What are the hours and season for El Palomar Campground?

El Palomar Campground is open Year-round. Check-in: 2:00 PM. Check-out: 12:00 PM.

What are the fire rules at El Palomar Campground?

Fire rules at El Palomar Campground: Campfires in designated rings only. Baja drought restrictions common in summer. Propane always permitted.

What is the best time to visit El Palomar Campground?

Sep–Oct: Valle de Guadalupe harvest season. Best wine events. Perfect camping weather. Mar–May: Wildflowers in the hills. Comfortable temperatures. Pre-summer crowds.

What are the best things to do near El Palomar Campground?

Near El Palomar Campground: Valle de Guadalupe — 30 minutes east on Hwy 3, Mexico’s Napa. Harvest season September.. Hussong’s Cantina — oldest bar in Baja, 130 years of history. Ensenada fish market — buy seafood directly from the fishing boats. La Bufadora blowhole — 15 miles south, biggest in North America.

Is there wildlife at El Palomar Campground?

Wildlife alert for El Palomar Campground: Coyotes active in the hills above Ensenada — secure food at night. Bird activity in the trees is excellent for small songbirds and raptors.

What are the common problems at El Palomar Campground?

At El Palomar Campground: Not beachfront — need to drive 5 km to the Ensenada waterfront. Solution: This is a base camp, not a beach camp. If you want beachfront, choose Estero Beach Resort.

What are the insider tips for El Palomar Campground?

Insider tips for El Palomar Campground: Book a winery tour in Valle de Guadalupe online before your trip — Adobe Guadalupe and L.A. Cetto are the most established Ensenada’s fish market is most active at 7–9am when the boats come in — buy fresh and cook at camp

What makes El Palomar Campground unique?

Hussong’s Cantina — established 1892, the oldest continuously operating bar in Baja California — is 5 km away. It’s where the margarita was allegedly invented. The walls are covered in 130 years of patron business cards. Go on a weeknight for a quieter experience.

El Palomar Campground

✓ Sites Available

Affordable shaded camping 5 minutes from Ensenada — trees, hookups, and wine country access

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico3.8 (156)15 ft

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El Palomar is a well-shaded, affordable campground and trailer park about 5 kilometers south of downtown Ensenada — one of the few campgrounds in the Ensenada area with mature trees providing real shade. Around 80 sites with hookups and dry camping. Popular with Mexican families on weekends and international RVers on the Baja circuit year-round. The shaded sites are a significant advantage over beachfront camps in summer. Easy access to Ensenada’s restaurants, fish market, and Hussong’s Cantina. Good base for Valle de Guadalupe wine country day trips.

Things to do nearby

Ensenada MalecónValle de GuadalupeLa BufadoraValle de Guadalupe

Best For

Wine country visitorsBudget RVers on the Baja circuitEnsenada explorersFamiliesShade seekers

Site Types

RVTent

Amenities

~80 sites

Hookups available (30A)

Mature shade trees

Hot showers

Flush toilets

Laundry

Pet friendly

Pull-through sites

5 km from downtown Ensenada

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Season

Year-round

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

Not beachfront — need a car to reach the coast. Some sites noisy from Hwy 1 traffic. Basic facilities.

Cancellation Policy

Contact directly. Cash preferred.

Why campers love El Palomar Campground

El Palomar solves Baja’s most underrated camping problem: shade. Virtually every other campground on the Baja peninsula offers either beachfront with zero shade, or desert sites with no trees. El Palomar has mature shade trees — the kind that actually shelter a campsite — 5 minutes from Ensenada. It’s the best base camp for exploring the city: Hussong’s, the fish market, the wine shops, and the malecón are all short drives. And it’s the obvious base for Valle de Guadalupe wine country, 30 minutes east on Hwy 3.

What's new in 2026

2026: New laundry machines installed. Shaded pull-through sites increased from 8 to 14.

What campers say about El Palomar Campground

"The trees make all the difference. I’ve camped all over Baja and this is the only place I’ve been comfortable in the shade in November. Everywhere else you’re just baking."

— Campendium 2025

"Perfect Ensenada base camp. Wine tasting in Valle de Guadalupe in the morning, fish tacos at the malecón at night, back to a shaded site. Ideal Baja trip structure."

— iRV2 Forum 2025

"Basic but honest. Clean bathrooms, working hookups, and you’re 5 minutes from one of Baja’s best cities."

— The Dyrt 2025

Not the right fit if…

✕You want beachfront camping
✕You need to walk to the ocean

Frequently asked questions

How much does El Palomar Campground cost per night?+

El Palomar Campground costs $25–$40 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: 30A electric + water hookups at select sites. Dump station available.

What season is El Palomar Campground open?+

El Palomar Campground is open Year-round. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.

Does El Palomar Campground have hookups?+

30A electric + water hookups at select sites. Dump station available.

What is the maximum RV length at El Palomar Campground?+

El Palomar Campground can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long.

How do I make reservations at El Palomar Campground?+

Book El Palomar Campground directly at camperwatch.org/book/el-palomar-campground-ensenada. No booking fees. Select your dates and site type and pay online.

Are pets allowed at El Palomar Campground?+

El Palomar Campground is pet friendly. Pets must be kept on leash.

What is the cell service like at El Palomar Campground?+

Good Telcel coverage. US roaming on AT&T works in Ensenada area. Better cell than any campground further south.

How far is El Palomar Campground from the nearest town?+

Nearest services: Ensenada — 5 km north. Chedraui supermarket on Hwy 1.