Can you reserve a site at El Prado Group?

Yes, El Prado Group is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at El Prado Group?

45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at El Prado Group?

Yes, pets are allowed at El Prado Group.

Are campfires allowed at El Prado Group?

Campfires are allowed at El Prado Group. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

El Prado Group, California — 5 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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

The facts

Season: Memorial Day Weekend – Columbus Day Weekend — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
5 bookable sites
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 45 ft
Up to 50 people per site
Loops: EL P

Site types

4 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
1 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

5 campsites at El Prado Group

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
Big Sage	EL P	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	45 ft	36	🐾
Buckwheat	EL P	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	45 ft	50	🐾
Manzanita	EL P	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Paved	40 ft	30	🐾
Whitethorn	EL P	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Paved	30 ft	30	🐾
Yerba Santa	EL P	Group Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	—	32	♿ 🐾

Getting there

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.

32.88694, -116.45556 · 32°53'13.0"N 116°27'20.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 50°F in Feb.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	50	50	54	61	68	78	83	82	76	67	57	51
Low °F	33	34	36	40	46	53	60	58	54	45	38	34
Precip in	2.7	4.8	2.6	0.9	0.4	0.1	0.8	0.5	0.5	0.7	1.4	2.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about El Prado Group

Can you reserve a site at El Prado Group?: Yes, El Prado Group is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does El Prado Group have?: 5 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at El Prado Group?: 45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at El Prado Group?: Yes, pets are allowed at El Prado Group.
Does El Prado Group have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at El Prado Group?: Campfires are allowed at El Prado Group. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

El Prado Group also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by El Prado Group's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

A reservation charge is added to the price of the site.
Fee varies with site

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near El Prado Group

Laguna 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Horse Heaven Group 0.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wooded Hill Group 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Burnt Rancheria 2.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Meadows Information Kiosk Trailhead 1.8 mi · Facility
Laguna Information Site 2.6 mi · Facility
Agua Dulce Equestrian Trailhead 2.6 mi · Facility
Desert View Picnic Site 2.7 mi · Facility
Red-tailed Roost Trailhead 2.8 mi · Facility
Pioneer Mail Picnic Site 3 mi · Facility
Pine Creek Trailhead 6.1 mi · Facility
Bear Valley Trailhead 6.6 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

El Prado Group