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Discover the Lake Jennings camping grounds, one of the San Diego County Park's gems! Updated January 20, 2008. Related info-- HOME :: Latest News :: Overview: Southern California camping overview :: Beach Camping: Dockweiler Beach Camping :: Doheny Beach :: Huntington Beach camping :: Newport Beach Camping, :: San Diego Beach Camping :: Santa Barbara beach camping :: Ventura Beach Camping :: Desert Camping: Joshua Tree NP Camping :: Lake & Mountain: Lake Arrowhead Camping :: Big Bear Camping :: Lake Elsinore Camping :: Lake Jennings Camping :: Paso Picacho Campground :: Road Trip from SoCal: Big Sur Camping :: Lake Jennings CampingEnjoy scenic mountains and azure waters at this beautiful San Diego County Park
Both residents and visitors will enjoy camping at the beautiful Lake Jennings park. Though located only 5 miles east of El Cajon, this San Diego County park is located in a semi-isolated setting. Visitors will enjoy feeling nestled among tall mountains; hiking along trails through hillsides covered with native California chapparal; boating and fishing on a deep-blue lake; and relaxing in a well-maintained campground whose blufftop location affords sweeping views of the countryside and stunning views of the lake.
San Diego County maintains a system of parks...and nearly a dozen of them have both day-use and camping areas. Among the San Diego County Parks, Lake Jennings is among the "crown jewels" because of its ideal location and beautiful setting. On this page, we'll talk about the facilities you can expect to find when you plan a trip to the Lake Jennings camping grounds. At the end of the page, you'll discover contact information so that you may learn more about this family-friendly camping spot, and also make reservations through the county's official system, if you wish. Lake Jennings Camping: The facilitiesLake Jennings Campsites
As you can tell from the photo at the very top of this page, the Lake Jennings campgrounds are nestled at the top of a bluff overlooking the water. Some of the campsites, as that one, seem so close to the edge that you might not want to roll over in your sleep! Other sites have a good view of the water without being on-the-edge close. And still other sites don't have much (or any) lake view at all. Nevertheless, all spots in the campground are scenic because of the shady trees which have been planted...and vistas of Lake Jennings peep into view as one travels around within the campground.
Extreme bluffside camping sites are for "tents only." Others, like the one in the photo to your right, are still too close for a heavy RV to occupy. These are for "tents or campers" only. Out of the nearly 100 campsites at Lake Jennings, 6 are solely for tents, while another 20 camp sites fall into the tent-or-camper category.
In the photo to your left, you can see a campsite which accepts back-in style RV camping. This site is well away from the bluff's edge, and would only offer little glimpses of the lake, but has a nice "woodsy" feel to it.
In the photo to your right, you can see one of the campsites at Lake Jennings which is farthest from the lake. The view out the back of this site looks over the valley in which housing development is taking place. Nevertheless, the general overall relaxing mood of this hilltop campground pervades. Lake Jennings Camping: The amenities
CAMPSITE AMENITIES---
As you can tell from the photos above, the Lake Jennings campsites are gravel-lined. Each camp spot has its own picnic table and in-ground fire pit. Most sites feature shade trees, though some more than others. There is a generous amount of space between each campsite, so that you don't feel squeezed up against your neighbor. The campground's restrooms are one of its nicest features. Families prefer the more sanitary conditions that exist when a campground offers flush toilets and running water...and Lake Jennings has these utilities. As an extra bonus not every mountain camping destination can brag about, there is hot water flowing from the taps in the bathroom, and warm showers are available. Also in the campground, you'll find a children's playground. As you can tell from the photo in this section, there's a canopy shading the play structure to keep from burning the tender skin of a toddler on hot, sunny days. The play structure is made of plastic to minimize injuries. Tunnels to crawl through, slides to zoom down and gadgets to twist and pull are features your children will enjoy on this Lake Jennings play structure.
LAKE JENNINGS PARK AMENITIES---
Many people who camp at Lake Jennings do so to be near the spot where they plan to go boating and fishing. As you can see in the pictures, Lake Jennings is quite a good-sized lake. The park stocks the lake with trout during the winter and catfish during the summer season. Those without a boat may enjoy fishing from the Lake Jennings fishing pier (seen in the image to your right.) Note: fishing at Lake Jennings does require a California fishing license and a daily permit. If you don't boat or fish, that's not a problem, either. Lake Jennings county park offers hiking trails where you and your family can discover nature's flora and fauna in this area.
You'll be able to check out the park's schedule of programs on its official website; check out the link to it in the section below.
Lake Jennings: Contact Information and directions
Now for the nitty-gritty details that you'll need to know in order to plan your camping trip. LAKE JENNINGS CAMPING FEES as of Jan 2008--- *$25/night for full-hookup sites
Lake Jennings Campground Reservations: Camping reservations may be made in advance for the Lake Jennings Campground. You may call the Lake Jennings phone number for reservations (which is 858/565-3600 for local area callers or 877/565-3600, toll free.) Or, you may make reservations on the San Diego County Park's official website; they handle their own reservations rather than using a "reservations website." Here's a link to the Camping reservations page of the SD Parks website. Compared to other camping reservations websites, this one is a gem. You'll be able to see a complete map of the Lake Jennings campground. In addition, this interactive camping map lets you see a photo of each individual camping space so you can tell if it's scenic, shady, or large enough for your needs! Note: If you're going to camp during the summer months or on weekends year-round, reservations are definitely recommended. If you go on a weekday between September and May, you probably won't have any trouble getting a spot. The camping sites which fill the fastest at the Lake Jennings camp ground are the cliff-side tent spots and the RV pull-through sites.
Lake Jennings Website: You will probably want to look at the park's official website before heading that way, because it can tell you many points not discussed on this page (for example, the types of wildlife in the area, the history of the lake & dam, the upcoming schedule of events, other county parks nearby in case Lake Jennings is "all booked up" on the day you'd like to visit.) You may use the following link to view the San Diego County Parks website, which includes a section about Lake Jennings Park and campground.
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Even though some of the Lake Jennings campsites are off-limits to RV's, there are many more sites which DO allow them. 35 camping spaces offer partial hookups (electricity and water) while 39 campsites feature full hookups (electricity, water and sewer.) There is a sanitary dump station at the campground if you arrive with your RV wanting a full-hookup site, but find them already taken. The RV sites offer traditional back-in style camping which fit rigs up to 25 feet long. In addition, a generous number of camp sites at this location are pull-through spots admitting RV's up to 35 feet in length.
Lake Jennings County Park also maintains quite an interesting schedule of organized and/or ranger-led events. It's amazing the variety of programs that are offered. One day, the topic might be fishing tactics; another day, local history; still another, a wildlife talk. At night, there may be astronomy presentations. And last Easter, Lake Jennings even held an Easter Egg Hunt!
