Dispersed camping near Campo, California centers around primitive sites in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Cleveland National Forest. Most locations sit between 2,500-4,000 feet elevation, creating moderate temperatures compared to lower desert areas. Winter nights often drop below 40°F while summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, requiring careful preparation for temperature fluctuations.
What to do
Desert exploration: explore Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves, where more than five different areas offer camping in this box canyon. "No matter how hot it is in the desert the caves are always about 60F," reports a camper at Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves. Another visitor warns: "Don't come here if it's going to rain because the cliff-sides may fall and block the trail."
Stargazing: observe planets with naked eye at Blair Valley where minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "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," notes a camper at Blair Valley Primitive Campground.
Hiking: access Pacific Crest Trail sections from Pine Creek Road Camp. The area connects to several trails with varying difficulty levels. "It's just close enough to some expensive campgrounds and a few connecting trails, so it's awesome to camp here for FREE," notes a visitor to Pine Creek Road Camp.
What campers like
Seclusion: find isolation between sites on Pine Creek Road. "The camping spots are not close together...even driving slowly, I counted only 6 or 7 sites total, separated by up to a mile," reports one camper. Another notes: "A great spot if you want to get away and enjoy some alone time."
Wildlife viewing: observe desert species in their natural habitat. "I had my own private rock garden with so many variety of cacti and lots of birds. So peaceful," writes a visitor about their experience at Blair Valley Primitive Campground.
Geological formations: camp near unique desert features at Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves. "Awesome caves and walking around the area. Spectacular must do trip when around the area," says a camper. Another adds, "Anza borrego state park has a lot of room to explore...perfect place to star gaze and wander around & explore."
Cost-free camping: enjoy free sites throughout the region. "We stayed at Little Blair Valley which is on the other side of this, you can get to it if you keep driving down the road for a ways," notes a camper about accessing additional free camping near Campo, California.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: check current regulations as they vary by location and season. "Fire rings are provided at some locations however the ranger informed us we could build a rock ring and line it with tin foil which worked great," notes a Blair Valley camper.
Vehicle requirements: assess road conditions before attempting access. "The road is a bit narrow but well maintained and there were plenty of trailers out there. Probably wouldn't take anything too too big," cautions one visitor. Another adds: "The road in was a bit rough in some areas. Wash out and silty sand could pose problems for smaller vehicles or campers."
Permit requirements: obtain necessary documentation for certain locations. "Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit (after doing research and finding out you need one), filled out the form, and got it back in the same day," advises a camper at Pine Creek Road Camp.
Cell service: expect limited connectivity in some areas. "I had zero Verizon signal," reports one Blair Valley camper, while another notes "No cell signal, but plenty of solar" at their location in the same area.
Tips for camping with families
Cactus safety: watch for spines in desert camping areas. "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," warns a Blair Valley visitor.
Site selection: choose locations away from hazards for child safety. "If you have kids, stay towards the first mile," advises a camper about Mountain Palm Springs Camp, noting that certain areas have higher concentrations of thorny vegetation.
Timing: arrive early for best locations during busy periods. "I got there at 1:15 on a Friday afternoon and there were some spots off the road on the way in that were open but the spots in the valley had filled up quickly. Lots of people were looking for spots until about 7 so I recommend getting there early if you want to be in the valley."
Water planning: bring ample supplies as no water sources exist at most sites. "Bring plenty of water/off road safety (enough fuel/shovel/traction boards) as towing out of this area is extremely expensive," recommends an experienced camper.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: research road conditions before arrival with larger vehicles. "Not all the roads that lead out to the mountain are legal to camp on so be careful where you park. Otay Mountain Rd and Otay Lakes Rd are the only two roads mentioned on the BLM's website," advises a camper at Otay Mountain Camp.
Parking safety: maintain distance from canyon walls at sites with potential erosion. "DO NOT PARK CLOSE TO THE DIRT WALLS. (Mostly the overhanging ones) During the night I was out there, high winds brought down a huge chunk that we had passed on the way in," warns a visitor at Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves.
Level site selection: consider wind patterns when choosing where to park. "We are novice campers - didn't have sand tent pegs so with a little wind on the day we arrived it took some time to find the right site for us. Lesson learned, take sand capable tent pegs and set up site later in the day and not on a nice hill."
