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We decided to go outside of Los Angeles and van camp at Vail Lake KOA. It’s located inthe scenic rolling green hills of Temecula.
This area is popular for wine tasting, hot air balloon rides, and helicopter rides. It was nice to escape from the blaring sirens of the city, but our stay was far from perfect.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share personal photos from our adventure. This may help you plan before taking a trip yourself.
Getting There
From Los Angeles, we took the CA-60 East to the I-15 South. Then we took the CA-79 South, and we got to the campground within 2 hours.
My favorite part of this road trip is on the I-15 South. Once you leave the L.A. area, you’ll drive right through scenic hills.
It’s a stark difference from the concrete jungle I see every day. With huge, beautiful homes and massive yards, this area is well-kept and clean.
Upon arriving, we found a large sign on the road. Turn down the driveway lined with trees to enter the campground.
Camping at Vail Lake KOA
The Vail Lake KOA is open all year round, and the office is open 24 hours. If you don’t know about KOA, it’s a campground chain that’s known for having recreational activities.
Although it’s called Vail Lake KOA, it wasn’t close to the lake as we had imagined. Let’s just say it’s in the area.
Checking In
Upon arriving, we parked outside the general store. When we entered, a friendly lady greeted us with a map, pointing to our campsite.
She said that the upper level had a nicer view. That’s what we had initially chosen, but she warned that the bathrooms would be a “little bit of a walk.”
Although we had a bathroom in our camper van, the shower wasn’t fully running. That’s why we paid the price to use theirs!
It was our first time staying in a KOA, so we were excited. She told us about all the amenities and activities, so we were well-informed.
Campground Vibes
We drove around the campground and parked up the hill at our camping site. The afternoon was quiet and serene.
We settled next to one lone tree that gave us shade. There weren’t very many trees up there.
We thought we’d have a view of Vail Lake, but alas, there was none. But we saw beautiful green rolling hills that stretched for miles under a deep blue sky.
The people across from us were camping in their trucks and tents. Our next-door neighbors were in RVs with playful kids running by us all day.
When we stayed in the spring, the weather was warm. We saw some tent and van campers, but mostly RV-ers.
They also have cabins for glamping. We passed them, and they looked cozy on the outside.
Campground Amenities
Our site was very spacious with full electricity and water hookups, a picnic table, and a fire ring. After unpacking, we did our usual walk-around of the campground.
The bathrooms are the first thing we like to check out when staying somewhere. So, we found one down the hill, and one on the other side, which was a trek.
The lady warned us, but we didn’t expect the bathrooms to be this far. Plus, they looked like they hadn’t been renovated in a long time.
When I went in, the stall doors didn’t lock. There was a sign to keep the main door closed to keep wildlife out.
We returned to the van to find that the wi-fii didn’t work for us. Maybe we were too far from the tower?
Besides that, they have more amenities like a snack bar, cafe, and a general store with food. Plus, they have swimming and games, which we checked out later.
Hiking Trails
We continued exploring the campground and went on a short hike. They actually have many partly shaded trials for walking and biking.
We ran into some kids trying to bike on the path, and one was learning with training wheels. Well, he threw the bike over and walked away. Oh well, I know the feeling!
Besides that, we passed people horseback riding. They have equestrian trails and camping sites for horse trailers too.
Signs to beware of snakes dotted the area. There was a lot of tall grass, so I’d stay on the path. It was hard to see what might be hiding in there, so I’d avoid bushwacking.
Well, as we walked around, my allergies started flaring up. Ah, dreaded springtime…
I wasn’t surprised, but we didn’t go very far. But we trekked uphill a bit to see another camping level and check out the view.
Outdoor Activities
Before returning to our camper van, we went back towards the entrance to check out the recreation. The sun was starting to set as evening approached.
We saw even more people on e-bikes and golf carts, which you can rent. They had a mini golf course, disc golf, and a place to play horseshoes.
People sat outside the Twisted Oak Cafe & Bunkhouse Bar, chatting and listening to music. It looked fun, but we brought our own food to cook.
This place is very family-friendly, and they have games you can play. In fact, we found many kids running around, unlike other campgrounds we’ve stayed at.
On the way back, we checked out the pool area, in which they have three! We found people swimming, but it felt a bit too chilly for me.
Nighttime Vibes
After relaxing a bit, we made dinner and ate outside the van. Camping on the top level made the sunset even more wonderful.
And when nighttime came, it was very dark. I took a stroll to use the bathrooms and had to use a flashlight.
There’s a shortcut, but it was too dark to take it. The hillside bathroom seemed a little nicer than the other one, so I went there.
I passed people on the bottom level, drinking, talking, laughing, and blasting their music in the evening. Using the bathroom was unnerving, and I had the feeling someone could barge in.
Plus, there were huge insects in the stalls and all over the sinks. Ugh… I understand it’s camping and we’re outdoors, but not my cup o’ tea.
I peeked inside the shower, and it had giant bugs lingering around. Nope.
Up where we van camped, we enjoyed a quieter view of the starry sky. But some noise from down the hill drifted up to us, well past quiet hours.
Despite that, I slept through the night. In the morning, we got ready, fixed food, and planned to explore the area.
Vail Lake
The campground had beautiful views, but we found more amazing views driving around. We stopped at viewpoints, where we saw Vail Lake.
Among huge rock formations near the road, we took pictures. I can see why people take hot air balloons or helicopter rides to see the landscape.
Vail Lake is actually a large reservoir in Riverside County. From a distance, we saw some boats.
That’s why Temecula is such a nice place to relax. There’s fishing, camping, mountain biking, and golfing to keep you busy.
Nearby Areas
While driving around, we also checked out other state campgrounds in the area. Many of them were closed or partially closed.
We drove through, and it was sad that they weren’t open. They were located in such a beautiful area and not too far from the Vail Lake KOA.
The grass was overgrown, and they looked abandoned. There were some camp sites taped off, so we weren’t sure if the whole campground was off limits.
We didn’t see anyone staying there, but there seemed to be an active campground host. I hope they spruce these areas up for people to use.
Travel Notes
When we went, we didn’t have mosquitoes at our site. Good thing that wasn’t an issue.
In the summertime, Temecula can get very hot. When we camped in the spring, the weather was pleasant.
The campground does have a lot of trees, but there are a lot of exposed areas too. So you’ll want to bring a sunhat and water.
I would bring some hiking shoes, as there are many trails. They helped when we trekked uphill on the unpaved paths.
Final Thoughts
Vail Lake KOA is a family-friendly camping spot in Temecula. We always like driving around this area, as it’s a scenic little road trip.
I’m not sure if we’d stay at this campground again, as we’d like to use the bathrooms. I’m hoping the state campgrounds open up nearby so we can try those out.
More Travel Adventures
I have many more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- After a couple of years on the road, we have some van life lessons to share.
- One of our favorite places is Malibu Creek State Park, where we find beautiful views by the city.
- And for amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, we love Surf Outpost in Malibu.
- If your vibe is the desert, then Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is a clean, quiet place.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: September 18, 2025
