Reviews

Paul Grenier

Site #41/42. Small campground on Palomar Mountain with clean flush toilets and hot showers. Not far from bustling cities yet seems like you’re out in the wilderness when you get on top of the mountain. It was very hot when we visited in July and our site didn’t have much shade. Campground is a popular destination for amateur astronomers who gather to stargaze. The weekend we were there they were set up and allowed the rest of us to peer through their telescopes at the planets and stars. To see a larger telescope, there is a trail from the campground to the world renowned 200 inch Palomar Observatory which is open to the public for tours.

MJ Brewer

Expected a bit more than was promised, I suppose. Welcomed by an empty spot where the volunteer was supposed to be—never saw them in three days. Was granted a warm welcome by a trio of mosquitos, flies, and bees in unison that never left until nightfall. Searched for the trail to the observatory so at least an amazing view would be had. A 45-minute hike ended in the middle of a wooded area with a dilapidated barbed wire fence. Speaking of aged, not being of this education, it seems relatively apparent the wildlife is quickly dying. Throughout a 24-hour period, at least 4 or 5 branches will echo dying aches as they collapse from the tree—be careful where you set up camp. The great news is the guests were in good spirits. The restrooms were clean with toilet paper. The showers are unbelievably divine, considering they are in the middle of the wilderness. And if you appreciate bird songs, you’ll have your fill. There are gorgeous blue jays, blue birds, robins, etc. and an aromatic smell of fires in the evening. PLEASE, for the love of God, CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF! Your mom isn’t here to do it for you.

Lolita Thompson

This is my first camping even though I am a hiker. This campground didn’t disappoint. I am always concern about bathrooms. This campground is clean. There is also a coin shower rooms. The fact that they provide walk-ins to camp. Make sure to check the map for spaces that mark W. It is quiet and very nice. You can buy wood on the way. In fact there is a truck that sells them just pay cash and drop off the box or bar code to pay. 5$ is enough to burn for a night for the experience and scare the bugs too. NOTE: there is a lot of bugs( make sure to bring a head net ) no reception that’s fine it will bring you closer to nature. Just bring a book to read . There is a fire ring on every spaces. And they have tables. I will definitely come back to camp. I highly recommend this place.

Marcelino Zarate

The first time in Palomar mountain is a beautiful place to camp. Easy trails, lush green forests, water streams running down. Two camp sites. Palomar campground has no host, so it is not actively monitored, which is a bummer. I recommend a weekend camp 🏕.

Jason Latonio

The showers were closed and not all the bathrooms were open. Also bathrooms are vaulted toilets. Suggest bringing your own Porto Potti and shower system. There is water on site to refill your water system if needed. Not all the campsites have shade, which is great for start gazing but bad when it’s hot out. The observatory is closed and there is a lot of overgrown poison oak on the trails so be careful. Campsite 32 has a tree swing. There were also lots of bugs and mosquitoes so come prepared. Some of the campsites are really nice and big and shady, some aren’t. You can also come first come first serve grab a camp site if it is not reserved. $15 payment honor system at a central lock box.

Elizabeth P

The good - great view of the sky at night. The spots are big. Lots of trees for shade. Quiet. Good for trailer camping if you dry camp. The bad - the state is fully open, but the showers are still closed even though the website states they are open. In 90 degree weather, you need showers. The water is supposed to be potable, but it tastes like pond water. I only brought 4 gallons so I had to buy some for $3.50 a gallon at the convenience store a little over two miles away (that closes at 5 PM). No camp host so no one to sell firewood. It is $7.99 a small bundle at the convenience store though. I tried taking the path to the Observatory with my husband, kids and dogs. It is not maintained. We had to stop because, at one point, you basically have to scale down a rockface and back up again. My dogs and my seven year old can't do that. No cell phone service. The person in the spot next to me had car trouble and had to call AAA. Cell service at the convenience store is spotty and not enough for a phone call. I had to drive her about 5-6 miles away to get enough service for a phone call. There was no data so she could not use her app and couldn't look up the phone number. Luckily, I remembered the phone number from when I had AAA years ago so she could call them. There is no camp host so no one to go to for help. She was lucky I was not a weirdo and I was willing to help her out (it was more complicated than needing a jump start). Bring toilet paper. I always keep a roll or two in my truck in case we go to a park or somewhere where there is no toilet paper. They kept on running out of toilet paper.

Jessica Olson

Went to enjoy some stars. Campsite #39 had no place to out my tent. It was overgrown with weeds and the ground is very uneven, and zero shade. Might be okay if you have a rv, but not for tent camping. The flushable toilets were supposed to be opened during peak season (which is now) and they were closed. The vaulted toilets were super dirty and gross, could not even use them because of it. Ended up canceling my camping trip because I picked a bad campground. I was really looking forward to stargazing. Think again if you want to cmap here without an rv.

Devi San Martin

Very nice campground, the volunteer host is a nice guy, he sells pretty wood for fires, the best. Variated campsites mostly for reservation in advance, some are first come first serve. We came on Saturday afternoon and found a couple of lots available. Just the toilet, vaulted toilet, with no toilet paper. There are warm water showers, you pay with coins. 5 minutes away driving from Palomar observatory but it was closed. A 2.1 miles trail to the observatory (we didn't a walk it) There was not noisy people so a nice night sleeping.

Channing Keller

I adore this place! They serve good food, their menu is varied, The cook in that restaurant is very trained, I like very much eating all their food. The dishes are consistently of high qualtity, the attitude towards the guests is efficient. I often eat in this restaurant and I not even once was disappointed. I highly recommend it.

Hiep Huynh

The drive to this campground is very windy for the last 25-30 minutes. The campground is nice/shady at most tent sites and it has a good hiking trail even for kids but other than that...be prepared for mosquitoes if you stay around Site 8-10 (we camped in July). The only flushed restroom near the entrance is almost unusable, seem like no one maintains it. If you reserve online, no need to check in. There's a Reserve sign with dates at each site.