Falcon Group Campground

For Californians looking to gather a large group for an unforgettable outdoor adventure, Falcon Group Campground in the Cleveland National Forest presents an exceptional opportunity. Tucked away in a "nice lightly forested area" near Lake Elsinore, this campground is specifically designed to accommodate bigger parties, offering a rare blend of spaciousness, privacy, and essential amenities that make group camping both comfortable and convenient. It’s a fantastic option for family reunions, scout troops, friends' gatherings, or any larger collective seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of Southern California's mountains.

Falcon Group Campground stands out for its well-thought-out layout, ensuring that even large groups can find their own space. Visitors consistently praise the "Big campsite" and "Plenty of room" with a "Nice layout if you want privacy." The ability to fit multiple large tents without being "right next to any other tents" is a significant advantage for those prioritizing a serene experience. Beyond the spacious sites, the campground provides crucial facilities such as potable water and vault toilets, enhancing comfort in this natural setting. The surrounding Cleveland National Forest offers a wealth of recreational activities, from scenic "trails and views" to mountain biking, making Falcon Group Campground an ideal base for a diverse range of outdoor pursuits. Its unique offering as a reservable group site, rather than first-come, first-served, also adds a layer of planning convenience, ensuring your chosen spot is ready for your arrival.

Falcon Group Campground is situated on the Main Divide Truck Trail, near Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, USA, within the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. This location places it in the Santa Ana Mountains of Southern California, offering a convenient mountain escape for residents of the greater Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. The elevation of the campground is approximately 3,301 feet, providing a pleasant climate often cooler than the surrounding valleys.

Accessibility to Falcon Group Campground is primarily via the Main Divide Truck Trail, which branches off Ortega Highway (CA-74). For Californians approaching from the west (e.g., Orange County or Los Angeles), you would typically take Ortega Highway east from San Juan Capistrano. From the east (e.g., Lake Elsinore or Temecula), you would take Ortega Highway west. While Ortega Highway itself is a well-maintained scenic route, a key point for visitors to note is that "The road up is very narrow with only one lane up for the last mile." This narrow section requires careful driving and may be challenging for large vehicles or those unfamiliar with mountain roads. It's crucial to exercise caution, especially when encountering oncoming traffic. Despite this final stretch, the overall access is considered manageable for most vehicles, though carpooling is recommended due to limited parking at each group site (e.g., 6 spaces at Sage, 8 at Lupine, 10 at Yarrow). The proximity to Ortega Highway makes it relatively easy to get to, offering a balance between remote tranquility and convenient travel.

Falcon Group Campground provides a selection of essential services and amenities, specifically tailored to accommodate the needs of larger groups while maintaining a rustic national forest camping experience.

• Three Group Campsites: The campground features three individual, reservable group campsites: Lupine, Sage, and Yarrow. Each site is designed to hold a significant number of campers (e.g., Sage accommodates up to 30 people, Yarrow up to 70 people).
• Vault Toilets: "Nice vault toilets" are provided at the campground. While primitive (non-flush), they are generally well-maintained and convenient, with some reviews specifically noting them as clean. Each group site may have its own set of vault bathrooms.
• Potable Water: Access to "potable water" is available via "two water taps," making it convenient for drinking and cooking. Reviewers mentioned "park provided bucket by spicket," indicating thoughtfulness.
• Picnic Tables and BBQs/Grills: "Various picnic tables and BBQ’s depending on which sight" are available, with some sites featuring "three sturdy table and benches and park provided bucket by spicket." Large charcoal grills are also present at sites.
• Large Fire Rings: The campsites boast "big fire rings" that can "accommodate 40 happy campers around it," perfect for large group campfires and warmth on cool mountain nights.
• Trash Cans: Trash receptacles are provided, encouraging campers to properly dispose of waste and maintain the cleanliness of the area.
• Designated Parking: Each group site has limited, designated parking spaces (e.g., 6-10 spaces), emphasizing the recommendation for carpooling. Parking areas are typically not large enough for vehicles with trailers.
• Reservable Sites: All three group sites are reservable via Recreation.gov, allowing groups to plan their trips in advance and secure their desired dates. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance.
• Tent-Only Sites: While large enough for groups, the sites are generally designated as "tent-only sites," with maximum equipment length of 25 feet, suggesting they are not primarily designed for large RVs.
• Year-Round Operation: The campground is open all year, though accessibility can be impacted by weather conditions on the narrow access road, especially in winter.

Falcon Group Campground offers a unique blend of features and highlights that make it a highly appealing destination for Californians planning a group outdoor escape in the Cleveland National Forest.

• Ideal for Large Groups: This is the standout feature. The campground's "Big campsite" and "Plenty of room" are consistently highlighted, allowing "Big group" gatherings with "5 tents one single and 2 family size and 2 dual family" to fit comfortably without being "right next to any other tents." This makes it "a great place for the party and feast."
• Privacy and Seclusion: Despite accommodating large groups, the "Nice layout if you want privacy" is a key advantage. The sites are "nicely spread out," providing a sense of seclusion in the "lightly forested area."
• Access to Trails and Views: The campground is located in an area with "trails and views," offering excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation. Hiking and mountain biking are particularly popular, with connections to trails like the San Juan Trail.
• Potable Water On-Site: The presence of "two water taps" for potable water is a significant convenience for group camping, reducing the need to haul in large quantities of water.
• Clean Vault Toilets: Reviews confirm the vault toilets are "well maintained" and "clean," which is a notable highlight for primitive facilities. "Each of the three Falcon group sites has its own pair of vault bathrooms, ours was clean and as good as a vault bathroom can be."
• Large Fire Rings: The "big fire rings" are a major draw, perfect for gathering around, staying warm on cool nights, and enhancing the communal camping experience.
• Serene Natural Environment: The "area around the camp is beautiful, lots of oak trees, chaparral, and even some pine," providing a peaceful and picturesque backdrop for camping. "Very quite" is a frequent comment.
• Proximity to Recreation: Beyond hiking and biking, the wider Cleveland National Forest offers opportunities for off-roading (OHV), fishing, horseback riding, and even rock climbing, all within reasonable reach of the campground.
• Affordable Group Camping: With fees ranging from $60.00 to $120.00 per night for an entire group site, it offers a cost-effective solution for large gatherings compared to booking multiple individual campsites.

For direct inquiries or to make reservations at Falcon Group Campground, please use the following contact information. Given that it is a group campground and highly sought after, advance reservations are essential.

Address: Main Divide Truck Trail, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, USA (This describes the general location within the Cleveland National Forest.)

Phone: (877) 444-6777 (This is the national reservation line for federal campgrounds via Recreation.gov.)

Mobile Phone: +1 877-444-6777 (This is the same national reservation line.)

For local information or specific campground inquiries, you may also be able to contact the relevant Ranger District:

Local Information Phone: (951) 736-1811 (This is the phone number for the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest, which manages Falcon Group Campground.)

Online Reservations: Reservations for all three group sites (Lupine, Sage, Yarrow) at Falcon Group Campground are required and can be made through the official federal recreation booking platform:

P. recreation.gov (Search for "Falcon Group Campground, Cleveland National Forest"). Reservations can typically be made up to six months in advance.

It is highly recommended to check the official Cleveland National Forest website (fs.usda.gov/cleveland) for current conditions, alerts, fire restrictions, and road status on the Main Divide Truck Trail before your visit, as conditions can change.

Falcon Group Campground is an excellent and highly suitable choice for Californians, particularly those organizing gatherings for larger groups. Its specific design to accommodate numerous campers, coupled with the "Big campsite" and "Plenty of room" that allows for privacy, addresses a key challenge often faced when planning group outings in popular outdoor areas. For locals, finding such a dedicated group site with reservable spots is a significant advantage, ensuring that their planned "party and feast" can proceed without the uncertainty of first-come, first-served availability. The convenience of "potable water" and "nice vault toilets" adds a crucial layer of comfort to the rustic setting, striking a good balance for diverse groups.

Furthermore, its location within the "nice lightly forested area" of the Cleveland National Forest, easily accessible from major Southern California population centers via Ortega Highway (with careful navigation on the final narrow stretch), makes it an ideal regional escape. The abundance of nearby "trails and views" for hiking and mountain biking, as well as broader opportunities for other outdoor activities in the Cleveland National Forest, ensures that groups will have plenty to do beyond the campsite. For Californians seeking a serene yet spacious environment to connect with friends and family amidst nature, Falcon Group Campground truly delivers a memorable and well-facilitated group camping experience right in their backyard.

Falcon Group Campground

Main Divide Truck Trail, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, USA