Description

With a variety of primitive sites, and walking access into nearby wooded areas, Blue Jay Campground is a laid-back destination for hikers and picnickers. Situated in the Cleveland National Forest, three miles from Ortega Highway, the campground is a great place to explore the forest from the Blue Jay Trailhead. If reading this has started a mental rendition of the Beatles’ “Blue Jay Way,” take the advice of that voice in your head, and please don’t be long. After all, there are no reservations, so it’s best to arrive early.

Campsite area
Tent or RV sites
50 sites
Up to guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Potable water available
Picnic table available

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

Your leg muscles are straining as you pedal hard, fighting against gravity. You’re winding through oak trees and chaparral at i...Read more

Fishing

The Loveland Reservoir is THE fisher(wo)man’s spot in Cleveland National Forest. You can chill with catfish, bluegill, and red-...Read more

Hiking

With 460,000 acres, of course there are plenty of hiking trails here. Seriously, we’re talkin’ 356 miles of trails in total. Wi...Read more

Horseback riding

Horse-lovers rejoice! We have trails upon trails for you and your four-legged homeboy/girl. Check out all your horseback riding...Read more

Off-roading (OHV)

Do you find yourself getting agitated by those pesky white and yellow lines? By red and green lights, stop signs, and the like?...Read more

Climbing

Consider yourself a climber or just lookin’ to try it out? Either way, some pretty awesome rock climbing is to be had here, esp...Read more

Snow sports

Longing for a winter getaway in SoCal? We’ve got you covered. Grab your sleds, your tubes, your snowman-building materials, and...Read more

Swimming

With flowing waterfalls throughout the forest, there are a bunch o’ different swimming holes for you to splash around in. Ceda...Read more

Wildlife watching

With 460,000 acres, many different critters call this place home. From mountain lions, to mule deer, bats, and grey foxes, this...Read more

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Blue Jay Campground.

Cave
Desert
Forest
Lake
River, stream, or...
Swimming hole
Waterfall
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12 Reviews

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Hipcamper Marc
Marc M.
recommends this listing.
October 13th, 2021

First time camping here, and I'll definitely come back. Of the 50+ individual spots, I think a grand total of 10 of them were occupied leaving the entire campgrounds largely "to us"! Granted it was cool October weather and mid-week, but hey! totally worth taking a day off from work! Facilities were nice (TP running awfully low though!) and everything was pretty clean. There were no payment envelops in the box at the entrance to the campgrounds, thus no way to pay for the spot. This implies to me minimum attention from the forest service (at least around the time we went).

Hipcamper Julia
Julia F.
recommends this listing.
November 25th, 2019

Camped here the Saturday before Thanksgiving 2019 and really enjoyed it! It wasn't packed, maybe ~10-20% capacity. There's 50 Drive-in sites, some of which are clustered together well enough to make for a great group camping trip. It's $20/night per site, and you pay at the campground entrance. It's a self-service drop box with envelopes, so you can check in at any time of the day or night. Even though it's an honor system, there was a park ranger checking the drop box at 9:30am sharp on Sunday morning so make sure to bring cash! Picnic bench and fire pit ring available at each camp site. Depending what site you're at, it's only a couple hundred paces to water spouts, dumpsters, and stocked latrines. Great drive-in campground!

Hipcamper Ivy
Ivy G.
recommends this listing.
September 25th, 2017

First come first serve. You pay cash at the entrance then have to drive around until you find an open space.

Hipcamper Melissa M.
recommends this listing.
July 14th, 2019
Hipcamper Ellie P.
recommends this listing.
June 4th, 2019
Hipcamper Jenny K.
recommends this listing.
February 5th, 2019
Hipcamper Adrian R.
recommends this listing.
May 23rd, 2018
Hipcamper Beryl S.
recommends this listing.
April 7th, 2018
Hipcamper Mackenzie C.
recommends this listing.
January 3rd, 2018
Hipcamper Joshua H.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
September 13th, 2017
Hipcamper Kristine S.
recommends this listing.
August 5th, 2017
Hipcamper Hesham  E.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
July 23rd, 2017
Park
Cleveland National Forest
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
858-673-6180
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
33.653° N, 117.45° W
$20/night
Tent / RV / Trailer: 50 Sites
(Up to people per site)