Burnt Rancheria
Burnt Rancheria is a national forest campground in California. Hookups: no hookups.
- Type
- National forest campground
- Location
- California
- Coordinates
- 32.86139, -116.41611
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Activities
- Camping, Day Use Area, Interpretive Programs, Visitor Center
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 619-473-0120
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Burnt Rancheria
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).
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- Dump Station · 36 mi
- Water fill
- City of San Diego · 40 mi
- Propane
- Mobil · 30 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 82 designated routes (73 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnt Rancheria Campground | Private campground | under 0.1 mi | $35 | — |
| Burnt Rancheria Campground | National forest campground | under 0.1 mi | — | — |
| Burnt Rancheria Campground | Private campground | 0.2 mi | — | — |
| BurntRanchCG PCT | Private campground | 0.2 mi | — | — |
| Wooded Hill Group Camp | National forest group campground | 1.0 mi | — | — |
| Wooded Hill Group Campground | Private campground | 1.2 mi | — | — |
Open Burnt Rancheria in DryRig
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Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.