Established Camping
Burnt Rancheria Campground
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
<strong>Opening day for this campground has been delayed until April 26th due to unavailable water and hazard tree work. Reservation-holders will receive an email with additional information. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.</strong>
About
USDA Forest Service
Cleveland National Forest
Overview
Burnt Rancheria Campground is located 50 miles east of San Diego at the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area in Southern California, right off the Sunrise Scenic Byway. Campers can enjoy hiking, viewing unique birds and wildlife and enjoying cooler temperatures at this mountain facility in Cleveland National Forest, open from mid-April through October.
Recreation
Day hiking and picnicking are most popular at Burnt Rancheria. The facility provides easy access to a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile national scenic trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. Hiking and horseback riding are allowed on the trail. Biking is not allowed on any portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. A short hike to the nearby Desert View Picnic Site provides visitors with a bird's-eye view of the desert 6,000 feet below. On most days, the Salton Sea is clearly visible to the southeast. Restrooms and potable water are available. Families with children will enjoy activities, campfire programs and guided hikes available during summer. In addition to the guided hikes, a visitor might take the self-guided interpretive trail hike; brochures are available from the camp host. Campers can also get a glimpse of the amazing night sky at "star parties" organized by the San Diego State University Observatory. These gatherings are conducted on most Saturday evenings during the summer months (schedule can be obtained at the Visitor Information Center on Laguna Mountain or by calling 619-473-8547).
Facilities
Burnt Rancheria is a large campground with several loops of campsites. Each site has a table and campfire ring. There are no hookups or dump station for RVs; the nearest is located at the Buckman Springs Rest Area, 4 miles east of Pine Valley on I-8. The campground is equipped with restrooms and coin-operated showers (showers open only during reservation season). Firewood is available for purchase from the campground host.
Natural Features
Pines and oaks abound throughout the campground, which sits at an elevation of 6,000 ft. The site is heavily wooded and surrounded by an open oak grove with spectacular desert views.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileGood
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Mountain Solitude in the city
Mount Laguna is a wonderful destination if looking for some fresh mountain air without a long commute being just 30-45min drive from San Diego. We really enjoyed our time at this campground. Lots of wonderful trails right from the campground. Sites are nice with lots of tree for more privacy. Restroom facilities were pretty nice. Would come back again!
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Perfect Local Mountain Getaway!
This campground is a great little hidden gem of a getaway tucked into the Laguna mountains just 50 or so miles from San Diego. At alt 6000 feet in mountain forests, you feel like you are far away from it all. The camp sites are generously spaced adding to the seclusion. It is a family campground, so just know the weekends are going to be full of kids and pets, but weekday camping will present the peace of wind and birds. Bathrooms are clean and water is available everywhere. Not many spaces for big rigs, but lots if you’re in the 20’ range. One whole section is fir first-come, first-serve.
Access to the PCT for a stretch of very easy hiking right out of the campground. A cafe at the entrance and a general store up the road a couple of miles.
Advise stopping at a local grocery for firewood, tho. Is expensive ($8/bundle) at the campground and it’s not even local. They have it shipped in.
Lastly the price here is not $25/ nite as listed. At yhe time of this writing (4/2022) it is $29/nite
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Ideal campsite
We spent three nights at Burnt Rancheria with perfect weather, great hiking and biking opportunities and a well-maintained and peaceful campsite.
Location
Burnt Rancheria Campground is located in California
Directions
Located 50 miles east of San Diego, California. From I-8 take the Sunrise exit. Go approximately 11 miles to Milepost 23. Stop at entrance for campground information and site location.
Address
Mile 23, Sunrise Hwy
Mt. laguna, CA 91948
Coordinates
32.8613889 N
116.4161111 W