Best Campgrounds Near Rancho Mirage
20 hand-picked camping destinations curated for families visiting REI Rancho Mirage. Each campground selected for quality, scenery diversity, and memorable experiences.
Showing 20 campgrounds
Featured Picks
Dogwood
Best all-around family basecamp in the San Bernardino Mountains: shady mixed-conifer forest, a short drive to Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory, and lots of easy trails. Its outstanding ratings, huge number of reviews, and full range of activities make it ideal for first-time and repeat campers coming from the Coachella Valley.
Jumbo Rocks Campground
Iconic Joshua Tree experience close to Rancho Mirage, with giant granite boulders kids love to scramble on, classic Joshua trees, and incredible night skies. Its popularity, strong reviews, and short drive make it a go-to desert campground for families who can bring their own water.
Rv Campground
Oceanfront bluff campground with a mile-long beach just below, perfect for swimming, surfing, fishing, and coastal bike rides. High ratings, many reviews, and easy RV and tent access make it an excellent weekend escape from the desert heat for active families.
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground
Top-rated Anza-Borrego desert campground set below rugged mountains with a classic palm-oasis hike starting right from camp. Close enough for an easy overnight or ambitious day trip from Rancho Mirage, it offers a very different desert feel than Joshua Tree plus good options for family hiking and casual biking.
Green Valley
Cool mountain retreat surrounded by pines, firs, and cedars with nearby Green Valley Lake for trout fishing, paddling, and summer swimming. Strong reviews and a manageable drive make it a great choice for families wanting a classic forest-and-lake experience without going all the way to Big Bear.
Round Valley Campground
High-country, hike-in campground reached via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, offering subalpine forests, open meadows, and granite peak views very close to home. Its perfect rating and unique backpacking-style setup make it ideal for adventurous families with older kids ready to carry packs and camp above the desert heat.
More to Explore
Pineknot
Well-reviewed Big Bear campground in dense pines just above the lake, with quick access to trails, mountain biking, and boating or fishing on Big Bear Lake. Great choice for a classic mountain-town weekend with plenty of kid-friendly amenities.
Idyllwild Campground
One of the closest drive-in forest campgrounds to Rancho Mirage, right next to the charming town of Idyllwild. Offers easy family hikes among tall pines and oaks plus quick access to shops and restaurants, which is reassuring for newer campers.
Belle Campground
Smaller, quieter alternative to the busier Joshua Tree campgrounds, with classic Joshua trees and sculpted boulder piles right in camp. Excellent dark skies and bike-friendly park roads make it a great option for families who want a more low-key desert stay.
Paso Picacho & Cabins
Highly rated Cuyamaca Rancho State Park campground with open meadows, mixed oak-conifer forest, and nearby Lake Cuyamaca for fishing and boating. A cooler San Diego County escape with lots of family-friendly trails and the option to use cabins for extra comfort.
Hole-In-The-Wall Campground
Scenic Mojave National Preserve campground ringed by volcanic cliffs and sculpted rock walls, offering a true wild-desert feel. Good reviews and simple but reliable facilities make it a strong pick for self-reliant families seeking quiet nights and incredible starry skies.
South Carlsbad State Beach Campground
Bluff-top campground above a long sandy beach, popular with families for swimming, surfing, and tidepool exploring. Strong ratings and easy access to a coastal bike path make it an excellent alternative ocean option alongside the featured RV Campground.
Roadrunner Campground
Campground set among tall sand dunes, ideal for sand sledding, short hikes, and dramatic sunrise and sunset views. A very different kind of desert trip for families who already know Joshua Tree and want something new and adventurous.
Burnt Rancheria
Cool, high-elevation forest campground near the Pacific Crest Trail with plenty of shade and big views over the mountains. Its strong reviews and quieter vibe make it a pleasant summer escape when lower-elevation areas are hot or crowded.
Quail Campground
Lake Perris campground within walking distance of a large warm-water reservoir offering swimming, fishing, boating, and paved bike paths. Close enough for an easy one- or two-night trip focused on water play and beginner-friendly camping with full amenities.
Cibbets Flat Campground
Smaller oak-forest campground with a creek flowing nearby, giving kids a natural place to explore and play. Good fit for families wanting a mellow, more secluded setting in the Cleveland National Forest with access to nearby trails.
Coldbrook Campground
Creekside campground in the San Gabriel Mountains where the sound of running water reaches many campsites, great for hot-weather overnights. Offers a classic mountain-stream feel with easy access to short hikes and nearby Crystal Lake.
Upper Moro Campground
Hike-in coastal bluff campground at Crystal Cove that delivers a backpacking feel with big ocean views and beach access via trails and a tunnel under PCH. Well-rated and activity-rich, it’s great for families ready to carry light gear a short distance for a more adventurous beach trip.
Palomar Mountain State Park Campground
Sierra-like forest close to home, with cool, shady campsites and nearby Doane Pond stocked for trout. A strong option for families who want a classic pine-forest and fishing experience without the long drive to the Sierra Nevada.
Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground
Remote desert campground in spectacular multi-colored badlands and canyons, popular with geology lovers and photographers. High ratings and otherworldly scenery make it a memorable choice for families comfortable with simpler amenities and a longer drive.
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