California · published-coordinate region
Observatory Campground
Look beyond the campground name. Compare the actual sites and the details that matter to your trip.
USDA Forest Service28Supported overnight records
1Published site categories
28Sites with a reported party limit
A useful starting point, not a fit guarantee. Site-specific warnings are absent from this export. Published lengths may include a tow vehicle. Check the official site page for current notes, restrictions, approach and configuration before booking. No live availability is shown.
A closer look at the campground
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.
Full operator-supplied campground description · Scroll within the panel for more · Amenities may be shared by the campground, not present at every site
How much is documented?
Reported fields across the 28 supported campsite records here. A reported value can still need interpretation; missing values remain unknown in the planner.
Party limit
28
Vehicle limit
28
Vehicle length
28
Driveway entry
28
Shade
27
Bars show counts, not a quality, accessibility or suitability score.
The campsite mix
Standard Nonelectric
28
Operator directions
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.
Campground-level source text. Confirm the current route and road conditions with the operator.
THE ACTUAL SITES
28 published campsite records
Raw published values are shown below, including zeros and ambiguous text. They are not validated capacities. The planner keeps missing, zero and questionable dimensions unknown.
View all 28 published site records
| SITE / LOOP | TYPE | EQUIPMENT LIMITS | PEOPLE / VEHICLES | DRIVEWAY | ELECTRIC / SHADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 001/002 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 15 people 4 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 003 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 005 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 006 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 008 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 1 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 009 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 1 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 010 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 1 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 011 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 1 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 013 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 1 vehicles | Back-In 12 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 017 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 019 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 021/022 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 15 people 4 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 023 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 024 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 025 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 026 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 028 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Trailer: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 029 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Trailer: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 030 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 031/032 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 15 people 4 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 033 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 15 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 15 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 034 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 035/036 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 12 ft Trailer: 12 ft Numeric screening only | 15 people 4 vehicles | Back-In 70 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Not reported |
| Site 037/038 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 30 ft Tent: 30 ft Trailer: 30 ft Numeric screening only | 15 people 4 vehicles | Back-In 30 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 039 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 35 ft Trailer: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 35 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 040 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 35 ft Tent: 35 ft Trailer: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 35 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 041/042 OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Rv: 35 ft Tent: 35 ft Trailer: 35 ft Numeric screening only | 15 people 4 vehicles | Back-In 35 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
| Site 32a OBSERVATORY CAMPGROUND Source updated: 2025-12-03 | Standard Nonelectric | Tent: 20 ft Numeric screening only | 15 people 4 vehicles | Back-In 20 (raw length) | Not reported Shade: Yes |
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