2.976 reviewsPrice
$18 - $30/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
18 campsites
Season
Open seasonally from...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$18 - $30/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
18 campsites
Season
Open seasonally from...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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33.6069, -117.4328
Fall weekends suit tent campers looking for a trailhead base: the 2.1-mile San Juan Loop starts right here, and longer trails (up to 11.6 miles) are 0.75 miles away at the main trailhead. Mid-60s days and 40s nights make October the sweet spot.
No potable water is the hard stop for campers who don't want to haul every drop. The campground is also currently closed, so confirm it has reopened before making the drive. RVs won't fit under the Live Oak canopy regardless.
Reference information about Upper San Juan Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>18 sites.</p>
The elevation is 1,800 ft. The campground is located in the Santa Ana Mountain Range. It is nicely manicured with dirt understory and lots of Live Oaks. Campground built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933. The seasonal San Juan Creek runs through the campground. There are limited groceries and good candy available at the Ortega Country Cottage General Store (formally known as the "Candy Store"). It is located 0.75 miles north of the campground on State Rt. 74.
Open April or May through November.
The water spigots are hand pumps.
The parking aprons are paved. Low hanging branches at some sites and along the interior road will impede some RVs - not RV friendly. An RV waste station, with no potable water, is available for a fee 0.75 miles north of campground on State Rt. 74 at the Ortega Oaks RV Park.
From Lake Elsinore, CA, take State Rt. 74 south 10.3 miles to campground on right.
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Fall delivers the most comfortable camping at Upper San Juan. Expect clear, dry days in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F and cool nights in the 40s–50s. Trails see less traffic than summer, and stable weather reduces the afternoon wind and heat issues that can affect the area. Fire restrictions may linger into early fall during hot, dry years, so check current conditions before arrival. The campground operates April through November, when temperatures stay mild and precipitation is minimal, though occasional gusts can reach 21 mph.
Fall described as 'most comfortable' with clear dry days, cool nights and less traffic.
The Upper San Juan Campground offers a mix of amenities with significant limitations. It features 18 campsites equipped with picnic tables and grills; however, there are no water, RV waste stations, or flush toilets available. Vault toilets are the only restroom facilities, and potable water is not provided. Hand-pumped water spigots are available, but the water is not safe for drinking.
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