Openings · last 7 days
17
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 17 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233300
When Observatory Campground reopens
Observatory Campground's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
47
Openings · last 90 days
82
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dNo strong weekday pattern is evident in the openings Campsite Sniper has detected: 82 openings spread across the week.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 05:00 and 12:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 24 of 82 detected openings (29.3%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Pacific Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 12.5 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 5–25 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 006 | 9 | 11.0% |
| 013 | 7 | 8.5% |
| 034 | 7 | 8.5% |
| 033 | 7 | 8.5% |
| 041/042 | 6 | 7.3% |
Site 006 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 9. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027 · of 28 monitored sites
Of the 1,638 tracked site-nights (Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027): 1,260 open for online reservation · 249 reserved · 30 closed · 99 unavailable (cause unspecified).
Where the open windows are
23.1% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 1,260 of 1,638 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027Not open online23.1%
Open site-nights1,260 / 1,638
Reserved (of online inventory)249 / 1,509
Weekday openings784
Weekend openings476
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 784 fall on weekdays and 476 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Nov 2026 – May 2027April holds the most room. 758 of 780 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 26 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 19 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 5 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 8 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 0 | None open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 0 | None open | |
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Thanksgiving: 3 sites are available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: no online availability on any tracked night. New Year: no online availability on any tracked night. Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 028 | 54 |
| 035/036 | 54 |
| 003 | 53 |
| 011 | 53 |
| 001/002 | 51 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Nov 2, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Nov 6
Next open weekendFri · Nov 6
The next bookable night is Nov 6; the first open weekend starts Nov 6. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
1,260 open site-nights across 26 sites at Observatory Campground, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 135 2-night, 119 3-night, 35 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Nov 8 at site 033.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 35 ft. 4 sites take 25 ft, 3 sites take 35 ft.
All 26 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 028 | 20 ft | None | 54 | 33 nights | Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22 +42 more |
| 035/036 | 12 ft | None | 54 | 33 nights | Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22 +42 more |
| 003 | 12 ft | None | 53 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22, Nov 23 +41 more |
| 011 | 12 ft | None | 53 | 33 nights | Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22 +41 more |
| 001/002 | 12 ft | None | 51 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22, Nov 23 +39 more |
| 005 | 12 ft | None | 51 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 23, Nov 24 +39 more |
| 008 | 12 ft | None | 51 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22, Nov 23 +39 more |
| 021/022 | 15 ft | None | 51 | 33 nights | Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20 +39 more |
| 030 | 20 ft | None | 51 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 22 +39 more |
| 033 | 15 ft | None | 50 | 29 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20 +38 more |
| 037/038 | 30 ft | None | 50 | 29 nights | Nov 6, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22 +38 more |
| 006 | 12 ft | None | 49 | 28 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 22 +37 more |
| 009 | 12 ft | None | 49 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22, Nov 23 +37 more |
| 010 | 12 ft | None | 49 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22, Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 25 +37 more |
| 013 | 12 ft | None | 49 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 25, Nov 26 +37 more |
| 017 | 15 ft | None | 49 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 25 +37 more |
| 024 | 15 ft | None | 49 | 16 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22, Nov 23, Nov 24 +37 more |
| 041/042 | 35 ft | None | 48 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 25, Nov 26 +36 more |
| 026 | 15 ft | None | 47 | 16 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 25 +35 more |
| 039 | 35 ft | None | 47 | 33 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 24, Nov 25 +35 more |
| 040 | 35 ft | None | 47 | 22 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 25, Nov 26 +35 more |
| 034 | 20 ft | None | 46 | 19 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22, Nov 23, Nov 24 +34 more |
| 031/032 | 20 ft | None | 45 | 26 nights | Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 20, Nov 22, Nov 25 +33 more |
| 025 | 15 ft | None | 43 | 16 nights | Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 25, Nov 26, Nov 29 +31 more |
| 029 | 20 ft | None | 41 | 15 nights | Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18, Nov 19, Nov 22, Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 25, Nov 29, Nov 30, Dec 1 +29 more |
| 019 | 15 ft | None | 33 | 33 nights | Apr 1, 2027, Apr 2, 2027, Apr 3, 2027, Apr 4, 2027, Apr 5, 2027, Apr 6, 2027, Apr 7, 2027, Apr 8, 2027, Apr 9, 2027, Apr 10, 2027, Apr 11, 2027, Apr 12, 2027 +21 more |
About Observatory Campground
Overview
Science buffs and families are drawn to Observatory Campground for its proximity to the Palomar Observatory, a world-class center of astronomy research operated by the California Institute of Technology. Just two miles from the observatory, the campground provides visitors with a unique learning experience in the great outdoors. The facility offers a variety of amenities for both tent and RV camping. Hiking, biking and picnicking can be found nearby.
Recreation
An exciting amateur astronomy project, Explore the Stars, occurs at the campground on several weekends each summer. A group of amateur astronomers from all across Southern California shares the beauty and awe of the night sky to more than a hundred non-astronomers at the campground. Visitors can also walk a 2.25-mile trail to the observatory itself.
Day hiking, biking, picnicking and scenic driving are available in the area. The campground makes a good base camp for visiting Palomar Mountain State Park and exploring the surrounding forest.
Facilities
The campground is organized around one large loop with parking spurs for each campsite. Several sites are equipped with level cement pads to allow campers to set up their telescopes. The sites can accommodate vehicles up to 32 feet in length.
Drinking water, coin-operated showers (peak season only), grills, trash cans, campfire rings, picnic tables, a flush toilet (peak season only) and two vault toilets are provided.
Natural Features
The campground sits at an elevation of 4,800 feet in the Palomar Mountains of Southern California. The site is forested with pine and oak trees, though several sites have been cleared to allow campers a wide view of the night sky.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is adjacent to Palomar Mountain State Park and under a two-hour drive from San Diego, California. A general store with basic necessities is down the road.
28 monitored sitesRVs up to 35 ftNo hookups25 shadedPets OKFire pitsMax party 15
Getting there
The closest address to the campground is 35899 Canfield Road, Palomar Mountain, California. The campground is about 2 miles north of this address along Canfield Road. From Los Angeles, California, drive south on I-15 to State Highway 76. Go east on 76 for approximately 20 miles and turn left onto South Grade Road (County Road S6). Follow to the top of Palomar Mountain. Once at the top, turn left to continue on South Grade Road/Canfield Road. Continue for approximately 2.5 miles and turn right into the campground.
S6, Palomar Mountain, CA760-788-0250
CampingDay Use AreaHiking
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233300 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233300 · Observatory Campground · Palomar Mountain CA7 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Observatory Campground?
Reservations for Observatory Campground are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 1,260 of 1,638 tracked site-nights are open (76.9%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 82 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 16:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Observatory Campground?
Campsite Sniper detected 17 site-date openings at Observatory Campground in the last 7 days, 47 over 30 days and 82 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Observatory Campground?
119 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Nov 8 at site 033. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Observatory Campground fit a 35-foot RV?
3 of the 26 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 35 ft.
Which month has the most availability at Observatory Campground?
April 2027, with 758 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 780.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Observatory Campground?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 12.5 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 5-25 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
When is the next open date at Observatory Campground?
As of the Nov 2, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Nov 6 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Nov 6. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
Stop refreshing. Let the app watch it.
Filter
Lakefront, hookups, your RV length, weekends only - set it as picky as you want.
Watch
We run paced availability checks for Observatory Campground. One watch covers every matching site.
Get the ping
When a match opens, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.