Best Dispersed Camping near Mount Laguna, CA

Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Mount Laguna, California, primarily in the adjacent Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Blair Valley Primitive Campground offers free camping with a 30-day limit and basic amenities including pit toilets near the entrance. Pine Creek Road Camp provides secluded sites along a paved mountain road with limited pullouts. According to reviews, Blair Valley features "beautiful rocky hills that provide a great backdrop to desert camping" with numerous hiking trails and opportunities to view ancient pictographs.

No drinking water is available at these primitive sites; visitors must pack in all water supplies. Most locations require strict adherence to Leave No Trace principles with pack-it-in, pack-it-out trash policies. Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. Several campers noted that Blair Valley has surprisingly good connectivity, with one reporting "better signal at this campsite than in Park Circle at the heart of Borrego Springs."

Road conditions vary seasonally and by location. Blair Valley's dirt roads are generally passable in standard vehicles, though caution is advised after rain. Pine Creek Road presents more challenging driving conditions with "sections on sheer cliff edges with very few turn-off spots to allow for passing." Fire regulations permit campfires in established rings at some locations, while others prohibit fires entirely. Weather conditions range from hot days to cold nights, with temperatures dropping to the 40s after sunset even in spring months. The area is recognized as a dark sky community, offering exceptional stargazing opportunities when skies are clear.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Mount Laguna, California (24)

    1. Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    35 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    "Pit toilet. Pack it out - no trash service. No water. If you go left as you come in you can camp along a rock wall filled with agave, cholla and other plants."

    "Got up in the morning and went all the way until the end of the road on maps (Apple or Google) on our 2WD, was doable. 4 bars T Mobile LTE where we were.

    Campsite itself was very nice."

    2. Pine Creek Road Camp

    6 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    4 miles

    "Pine Creek Road itself is paved, and the camping spots are packed dirt so it's easy to get around even in a FWD. "

    "It’s a little warm in the day in august this time of year so you can’t hike around or explore too much."

    3. Kitchen Creek Road

    4 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    2 miles

    4. Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    6 Reviews
    Mount Laguna, CA
    14 miles
    Website

    "The park has campgrounds near borrego springs that are easily accessible. Visiting the mud caves you’ll need 4x4 or an AWD car with high clearance."

    ", caves were warmest the whole time

    Road & Address: there were some soft sand spots, didn’t require a lot of clearance and I didn’t put my Jeep Compass into AWD at all."

    5. Granite Springs

    1 Review
    Guatay, CA
    6 miles

    "Primitive camp site with chemical bathrooms. Has 3 areas to set up tents. First come first serve, but you must check in at the ranger station before you go. $5 per camper."

    6. Mountain Palm Springs Camp

    1 Review
    Mount Laguna, CA
    12 miles

    "Primitive camping. First come…, requires payment in envelope."

    8. Yaqui Wash

    1 Review
    Borrego Springs, CA
    18 miles

    "This whole area is essentially within one valley, so you have mountains on both sides. It is well vegetated and allows for fairly easy hikes up the soft slopes."

    9. Galleta Meadows, Borrego Springs

    2 Reviews
    Borrego Springs, CA
    24 miles

    "On the outer southern edge of Borrego Springs is this private yet free camp area.

    A few dozen sites exist, each some five hundred feet or more apart."

    "The best feature of this free camping area is the awesome metal sculptures right near this campground. 

    Near the cute town of Borrego Springs, just a little off Borrego Springs road."

    10. Smuggler's Gulch Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Ocotillo, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 337-4400
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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Mount Laguna, CA

67 Reviews of 24 Mount Laguna Campgrounds


  • cal K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Loved this spot

    Free. 30 day limit. Pit toilet. Pack it out - no trash service. No water. If you go left as you come in you can camp along a rock wall filled with agave, cholla and other plants. A large area for big rvs right at the front left. To the right there were lots of pull offs and I found it easier to navigate in my station wagon road-wise. Lots of space. Some areas say not to walk there/ keep dogs out to protect plants and wildlife. I felt safe solo camping - there were a few other van and rv campers. Recommend visiting the sweet desert botanical garden in nearby Borrego Springs.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 14, 2024

    Yaqui Wash

    If you just want to get outdoors...

    There are a bunch of campsites along a service road that is parallel to a main road, several hundred feet away. This whole area is essentially within one valley, so you have mountains on both sides. It is well vegetated and allows for fairly easy hikes up the soft slopes.

    The parking spots are right alongside the road, so for van camping is not so great, but tents can be put away from the road and therefore it's much more suitable for tenting.

    The stretch of dirt road closest to the main road is Sandy, but manageable bull in a two wheel drive. This is where most of the campsites are. Further along the road, there are fewer camp sites, so they are more dispersed, however the road becomes more rocky and jutted, but for those wanting a bit more privacy, this is the spot to be.

    I would like to come back in camp in this location. So i'm going to mark it to return another time.

  • Javier L.
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Desert Wonderland

    Anza borrego state park has a lot of room to explore. The park has campgrounds near borrego springs that are easily accessible. Visiting the mud caves you’ll need 4x4 or an AWD car with high clearance. Anza borrego has been my wife & I go to camping area for over 5 years. Camping is allowed away from main trails and we typically sleep near the mud caves or within the slot canyons. Perfect place to star gave and wander around & explore. Bring plenty of water/ off road safety (enough fuel/ shovel/ traction boards) as towing out of this area is extremely expensive. (Pictures are from fonts point/ random hikes near camping spots).

  • G
    Apr. 4, 2021

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Go Deeper for more stars

    We stopped and setup tents a little before little Blair valley. Night sky was alright, but couldn’t see the Milky Way, so not dark enough for that. Probably a Bortle 5. Got up in the morning and went all the way until the end of the road on maps (Apple or Google) on our 2WD, was doable. 4 bars T Mobile LTE where we were.

    Campsite itself was very nice. The place we found had a man made but multiple time used fire pit. Great sunset and sunrise, you have the chance to have as much or as little company around you. Little bit of trash at our site that we picked up.

    Leave no trace!

  • Sheridan S.
    Jun. 6, 2025

    Pine Creek Road Camp

    Beautiful location... if you can find a spot

    Great area--it's just close enough to some expensive campgrounds and a few connecting trails, so it's awesome to camp here for FREE. Pine Creek Road itself is paved, and the camping spots are packed dirt so it's easy to get around even in a FWD. Warning though: if you're nervous about driving on single lane mountain roads, this is not the place for you! 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.

    Additional word of warning: the camping spots are not close together and there seemed to be very few of them. Even driving slowly, I counted only 6 or 7 sites total, separated by up to a mile. I saw only 1 other spot with campers, at least 2.5 miles from my site. 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 (no tent space). Some spots were tucked back from the road with lots of trees (I barely saw or heard any cars, even though I was probably only ~15ft from the road); but some were barely more than a shoulder with no trees for coverage. I stayed in the same spot two nights in a row, though I packed up during the day because I assumed I'd find another spot down the road. At least in the site I picked, there was very little trash from previous campers.

    Suggestion for the permit: make sure you apply for the free permit a few days in advance especially if you plan to go on the weekend. List the place you're going as "Pine Creek dispersed camping," and keep a printed copy in your car. I didn't have trouble with any rangers, but it's better to be safe than fined. Very spotty service (Verizon), which makes navigation and planning difficult if you don't pre-download trail maps.

  • Kathy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2025

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Didn't Want to Leave

    Spent 4 nights here in February. A good amount of other campers, but not too crowded. I found the perfect spot tucked up against the rocks. I had my own private rock garden with so many variety of cacti and lots of birds. So peaceful.  I would definitely come back here again. 

    No cell signal, but plenty of solar. Primitive camping--no amenities.

  • Justin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2023

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Beautiful Views and 5G Internet

    Came here to have a place for my popup camper while we checked out the flowers blooming 40 minutes away in Borrego Springs and it was perfect. There's no amenities except for a pit toilet, but the cell service here was better than anywhere in the area. I had better signal at this campsite than I did in Park Circle at the heart of Borrego Springs. Lots of people set up near the entrance, but if you drive a little back you can get some privacy. Also be slow and cautious when driving on these dirt roads after a rainstorm; we saw two different trucks get stuck in the mud. Luckily some people with a winch were able to get them both out. Also we were here in March so the nights were cold and windy so make sure you're prepared.

  • Jennifer D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2018

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    It’s free!!

    my home base for Anza Borrego fun. Little Blair valley has beautiful rocky hills that provide a great backdrop to your desert camping. Lots of climbing to be had, as well as several trails. Including pictographs! Simply choose your spot and set up camp!

    Ive witnessed some of the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets here. desert camping, so no trees, but plenty of ocotillo and creosote. I tend to getaway here in fall and winter months it’s just too hot otherwise

    Restrooms when you pull in off the highway. Dirt road. But very passable in a car.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 22, 2025

    Galleta Meadows, Borrego Springs

    Galleta Meadows - Rusty Creatures and Dark Skys

    On the outer southern edge of Borrego Springs is this private yet free camp area.

    A few dozen sites exist, each some five hundred feet or more apart. All have views of the surrounding mountains, and the wide open skies.

    Borrego Springs is a dark sky community, which means lights are kept to a minimum, thus enabling great star viewing.

    The area is renowned for its hiking and other outdoor activities. It is also known for its iron sculptures, which many exist within this camp area.


Guide to Mount Laguna

Dispersed camping areas around Mount Laguna provide primitive overnight options along the eastern edge of the Cleveland National Forest at elevations between 4,000-6,000 feet. Located approximately 40 miles east of San Diego, this transitional zone offers pine forests that gradually give way to desert terrain. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer days typically range from 75-95°F.

What to do

Explore ancient petroglyphs: Hiking trails near Blair Valley Primitive Campground lead to important archaeological sites. "Ochre petroglyphs, fantastic night sky views, a variety of flora and fauna, hiking, and some challenging 4x4 lines await you here," notes one camper who explored the area's cultural history.

Climb rocky formations: The desert landscape offers natural climbing opportunities throughout the region. At Blair Valley, one camper reports finding "the perfect spot tucked up against the rocks. I had my own private rock garden with so many variety of cacti and lots of birds."

Stargazing sessions: The dark sky designation makes this area ideal for astronomy. At Galleta Meadows, "Borrego Springs is a dark sky community, which means lights are kept to a minimum, thus enabling great star viewing." Bring binoculars or a telescope to maximize the experience.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Pine Creek Road Camp offers secluded camping spots along a mountain road. A camper observed, "The camping spots are not close together and there seemed to be very few of them. Even driving slowly, I counted only 6 or 7 sites total, separated by up to a mile."

Geological formations: The Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves attract explorers interested in unusual terrain. "No matter how hot it is in the desert the caves are always about 60F," notes one visitor who found relief from desert heat in these natural formations.

Sunrise and sunset views: The desert landscape provides exceptional lighting conditions. One camper at Blair Valley reported, "I've witnessed some of the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets here. Desert camping, so no trees, but plenty of ocotillo and creosote."

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Many sites require careful driving. At Yaqui Wash, "The stretch of dirt road closest to the main road is sandy, but manageable in a two wheel drive. Further along the road, there are fewer camp sites... however the road becomes more rocky and jutted."

Permit requirements: Some areas require advance permission. For Pine Creek Road Camp, one camper advises, "Make sure you apply for the free permit a few days in advance especially if you plan to go on the weekend. List the place you're going as 'Pine Creek dispersed camping,' and keep a printed copy in your car."

Weather preparedness: Temperature swings can be extreme. At Blair Valley, a camper reported, "Being in the valley, the winds were very light but there is a possibility of strong sand storms so be prepared. Temps averaged 70-75 during the day and dropped to 38-42 at night."

Tips for camping with families

Cactus safety: Desert vegetation requires caution with children. In Blair Valley, a camper warns, "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."

Select family-friendly locations: Some areas are better suited for children. According to one visitor, "If you have kids, stay towards the first mile" at Blair Valley to avoid dense cholla cactus patches further along the trail.

Metal sculpture exploration: The art installations at Galleta Meadows engage young visitors. "The best feature of this free camping area is the awesome metal sculptures right near this campground," notes one camper who found the artwork particularly interesting.

Tips from RVers

Size-appropriate site selection: Large rigs have limited options in the area. At Pine Creek Road Camp, a visitor cautions, "Great area—if you're nervous about driving on single lane mountain roads, this is not the place for you! 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."

Vehicle clearance requirements: Standard passenger vehicles may struggle at certain locations. In the mud caves area, one camper advises, "Visiting the mud caves you'll need 4x4 or an AWD car with high clearance. Bring plenty of water/off road safety (enough fuel/shovel/traction boards) as towing out of this area is extremely expensive."

Early arrival strategy: Popular primitive camping areas fill quickly during peak 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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for dispersed camping in Laguna Mountain?

Yes, you need an Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass (America the Beautiful) for dispersed camping in Laguna Mountain, which is part of Cleveland National Forest. Additionally, during fire season (typically May through November), you'll need a California Campfire Permit if you plan to have any open flame, including stoves and lanterns. The Adventure Pass can be purchased at local ranger stations or outdoor retailers. For primitive camping options in the broader region, Pine Creek Road Camp offers free dispersed camping just outside the permit areas. Always check current regulations before your trip, as requirements can change seasonally or during high fire danger periods.

Where are the best spots for dispersed camping at Mount Laguna?

Mount Laguna offers several excellent dispersed camping options. Kitchen Creek Road is a popular spot with multiple pull-offs suitable for both tents and vehicles. The area features access via drive-in, hike-in, or walk-in routes. Another excellent choice is Kwaaymii Point, which provides spectacular views and is accessible by vehicle. Both locations offer the authentic Mount Laguna wilderness experience with stunning mountain vistas. When selecting a spot, remember to camp only in designated dispersed areas, stay at least 100 feet from water sources, and follow Leave No Trace principles. Sites are first-come, first-served, so arriving early during peak seasons is recommended.

Is Mount Laguna dispersed camping located on BLM land?

No, Mount Laguna dispersed camping is not located on BLM land. This area falls primarily within Cleveland National Forest, which is managed by the US Forest Service (USFS), not the Bureau of Land Management. This distinction is important because different regulations apply to USFS lands compared to BLM areas. If you're specifically looking for BLM dispersed camping in Southern California, consider Blair Valley Primitive Campground or Yaqui Wash in the Anza-Borrego Desert area. Both offer more lenient camping regulations typical of BLM lands, including longer stay limits (typically 14-30 days) and fewer restrictions on camping locations.