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Just an hour-and-a-half's drive from San Diego lies 460,000 acres of mountain fun. Spanning the Laguna, Cuyamaca, and Santa Ana mountain ranges, this National Forest is chock-full of waterfalls, swimming holes, and even a snow recreation area.
If you’re chasing waterfalls, Cedar Creek is by far the most popular (and for good reason). For a more secluded vibe, try Ortega or Tenaja Falls.
Elevation enthusiasts will want to check out the Garnet Peak Trail. After huffing and puffing up this section of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Anza-Borrego Desert.
The area is also packed with scenic drives. The Sunrise Scenic Byway offers acces
Just an hour-and-a-half's drive from San Diego lies 460,000 acres of mountain fun. Spanning the Laguna, Cuyamaca, and Santa Ana mountain ranges, this National Forest is chock-full of waterfalls, swimming holes, and even a snow recreation area.
If you’re chasing waterfalls, Cedar Creek is by far the most popular (and for good reason). For a more secluded vibe, try Ortega or Tenaja Falls.
Elevation enthusiasts will want to check out the Garnet Peak Trail. After huffing and puffing up this section of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Anza-Borrego Desert.
The area is also packed with scenic drives. The Sunrise Scenic Byway offers access to beautiful vistas and meadows begging for a picnic. For those looking for a more thrilling drive, head up Palomar Mountain via South Grade Road. Just be careful around those hairpins!
Bobcat Meadow Campground is an OHV enthusiast's dream. These primitive and classic camping sites are adjacent to the Corral Canyon OHV area. Time to ride them dirt trails into the sunset and drink some brew by the campfire. Gotta love ‘Merica!
A picnic in the mountains, a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, and a ride into the sunset on your favorite horse. If these things put the wind in you sails, float on over to the scenic Boulder Oaks Campground, just an hour outside of San Diego.
Looking for some remote Southern California camping? Head on over to Cibbets Flat Campground, hide out in a grove of shady oaks, and watch crimson sunsets amidst rolling hills of chapparel. What’s more, is this campground offers access to the Pacific Crest Trail. Ahh California…ain’t she grand!
Ain’t no party like a party in the mountains! Just be careful not to party too hard, you don’t want to disrupt the habitat of the endangered Laguna Skipper Butterfly that chose this place as its home before we chose it as our vacation home. El Prado’s five group campgrounds sit at an elevation of 5,600 feet, and each site can sit 30 to 50 of your Read more...
STAR PARTIES. Need we say more? Photographers, this campground is your jam. By day, meander to nearby Little Laguna Lake, to capture that classic lake-plus-trees-plus-mountain-reflection shot, and at night grab a time-lapse of the stars as you learn more about the sky from a star party sponsored by San Diego State University (most Saturdays throug Read more...
Crestline Group Campground is a group hike, cookout, campfire sing-a-long kinda place! Situated in the lovely Palomar Mountains, this super-accessible campground provides accommodations for up to 50 people at a time and includes vault toilets, water, and picnicking areas. It’s also within spitting distance of the Palomar Observatory, so get ready Read more...
It’s Friday in San Diego, and you’ve just about had it with the week. What you really need to do is grab your hiking boots, pup tent, some water, vittles, and hit the road to Indian Flats Campground in Cleveland National Forest. This first-come, first-served campground gives you access to the Pacific Crest Trail as well as plenty of rocks to scram Read more...
At 6,000 feet above sea level, Burnt Rancheria Campground towers over Southern California, boasting epic views of the desert and, on clear days, the Salton Sea. While it’s just 50 miles from San Diego, the campground is blissfully free of light pollution, making it a popular spot for stargazers; the San Diego State University Observatory even orga Read more...
Explore Dripping Springs Campground, and your jaw will be dropping in awe! This place seems to have the best of the best, whether you’re looking to catch a fish, catch a sunrise or catch a campground for you and your horse. Ok, it actually doesn’t have the best of RV sites (no hook-ups) but who needs amenities when you’re exploring non-stop? Littl Read more...
Horse Heaven Group Camp offers large group sites for rugged tent camping in a forested area of the Laguna Mountain region, along with drinking water, vault toilets and a peaceful break from civilization. This isn’t actually an equestrian site, just a sweet wilderness spot for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. The “heaven” part, though, t Read more...
If you got a thing for dust and dirt, roll them wheels on over to the Corral Canyon Campground. Located in an OHV area, this place is dirttopia! No use in coming home from a camping trip clean.
Rev up that fancy RV, 'cause Wooded Hill Group Camp Ground is all about the motorized love. You'll have to leave your electrical hookups at home, but drinkable water and vault toilets up the comfort factor. Once you've found the perfect parking spot, go for a beautiful walk along the wooded trails and have a picnic. Trailers are welcome at the sit Read more...
Small, secluded, non-reservable. . . what’s not to love? OHV-friendly Wildomar Campground offers picnicking, hiking and, of course, plenty of off-road fun. With it all comes a dose of top-notch rugged scenery and terrain. Easy access off Los Alamos Truck Trail makes Wildomar convenient. Limited sites but low traffic make it the perfect place for a Read more...
Trek around that wooded bramble and converse with Mother Nature like the old friend she is. Oak Grove Campground offers ample hiking opportunities as well as drinkable water, and you won't be able to say no to those new-fangled flushable toilets. With light usage and some idyllic picnicking spots, this may just be your next outdoor refuge.
Located on a picturesque pass in the Santa Ana Mountains, El Cariso campground has small, sunny and shady sites primarily suitable for tent camping. The campground is held together by quality CCC architecture, and is a prime spot for picnicking. An on-site visitor center and direct access to a self-guided nature trail, offer cool info on plant lif Read more...
Fancy a group camping site? If you’re in the Cleveland National Forest the Falcon Group Campground is a safe bet. There are three individual sites to choose from: Lupine, Sage, and Yarrow. Potable water and vault toilets are provided. Now all you have to worry about is finding the perfect stick to roast your marshmallows!
Enjoy primitive camping under the oaks at Upper San Juan Campground, conveniently located just off Ortega Highway. Despite the ease of access, it’s a small campground for tents and small RVs only, and it doesn’t see a huge amount of use. With hiking, picnicking and basic amenities, Upper San Juan is a nice place for relaxing outdoors in nice weath Read more...
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 Read more...
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Cleveland National Forest
See what Southern California looked like before cities.
Just an hour-and-a-half's drive from San Diego lies 460,000 acres of mountain fun. Spanning the Laguna, Cuyamaca, and Santa Ana mountain ranges, this National Forest is chock-full of waterfalls, swimming holes, and even a snow recreation area.
If you’re chasing waterfalls, Cedar Creek is by far the most popular (and for good reason). For a more secluded vibe, try Ortega or Tenaja Falls.
Elevation enthusiasts will want to check out the Garnet Peak Trail. After huffing and puffing up this section of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Anza-Borrego Desert.
The area is also packed with scenic drives. The Sunrise Scenic Byway offers acces
Just an hour-and-a-half's drive from San Diego lies 460,000 acres of mountain fun. Spanning the Laguna, Cuyamaca, and Santa Ana mountain ranges, this National Forest is chock-full of waterfalls, swimming holes, and even a snow recreation area.
If you’re chasing waterfalls, Cedar Creek is by far the most popular (and for good reason). For a more secluded vibe, try Ortega or Tenaja Falls.
Elevation enthusiasts will want to check out the Garnet Peak Trail. After huffing and puffing up this section of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Anza-Borrego Desert.
The area is also packed with scenic drives. The Sunrise Scenic Byway offers access to beautiful vistas and meadows begging for a picnic. For those looking for a more thrilling drive, head up Palomar Mountain via South Grade Road. Just be careful around those hairpins!
Camping options include Blue Jay campground, El Cariso campground, Upper San Juan Campground, or the Wildomar Campground. Make sure to check the status of each campground before heading out as they can be seasonally closed.
Activities in the park
18 campgrounds in Cleveland National Forest
Bobcat Meadow Campground is an OHV enthusiast's dream. These primitive and classic camping sites are adjacent to the Corral Canyon OHV area. Time to ride them dirt trails into the sunset and drink some brew by the campfire. Gotta love ‘Merica!
A picnic in the mountains, a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, and a ride into the sunset on your favorite horse. If these things put the wind in you sails, float on over to the scenic Boulder Oaks Campground, just an hour outside of San Diego.
Looking for some remote Southern California camping? Head on over to Cibbets Flat Campground, hide out in a grove of shady oaks, and watch crimson sunsets amidst rolling hills of chapparel. What’s more, is this campground offers access to the Pacific Crest Trail. Ahh California…ain’t she grand!
Ain’t no party like a party in the mountains! Just be careful not to party too hard, you don’t want to disrupt the habitat of the endangered Laguna Skipper Butterfly that chose this place as its home before we chose it as our vacation home. El Prado’s five group campgrounds sit at an elevation of 5,600 feet, and each site can sit 30 to 50 of your Read more...
STAR PARTIES. Need we say more? Photographers, this campground is your jam. By day, meander to nearby Little Laguna Lake, to capture that classic lake-plus-trees-plus-mountain-reflection shot, and at night grab a time-lapse of the stars as you learn more about the sky from a star party sponsored by San Diego State University (most Saturdays throug Read more...
Crestline Group Campground is a group hike, cookout, campfire sing-a-long kinda place! Situated in the lovely Palomar Mountains, this super-accessible campground provides accommodations for up to 50 people at a time and includes vault toilets, water, and picnicking areas. It’s also within spitting distance of the Palomar Observatory, so get ready Read more...
It’s Friday in San Diego, and you’ve just about had it with the week. What you really need to do is grab your hiking boots, pup tent, some water, vittles, and hit the road to Indian Flats Campground in Cleveland National Forest. This first-come, first-served campground gives you access to the Pacific Crest Trail as well as plenty of rocks to scram Read more...
At 6,000 feet above sea level, Burnt Rancheria Campground towers over Southern California, boasting epic views of the desert and, on clear days, the Salton Sea. While it’s just 50 miles from San Diego, the campground is blissfully free of light pollution, making it a popular spot for stargazers; the San Diego State University Observatory even orga Read more...
Explore Dripping Springs Campground, and your jaw will be dropping in awe! This place seems to have the best of the best, whether you’re looking to catch a fish, catch a sunrise or catch a campground for you and your horse. Ok, it actually doesn’t have the best of RV sites (no hook-ups) but who needs amenities when you’re exploring non-stop? Littl Read more...
Horse Heaven Group Camp offers large group sites for rugged tent camping in a forested area of the Laguna Mountain region, along with drinking water, vault toilets and a peaceful break from civilization. This isn’t actually an equestrian site, just a sweet wilderness spot for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. The “heaven” part, though, t Read more...
If you got a thing for dust and dirt, roll them wheels on over to the Corral Canyon Campground. Located in an OHV area, this place is dirttopia! No use in coming home from a camping trip clean.
Rev up that fancy RV, 'cause Wooded Hill Group Camp Ground is all about the motorized love. You'll have to leave your electrical hookups at home, but drinkable water and vault toilets up the comfort factor. Once you've found the perfect parking spot, go for a beautiful walk along the wooded trails and have a picnic. Trailers are welcome at the sit Read more...
Small, secluded, non-reservable. . . what’s not to love? OHV-friendly Wildomar Campground offers picnicking, hiking and, of course, plenty of off-road fun. With it all comes a dose of top-notch rugged scenery and terrain. Easy access off Los Alamos Truck Trail makes Wildomar convenient. Limited sites but low traffic make it the perfect place for a Read more...
Trek around that wooded bramble and converse with Mother Nature like the old friend she is. Oak Grove Campground offers ample hiking opportunities as well as drinkable water, and you won't be able to say no to those new-fangled flushable toilets. With light usage and some idyllic picnicking spots, this may just be your next outdoor refuge.
Located on a picturesque pass in the Santa Ana Mountains, El Cariso campground has small, sunny and shady sites primarily suitable for tent camping. The campground is held together by quality CCC architecture, and is a prime spot for picnicking. An on-site visitor center and direct access to a self-guided nature trail, offer cool info on plant lif Read more...
Fancy a group camping site? If you’re in the Cleveland National Forest the Falcon Group Campground is a safe bet. There are three individual sites to choose from: Lupine, Sage, and Yarrow. Potable water and vault toilets are provided. Now all you have to worry about is finding the perfect stick to roast your marshmallows!
Enjoy primitive camping under the oaks at Upper San Juan Campground, conveniently located just off Ortega Highway. Despite the ease of access, it’s a small campground for tents and small RVs only, and it doesn’t see a huge amount of use. With hiking, picnicking and basic amenities, Upper San Juan is a nice place for relaxing outdoors in nice weath Read more...
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 Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Public campgrounds (book externally) —