Fry Creek Campground
Open seasonally from April 1 through December 1. Potable water is not available; campers must bring their own water. Fire restrictions are frequently in effect on Palomar Mountain. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
2026 Mateo Fire Press Release
SAN DIEGO, June 17, 2026 — Cleveland National Forest Firefighters are continuing to battle the Mateo Fire alongside Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Fire Department. The Orange County Fire Authority and San Diego County Fire support resources have been released from the fire, allowing those…
About
Fry Creek Campground is a small, primitive campground nestled in the heart of Cleveland National Forest on Palomar Mountain at 4,900 feet elevation. The dense canopy of evergreen and oak trees provides natural shade and keeps temperatures noticeably cooler than the surrounding San Diego County lowlands, making it a popular summer escape for visitors from San Diego and Los Angeles. The campground is located just 2.2 miles from the world-famous Palomar Observatory, which houses the massive 200-inch Hale Telescope that was the world's largest effective telescope for 45 years. The observatory is accessible by road or hiking trail, and features a visitor center, restaurant, and gift shop. Nearby Observatory Campground hosts the popular Explore the Stars event one weekend each month from April through October, where amateur astronomers set up telescopes and share views of planets and constellations. Due to the narrow mountain roads and small site sizes, vehicles are limited to 15 feet maximum and no trailers are allowed. Potable water is not available, so campers must bring their own water supply. The campground has vault toilets. Fire restrictions are frequently in effect, so campers should verify current fire conditions before visiting.
Directions
From San Diego: Head north on I-15, then east on Highway 76 for approximately 20 miles. Turn left onto South Grade Road (S6) and follow it up to the top of Palomar Mountain. At the top, turn left to continue on South Grade Road/Canfield Road. Continue for approximately 2.5 miles and turn left into Fry Creek Campground, about 0.25 miles past Observatory Campground.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 15ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (760) 788-0250 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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