Laguna
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.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 53 |
| Tent-only | 10 |
| RV, no hookups | 9 |
| Host/management | 25 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
72 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | None | 2 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 2 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 27 | Paved | Partial | 2 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | MEADOW | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 059, 042, 069 are listed accessible |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Cleveland National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) at http://www.recreation.gov |
| Fees | Campsites $35/Night for single unit (one vehicle included). Extra vehicle $10 (over 2 allowed with each campsite/night). Parking at Day Use Parking Area $8 fee; leaving before 6PM. Day Use parking at campsite $13. A reservation charge is added to the price of the site using Recreation.gov |
| Rules | Vehicles 40 ft. max. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Located 50 miles east of San Diego, California. Take I-8 to Sunrise Highway exit. Go approximately 15 miles to Laguna/El Prado Campground, just beyond the 26 mile marker. Stop at the entrance station for campground information and site location.
| Coordinates | 32.8872° N, 116.4464° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Borrego Outfitters ↗ | 25.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bobby Combs RV Centers - El Cajon ↗ | 28.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Laguna Campground | Camping Near San Diego
Worth a stop
- 0.6 miStorm Canyon Vista Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.4 mi
- 2.2 miDesert View Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 3.3 miPioneer Mail Picnic Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miLightning Ridge1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miLaguna Campground Spur0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miFlathead Flats - PCT Access0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miEl Prado Spur0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miKemp Spur2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miAgua Dulce Spur0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miStorm Canyon Vista Trailhead ↗Cleveland National Forest
- 1.4 miPenny Pines Interpretive Site Trailhead ↗Cleveland National Forest
- 2 miMeadows Information Kiosk Trailhead ↗Cleveland National Forest
- 2.4 miAgua Dulce Equestrian Trailhead ↗Cleveland National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Cleveland National Forest.
- inCleveland National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 561,887 acres
- 1.3 miSawtooth Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 33,772 acres
- 10.2 miPine Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 13,260 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
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.
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.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Laguna?
Sites at Laguna are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) at http://www.recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Laguna?
Campsites $35/Night for single unit (one vehicle included). Extra vehicle $10 (over 2 allowed with each campsite/night). Parking at Day Use Parking Area $8 fee; leaving before 6PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Laguna?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Laguna open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Laguna have?
97 sites, including 53 standard sites without power, 10 tent-only sites, and 9 RV sites without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Laguna?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Laguna?
The facility is equipped with campfire rings, flush toilet restrooms and coin-operated showers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Laguna?
Yes, pets are allowed at Laguna. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Laguna?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Vehicles 40 ft.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Laguna?
Sites 059, 042, and 069 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Laguna?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Laguna?
The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is known for great horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation