USDA Forest Service · California
El Prado Group
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 5
- Hookups
- 5 with water, 5 no hookups
- Season
- May 22 to October 12
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,505 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile good · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- EL PRADO GROUP CAMP (NFSR 15S11A) · asphalt · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Cleveland National Forest
- Nearest town
- Alpine
- Address
- DESCANSO RANGER DISTRICT, Alpine, CA, 91901
- Phone
- 619-445-6235
- Activities
- Biking, Birding, Camping, Cultural Activities, Hiking, Historic & Cultural Site, Horseback Riding, Information Site, Mountain Biking, Scenic Drive, Wildlife Viewing
5 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54° | 37° | 25° | 69° | 4 of 11 |
| February | 52° | 35° | 21° | 73° | 8 of 11 |
| March | 54° | 36° | 25° | 83° | 6 of 11 |
| April | 63° | 40° | 30° | 79° | 3 of 11 |
| May | 71° | 45° | 35° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 83° | 53° | 43° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 88° | 60° | 48° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 85° | 59° | 51° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 81° | 57° | 46° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 71° | 49° | 38° | 86° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 64° | 44° | 31° | 75° | 2 of 10 |
| December | 56° | 37° | 23° | 70° | 3 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Laguna · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 97 sites
- Horse Heaven Group · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 3 sites
- Wooded Hill Group · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 1 sites
- Burnt Rancheria · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 124 sites
- Cuyamaca Rancho State Park · California State Parks · 8 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.