Burnt Rancheria Campground: Your Perfect California Camping Getaway

Burnt Rancheria Campground Introduce

Introduction / Overview

Nestled in the picturesque high-elevation forests of the Cleveland National Forest, Burnt Rancheria Campground offers a quintessential Southern California mountain escape. Located near Mount Laguna, this popular destination is a haven for those looking to trade city life for the tranquility of nature. As a favorite among local campers, the campground provides a perfect blend of rustic charm and essential amenities, making it suitable for both seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and first-time campers. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway with family, a solo hiking trip, or a peaceful retreat with your pets, Burnt Rancheria provides a welcoming and well-maintained environment. The campground is well-regarded for its serene atmosphere, well-spaced campsites that offer privacy, and the stunning natural beauty that surrounds it. It's a place where you can truly disconnect and immerse yourself in the great outdoors, all while being a short drive from San Diego. The friendly and attentive camp hosts, who are often praised by visitors, further enhance the experience, ensuring that every stay is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Location and Accessibility

Burnt Rancheria Campground is strategically situated along Sunrise Highway in Mount Laguna, CA. Its address, Sunrise Hwy, Mt Laguna, CA 91948, USA, places it within a convenient driving distance for residents across Southern California. The location offers easy access to the scenic beauty of the Cleveland National Forest and the Pacific Crest Trail. The journey to the campground itself is part of the experience, with the Sunrise Highway offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. For those arriving, the campground provides on-site parking, including a paid parking lot, making it easy to unload and set up your camp. A key feature of this campground is its commitment to accessibility. It includes a wheelchair-accessible car park and a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that people with mobility challenges can also enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. This thoughtful provision makes Burnt Rancheria a welcoming destination for a diverse range of visitors. Its proximity to small local stores and restaurants in the Mount Laguna area also means that campers are never far from essential supplies or a tasty meal, should they need them.

Services Offered

RV camping: The campground is equipped to accommodate RVs, providing an excellent option for those who prefer to travel with their home on wheels.
On-site parking: Convenient on-site parking is available for all campers, with paid parking options to ensure you have a secure spot for your vehicle.
Picnics: Visitors can enjoy picnicking in designated areas, perfect for a day trip or a meal with a view.
Dogs allowed: Burnt Rancheria is a dog-friendly campground, allowing your furry friends to join in on the adventure and enjoy the wide-open spaces.
Camping fee: A camping fee is required for overnight stays, which contributes to the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities, ensuring a high-quality experience for all.

Features / Highlights

Exceptional Camp Hosts: Recent reviews highlight the outstanding service provided by the camp hosts. They are described as friendly, approachable, empathetic, and highly dedicated to maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the grounds. Their proactive and helpful nature sets a new standard for campground hospitality, making visitors feel genuinely cared for.
Spacious and Private Campsites: The campsites are thoughtfully spaced, providing campers with a sense of privacy and peace. This design allows for a more tranquil and personal camping experience, unlike crowded campgrounds where sites are too close together.
Shaded Areas: The presence of numerous shade trees around the sites offers a welcome respite from the California sun, creating a more comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, especially during warmer months.
Good for Kids: The campground is a great destination for families. It is considered good for kids and features kid-friendly hikes, providing safe and enjoyable activities for younger visitors.
Hiking Opportunities: The area is a fantastic starting point for hiking enthusiasts. With numerous trails, including access to the Pacific Crest Trail, campers have plenty of options to explore the scenic surroundings and enjoy the beautiful mountain landscape.
Clean and Well-Maintained Facilities: Visitors consistently praise the cleanliness of the restrooms and the overall upkeep of the campsites. The new management has been credited with significantly improving the cleanliness and maintenance standards, ensuring a pleasant and hygienic stay for everyone.

Contact Information

To get more information or to inquire about your visit, you can reach out to the campground using the following details:

Address: Sunrise Hwy, Mt Laguna, CA 91948, USA

Phone: (619) 445-6235

Mobile Phone: +1 619-445-6235

What is worth choosing

Choosing Burnt Rancheria Campground for your next outing is a decision that offers numerous benefits, making it stand out among other camping options in the region. The most compelling reason to choose this campground is the exceptional experience fostered by the dedicated and friendly camp hosts. Their genuine care and commitment to guest satisfaction have been transformational, turning a simple camping trip into a truly memorable experience. They are known for going above and beyond, providing practical help and a welcoming presence that enhances the entire stay. This level of service, which one customer describes as raising "the whole experience," is a rarity and a significant draw. Furthermore, the physical layout of the campground itself is a major plus. The campsites are spacious, offering a level of privacy that is often hard to find, allowing for a more serene and peaceful retreat. The abundance of shade trees creates a comfortable environment, perfect for unwinding and escaping the heat. For families, the campground is an ideal choice due to its kid-friendly hikes and safe atmosphere. Pet owners will also appreciate the dog-friendly policy, which means no family member has to be left behind. Beyond the individual site, the entire area is meticulously maintained, with clean restrooms and well-kept grounds, reflecting a strong sense of pride and ownership. The campground's prime location also adds to its appeal, with easy access to hiking trails and proximity to local amenities. In short, Burnt Rancheria Campground offers more than just a place to pitch a tent; it provides a comprehensive and enjoyable outdoor experience, defined by top-notch hospitality, a beautiful natural setting, and a commitment to cleanliness and comfort. It’s a place where you can feel secure, relaxed, and fully connected to nature, making it a truly worthwhile choice for any California camping adventure.

Burnt Rancheria Campground Details

Highlights
Picnics

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Offerings
RV camping

Activities
Hiking

Payments
Camping fee

Children
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes

Parking
On-site parking
Paid parking lot

Pets
Dogs allowed

Burnt Rancheria Campground Photos

Burnt Rancheria Campground Location

Burnt Rancheria Campground

California San Diego County Mount Laguna Sunrise Highway

Sunrise Hwy, Mt Laguna, CA 91948, USA

Burnt Rancheria Campground Reviews

An average rating of ★4.6 from 248 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

After 15 years of camping, I’ve met a lot of hosts… but Nick and his wife are in a league of their own. Friendly, approachable, and quick to respond no matter what you need.This was my first time camping here, and despite running into some RV (Ruined Vacation) issues pulling into the campsite, a tough situation, they made it a far better experience than I could have hoped for. The next day, they checked in on me and did everything they could to help get me back on the road. They’re sharp, practical, and offer solid advice without any fluff. You can tell they genuinely care about your experience and aren’t just going through the motions.Beyond their hospitality, the campsite itself reflects their dedication and pride. They make regular rounds throughout the day, maintaining organization, cleanliness, and handling tasks that most hosts would be lazy with, or simply often skip altogether. It’s clear they take real ownership in making sure the whole area is welcoming and comfortable for campers.The campsites are nicely spaced apart, offering plenty of privacy and a peaceful feel. The shade trees around the sites provide a welcome break from the sun, making the atmosphere even more relaxing.My dogs absolutely loved it here with plenty of room to roam safely and plenty of shaded spots to lounge in.Over the course of my stay, it became clear that they don’t just see guests as visitors, they cultivate genuine connections grounded in empathy and kindness. Developing a friendship with them felt natural, yet professional, reflecting their commitment to hospitality.They set the standard for what great camp hosts should be… helpful, empathetic, and on the ball. If you get the chance to camp here, know that you’ll be in great hands.Any campground lucky enough to have them on board is immediately a better place to camp — seriously, they raised the whole experience.
July 15 · Justin Fernandes
The new management service is 100x better than the group that was running this campground for the last few years 💯. Restrooms were clean. Campsites were well kept. Best of all, the camp hosts are FRIENDLY! Imagine that.We've been coming here for about 10 years. When the weather is good this place is great. Close to a couple restaurants and the small store if you forget any essentials or want a tasty meal.The loops that you can't reserve have some of the best sites. Little insider secret 🙊.
May 26 · Alex Theis
Great location right on the PCT with clean restrooms and warm showers (you need at least 4 quarters per shower). Walking distance to a restaurant and store. Very peaceful campground. A lot of the paved sites are uneven so double check before booking if you have a camper.
May 19 · S A
Requested help with a refund of $16 after waiting in the phone for over 120 min with recreation.gov and after the third call I was able to receive help. I made the mistake of cancelling and rebooking instead of modifying and I asked for help to see if it can get the reservation fee back since I booked at the same campsite anyways. But I guess due to the policies they can’t even refund for a simple user error.
July 07 · Theodore Quach
We just had our first trip up to Laguna for the season and I we were beyond happy to find new management this year. We had the pleasure of meeting Nick, Sara, Dax, and Lane who were all wonderful, friendly, and helpful hosts. Nature has always called us there but now with a great crew running the campground, we look forward to many more return adventures. Thank you!
May 16 · Katie Crist