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Cleveland National Forest › Palomar Ranger District › California
› San Diego County
› Palomar Mountain
› Observatory Campground
› Campsite #10
Campsite #10 at Observatory Campground, CA
$15
Tent Site #10
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 12 ft | Back-In |
| 1 | fair |
5/27
5/30
Campsite #10 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 12ft driveway, Fire ring, Picnic Table, Tent Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (7)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 43% |
| 4 star | | 43% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 14% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@KaitlynM710393 · Camped on Sep 12, 2024 at Campsite #10
If youre camping in the summer or early fall (we camped during mid September) I highly recommend the outer camp site numbers so youll have shade because the inner field sites have no shade during the mid day hours and it can get hot. Yes there are lots of flies so be prepared for that, but the mosquitos and yellow jackets seemed to have gone away for the most part. The campsite hosts (a lovely couple) were incredibly nice and took the time to introduce themselves and make sure we were set. The toilet paper at the restrooms was out on our first day being there, but the hosts explained why and offered us our own roll if we needed it (we brought our own). The restrooms were decently clean on the weekdays, but as soon as all the weekend campers rolled in the restrooms quickly got dirty. The showers 4 coin operated showers were a nice benefit of the campsite after a hike, but make sure you bring shower shoes. The only complaint was some of the weekend campers treated their campsite like a party and blasted music until the late night. Overall, I would definitely come back to the campground again and continue to reserve the outer camp sites for more privacy and less noise.
@DevinH4230360 · Camped on Jun 29, 2024 at Campsite #10
Booked this campsite via this Recreation.gov platform, charged me immediately so I assumed we had a reserved campsite. When we arrived, not only was our specific campsite closed, but the camp manager had no record of my reservation even though I was charged. She stated she doesnt manage the reservations from this website, so be careful booking here. Luckily, there were other campsites available & they take walk ins. Other than the booking issue, campground was pleasant, facilities fairly clean, but bugs were really bad this time of year.
@ChadF8B79400A8 · Camped on Apr 3, 2024 at Campsite #10
Clean campsite. Nice and quiet during the week we went.
@JoannaS2444473 · Camped on Feb 17, 2023 at Campsite #10
My reservation at Observatory Campground saved the day when Doane Valley (and Fry Creek) was closed. Show on the ground, very picturesque with a snowy creek and bridges. Toilet paper began to run low but overall the facilities were clean. Appreciated the looser restrictions in National Forests vs State Parks. Excellent value, would camp again.
@TitusT825 · Camped on Jul 19, 2021 at Campsite #10
Great camping ground. I like the sites on the south side as they are nicely wooded and with picturesque bridges. The clearing by the entrance to the observatory trail is beautiful at night.
@LisaP156 · Camped on Jun 29, 2021 at Campsite #10
I love the Observatory Campground! The biggest negative this trip were the mosquitos, which really swarmed over at campsite 10. Of course, the facility has no control over Mother Nature! There were some guests playing music way too loudly; kinda missed having a Camp Host to possibly curtail the annoyance. For some reason, there were no Camp Hosts when I was there. Also, the coin-operated showers did not work. Small problems. It is such a beautiful place. I'll be back!
@TauniaS365 · Camped on May 8, 2021 at Campsite #10
We camp here a couple of times a year and find that spring (usually April/May) and fall (October) are best weather and temperature wise. The nights can get a little cold, so a good sleeping is necessary. We also use a tent heater for getting ready for bed and getting reading in the morning. There aren’t too many mosquitos, but enough that you need mosquito repellant. One time in the fall, we were bothered relentlessly whenever we ate by what we think were either meat bees (yellow jackets) or sweat bees. We were never stung, and they were not around any time other than when we ate... they just wanted our food. There is no cell service, but we love that. There are a couple of bathrooms, and one of them even has showers. But it’s quite a walk to get to the bathrooms of you are not camped near them. We find a camping potty useful at this campground. There are a good variety of campsites, some in the woods and shaded, and some out in the open for star watching. There is a good hike up to the Observatory, which is about 2 miles. It is moderately difficult. A little less than half way up, there is a look out deck with a beautiful view. So if you don’t want to make the full hike, this would be a great destination alternative. There are plenty of water spigots that you share with nearby campsites. Some of the campsites are not flat, and/or require a good walk to get to from where you park. We found sites 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, group sites 1&2, group sites 33&34, and all the open sites used for star watching are flat and good size. Group Sites 32&33 have a tree swing, but the sites are smaller. All the walk-in (no-reservation) sites are small, not flat, and/or require a substantial hike to get to. The campground is clean, well maintained, and quiet, and the campsites are spaced far apart. My only complaint is that the fire pits could be cleared out more often but, other than that, this is a great campground. One of our favorites.
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