Burnt Rancheria
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 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.
Need to Know
- This is Burnt Rancheria in the Cleveland National Forest east of San Diego; it is not Rancheria near Clovis in the Sierra National Forest
This campground also has first-come, first-served sites
- If you will be arriving more than 24 hours after the start of your reservation, contact the campground or your reservation will be cancelled
Maximum 2 vehicles per site; an $10.00 extra vehicle fee is collected on-site beginning with the second vehicle.
- Pets are allowed
- Wooden pallets are not allowed for campfires; During hot and dry summer months, fire restrictions are common and campfires may be prohibited; call Cleveland National Forest at 619-445-6235 for current fire restrictions
- Click here to learn more about Cleveland National Forest, or call 619-473-0120 (reservation season) or 619-445-6235 (winter)
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
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.
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).
Contact Information
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Mile 23, Sunrise Hwy Mt. Laguna CA 91948
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 619-473-0120
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Located 50 miles east of San Diego, California. From I-8 take the Sunrise exit. Go approximately 11 miles to Milepost 23. Stop at entrance for campground information and site location.
Available Campsites
- Site 017, Loop Amphitheater , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 049, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 061, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop Amphitheater , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 057, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 058, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 055, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop Amphitheater , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 056, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop Amphitheater , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop Amphitheater , Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 054, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop Amphitheater , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop Amphitheater , Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop Yucca, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop Pinyon, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop Amphitheater , Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop Pinyon, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop Amphitheater , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop Yucca, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop Pinyon, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop Yucca, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop Lilac, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop Amphitheater , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop Pinyon, Type Standard Nonelectric
