892 Trabuco Canyon Road Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
O’Neill Regional Park is a 4,500-acre property in the Trabuco and Live Oak canyons with seasonal creeks, groves of oak and sycamore trees, and 23 miles of trails to explore while hiking, biking, or horseback riding. RV and tent camping is available here, with 79 campsites including eight group campsites. There are five equestrian sites with horse corrals, fire pits, and barbecues.
Campers at O’Neill will find restrooms with flush toilets, potable water, hot showers, and an interpretive center with educational exhibits and information about family programs, ranger-led hikes, and hands-on activities. Dogs are allowed in the camping area on leash and are permitted on the Mesa Trail but are not welcome in other areas of the park.
Features & Amenities
- Amphitheater
- BBQs and fire rings
- Hiking, biking, and equestrian trails
- Individual, equestrian, and group campsites
- Conference room
- Dogs permitted on-leash in campground and on all paved trails.
- Dump Station
- Equestrian arena and pens
- Picnic areas
- Horseshoe pits
- Interpretive center & programs
- Playground
- Restrooms and showers
- Covered picnic shelter with tables
San Clemente State Beach
225W. Calafia Ave San Clemente, CA 92672
San Clemente State Beach is one of the most popular spots for camping and recreational activities. There are 160 bluff top campsites for groups of varying sizes that include fire rings and picnic tables. There are restrooms and running water available. Water and electric hookups for RVs are available at 72 spots. Group sites can accommodate up to 50 people each. San Clemente campsites are perched on the bluffs above the ocean with trails that lead down to the beach. This is an ideal spot for water-sports enthusiasts and campers can enjoy a variety of activities including surfing, fishing, paddle boarding, snorkeling, hiking, and more.
Features & Amenities
- Group & family campsites
- RV access with hookups and dump station on site
- Hiking and biking trails
- Historical/cultural site
- Picnic areas
- Interpretive center with exhibits and programs
- Fishing
- Scuba Diving and snorkeling
- Beach access
- Swimming, surfing, and windsurfing
- Nature and wildlife viewing
- Geocaching
- Parking
- Restrooms and outdoor showers
- Drinking Water
San Onofre State Beach
Bluffs: 5200 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, San Clemente, CA 92672
San Mateo Campground: 830 Cristianitos, San Clemente CA, 92672
San Onofre State Beach is a world renowned surf spot and a local favorite destination for camping, surfing, kayaking, and swimming. Surf competitions began here in 1938. San Onofre Bluffs is the main campground, perched on the bluffs overlooking the beach. A second campground, San Mateo, is located slightly inland, and campers here can take a 1.5 mile nature trail to popular Trestles Beach. All camp sites include picnic tables and fire pits. At the bluffs, campers have access to chemical toilets and cold showers. Campers at San Mateo have access to flush toilets and hot indoor showers. There are no RV hookups at the Bluffs, but San Mateo has sites with RV hookups for water and electricity.
Features & Amenities
Family & group campsites
Primitive Camping
RV Sites, hookups, dump station
Hiking and biking trails
Picnic areas
Interpretive exhibits and programs
Fishing
Scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and surfing
Beach access
Nature and wildlife viewing
Geocaching
Parking
Restrooms and showers
Drinking water
Wheelchair accessible
Santiago Retreat Center
27912 Baker Canyon Rd, Silverado, Orange County, CA 92676
This place a bit different from everything else but seemed worth listing as it might just be what someone is looking for. Santiago Retreat Center rustic venue that host retreats, conferences and camps for youth, confirmation groups, school retreats, parish ministries and families. It is available for group rentals.
Situated on 500 acres of wilderness setting, Santiago Retreat Center offers the perfect natural setting to escape from worldly distractions. There are four distinct retreat areas each with its own chapel, meeting rooms, recreational space and dormitories.
Features & Amenities
- Chapel
- Dining Hall
- Dormitories (over 500 beds)
- Gaga
- Game Room
- Hiking Trails
- Indoor & Outdoor Meeting Spaces
- Large Field
- Low Ropes
- Picnic Areas
- Pool
- Stage
- Volleyball
- And more
Bonus Option
Crystal Cove Cottages
#5 Crystal Cove Newport Coast, CA 92657
Rent a very affordable dorm-style cottage in Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District in Newport Coast. Each cottage contains a full-size kitchen, a common sitting room, and a deck with views of the ocean. Sounds good but what’s the catch? Reservations are made online on a first come, first serve basis and are very hard to secure.
RV Park Camping
If you own an RV another option to explore is setting up a tent right outside your RV at the many RV parks in Orange County.
- Anaheim RV Park (Anaheim, CA) * Close to Disneyland
- Anaheim Harbor RV Park (Anaheim, CA) * Close to Disneyland
- Canyon RV Park (Anaheim, CA) * Close to Disneyland
- Orange County Fair RV & Campgrounds (Costa Mesa, CA)
- Orangeland RV Park (Orange, CA)
- Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina (Newport, CA) * Beach access
- Parque Santiage (Tustin, CA)
- Seabreeze RV Park (Seal Beach, CA, military campground) * Beach access
- Stone Villa RV Park (Costa Mesa, CA)
- Sunset Vista RV Park & Campground (Huntington Beach, CA) * Beach access
- Waterfront RV Park (Huntington Beach, CA) * Beach access
Related Articles
Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights.
