Camping Hobby

Looking to take your family on a getaway weekend? Not sure which is the perfect campground in the San Diego area? Lake Jennings is well-known for being one of the most scenic camping grounds in the county of San Diego, with its beautiful mountains and wooded areas and a host of activities to keep all visitors happy.

Lake Jennings is your one-stop destination in Lakeside, California if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend away. At this scenic camping ground, you get to experience camping under the stars, fishing, boating, hiking, bird watching, and a picnic or two while only a 23-minute drive from San Diego.

While camping at Lake Jennings, you will feel as if you’re magically transported to the middle of a forest, yet civilization is only a stone’s throw away. It’s a birdwatcher paradise, a memory maker, and caters to the whole family, even the furry individuals. Lake Jennings is an awesome camping option, and here’s why.

Lake Jennings Campground 

One of San Diego County’s most picturesque parks, Lake Jennings, is well renowned. It’s one of the best campground areas with camping, hiking, fishing, and picnicking options in Lakeside, California. Helix Water District owns and manages the lake, a drinking water reservoir.

Lake Jennings is open to the general public year-round, their picnic areas are open for day use, and overnight stays are the best way to enjoy the plenty of activities on offer. If you’re looking for a great stay in a mountain area with beautiful scenic views, this is your easy weekend getaway.

Campsites Available At Lake Jennings

Lake Jennings is open all year round, offering the following accommodation sites to their visitors:

• 35 Full-Hookup sites that include water, electric, and sewer hookups
• 17 Partial-Hookup sites that include water and electric hookups
• 39 non-Hookup tent sites
• 5 Tipi sites

Each site, even the primitive tent sites, has designated picnic areas and a fire ring while offering plenty of space between camping sites. Campground amenities available when you stay at this great camping place:

• Free WIFI
• Hot showers
• Flushing toilets
• Horseshoe pits
• Covered children’s playground 
• Large pavilion used for gatherings and games

At the campground entrance station, you will find friendly staff ready to help you stock up on firewood, propane, and ice.

Lake Jennings Group Campsite

If you are a big group of people, then you can use the group campsite which can accommodate 30 people or 15 tents. Referred to as the large super site, it features panoramic views of the lake and the following amenities:

• Half enclosed pavilion
• Picnic tables
• Fire rings
• Clean restrooms

Lake Jennings Highlights

When you book a little getaway at Lake Jennings, memories will be Highlights that you can expect to experience at this beautiful place:

• Camping in nature alongside a scenic lake
• Bird watching (Bald eagles, Kingfishers, Hummingbirds, and many more)
• Wildlife (Deer, skunks, bobcats, raccoons, and coyotes)
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Children Activities
• Boating

Things For Kids to Do

Any campsite worth their salt will have some form of entertainment for the kids. Kids can enjoy the following activities in the designated play area at Lake Jennings, ensuring that they have a great stay:

• Ladder golf
• Ping pong
• Tetherball
• Foosball
• Cornhole
• Life-size Jenga
• Arts and crafts
• Campground scavenger hunt

Boat Rentals At Lake Jennings

If you prefer to explore further than the water’s edge, then hiring a boat from Friday to Sunday is what you should do. Privately owned boats can be launched on the weekends. Nothing beats a day spent on the scenic waters of Lake Jennings, exploring hidden coves that make great picnic spots or casting a line with some angling friends while observing the abundant wildlife found at this pristine lake.

The following boats can be rented when the bait and tackle shop is open (weekends):

• Motorboats: Specially made Carolina Skiff, fitted with Yamaha/Mercury 4-6 hp 4-stroke engine, with a 16-foot flat bottom.
• Rowboats: Specially made Carolina Skiff with 16-foot flat bottom.
• Paddleboats: Seats up to 4 people, ideal for sightseers with some energy to spare.
• Kayaks: Single-person kayaks with rod holders and snack and gear compartment.

The motor and rowboats seat up to 5 people, and seat cushions and lifejackets will be provided to make your trip as safe and comfortable as possible. To ensure that everybody out on the water has a great and safe, a 10mph speed limit or no-wake rule is enforced. 

Fishing At Lake Jennings

Fishing opportunities are abundant when you visit Lake Jennings. Pack your family, friends, fishing gear, a beer or two, and spend some time on the water that yields the best freshwater fishing in the county.

The entire lake directly below the campground is yours to fish in daily. Make sure to purchase a fishing permit at the Campground Check-in Station that’s located past the access gates. Shoreline fishing can be enjoyed from 8:00 a.m. up until 5:00 p.m. every day. 

An important reminder before you head off to experience an awesome fishing day at Lake Jennings is that you must possess a state fishing license which can be bought online from the  California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. No State fishing licenses are sold at Lake Jennings.

The on-site tackle and bait shop is open Friday to Sunday, and it’s here where you can purchase or rent:

• Tackle 
• Bait
• Refreshments
• Boats

From Friday to Sunday, you are allowed to have boats in the water (rented or private), or you can fish from the floating dock. Around 30,000 pounds of fish, mainly channel catfish and trout, are stocked annually. 

From the beginning of Memorial Day weekend until the end of Labor Day weekend, you can enjoy the Lake Jennings “Night Fishing” program on weekends which is open until midnight on Friday and midnight on Saturday. If you love trout fishing, you should aim to visit Lake Jennings between November and early April, as this is when the trout fishing starts and ends.

You can also target fish species like red-ear sunfish, bluegill, and every angler’s favorite large-mouth bass. Events held throughout the year are Kid’s Day and Spring Carnival.

Hiking At Lake Jennings

For those who packed their hiking boots, there are some excellent hiking trails around Lake Jennings and some shorter hikes in and around the campground. A total hike around the lake is approximately 5.5 miles of flat path. 

The north side of the lake has a trail that heads east for 5 miles, allowing you access to what the locals refer to as the old “Flume” bench along the ridges of El Monte Valley.

The hike around the campground totals a little more than a mile and is available to hike any day of the week for registered campers and day-use permit holders. There’s also a 300 yard within the campground for the kids and the adults who didn’t pack their hiking boots.

Lake Jennings Area Attractions and Activities

Lake Jennings is a 23-minute drive from San Diego, where you can also experience some of the area’s best attractions and activities while making Lake Jennings your base. Treat the family to the following:

• Waterfront Park 
• San Diego Zoo 
• Carlton Oaks Country Club (Golf)
• Lindo Lake County Park (Skateboard, Tennis, Fitness Stations, Butterfly Garden)
• Barona Resort & Casino 
• Holly Oaks County Park (Horse riding)
• Kids In Parks (Children Hikes)
• Seaworld San Diego 

Key Lake Jennings Campground Regulations 

Every campground has some regulations in place to ensure a positive experience for all visitors, and here are some key ones when you decide to spoil your family with a visit to Lake Jennings:

• Campsites allow for one camping unit consisting of one tent and one vehicle, or one vehicle and two tents – unless authorized by the Ranger.
• Sleeping outdoors is not allowed.
• Quiet hours are to be observed from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• No weapons allowed (including firearms, fishing bows, arrows, or spearing devices.)
• No hunting allowed.
• Removal of animals and plants is prohibited.
• Fires are allowed inside designated fire rings only and should be extinguished by 11:00 p.m.
• No vehicles are allowed off the paved roads except when visitors access campground spaces and Sentry Point.
• Visitors must not harm any wildlife or interfere with their natural habitat.
• No wildlife feeding is allowed, except when providing bird seed in hanging bird feeders.
• Bicycles and motorized scooters are only allowed on Bass Road, the flume trail, paved roads inside the campground, and the campground loop trail (Anybody under 18 years to wear a helmet.)
• No swimming or wading in the reservoir and no body contact by persons or domestic animals.
• The buoy lines and posted signs delineate no access to the shoreline and the lake around the outlet tower.
• No motor vehicles are allowed on the eastward perimeter road to Eagle Point.
• Anglers and hikers are limited to Sentry Point and Half Moon Cove when the lake is closed to the public.
• The Lake Manager must approve the use of drones.
• Use and possession of illegal drugs are prohibited.
• You may not clean fish on the premises, except when you’re a registered camper using a designated fish cleaning station.
• Domestic animals are only allowed in the campground and on Bass Road and should be kept on a leash at all times with a maximum of three dogs per campsite with no pets allowed on tipi sites.
• Visitors must obey the traffic and road conditions and operate their vehicles at the advertised speed limit.
• Generators must have mufflers and can be operated between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on sites without electrical power.
• The access gates will be closed from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. (Registered guests can access the campgrounds via the access code provided at check-in.

Campgrounds Nearby Lake Jennings

Should Lake Jennings Campgrounds be fully occupied at the time of your visit, please try any of these nearby campgrounds:

• Santee Lake Campground 
• Dixon Lake Campground
• Kumeyaay Lake Campground 

San Diego County Parks

Other camping options available are in the following San Diego County Parks:

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
• Agua Caliente County Park Campground
• Dos Picos County Park
• Lake Morena County Park 
• Oakoasis County Park
• Sweetwater Summit Regional Park 
• Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground
• Vallecito County Park 
• William Heise County Park 

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Jennings

Here are some FAQs about camping at Lake Jennings. Trust the answers will help you plan your trip.

How Much Does It Cost To Camp At Lake Jennings?

The cost of camping at Lake Jennings is as follows:

Can You Swim In Lake Jennings? 

Due to Lake Jennings being a source of drinking water for surrounding areas, no swimming, wading, or bodily contact with the water by any person or domestic animal is allowed.

Are Dogs Allowed At Lake Jennings?

Dogs are allowed at Lake Jennings but must be kept on a leash and limited to three dogs per campsite.

Is There WIFI At Lake Jennings?

There is WIFI available at Lake Jennings, so you don’t have to worry when you want to post beautiful pictures of you enjoying the great outdoors. 

Conclusion

You can’t go wrong when booking a camping spot at Lake Jennings. Your family will love you for it. You deserve a break from it all. Go, Lake Jennings!

Resources

lakejennings.org

http://www.californiasbestcamping.com/san_diego/lake_jennings.html 

https://www.sandiego.org/explore.aspx

https://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/buttons/CampingButton.html