Best Fall Camping Spots in SoCal

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Just because summer is over doesn’t mean that camping season needs to come to an end. In fact, fall is great time to go camping because the weather can be cooler, the crowds can be thinner, and the fall foliage is absolutely beautiful. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best fall camping destinations in Southern California.

Whether you are taking the RV or looking for fall tent camping destinations, these locations fit the bill. And if you’re worried about being too cold in a tent, check out my post about how to stay warm while tent camping for all my tips and tricks.

Best Fall Camping in the Desert

The deserts are among the most popular fall camping destinations in Southern California because the weather tends to be pretty warm still during the day. In fact, spring and fall are the most popular times to camp in the desert since the summers are too hot there.

Joshua Tree National Park – The Best Fall Camping Destination

There are several campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park and they are all amazing. Whether you’re looking to go rock climbing, star gazing or hiking, you’ll get the opportunity to if you secure your spot at any of the Joshua Tree campgrounds.

Fall is an extremely popular time to visit, so reservations are recommended. I personally love Jumbo Rocks campground, but others are great too! There are also a few first-come, first-serve campgrounds there as well. If you can’t score a campground, you can check out these awesome Joshua Tree hotels as a backup.

If you do find yourself in Joshua Tree, I highly recommend making the quick jaunt over to Pioneertown for some lunch, shopping and wild wild west fun.

Agua Caliente Desert Camping

Agua Caliente County Park and Campground is a great spot for nature enthusiasts looking to explore the nearby hiking trails and the warm desert sun. There are miles of trails throughout the park’s canyons and hillsides.

And what’s even more unique about this destination is that there are three naturally-fed mineral pools that serve as swimming pools and spas on site. It’s actually on my list of best family campgrounds in SoCal as well. This campground offers sites with full hook-ups, partial hook-ups or tent-only campsites. You can make reservations in advance on their website.

Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

Another popular desert campground is the Borrego Palm Canyon Campground. While this campground tends to be busiest during the spring due to the wildflowers, it’s also one of the best fall camping destinations in Southern California. Outdoor enthusiasts love easy access to popular hiking trails in the area.

This desert campground offers a variety of campsites, some larger sites with no hookups, and some more parking-lot style sties with full hookups. There are also sites for tent campers as well as a tent-only group site.

Best Fall Camping in The Mountains

For those looking to go mountain biking or hiking, or who really want to take advantage of the beautiful fall foliage while camping, a trip to the mountains is where you’ll want to book for your fall camping trip.

Big Bear Campgrounds – Premium Fall Camping Location

There are many campgrounds in Big Bear that are among the best campgrounds for fall camping. In the fall, popular Big Bear activities include fishing, mountain biking and hiking. When you’re camping in Big Bear, you have easy access to these activities along with a picturesque mountain setting.

The Serrano Campground and Pineknot Campgrounds tend to be among the most popular campgrounds in Big Bear and serve as an excellent choice for your next fall camping trip.

Green Valley Falls Campground

Located in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, the Green Valley Falls Campground is another popular mountain campground in Southern California. The Green Valley Falls Campground has a short hike that leads to a stream of water and a swimming hole, which provides a lot of fun on a warmer fall day. You can venture further past the swimming hole for those looking to get in an even longer hike.

When you camp at Green Valley Falls, you can also make a short drive over to the popular Stonewall Mountain trail, or any of the other hiking and horse-riding trails in the area–there are several!

William Heise County Park Campground

San Diegans know that Julian is one of the most popular towns during the fall. Whether you’re looking to go apple picking, hiking or antique shopping, Julian provides something for everybody. So you might as well make a weekend out of it and plan a fall camping trip to William Heise County Park.

Not only will you get to enjoy some crisp fall weather and beautiful fall foliage, there are also plenty of family-friendly activities in town that give all the fall vibes. Go mining or apple picking, or even attend a hoedown at Fort Cross.

Dos Picos County Park — Ramona, CA

Tucked away just east of San Diego, Dos Picos (which means “Two Peaks”) greets you with a calm, oak-dappled embrace that feels like a deep breath for the soul. Beneath a lush canopy of Engelmann and coast live oaks, the campground stays surprisingly cool in fall—perfect for lingering over a crackling fire as the sun sets.

With a mix of shaded tent sites, RV hookups, and even ADA-accessible cabins, this park welcomes families and nature lovers alike. You’ll also find a pond, playground, horseshoe pits, and picnic areas that invite slow afternoons of laughter and exploration. And you’re not far from popular hikes in San Diego, like Cedar Creek Falls.

Read more about Dos Picos campground here.

Beach Camping in the Fall

I know, I know. Beach camping is super popular in the summer months, so why is it on my list of the best fall camping destinations? If you’ve ever tried to get beach campsites in the summer, you know it is downright hard. But in the fall, you have less competition, and chances are, you’ll still get beautiful Southern California weather in the fall months.

You honestly can’t go wrong with any of the Southern California beach campgrounds, but for the purpose of this post, I’ll just list a couple particularly great ones below.

Crystal Cove State Park Campground, Laguna Beach

It might not be warm enough to go swimming in the water, but Crystal Cove campground has more than three miles of beautiful coastline that provides some great tidepools, enjoyable all year long. There are also walking trails in the area, adorable beachfront cottages, and a nearby visitor’s center.

Leo Carrillo State Park Campground, Malibu

Nestled along the scenic Malibu coastline, Leo Carrillo State Park Campground offers an idyllic fall camping experience on one of the best beaches in Los Angeles. With 1.5 miles of beach featuring tide pools, sea caves, and reefs, it’s a haven for nature enthusiasts. Even if it’s too cold to swim in the fall, my kids absolutely love the tide pools and riding bikes through the campground.

The campground’s sycamore-shaded sites provide a tranquil setting, and the milder autumn temperatures make for comfortable days and crisp nights. Fall also brings fewer crowds, allowing for a more peaceful retreat. Whether you’re hiking the Nicholas Flat Trail or exploring the coastal wonders, Leo Carrillo in the fall is a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. You can book sites here 6 months in advance on reservecalifornia.

South Carlsbad State Beach

South Carlsbad State Beach is a great year-round camping destination. Surfers love coming here no matter what season it is, and you can view some of the most spectacular fall sunsets right from your campsite. And even during the off-season (is there really even such a thing in San Diego?), there’s live music and food and various holiday light shows happening daily. This is a great spot to camp during the fall months.

More Camping Resources

If you’re interested in even more camping resources, check out my other popular posts: Family Camping in Southern California, What You Need in Your Camping Kitchen, and The Best Sleeping Mats for Camping.

And if you’re having a hard time finding campgrounds that aren’t sold out, try out my favorite campground scanner app. Not only does it scan for cancellations at all campgrounds – public, private, county, state, etc., you can also have it add campsites to your cart automatically if one becomes available. It’s my favorite!

Note: Affiliate links that appear on this page may earn me commission if used to make purchases. This doesn’t cost you a penny more, and it helps to keep my website up and running for free.