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Round Valley Campground

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28 sites · Tent

At 9100 feet in elevation, Round Valley is your first of four, primitive hike-in campsites and also your most plentiful.

With 28 spots, Round Valley offers a great first stop for a longer trip.

Round Valley has a couple of rugged outhouses and smooth-faced boulders to picnic on. Overnight permits are required. Neither fires nor dogs are permitted in the hike-in campgrounds, so leave your pup behind and plan meals sans flame-broiled menus.

Day use wilderness permits are free and are available at the State Park Headquarters in Idyllwild or at the Long Valley Ranger Station. Overnight permits can be applied by mail 1-8 weeks in advance.

28 sitesTent

Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Mount San Jacinto State Park

More to explore nearby

100%
7 ratings · 6 reviews
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Eddie D.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2022
Be advised that there is no connection with Verizon, AT& or T-Mobile. I'm not sure why they don't allow campfires while other campsites still allow it. That kind of ruined it for us. Nice campsite, the bathrooms are pretty gross and far from the camp depending on where you are. We use them more as a base camp to climb to the peak.
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Sarah E.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2017
Taking the tram up was a great way to escape the heat of Palm Springs. We still broke a sweat with a solid 7 miles of hiking, but it was really enjoyable. I would say it was definitely worth the $25.
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Joey N.
7 years on Hipcamp
September 2017
Fires were not allowed while we were here. The sites are spaced far apart, so you should have plenty of privacy. Afternoon thunderstorms aren't uncommon, so always be prepared for weather. The water tastes great once it's been filtered. It's an easy two miles uphill from the tram station. Recommend taking the high trail on your way back, as it provides better views and a change of scenery from the creek trail.
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Jeremy F.
9 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2017
Be sure to hike until you actually see the campsite markers. The rangers are very particular about people camping in the designated sites.
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Jeff S.
8 years on Hipcamp
May 2016
We absolutely love Round Valley. We use it as a fun training site for longer trips in the High Sierra. Take the tram up from the valley for a truly thrilling experience.
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Gabriel O.
9 years on Hipcamp
May 2015
You need to apply for a permit ($5.00 per person) via snail mail to camp at this location. From time of mailing, it'll be approximately 7-10 business days to receive your permit (if spaces are available).

Your guide to camping in Round Valley Campground

Overview

Hiking

When you imagine the second highest mountain range in Southern California, imagine hikes that double as your quadricep boot camp. Imagine 10,834 feet of mountain presence and 54 miles of hiking trails that will wind you throughout the scenic contrasts of Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness area. You can take your pick at San Jacinto, between full day scrambles, like Marion Trail, half day sojourns, like Mt. San Jacinto Summit and family friendly excursions like Long Valley Discovery Trail. Hikers and backpackers need wilderness permits, so come prepared and then stand atop the power of what has been described as the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth.

Climbing

Legendary naturalist, John Muir, said that mountain parks are fountains of life (and he was most definitely a fan of Mount San Jacinto!) In the center of this wilderness area two salivation worthy climbing spots exist. Suicide Rock (which, despite this somber name, boasts sustained routes up to 400 feet) and Lily Rock, with sustained routes up to 1,000 feet.

Snow sports

In the winter, Mount San Jacinto’s summer climbing action shapeshifts into the lateral movements of snowshoe and cross country ski amidst a magnificent seasonal snowfall. If you’re looking to get to the San Jacinto area from Palm Springs, try the aerial tram and check out the winter adventure center for snow sport packages!

Wildlife watching

As you climb in elevation from the cozy perch of a tram car , put your binoculars away. You won’t need to magnify the soaring tail feathers of Cooper’s hawks and Golden eagles - they’ll be right outside the window. The surrounding canopy of pine also hosts Clark's nutcrackers, common ravens, northern flickers, red crossbills, mountain chickadees and white-headed woodpeckers. In the spring, flitting above meadows decorated in wildflowers, you might catch sight of Audubon's warblers, western tanagers, western bluebirds, and violet-green swallows. Of course, ground bound creatures also roam the Mount Jacinto wilderness area, including coyotes, mule deer, bobcats and the occasional mountain lion.

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