Doane Valley Campground (Palomar Mountain SP)
Palomar Mountain, CA 92060, United States
Overview
Nestled at 5,000 feet above sea level, the evenings at Doane Valley Campground remain cool at night, even in the height of summer. The campground is located in the picturesque Palomar Mountain State Park’s 1,862 acres of pine, fir, and cedar trees, starkly contrasting with the dry lowlands surrounding Palomar Mountain.
Palomar Mountain State Park has two campgrounds: Doane Valley, and Cedar Grove which is a group campground. Doane Valley has a Hike and Bike site in addition to sites for tents, RVs up to 27 feet, and trailers up to 24 feet.
Doane Valley has a campfire area, flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and an overflow parking lot at the campground. However, there are no hookups or dump stations.
The campground is open from 1 May to 31 October weather permitting. Pets are allowed but always have to be on a leash and attended to. They are, however, not allowed on the trails.
Best Campsites at Doane Valley Campground (Palomar Mountain SP)
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Doane Valley Campground (Palomar Mountain SP).
Site # 8, 9, 16, 26, 29, and 30
- Scenic views
- More privacy
- Easy access to amenities
- Proximity to trail heads
Unique Experiences
Hike one of the many trails of varying degrees. Get to the Boucher Hill summit for great views from the lookout, or stroll along the low-key Doane Valley Nature Route, a small interpretive trail that winds along Doane Creek.
Fish for trout year-round at Palomar Mountain State Park’s Doane Pond. The best fishing season is from winter to early summer.
Avid bird watchers can observe spotted owls, bald and golden eagles, western bluebirds, and many others. You can also spot some of the most common land mammals like mule deer, grey foxes, coyotes, and the rare mountain lion.
Go on a guided hike during the season with Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting and preserving the park’s unique resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.
Feeling energetic? Take a 4.5-mile hike up to the iconic Palomar Observatory, an astronomical research center owned and operated by Caltech. At an elevation of 6,140 feet, it is one of San Diego County’s highest peaks.
Doane Valley Campground (Palomar Mountain SP) Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax Trailer/RV Length
RVs 27 feet, trailers 24 feetMax Length of Stay
8 (including children)Max People per Site
Not sureMax Vehicles per Site
2, 1st one free, second one at $10 extraFires Allowed
YesDoane Valley Campground (Palomar Mountain SP) Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
NoCampsites can be reserved up to six months in advance by visiting ReserveCalifornia.com or calling 1-800-444-7275 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Reservations are accepted from April 1 to November 30. From December 1 through March 31, it's first come, first served. A few spots may be booked all year. At the beginning of each month, dates are given in 1-month intervals.
Group Camping Reservations
Doane Valley does not have any group camping facilities. However, the nearby Cedar Grove is a group campground that is also located in Palomar Mountain just west of Doane Valley.
Cedar Grove features one big group site that can accommodate between 9 and 25 people, as well as 10 vehicles. There are also two smaller tent-only sites for groups of 9 to 15 persons that allow for up to 5 vehicles.
The group sites at Cedar Grove have flush toilets, showers, running water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Fees are $145 for a large site and $90 for one of the smaller sites.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
If you cancel a reservation, you will be charged a cancellation fee of $7.99 per reservation. Cancellations can be made online or by contacting the Customer Service Department at (800) 444-PARK (7275). This service is accessible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST seven days a week (excluding New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day).
Customers who cancel after 6:00 p.m. the day before arrival will be charged a $7.99 cancellation fee and will forfeit the unit cost for one night as well as the $7.99 reservation fee. Customers who cancel before 6:00 p.m. the day before arrival will be charged a $7.99 cancellation fee and will forfeit the $7.99 reservation fee.
Doane Valley Campground (Palomar Mountain SP) Campground Cost
Standard Campsite Fee
$40 per nightSenior Standard Campsite Fee (62 or Older)
$38 per nightDisabled Discount Standard Campsite Fee
$20 per night with State Parks Disabled Discount PassActivities
Backpacking
Bike Trails
Geocaching
Wildlife Viewing
Hiking
Picnicking
Nature Trails
Historic Sites
Stargazing
Photography
Horseback Riding
Fishing
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Picnic Tables
Campfire Rings
Grills
Wood for Sale
Amphitheater
Campground Host
Showers
Restrooms
Ranger Station
Cell Service
Potable Water
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Doane Valley Campground (Palomar Mountain SP)
Observatory Campground
Observatory Campground is located near Palomar Observatory. Observatory Campground is slightly bigger and has 43 campsites whereas the Doane Valley Campground has 31.
The maximum RV/ trailer length at Observatory Campground is 32 feet which is more than the 27 feet and 24 feet limit for RVs and trailers respectively at Doane Valley Campground. A fee of $15 for single sites, and $30 for double sites per night at Observatory Campground is charged, whereas it costs $40 for a standard campsite at Doane Valley Campground.
Fry Creek Campground
Fry Creek Campground is located near Palomar Observatory and Observatory Campground. Fry Creek Campground has 20 campsites whereas the Doane Valley Campground has 31 campsites and a group campground nearby as well.
The maximum RV/ trailer length at Fry Creek Campground is 15 feet which is way less than Doane Valley Campground’s 27 feet and 24 feet limit for RVs and trailers respectively. Fry Creek Campground charges $15 per night which is way cheaper than the standard $40 fee at Doane Valley Campground.
There aren’t any designated wheelchair-accessible campsites at the Fry Creek Campground whereas the Doane Valley Campground has two ADA sites available.
