El Prado Group Campground Introduce
Are you searching for the perfect group getaway amidst the stunning natural beauty of Southern California? Look no further than El Prado Group Campground, nestled in the scenic Mt. Laguna area. This highly-regarded destination offers a fantastic outdoor experience for families, friends, and organized groups, providing a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
El Prado Group Campground is more than just a place to pitch your tent; it's a meticulously maintained outdoor haven that consistently earns rave reviews from its visitors. From the moment you arrive, you'll notice the dedication to cleanliness and the welcoming atmosphere that makes this campground truly stand out. It's an ideal spot for those looking to reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort and essential amenities.
Whether you're planning a weekend retreat with your family, a scouting adventure, or a gathering with a large group of friends, El Prado Group Campground provides the space and facilities to make your outdoor experience memorable. Its reputation for exceptional service and pristine conditions ensures a relaxing and enjoyable stay for all.
Located on Sunrise Hwy in Mt Laguna, CA 91948, USA, El Prado Group Campground boasts a prime location within the Cleveland National Forest. This elevated position offers cooler temperatures, especially during the warmer months, making it a desirable escape for those looking to beat the California heat. The drive to the campground itself is a scenic journey, winding through picturesque landscapes that prepare you for the tranquility awaiting your arrival.
Accessibility is a key advantage for local Californians. Situated within a reasonable driving distance from various Southern California cities, El Prado provides an accessible mountain escape without requiring extensive travel. Its proximity to San Diego makes it a particularly convenient option for residents of the greater San Diego area, allowing for spontaneous weekend trips or planned longer stays. The well-maintained roads leading to the campground ensure a smooth journey for all types of vehicles.
The surrounding Mt. Laguna area offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore numerous hiking and biking trails that wind through pine forests and offer breathtaking panoramic views. The crisp mountain air and the serene natural environment create the perfect backdrop for a variety of recreational activities, from bird watching to stargazing. El Prado Group Campground serves as an excellent base camp for exploring all that this beautiful region has to offer.
Services Offered:
- Designated Group Camping Areas: Spacious sites capable of accommodating larger groups comfortably.
- Picnic Tables: Each site is equipped with picnic tables for convenient outdoor dining and gathering.
- Fire Rings: Enjoy evenings around a campfire (check current fire restrictions).
- Restroom Facilities: Exceptionally clean and well-maintained public restrooms, frequently praised by visitors for their immaculate condition.
- Potable Water Access: Availability of water for drinking and other needs (though it's always wise to check current conditions, as temporary outages can occur, as noted by past visitors).
- Trash Services: Regular trash collection to ensure a clean and tidy environment.
- On-site Hosts: Friendly and helpful campground hosts who are often available to assist visitors and ensure the smooth operation of the campground.
Features / Highlights:
- Unrivaled Cleanliness: Consistently highlighted by visitors, especially the restrooms, which are often described as the "cleanest public restrooms" experienced by campers. This commitment to cleanliness significantly enhances the camping experience.
- Exceptional Campground Hosts: Previous visitors rave about the welcoming, friendly, and highly helpful nature of the campground hosts (e.g., Tamara, Jay, and their dog Lucas). Their dedication to visitor satisfaction, including providing water during outages and ensuring facilities are well-supplied, is a significant highlight.
- Peaceful Mountain Setting: Located in the serene Mt. Laguna area, offering a refreshing escape from urban environments. The elevation provides cooler temperatures and a natural backdrop for relaxation and outdoor activities.
- Family-Friendly Environment: The clean facilities and welcoming atmosphere make it highly suitable for families, including those with younger children, as evidenced by positive feedback from groups with 4th graders.
- Consistent Quality: Many long-time visitors note the consistent high quality of the campground over many years, a testament to the ongoing dedication of the staff and management.
- Proximity to Trails: Easy access to a variety of hiking and biking trails within the Cleveland National Forest, catering to different skill levels and offering opportunities to explore the surrounding wilderness.
- Star-Gazing Opportunities: The elevated, relatively dark sky location provides excellent conditions for stargazing on clear nights.
Contact Information:
Address: Sunrise Hwy, Mt Laguna, CA 91948, USA
Phone: (619) 445-6235
Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals
For Californians, especially those residing in the Southern California region, El Prado Group Campground offers an unparalleled local getaway. Its convenient location in Mt. Laguna makes it an accessible escape for a weekend or a longer vacation, without the need for extensive travel. Imagine a short, scenic drive leading you to a refreshing mountain environment where the air is crisp and the stars are bright.
What truly sets El Prado apart for local users is its consistent reputation for exceptional cleanliness and outstanding customer service. As evidenced by numerous glowing reviews, the dedication of the campground hosts ensures that your stay is not just comfortable, but genuinely enjoyable. Knowing that facilities, particularly the restrooms, are meticulously maintained provides peace of mind, especially for families with children or those who appreciate a higher standard of public amenities.
Furthermore, El Prado's focus on group camping makes it an ideal venue for local clubs, organizations, family reunions, or large friend gatherings. It provides the space and infrastructure needed for memorable shared experiences in the great outdoors. The opportunity to hike, explore, and simply relax in a beautiful natural setting, all within a reasonable distance from home, makes El Prado Group Campground a highly suitable and sought-after destination for locals seeking a rejuvenating outdoor adventure.
El Prado Group Campground Photos










El Prado Group Campground Location
El Prado Group Campground
Sunrise Hwy, Mt Laguna, CA 91948, USA
El Prado Group Campground Reviews
Just got back from El Prado Park, and it was fantastic! The volunteers, Tamara and Jay, really went above and beyond. The campground itself was absolutely impeccable. What really stood out, though, were the bathrooms. Even the group of 4th graders I had with me were amazed; they kept talking about how clean they were! Seriously, the cleanest public restrooms I've come across. I'm already planning my next trip back!
Jun 07, 2025 · Richard AguilarI've been coming to this campground for over 15 years. The current hosts, Tamara and Jay (?) and their lovely pup Lucas, were amazing! They were so friendly and helpful! The water was out and they gave us some of theirs to use! They came every day to make sure the trash and bathrooms were clean and well-supplied. I have stayed at a LOT of campgrounds and they are the VERY best! Thanks!
Jun 02, 2025 · Carol LivingstonBest camping experience. The new volunteers did a great job keeping the bathrooms clean and stocked with toilet paper. Then mostly left us alone to enjoy the woods.
Jul 01, 2025 · Carla CastleFantastic campground for group camping! There is an easy hike to the lake, lots of trees, and plenty of space for groups.Some group sites have flush toilets, others have pit.
Oct 11, 2022 · Rachel PCamp Host Jim Kelley is horribly inappropriate and has an unexplainable temper that had zero prompting.I don’t feel comfortable or safe camping in Mt Laguna anymore. My guess is that this is not the first time he’s treated women like this~Last night a girlfriend and I arrived relatively late looking forward to a short escape in this lovely place.While cooking breakfast this morning, Jim Kelley came by asking for $32 in cash or check saying that we were overdo and that if we didn’t pay that very moment he would call the police. I said that I’d happily pay via Venmo or a QR scan that moment, because we didn’t have cash or checks on us. He said that wasn’t an option, so I asked where we could get cash.He scolded “why did you come here if you weren’t prepared to pay?” When I shared that we were happy to pay and just needed to know where to access an atm, he said “one of you has to stay the other can go to the general store and needs to be back in 30 minutes. Everyone says they’re going to pay and just takes off, but if you do, I’ll call the police! I have your license place number and you will be fined over $100.”We had zero resistance to paying and didn’t understand why he was coming at us like that.I got the money and when I brought it to him I said “we would have gone right away if you asked nicely, we just needed to know how to pay. The rude threatening approach was not necessary. You made made us really uncomfortable and we won’t be coming back here.”To which he yelled “Good! I don’t want thieves in my campground! When you have your one night stands at hotel rooms do you skip out on paying there too!?”(Even though I’d just paid.)I was pretty taken aback, Jim’s offensive approach was 100% uncalled for. His wife got my receipt for me and she apologized.Customer service is clearly not something Jim Kelley is capable of and there are lots of beautiful campgrounds near by, go to those instead.Again, my guess is that this is not the first time he’s treated people like this.
Sep 20, 2023 · Alicia
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