Best Dispersed Camping near Santee, CA

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Santee, CA

55 Reviews of 16 Santee Campgrounds

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  cal K.

  Ranger

  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.

• A

  Abe C.

  Guide

  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.

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• 

  Javier L.

  Guide

  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).

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• G

  Gopalakrishnan S.

  Scout

  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.

  Scout

  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.

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• 

  Kathy B.

  Legend

  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.

  Scout

  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.

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• 

  Jennifer D.

  Ranger

  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.

• A

  Abe C.

  Guide

  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.