Dispersed camping near Bonita, California offers a desert wilderness experience with temperatures ranging from 100°F in summer to near-freezing at night in winter. Most sites sit at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature swings that campers must prepare for. The region's granite boulder formations and wide-open desert landscapes provide rustic camping opportunities with minimal light pollution.
What to do
Hike to petroglyphs: At Blair Valley Primitive Campground, you can explore ancient native history on foot. "Ochre petroglyphs, fantastic night sky views, a variety of flora and fauna, hiking, and some challenging 4x4 lines await you here," notes Jeremy A., who adds that "the land was inhabited for thousands of years by the Kumeyaay."
Target practice: Otay Mountain Camp provides designated shooting areas for responsible firearm enthusiasts. "This area is a nice area for shooting. It is frequented by shooting enthusiasts from all over the local area," explains Chris A., who recommends specific access routes: "The entry into this area is from the south by the South Bay Rod and Gun club. The route via maps from the north east is gated and locked."
Night sky observation: The area's minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for astronomy. At Blair Valley Primitive Campground, one camper reports: "We were able to see so many stars and constellations. We saw shooting stars nearly every minute and we were also able to find Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all with the naked eye!"
What campers like
Remote solitude: Many sites provide true isolation despite proximity to urban areas. At Pine Creek Road Camp, camper david notes, "A great spot if you want to get away and enjoy some alone time... We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay."
Flexible setup options: Different sites accommodate various camping styles. "Some of the sites are fairly large—could easily fit 2 cars and a couple tents—but others seemed to be just large enough to pull off the road and sleep in the car," reports Sheridan S. about Pine Creek Road Camp, adding that "some spots were tucked back from the road with lots of trees."
Wildlife viewing: Yaqui Wash offers natural habitat exploration. "It is well vegetated and allows for fairly easy hikes up the soft slopes," notes Abe C., who appreciates that "for those wanting a bit more privacy, this is the spot to be" along the more remote sections of the access road.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Some areas require advance registration. For Pine Creek Road Camp, Nani D. advises: "Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit, filled out the form, and got it back in the same day."
Road conditions vary widely: Access difficulty depends on vehicle type and weather. Gabriel S. notes about Pine Creek: "Quite easy to get to. I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road)."
Seasonal insect activity: Be prepared for bugs during warmer months. "There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed. Luckily just gnats and no mosquitoes from what we experienced," reports Gabriel S. after visiting Pine Creek Road Camp.
Finding available spots: Kitchen Creek Road sites fill quickly on weekends. "People riding motorcycles, trucks, screams, not a good place for solo camping for sure," warns Marco M., suggesting this area may be better for groups seeking rustic camping near Bonita.
Tips for camping with families
Cactus safety awareness: Desert vegetation poses hazards for children and pets. E. warns about Blair Valley: "Watch out for cactus and needles that are buried in the sand. It is not recommended to bring dogs or walk barefoot for this reason. Our sandals and boots both had many needles stuck in the rubber soles after the trip."
Choose sites with natural features: Look for spots with natural play areas. Jennifer D. describes Blair Valley as having "beautiful rocky hills that provide a great backdrop to your desert camping. Lots of climbing to be had, as well as several trails."
Select spots farther from road traffic: Mountain Palm Springs Camp offers primitive camping with more buffer from main roads. Andy B. notes it's "primitive camping. First come..., requires payment in envelope," making it more structured than other dispersed options.
Tips from RVers
Road width considerations: Pine Creek Road poses challenges for larger vehicles. "Pine Creek Road is several miles long, with some sections that are on sheer cliff edges with very few turn-off spots to allow for passing," cautions Sheridan S.
RV-suitable locations: Ruben reports about Pine Creek Road Camp: "Great spot for camping, if you have a big rig it's a little tight to move around on the roads but definitely nice for sprinters/trucks/suvs or even cars! Roads are PAVED, I think that's new because I don't remember that last year when I went!"
Limited turnaround space: Many sites lack adequate space for large rigs to maneuver. Lillian R. notes about Pine Creek: "The road was recently paved so it's easy to drive on, there's a handful of spots just along side the road, as you go further in the road the views get better."
