- Pine Valley
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Reviews
93% Recommend15 ratings · 12 reviews
Recommends
· December 2020
The Campground fits the total isolation feel, as soon as you get off the highway (in my case I went a bit more on highway 8 to get gas at acorn casino, which is very nearby) and get to old highway 80 you feel your getting a bit more into isolation. Getting to the campground you drive through a locked gate which the host gave good instructions on how to enter and you drive up a somewhat washed dirt road to where you would camp (for me there was a fair amount of humidity so the dirt road was fairly compacted, so any car can get through though you would be hitting some bushes if you come in with a large car (RV) to get to campground).
The campground is primitive (no bathroom, no water/electric hookups, be self-sufficient), but in my case, since I was meteor shower watching and astrophotography I welcomed the isolation and solitude. You get a good mixture of a little light from far away cities but your the right distance you get to see many stars in the sky. Even at night I felt perfectly safe running around the grounds setting up the camera for some night time photographs (though have your headlamp handy so you don't step on anything that can bite back).
The host Lance was very helpful and message me making sure I made it to the campground as well as told me about the old water tank that held water for washing, I also saw a nice couple which I am not sure if they were associated with the host (or neighbors) but were very nice and made sure I was alright and I knew the owner so camping here felt pretty safe as there were great people around.
The experience is mainly your on your own, but the host and people are always nearby as well. So if you want the total isolation feel you could pretty much come in camp and leave without seeing anyone (especially for COVID fears right now I can understand), but the host and good people nearby always make you feel your safe in isolation. Great Host and campground would definitely check it out again if need a campground in that area (or just wanting to see the stars).
Spencer P.
6 years on Hipcamp
This is exactly as described... not much to say! Someone had rigged up a little bench and fire pit before me, which was nice. There were ants.... which is to be expected in nature. They didn't pose any problems, after I made sure I didn't put my tent directly over them. I felt safe with the gate and overall remoteness. Host was responsive to questions.
Julian S.
7 reviews
Recommends
· August 2020
Group trip ·
High Desert Isolation
Really enjoyed this site, nice views and very isolated. The directions were super helpful and made it easy to find the location. Appreciated that some land was cleared made sleeping without a pad comfortable.
Lesly W.
5 years on Hipcamp
Site was great. It’s very open and provides amazing views of the surrounding terrain. The sunset is awesome from this spot. Very secluded with no sign of civilization by sight. Only thing you can hear at night are crickets and the sound of cars on the freeway off in the distance. Stars look amazing
One annoyance is that most of the area is covered in red ant hills which made pitching a tent risky for me but if you can find a work around the place is perfect.
T
Terry S.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2020
Group trip ·
High Desert Isolation
It is certainly a nice spot! There are two sites in total. The only hiccup was that the directions I was given, were to the other site. So that caused some confusion so just check with Lance on the directions.
Philip M.
5 years on Hipcamp
We ended up staying at site 2 after some confusion with the other group of campers that had booked for the weekend. Double check with the host on which site you should be headed to and how to get there. The sites are about 3/4 mile apart. The directions weren’t very accurate, but it’s really easy to get to from SD. About an hour East on the 8.
Overall we had a great weekend! The site is pretty private, a little closer to the road than we would have liked but the road isn’t highly traveled. The view is great. Stars brights and beautiful.
We had 8 people and 4 cars and it was the perfect amount of space. We probably could have fit one more car/tent but anything over that would be pushing it.
The area is extremely sandy and one of the 2wd cars got stuck trying to back out. 4wd not required but be careful.
The site is completely primitive. No table, no fire pit, no water. We loved it and were prepared for it but bring some tools to dig a pit if you want fire.
Highly recommend for group camping. Peaceful, beautiful, over all great weekend. You did it again, hipcamp!
Hanna F.
8 reviews
Recommends
· June 2020
Group trip ·
High Desert Isolation
Lance’s property was beautiful! Very secluded and easy to get to. I would definitely recommend it to friends and hope to return sometime soon.
Justin W.
5 years on Hipcamp
100% Satisfied. Exceeded expectations: green, butterflies, & birds. Super curious about previous Boy Scout / other uses of the site. I may have hesitated were my RV newer or longer. Dirt road is a bit narrow, scratching sides of 33' RV. Because road is uphill with some rain ruts/trenches, some confidence in driving a bigger vehicle is helpful. We'll be back.
David C.
2 reviews
Mixed feelings
· May 2020
Group trip ·
High Desert Isolation
My first experience using Hipcamp to find a campsite. The host, Lance, was very helpful when we asked about access to water in the water tower. We used it to wash dishes. The campsite is definitely primitive, with a few dilapidated bits of structures (cement and rebar piles) the views are great. The area is large enough for a few tents, vehicles, and even an RV or two. There is no shade. No trees, but lots of brush and rocks and other pretty scenery. We saw a rattlesnake on the first day so we kept the dog on a leash the whole time. Had no other rattler sightings the next three days. At night the sky is lit up with stars. You can hear the highway off in the distance, but it’s not loud. There are great hikes nearby like Kitchen Creek waterfalls and the town of Pine Valley has all your camp restocking needs. Overall, a decent camp site and experience, especially for the price.
Brandy J.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2020
This is a wonderful "site" (like previous poster said it's open grounds). We had a blast with the family and made some memories! The location was difficult to find at first because the address had fallen off the post, but Lance was able to guide us to where we needed to be over the phone. The road up to the site is a short dirt road, not sure a car with lower clearance would make it up easily due to some over grown shrubs. We set up camp near the water tower and it worked out great for us. The views are amazing, the stars shine bright, and I would definitely recommend this location! We hope to visit again really soon.
Amber V.
2 reviews
It was a blast. Great to get out with all this Covid 19 stuff. We didn't see a single soul until driving the 11min into the small town to get gas. The border patrol sent us to secondary on our way back home and they were cool. I have a registered/legal shotgun we brought for protection and they didn't say anything except of course their due diligence in making sure It was property purchased and registered. Camp "site" is more like 60 acres of open land. I have a car and we drove no problem and parked near the water tower - we found a perfect spot for us to hang a ridge line and build ourselves shelter - we only used the stuff nature provided, our big out bag, and even at some of our emergency food. Built fire the old fashioned way, and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip. Thanks Lance!
Nelson A.
5 years on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· October 2019
The view was amazing and it was completely isolated just how I wanted it, but at the moment the area was unkept. Unfortunately, in nature there are things you can’t control and my dog ran into a fire ant hill while wondering off and she came back with ants biting her so we had to leave, but if the area got cleaned up I would come back to give it another chance.
Roni L.
3 reviews
Location
Pine Valley, San Diego, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
L
Hosted by Lance H.
Joined in March 2019Things to do nearby
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