A camping trip is a perfect thing when you need a break from the stress and worries of everyday life. Lucky for those of us who live in Southern California, we have a great selection of campgrounds to choose from. Of course, this also means that picking our next campground to visit is a challenge in itself. You can’t go wrong with any camping destination you choose, but Doane Valley Campground is a favorite among campers for a variety of reasons. Once you’ve read about it, you may just immediately start dreaming of your next camping trip!

Located in northern San Diego County, Palomar Mountain State Park is a natural wonderland that features beautiful forests and mountain meadows. It’s an idyllic destination for camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, and so much more.

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Doane Valley Campground is located within the park on the west side of Palomar Mountain, not far from the park’s observatory. Known for its large pine, cedar, and fir trees, the campground evokes the type of inspiring beauty that reminds you of the Sierra Nevada.

Virginia Hill/Flickr

The campground consists of 31 sites for RVs, trailers, or tents. The campground also has a campfire center, flush toilets, showers, and drinking water. Each campsite comes with a table, fire ring, grate, grill, and food storage cabinet.

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The park’s elevation sits around 5,000 feet above sea level, which means that the evenings are generally quite cool, even during the summer. And with Doane Creek meandering right alongside the campground, the forest setting is as charming as can be.

Chris L/Google

Campers at Doane Valley Campground can enjoy access to the park’s hiking trails and other attractions. The hike to Boucher Hill Summit is a must-do. You can also go fishing at Doane Pond, hike the Doane Nature Trail, or stop by the Palomar Mountain Observatory for a night of stargazing.

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This gorgeous park is highly coveted by campers (for good reason), so reservations are pretty much required during peak camping season. Reservations can be made via Reserve California up to six months in advance.

Virginia Hill/Flickr

Escape to a lovely forest setting when you plan a trip to Palomar Mountain State Park. This blissful campground is calling your name! Visit the park’s website to learn more about what Palomar Mountain has to offer.

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Have you stayed at this fairy tale campground in the forest? This looks like the perfect place to unwind in a beautiful setting. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Matt Jew/Google

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Address: Doane Valley Campground, Palomar Mountain, CA 92060, USA