California · published-coordinate region

El Prado Group

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USDA Forest Service
5Supported overnight records
2Published site categories
5Sites with a reported party limit
A useful starting point, not a fit guarantee. Site-specific warnings are absent from this export. Published lengths may include a tow vehicle. Check the official site page for current notes, restrictions, approach and configuration before booking. No live availability is shown.

A closer look at the campground

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

Full operator-supplied campground description · Scroll within the panel for more · Amenities may be shared by the campground, not present at every site

How much is documented?

Reported fields across the 5 supported campsite records here. A reported value can still need interpretation; missing values remain unknown in the planner.

Party limit
5
Vehicle limit
5
Vehicle length
4
Driveway entry
3
Shade
5

Bars show counts, not a quality, accessibility or suitability score.

The campsite mix

Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
4
Group Standard Nonelectric
1

Operator directions

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.

Campground-level source text. Confirm the current route and road conditions with the operator.

THE ACTUAL SITES

5 published campsite records

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Raw published values are shown below, including zeros and ambiguous text. They are not validated capacities. The planner keeps missing, zero and questionable dimensions unknown.

View all 5 published site records
Select a site number to check its official current details
SITE / LOOPTYPEEQUIPMENT LIMITSPEOPLE / VEHICLESDRIVEWAYELECTRIC / SHADE
Site Big Sage
EL P
Source updated: 2025-12-07
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
36 people
15 vehicles
Pull-through
Not reported
N/A
Shade: Yes
Site Buckwheat
EL P
Source updated: 2025-12-07
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
50 people
20 vehicles
Pull-through
Not reported
Not reported
Shade: Yes
Site Manzanita
EL P
Source updated: 2025-12-07
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
30 people
10 vehicles
Not reported
Not reported
Not reported
Shade: Yes
Site Whitethorn
EL P
Source updated: 2025-12-07
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
30 people
7 vehicles
Not reported
Not reported
Not reported
Shade: Yes
Site Yerba Santa
EL P
Source updated: 2025-12-07
Group Standard Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
32 people
10 vehicles
Pull-through
Not reported
Not reported
Shade: Yes

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Straight-line distances between campground points, not driving distance or route advice.