Observatory Campground
Science buffs and families are drawn to Observatory Campground for its proximity to the Palomar Observatory, a world-class center of astronomy research operated by the California Institute of Technology. Just two miles from the observatory, the campground provides visitors with a unique learning experience in the great outdoors. The facility offers a variety of amenities for both tent and RV camping. Hiking, biking and picnicking can be found nearby.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 28 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
28 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Basic |
| 005 | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| 006 | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| 008 | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 009 | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 010 | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 011 | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 013 | Back-in | 12 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 017 | Back-in | 15 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| 019 | Back-in | 15 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites 003, 028, 035/036 are listed accessible |
The campground is organized around one large loop with parking spurs for each campsite. Several sites are equipped with level cement pads to allow campers to set up their telescopes. The sites can accommodate vehicles up to 32 feet in length. Drinking water, coin-operated showers (peak season only), grills, trash cans, campfire rings, picnic tables, a flush toilet (peak season only) and two vault toilets are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April 01 |
| Forest | Cleveland National Forest |
| Booking | The 32 campsites are available by reservation on http://www.recreation.gov/ Reservations must be made 8 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | Fees: $20/night for single unit, $40/night for double unit, $5/night for extra vehicle. A Forest Adventure Pass is required for day use, but is not required for camping. |
| Rules | Vehicles 32 ft. max. |
Weather by month
Getting there
The closest address to the campground is 35899 Canfield Road, Palomar Mountain, California. The campground is about 2 miles north of this address along Canfield Road. From Los Angeles, California, drive south on I-15 to State Highway 76. Go east on 76 for approximately 20 miles and turn left onto South Grade Road (County Road S6).
| Nearest town | Palomar Mountain, California |
| Coordinates | 33.3417° N, 116.8786° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Nomad Ventures ↗ | 19.5 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 30.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bobby Combs RV Centers - El Cajon ↗ | 37.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Palomar Mountain - Observatory Campground 360° Virtual Tour (8K)
Worth a stop
The campground is adjacent to Palomar Mountain State Park and under a two-hour drive from San Diego, California. A general store with basic necessities is down the road.
- 9.6 miDripping Springs Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miObservatory2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miFry Creek1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miBarker Valley3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4 miCutca ↗10.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.6 miOak Grove1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Agua Tibia Wilderness begins about 5.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.1 miAgua Tibia Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 18,002 acres
- 8.8 miBeauty Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 15,628 acres
- 14.9 miCahuilla Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,575 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
.jpg/960px-Butterfield_Stage_Station%2C_Oak_Grove_(San_Diego_County%2C_California).jpg)
Natural features
The campground sits at an elevation of 4,800 feet in the Palomar Mountains of Southern California. The site is forested with pine and oak trees, though several sites have been cleared to allow campers a wide view of the night sky.
Recreation
An exciting amateur astronomy project, Explore the Stars, occurs at the campground on several weekends each summer. A group of amateur astronomers from all across Southern California shares the beauty and awe of the night sky to more than a hundred non-astronomers at the campground. Visitors can also walk a 2.25-mile trail to the observatory itself. Day hiking, biking, picnicking and scenic driving are available in the area. The campground makes a good base camp for visiting Palomar Mountain State Park and exploring the surrounding forest.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Observatory Campground?
Sites at Observatory Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. The 32 campsites are available by reservation on http://www.recreation.gov/ Reservations must be made 8 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Observatory Campground?
Fees: $20/night for single unit, $40/night for double unit, $5/night for extra vehicle. A Forest Adventure Pass is required for day use, but is not required for camping.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Observatory Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Observatory Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 01.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Observatory Campground have?
28 sites, including 28 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Observatory Campground?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Observatory Campground?
Drinking water, coin-operated showers (peak season only), grills, trash cans, campfire rings, picnic tables, a flush toilet (peak season only) and two vault toilets are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Observatory Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Observatory Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Observatory Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Vehicles 32 ft.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Observatory Campground?
Sites 003, 028, and 035/036 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Observatory Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Observatory Campground?
An exciting amateur astronomy project, Explore the Stars, occurs at the campground on several weekends each summer. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation