USDA Forest Service · California
Observatory Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 28
- Hookups
- 28 no hookups
- Season
- April 1 to December 1
- Max RV length
- 35 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,898 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- OBSERVATORY CG (NFSR 9S12) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Cleveland National Forest
- Nearest town
- Palomar Mountain
- Address
- S6, Palomar Mountain, CA
- Phone
- 760-788-0250
- Activities
- Camping, Day Use Area, Hiking
28 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53° | 34° | 22° | 73° | 9 of 11 |
| February | 52° | 32° | 16° | 74° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 53° | 35° | 24° | 82° | 8 of 11 |
| April | 60° | 37° | 26° | 79° | 6 of 11 |
| May | 65° | 43° | 33° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 49° | 39° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 58° | 46° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 81° | 57° | 48° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 78° | 52° | 41° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 70° | 45° | 32° | 85° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 63° | 39° | 26° | 76° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 55° | 33° | 20° | 70° | 7 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Fry Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 12 sites
- Palomar Mountain State Park · California State Parks · 1 mi
- Crestline Group Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 1 sites
- La Jolla Indian Campground · Tribal Lands · 4 mi
- Oak Grove Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 63 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.