Top Camping & RV Parks Near Thermal, CA – Discover Tent Sites in Desert Oasis
Nestled in the enchanting Coachella Valley, Thermal, CA, offers a diverse range of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts eager to immerse themselves in California's stunning desert landscapes. For RV camping aficionados, the Sunny Palms RV Resort provides a family-friendly environment complete with full-hookup sites and resort amenities, making it ideal for both short getaways and longer stays. Tent campers can experience the serene beauty of the Salton Sea Recreation Area, where they can pitch their tents under the vast desert sky while enjoying access to picturesque views, bird-watching opportunities, and unique geological formations. For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping is prevalent in the nearby Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, where adventurers can explore rugged trails and dramatic elevations, ensuring a true connection with nature. The region's warm climate and striking natural beauty, characterized by sweeping vistas, towering mountains, and tranquil desert landscapes, provide an idyllic backdrop for any camping experience. Whether you're an RV traveler, a tent camper, or a backcountry explorer, Thermal, CA, promises unforgettable adventures amid the captivating allure of Southern California's desert.

















Headquarters Campground is part of Salton Sea State Recreation Area in California (just 26 min southeast of Coachella, CA) with an elevation of -212 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, gift shop, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
New Camp is part of Salton Sea State Recreation Area in California (just 27 min southeast of Coachella, CA) with an elevation of -212 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 1 site has electric and water hookups. 3 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $75.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, accessible, boat ramp, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Mecca Beach Campground is part of Salton Sea State Recreation Area in California (just 25 min southeast of Coachella, CA) with an elevation of -212 feet. There are a total of 100 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 4 sites have electric and water hookups. 2 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include shower, swimming, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Ribbonwood Equestrian Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (49 min southwest of La Quinta, CA) with an elevation of 4,084 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 130 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding.
Cottonwood Group Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (41 min east of Coachella, CA) with an elevation of 3,084 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $35.00 to $40.00. Some amenities include amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Cottonwood (Twentynine Palms) Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (44 min east of Coachella, CA) with an elevation of 3,035 feet. There are a total of 59 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is open all year. 58 sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 48 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include hiking trails.
Vern Whitaker Horse Camp is part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California (1 hr 27 min south of La Quinta, CA) with an elevation of 918 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of October to the end of May. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, horse stable, flush toilets. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
Ryan Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 20 min north of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 4,282 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 16 and 32 feet. 5 sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Jumbo Rocks Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 27 min northeast of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 4,408 feet. There are a total of 124 campsites including 69 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 50 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 12 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $15.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include restroom, amphitheater. Activities include hiking trails, rock climbing.
White Tank Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 18 min northeast of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 3,788 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include hiking trails.
Sheep Pass Group Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 23 min north of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 4,533 feet. There are a total of 6 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $40.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include hiking trails, rock climbing.
Belle Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 21 min northeast of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 3,800 feet. There are a total of 18 campsites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 35 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom.
Hidden Valley Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (1 hr 18 min north of Indio, CA) with an elevation of 4,175 feet. There are a total of 43 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, trash dumpster, pay telephone. Activities include hiking trails, rock climbing.
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California (1 hr 23 min south of La Quinta, CA) with an elevation of 1,724 feet. There are a total of 106 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 41 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 1 site has electric and water hookups. Fees range from $35.00 to $125.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, restroom, amphitheater, ramada, flush toilets. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Indian Cove Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (47 min east of Desert Hot Springs, CA) with an elevation of 3,042 feet. There are a total of 97 campsites including 27 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 70 sites can accommodate RVs between 18 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater. Activities include hiking trails.
Black Rock Canyon Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (31 min northeast of Desert Hot Springs, CA) with an elevation of 4,037 feet. There are a total of 98 campsites including 50 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 44 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $20.00 to $25.00. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, accessible, playground, restroom, trash dumpster, gift shop, flush toilets. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
Black Rock Equestrian Campground is part of Joshua Tree National Park in California (31 min northeast of Desert Hot Springs, CA) with an elevation of 4,048 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites. The campground is open all year. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
Idyllwild Campgorund is part of Mt. San Jacinto State Park in California (1 hr 9 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 5,411 feet. There are a total of 31 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 29 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 4 sites have electric and water hookups. 4 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $45.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Marion Mountain Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 6 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 6,522 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid November. 15 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Tamarisk Grove Campground is part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California (1 hr 30 min south of La Quinta, CA) with an elevation of 1,397 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites including 9 cabins. The campground is open all year. 14 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $35.00 to $70.00. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Fern Basin Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 4 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 6,252 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Stone Creek Campground is part of Mt. San Jacinto State Park in California (1 hr west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 5,411 feet. There are a total of 46 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 6 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $35.00. Some amenities include drinking water, accessible, restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Black Mountain Group Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 28 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 7,498 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the beginning of September. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Boulder Basin Campground is located in the San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 23 min west of Palm Springs, CA) with an elevation of 7,537 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites including 8 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 7 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Oak Grove Campground is located in the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest (33 min east of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 2,769 feet. There are a total of 80 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $15.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Observatory Campground is located in the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest (1 hr southeast of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 4,908 feet. There are a total of 28 campsites including 21 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 4 sites can accommodate RVs between 12 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $15.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include hiking trails.
Fry Creek Campground is located in the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest (1 hr 1 min southeast of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 4,976 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of December. Max equipment length is 12 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $15.00 per night.
Palomar Mountain Campground is part of Palomar Mountain State Park in California (1 hr 7 min southeast of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 4,956 feet. There are a total of 30 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Coon Creek Group is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 40 min northwest of Desert Hot Springs, CA) with an elevation of 8,097 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of July to the beginning of October. Prices start at $127.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Dripping Springs Campground is located in the Palomar Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest (just 19 min east of Temecula, CA) with an elevation of 1,638 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 30 sites can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $15.00 to $30.00.