Can you reserve a site at Observatory Campground?

Yes, Observatory Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Observatory Campground?

35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Observatory Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Observatory Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Observatory Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Observatory Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Observatory Campground, California — 28 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

The facts

Season: April 01 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
28 bookable sites
3 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 35 ft
Up to 15 people per site
Loops: OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND

Site types

28 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

28 campsites at Observatory Campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
001/002	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	15	🐾
003	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	8	♿ 🐾
005	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	8	🐾
006	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	8	🐾
008	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	8	🐾
009	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	8	🐾
010	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	8	🐾
011	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	8	🐾
013	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	8	🐾
017	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	15 ft	8	🐾
019	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	15 ft	8	🐾
021/022	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	15 ft	15	🐾
023	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	15 ft	8	🐾
024	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	15 ft	8	🐾
025	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	15 ft	8	🐾
026	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	15 ft	8	🐾
028	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	20 ft	8	♿ 🐾
029	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	20 ft	8	🐾
030	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	20 ft	8	🐾
031/032	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	20 ft	15	🐾
033	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	15 ft	8	🐾
034	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	20 ft	8	🐾
035/036	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	12 ft	15	♿ 🐾
037/038	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	30 ft	15	🐾
039	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	35 ft	8	🐾
040	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	35 ft	8	🐾
041/042	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	35 ft	15	🐾
32a	OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	20 ft	15	🐾

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). Follow to the top of Palomar Mountain. Once at the top, turn left to continue on South Grade Road/Canfield Road. Continue for approximately 2.5 miles and turn right into the campground.

33.34167, -116.87861 · 33°20'30.0"N 116°52'43.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 84°F in Aug, down to 51°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	51	51	56	61	69	79	84	84	79	69	58	51
Low °F	37	36	39	42	48	57	64	65	60	51	43	37
Precip in	5.9	7.3	4.6	2.0	0.9	0.2	0.3	0.7	0.5	1.2	2.3	4.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Observatory Campground

Can you reserve a site at Observatory Campground?: Yes, Observatory Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Observatory Campground have?: 28 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Observatory Campground?: 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Observatory Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Observatory Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Observatory Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Observatory Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Observatory Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Observatory Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

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.

Restrictions:

Vehicles 32 ft. max.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Observatory Campground

Fry Creek Campground 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Crestline Group Campground 2.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Oak Grove Campground 5.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dripping Springs Campground (Ca) 10 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cedar Creek Falls 25.8 mi · Permit · we watch it
Dripping Springs Trailhead 9.6 mi · Facility
Indian Flats Campground 12.7 mi · Campground
Atáxam Mámta’ash Campground 12.7 mi · Campground
Bautista Creek - National Wild & Scenic River 20.4 mi · Facility
Inaja Memorial Picnic Site 20.9 mi · Facility
Thomas Mountain & Toolbox Springs Yellow Post Site 22.5 mi · Campground
Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Sites 22.7 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 760-788-0250
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Observatory Campground