Observatory Campground
Campground
Sites open the weekend of Nov 20 on Recreation.gov
California · Camping · Palomar Mountain · Near Fallbrook
Observatory Campground
Photo: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain- 28
- sites
- Mar–Nov
- best months
Is Observatory Campground open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Cleveland National Forest. It doesn't name Observatory Campground, so check the source for the area it covers.
Airport Fire Burned Area Closure
Agency closure covering Cleveland National Forest · Order 02-26-09 · USFS · Cleveland National Forest
Cedar Creek Falls Visitor Use Permit Area
Agency alert covering Cleveland National Forest · Order 02-26-07 · USFS · Cleveland National Forest
Cedar Creek Falls Cliff Closure Area
Agency alert covering Cleveland National Forest · Order 02-26-06 · USFS · Cleveland National Forest
Cedar Creek Falls Alcohol Prohibition
Agency alert covering Cleveland National Forest · USFS · Cleveland National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Cleveland National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
- 28 sites for tent and RV campingReservable on Recreation.gov
- At 4,866 ft
- Near Palomar MountainPalomar Ranger District · Cleveland National Forest
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.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after 
If it rainsAlan Islas, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsLiving-history museum in Vista, California
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Alan Islas, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)
More in FallbrookLocal outfitters
- Borrego Outfitters29 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
- ObservatoryHiking0.1 mi
Fry CreekHikingPhoto: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)0.2 mi
Fry Creek CampgroundCampingPhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain0.2 mi- Use Trail (To Fry Creek)HikingPhoto: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)0.6 mi
- Crestline Group CampgroundCamping2.1 mi
San Luis Rey RiverCanoeingPhoto: Michael Krehan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)5 mi- Oak Grove CampgroundCamping5.9 mi
- Temecula CreekCanoeing6.3 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Fry Creek CampgroundCamping · Next door
- Observatory Campground - USFSCamping · Next door
- Doane valley camp groundCamping · ~2 min drive
- Oak Knoll CampgroundCamping · ~6 min drive
- Harrison Serenity RanchCamping · ~6 min drive
- Oak Grove CampgroundCamping · ~10 min drive
- Broken Rock RanchCamping · ~15 min drive
- Dripping Springs CampgroundCamping · ~17 min drive
- Dripping Springs Campground (ca)Camping · ~17 min drive
- Pala RV ResortCamping · ~21 min drive
Best time to visit Observatory Campground
Best months: March–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
51° / 37°
7 wet · 1 snow
Feb
51° / 36°
7 wet · 2 snow
Mar
56° / 39°
6 wet · 1 snow
Apr
61° / 42°
4 wet · 1 snow
May
69° / 48°
2 wet
Jun
79° / 57°
1 wet
Jul
84° / 64°
1 wet
Aug
84° / 65°
1 wet
Sep
79° / 60°
1 wet
Oct
69° / 51°
2 wet
Nov
58° / 43°
4 wet
Dec
51° / 37°
6 wet · 1 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA, 3.4 mi away at 5,550 ft. The station sits about 700 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Observatory Campground
28 sites for tent and RV camping
