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Burnt Rancheria

Cleveland National Forest

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Summary

Burnt Rancheria Campground is a popular spot 50 miles east of San Diego amidst Cleveland National Forest and the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, offering day hiking, picnicking and star parties. The campground provides easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail for hiking and horseback riding, and a self-guided interpretive trail hike with campfire programs and guided hikes during summer. It boasts a variety of camp sites with tables, fire rings and nearby restrooms and showers, surrounded by picturesque pine and oak trees.

Overview

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.

Recreation

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).

Facilities

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 nearest is located at the Buckman Springs Rest Area, 4 miles east of Pine Valley on I-8.

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.

Natural Features

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.
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Campground Matrix

Set alerts at more campgrounds to increase your odds of getting a place to stay! Below is a list of the closest campgrounds supported on Campflare. Or, view all campgrounds in Cleveland National Forest.

Nearby Campgrounds Distance Notification Rate
Wooded Hill Group
Cleveland National Forest
0.8mi 68%
Horse Heaven Group
Cleveland National Forest
2.3mi 66%
Laguna
Cleveland National Forest
2.5mi 76%
El Prado Group
Cleveland National Forest
2.9mi 68%
Granite Springs Trail Camp
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
7.2mi 74%
Granite Springs Trail Group Camp
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
7.4mi 72%
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