Blue Jay Campground, near Lake Elsinore, California, is a solid choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle without straying too far from home. This spot offers a mix of tent and RV sites, complete with fire pits and picnic tables, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the great outdoors.

Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, including bathrooms and water access, which add a touch of convenience to your camping experience. As one camper noted, “There are bathrooms, trash, water and even buckets to fill to put out your fire.” The campground is first-come, first-served, so arriving early can help you snag a good spot, especially on weekends.

For those who love to hike, the surrounding area boasts numerous trails, including routes that lead to scenic waterfalls. Reviewers have mentioned the beautiful views, particularly at sunset, and the peaceful atmosphere that allows for a relaxing getaway. Just keep in mind that it can get a bit crowded during peak times, but many found it to be a quiet retreat during off-peak days.

With its close proximity to Orange County, Blue Jay Campground is perfect for a quick escape into nature. Whether you're planning a family trip or a solo adventure, this campground has the essentials to make your stay enjoyable.

Cal Trans continues to perform highway-widening work on SR-74 Ortega Highway with periodic nightly closures. 

Located approximately 4 miles off Hwy 74 (Ortega) on the North Main Divide Road, this campsite has 50 available sites with a varying distance apart for a true "wilderness" feel. Amenities include trash cans, fire pits, grills, vaulted toilets, and plenty of local trails for hiking, biking and equestrian. For information regarding local and connecting trails, please see our Trail Guide under the Trabuco District.

Blue Jay Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Trabuco Canyon. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Trabuco Canyon campgrounds just for you. Discover great camping spots near Trabuco Canyon, reviewed by campers like you.

Trabuco Canyon

The Best Camping Near Trabuco Canyon, California

My family stayed here when we went to Disneyland, staying out of the city was worth the commute! This campground is nice, with lots of trees for shade. It does get hot though, and there were lots of wasps while we were there. We had to cook very quickly and keep everything covered. This added some frustration to the trip. I didn't pull my camera out while we were there, it was just the one night, and it wasn't worth the wasps. Otherwise nice spot!

Decent campground

Stayed here in late August, it’s easy to get to and close enough for a short trip out of town. The trees were nice, needed some maintenance though because a large tree fell very close to our camp and the area was covered with Poison Oak. The bugs were not enjoyable at all, there were meat bees/wasps swarming all the water faucets and the gnats were so bad we spent most our time hiding in the tent. Had intended to stay longer but the bugs drove us out. The bathroom facilities were pit and not flush so the meat bees/wasps also swarmed there.

Too Buggy

clean restrooms and sites. large campground with paved roads was nice for strolling through. pretty far off the beaten path above lake elsinore. the views near by were fantastic. the staff was fairly friendly and very strict about fires and check out time. the campsites were not too close together but they were smallish. the fire pit was burried in ground so it was practically level, made me nervous about the kids. 

nice elevated /leveled lots

Great campsite 

This campground is ok.   Everything about it is just mediocre.  It’s easy to find, and close to Orange County.  We enjoyed Ortega Falls which is about a 10 minute drive from the campground, and there are a few other hikes nearby.  I didn’t like that the campsites are close to each other.   And I think it cost $20 per night. 

Decent Campground 

This is one of the nicest places in that local area. It is well maintained by very nice people. There is a slitely steep portion of road as you enter, but its only for about 25 yards or so. There is a waterfall and creek, you just have to hike to them. Not too much wildlife other than birds. But a real nice place to get away from the rat race.

Almost perfect campground

If you live in the Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore area this is the perfect campground for a quick and easy getaway. They have some beautiful sites and some good hikes. Great place for mountain biking and just an overall fun place. If you are looking for a quick trip into the nature look no further.

Perfect Campground for quick Getaway

A blue Jay was an awesome experience. We were able to find a spot tucked away off one of the loops to the left after a small hill. Neighbors played loud music but we didn’t mind at all. Our site had firewood left behind which was a lucky plus! We couldn’t even see our neighbors spot so 👍🏼 on the privacy. Great stay with lots of hiking trails and views of the area. If you are coming off of South Ortega, apple maps will take you up a steep and narrow road, once you get to the top there is a dirt trail on your right, that will take you to the radio tower... Amazing view in all directions!

Good stay

We have stayed at Blue Jay a few different times and the weather is mild, but it can get fairly hot. This is a really fun getaway for anyone about an hour or two away, it’s not too far off of the Ortega highway. But far enough away to make you feel like your in the wilderness. Campgrounds are a little small.  Being a non-reservable campground the sites fill up pretty fast on Weekends. Depending on the months we have had issues with the bugs that wouldn’t leave us alone. But our most recent experience in May was bug free except for a few ticks from the nearby trails. Overall, Blue Jay is a clean, semi-quiet, fun campground with toilets and running water. We would probably give it a three and a half stars if possible.

Blue Jay

This is generally a great spot. Beautiful country and always seems to be plenty of availability. 

This time (late June) the flies were so bad we had to pack up and leave. Even hiking the San Juan trail we had hundreds of flies around us. Back at camp they were so thick that we figured we’d rather go home than be swarmed with flies or stuck in the tent all day. Must just be a seasonal thing because I’ve never seen them this bad in years of camping. 

Flies!

This is a nice quiet spot that lets you enjoy an outdoor experience. All sites have fire pits. Dumpsters are available as well. A few nice trails near. I don’t think they take reservations so it might be a first come first serve. We stayed overnight and didn’t pay for it.

Good Overnight Spot

Feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere but so close to home! Perfect for a quick night trip. My friend and I decided at 8 pm that we wanted to go camping. It’s a first come first serve but there was only one other camper there. The fee is $20 self pay per night. Clean sites, with bathrooms, dumpsters and water. 

Perfect for a quick trip!

When I lived in San Clemente, this was a great campground just to get away! This campground can get rowdy because it is so easily accessible but nothing too crazy! Great views especially at sunset!

Secluded but easily accessible

Blue Jay is very close to most of Orange County so it’s a great easy camp if you just want to be away but don’t want the big drive. Sites were nice but we were very lucky to be there when it was pretty empty. I read some yelp reviews that said it can get a bit loud with parties but I guess that’s the flip side to being easily reachable. We enjoyed the hiking in the area and the bathrooms were clean. The area can get pretty hot so check the temps beforehand. I don’t believe there are hookups in any spots. 

Close to Orange County but feels far

We’re in the orange county area and wanted to spend a quick night in nature with friends under the stars. As someone who prefers dispersed camping, it did feel like a bit of a ‘luxe’ experience. There are on site bathrooms, dumpsters, and water spouts. Each individual campsite has a pre built fire pit, table, and designated area for tent. The site is first come first serve. We came on a Thursday and had no problem finding a nice, secluded spot — as we suspected we might be talking late into the night and did not want to disturb the peace. I’ve seen a lot of reviews mentioning the flies. While annoying, we found the best ways to combat them were bug spray and citronella candles. They do go away once the sun sets. Overall we had a great experience and I can’t get over how the area is so close, yet feels and looks so far.

Comfortable & Convenient 

My family joined our extended family for a weekend away at Blue Jay campground. It is only an hour drive from our home in Newport Beach, but felt like we were a million miles away. 

Getting to the campground is fun and gorgeous. Ortega Highway is a pretty drive and the final two miles up the mountain was steep and felt like I was driving in another country. 

Campground has 50 sites that are first-come-first-serve. We got there on Saturday morning around 11:00am and there were roughly 3 sites open. We stayed at site 3 - the first site we saw - and loved. 

Went on two great hikes, both to the nearby waterfalls. Each hike was beautiful. 

Stopped off at a small Candy Store &amp; Deli on Ortega Highway on the way that we loved!!

It was a fun trip we’ll do again. 



WILL GO AGAIN!

Just needed a spot to pull into for the night. A nice little campground just a few minutes off the 74 just before Lake Elsinore. There weren't many people there, and the campsites were spread apart far enough that you couldnt hear the next campsite snoring. It was a little windy out, but besides that the campsite was just beautiful, and hard to believe it was only minutes away from town. 

Quiet little campground

Blue jay is a pay to stay campground. You pay at the gate and get what spot you can find. There is fresh water in camp and there are bathrooms. The locations are pretty good and pretty private from each other. If you like to hike bike or trail run, there’s tons of trail. Lots of hills though so don’t under estimate them. We love it here 

Nice little getaway 

Site #7 is good for a large group. I needed to hike about 400 yards along a nearby trail to find a small spot with a weak T-Mobile signal. Two roads in from hwy 74. One is good, the other is dangerous. Use the one from El Cariso. High speed drivers on 74 also make getting there dangerous. 

Nice, secluded, quiet. 

Awesome spot, lots of sights and some even have overlooks of the entire park. Can get crowded but no one was there on a Friday night in July. Bathrooms, trash, water and even buckets to fill to put out your fire. Fire pits, benches and grills nothing more you could want.

Hidden gem

The "Airport Fire" burned through the area and their website says they are temporarily closed. 

Photos of Blue Jay Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Real photos from real campers