Loading trail…
Free — you'll pick up right here.
Watch this trail
Sign up to watch it — saving subscribes you to gate, closure and report changes.
California
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Cleveland National Forest
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
LAGUNA
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Overview Laguna Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Campers can enjoy cooler temperatures, unique natural areas and an extensive trail system at this mountain facility from summer through early fall. Recreation The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is known for great horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking trails. Visitors can get their boots dusty on the Laguna Meadow Trail system or access a segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from California to the State of Washington. Wildflowers are usually abundant in April and May on the Big Laguna Trail, which takes visitors past Big Laguna Lake. In wet years there is water in Big Laguna Lake by December or January and ducks and other birds can be found. The trail presents a number of options to the user. A return to the trailhead parking can be made by cutting through the Laguna Campground or by taking the Pacific Crest Trail north. Families can learn about the area's flora and fauna by attending educational programs at the facility's amphitheater. Or for history buffs, the El Prado Cabin located at nearby El Prado Campground, is the first ranger cabin built in the Cleveland National Forest in 1911. The San Diego State University Observatory also sponsors "Star Parties" for campers most Saturday evenings during the summer (schedule can be obtained at the nearby visitor center or by calling 619-473-8547). Facilities This large facility has five loops of campsites, with sites fairly close to one another. One campsite meets accessibility standards. The facility is equipped with campfire rings, flush toilet restrooms and coin-operated showers. Part of the campground is fenced off to protect the habitat of the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly. Visitors are asked to respect the fence boundary and comply with the maximum site occupancy. Natural Features The campground sits at an elevation of 6,000 ft. in the Laguna Mountains. It is forested with pines and oaks that provide plenty of shade, in addition to a meadow. The area is home to many species of birds, as well as the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly. Little Laguna lake is located just a short distance from the campground and is an excellent hiking destination for photographers and visitors looking to explore the area. Contact Info This location is staffed. Please call (619) 354-8776 to speak with local staff.
HORSE HEAVEN GROUP
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
EL PRADO GROUP
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
WOODED HILL GROUP
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Laguna Campground
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Laguna Campground
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Horse Heaven Campground
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
HORSE HEAVEN GROUP CAMP
~1 min drive
Mountain group campground near San Diego accommodating up to 100 people in tent-only sites.
El Prado Group Camp
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Burnt Rancheria Campground
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Burnt Rancheria Campground
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.