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Fry Creek Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Palomar Mountain · California · Cleveland National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Cleveland National Forest |
| Location | Palomar Mountain · California · Cleveland National Forest · 33.34500, -116.88000 · Map |
| Sites | 12 public sites counted from the federal listing — 12 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 12 sites Water hookups at 0 of 12 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 12 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 12 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 12 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 0 sites · 30 ft: 0 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 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 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 12 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 7607880250 |
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 Fry Creek Campground is situated in the heart of Cleveland National Forest, uniquely located down the road from the world-famous Palomar Observatory. The fresh, clean air of the campground provides a refreshing getaway for visitors from San Diego and Los Angeles.
The observatory, atop Palomar Mountain, boasts five high-tech telescopes, among them, the massive 200-inch Hale Telescope, was the world's largest effective telescope for about 45 years. The observatory is owned by the California Institute of Technology and astronomical research includes near-Earth asteroids and the study of distant galaxies.
Recreation At Observatory Campground, the site across from Fry Creek, there's a popular astronomy event called Explore the Stars.
Amateur astronomers gather here with their telescopes and share views of planets and constellations with visitors. The event takes place one weekend each month, April through October. Facilities A loop hike, great for exploring local flora and fauna, surrounds Fry Creek.
The campground sits beneath a dense pine canopy, which is not ideal for stargazing, but Observatory Campground across the road has level cement platforms for telescopes and an amphitheater that's open to campers. Natural Features Fry Creek is at a 4,900 ft. elevation on Palomar Mountain. The area is dense with evergreen and oak, and is usually cooler than the surrounding area. Nearby Attractions The visitor center at Palomar Observatory is 2.2 miles away and can be accessed by road or by hiking trail. A restaurant and gift shop are onsite.
Directions, from the listing
From Los Angeles, CA: head south on I-15 Fwy, go east on Hwy 76 for approximatley 20 miles, turn left onto South Grade Rd. (S6), follow South Grade up to the top of Palomar Mountain. Once at the top, turn left to continue on South Grade Rd/ Canfield Rd. Continue for approximately 2.5 miles and turn left into Fry Creek Campground, approximatley 0.25 miles past Observatory Campground.
From San Diego, CA: Head north on I-15 Fwy, go east on Hwy 76 for approximatley 20 miles, turn left onto South Grade Rd. (S6), follow South Grade up to the top of Palomar Mountain. Once at the top, turn left to continue on South Grade Rd/ Canfield Rd. Continue for approximately 2.5 miles and turn left into Fry Creek Campground, approximatley 0.25 miles past Observatory Campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · Palomar Mountain CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCrestline Group Campground
2 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceOak Grove Campground
6 mi straight-line · Oak Grove CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceDripping Springs Campground (Ca)
10 mi straight-line · Aguanga CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceIndian Flats Campground
13 mi straight-line · California
Trip Card — Fry Creek Campground
Palomar Mountain · California · Cleveland National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Palomar Mountain · California · Cleveland National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 12 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 12 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233303 · 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.