Burnt Rancheria Campground

Area Status: Open

Burnt Rancheria Campground is located 50 miles east of San Diego at the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area in Southern California, right off the Sunrise Scenic Byway. Campers can enjoy hiking, viewing unique birds and wildlife and enjoying cooler temperatures at this mountain facility in Cleveland National Forest, open from mid-April through October.

Burnt Rancheria is a large campground with several loops of campsites. Each site has a table and campfire ring. There are no hookups or dump station for RVs. The campground is equipped with restrooms and coin-operated showers (showers open only during reservation season). Firewood is available for purchase from the campground host.

Pines and oaks abound throughout the campground, which sits at an elevation of 6,000 ft. The site is heavily wooded and surrounded by an open oak grove with spectacular desert views.

Day hiking and picnicking are most popular at Burnt Rancheria. The facility provides easy access to a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile national scenic trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. Hiking and horseback riding are allowed on the trail. Biking is not allowed on any portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. A short hike to the nearby Desert View Picnic Site provides visitors with a bird's-eye view of the desert 6,000 feet below. On most days, the Salton Sea is clearly visible to the southeast. Restrooms and potable water are available. Families with children will enjoy activities, campfire programs and guided hikes available during summer. In addition to the guided hikes, a visitor might take the self-guided interpretive trail hike; brochures are available from the camp host. Campers can also get a glimpse of the amazing night sky at "star parties" organized by the San Diego State University Observatory. These gatherings are conducted on most Saturday evenings during the summer months (schedule can be obtained at the Visitor Information Center on Laguna Mountain or by calling 619-473-8547).

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov
Operational Hours:	Burnt Rancheria facility is open during late April through late October/early November, opening & closing dates are determined by weather.
Reservations:	This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line 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*
Open Season:	April
Usage:	Light
Restrictions:	Vehicles 40 ft. max.
Closest Towns:	Pine Valley, CA
Water:	Yes
Restroom:	Vault Toilets
Operated By:	Concessionaire

General Information

Directions: Located 40 miles east of San Diego, take Interstate 8 to the Sunrise Highway (S1) and travel 9.4 miles North.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Burnt Rancheria Campground offers a variety of camping options for the recreating public! Paved spurs 20-29ft in length are available on 40 of the sites and are designed for tent camping and 2 vehicles with a tent. 25 sites have paved spurs between 30 ft - 39 ft and 24 sites have paved spurs between 40 ft - 49 ft for larger RVs. There are 22 sites longer than 50 ft to accommodate campers. There are no hookups or sanitary dump - nearest is located at the Buckman Springs Rest Area, 4 mi E of Pine Valley on I-8. Children's activities and campfire programs are available during the summer as well as guided hikes. In addition to the guided hikes, a visitor might take the self-guided interpretive trail hike; brochures are available from the camp host. Firewood is available for purchase from the camp host. Laguna Mountain - The San Diego State University Observatory sponsors "Star Parties" for campers at the Forest Service Campgrounds in Laguna Mountain Recreation area. These gatherings are conducted on most Saturday evenings during the summer months. More information on the schedule for these events can be obtained at the Visitor Information Center on Laguna Mountain (619) 473-8547.

No. of Sites	109 single site(s)
Reservation Info	This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70575&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
No. of Accessible sites	7 of 109