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El Prado Group
FSU.S. Forest Service — Alpine · California · Cleveland National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Cleveland National Forest |
| Location | Alpine · California · Cleveland National Forest · 32.88694, -116.45556 · Map |
| Sites | 5 public sites counted from the federal listing — 4 group tent only area nonelectric; 1 group standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 5 sites Water hookups at 0 of 5 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 5 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 5 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 45 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 4 sites · 30 ft: 4 sites · 35 ft: 3 sites · 40 ft: 3 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 5 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Drinking waterVault toilets |
| Phone | 619-445-6235 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview El Prado Group Campground is a great mountain getaway just one hour east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Campers can enjoy cooler temperatures, unique natural areas and an extensive trail system at this mountain facility from summer through early fall. Recreation The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is known for great horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking trails. Visitors can get their boots dusty on the Laguna Meadow Trail system or access a segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from Mexico, through California and north to Canada.
Within the campground is the El Prado Cabin which was built in 1911 and was the first Ranger's cabin in the Cleveland National Forest. Step back in time and enjoy this historical feature in the campground.
Families can learn about the area's flora and fauna by attending educational programs at nearby Laguna Campground. A visitor center is a few miles down the road. Facilities The campground is made up of five well-spaced individual group sites in a peaceful setting adjacent to Laguna Campground. One of the group sites, Yerba Santa, is accessible and includes four tent sites. Each site can accommodate a varying number of guests ranging between 30 to 50 people, and allows a 40-ft. maximum RV length. The facility provides drinking water, flush and vault toilets and a large parking area.
Part of the campground is fenced off to protect the habitat of the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly. Visitors are asked to respect the fence boundary and comply with the maximum site occupancy. Natural Features The campground sits at an elevation of 5,600 ft. in the Laguna Mountains. It is forested with pines and oaks that provide plenty of shade. The area is home to many species of birds, as well as the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly. Contact Info This location is staffed. Please call (619) 354-8776 to speak with local staff. Nearby Attractions The Pacfic Crest National Scenic Trail, Noble Canyon National Recreation Trail, Mount Laguna Information Center
Directions, from the listing
The campground is located 50 miles east of San Diego, California. Take I-8 to the Sunrise Highway (State Route S1) exit. Go approximately 15 miles north to Laguna/El Prado Campground, just beyond the 26 mile marker. Stop at the entrance station for information and site location.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceHorse Heaven Group
1 mi straight-line · ALPINE CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWooded Hill Group
3 mi straight-line · ALPINE CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBurnt Rancheria
3 mi straight-line · Mt. Laguna CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCibbets Flat Campground
8 mi straight-line · California
Trip Card — El Prado Group
Alpine · California · Cleveland National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Alpine · California · Cleveland National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 45 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 5 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231950 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.