Camp beneath tall pines at campgrounds in the Cleveland National Forest about 10 miles from Temecula. The campgrounds provide basic amenities such as restrooms, potable water and campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. If you want to hit the trail with your horse, you'll find nine sites designed especially for equestrian use at Dripping Springs Campground 10 miles east of Temecula. For hiking, mountain biking, or just being close to Temecula's wine country, you can choose from an additional 25 family campsites. Travel another eight miles to Observatory Campground to take part in monthly star parties from April through October. The campground provides sites with level concrete areas for setting up amateur telescopes and is just two miles from Palomar Observatory. Flush toilets and coin-operated showers are also provided. Just across the road, you can pitch your tent under tall pines at Frye Creek Campground and walk to the star party or take a trail to visit the Observatory.
A number of state parks in the Temecula area provide a variety of camping experiences. Palomar State Park has forested camping with views of the Pacific Ocean. Choose from tent-only, group or family campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Five state beaches with campgrounds lie within 30 miles of Temecula, including Carlsbad, San Onofre, San Clemente, Doheney and San Elijo. If you're into fishing, camp at Lake Perris, where you can angle for bass, catfish and trout. Rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking are also favorite activities at the lake. Wheelchair-accessible campsites are available at each of the state parks, and most offer flush restrooms, showers and sites suitable for both RVs and tents.
Private campgrounds in the Temecula area provide family-friendly activities with a few more amenities. At Wilderness Lakes Campground 15 miles north of Temecula, stocked canals wind through the 80-acre property, allowing you to catch catfish right at your camp. Kids can feed ducks that roam the property, and you'll also see herons, egrets, Canadian geese, owls and hawks in the area. You'll find a lot to do right on the property: Hit the fitness center or play a round of miniature golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, pickleball, basketball, tennis or volleyball. Afterward, soak away aches in a hot tub.
Mountain lions and bobcats thrive in the hills near Temecula. Do not let pets roam loose or leave them tied up at your campsite; they may become the victim of a predator. Small children should be kept with you at all times. If you see a mountain lion, pick up your child or pet without crouching, flap your jacket, yell and hurl something at the cat that you can get your hands on without bending down. If you are mountain biking, try to avoid squatting down to check spokes, tires or gears in forested areas.
