Cleveland National Forest, located approximately 50 miles northeast of the thriving metropolis of San Diego, California, is a 460,000-acre wilderness made up of mostly chaparral shrublands, with a Mediterranean climate. A remarkable variety of animals choose to make their home in this forest, including both large and small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. There are hundreds of miles of trails for every skill level that wind through this area, providing ample opportunities to explore the region either on foot or by bicycle. The skies over Cleveland National Forest are clear of the pollution found over the nearby big cities, making it a great destination for stargazers as well. If you are so inclined, you can even join one of the monthly “star parties” that give visitors a chance to look at the night sky through the telescopes at San Diego State University’s Mount Laguna Observatory. We have highlighted three of the ten or so rustic campgrounds located in Cleveland National Forest. No matter what brings you and your campervan to California, Cleveland National Forest is the perfect place to stop and stay a while.
Cleveland National Forest is divided into several sections that cover a wide area from San Diego to Santa Ana. You're going to need an RV or additional vehicle to travel to every inch of the park. There are many routes that lead to the Cleveland National Forest, most of which are mountain roads, rife with twists, turns, and elevation changes, but also loaded with absolutely spectacular panoramic views. The roads inside the park are a bit narrower and are likely to be even more convoluted. While these roads are challenging, as long as you drive with caution, they are typically able to be navigated even in a big rig or if towing a trailer. There are several turnouts and rest stops in the forest itself, giving tired drivers a chance to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. It is important to note that several of the roads in the southern portion of the forest are subject to closures due to “Law Enforcement Activities,” usually in an attempt to limit access to those trying to circumnavigate US Border Patrol checkpoints. Routes that are commonly restricted include Kitchen Creek Road, Bear Valley Road, Buckman Springs, and Thing Valley Road.
Laguna Campground is located in the eastern portion of the Cleveland National Forest, around three miles north of Mount Laguna. There are 53 sites available for reservation in total, situated into five separate loops of campsites. Of those sites, 48 are suitable for trailers and RVs up to 40 feet in length. As the campsites are fairly rustic, they have no electrical, sewer, or water hookups. Sites at the Laguna Campground tend to be spacious with a nice, private feel to them. Generators are allowed in this forest during daytime hours, but they must be equipped with a spark arrester. Keep an eye out for notifications as the use of generators can be restricted to designated areas when there is an elevated chance of wildfires.
Each site comes equipped with a fire-ring, hibachi-style grill, and picnic table, and each loop has flush toilets and pay showers available for campers to use. Up to two pets per campsite are allowed in the campgrounds and on trails. Portions of this campground are fenced off in an effort to protect the habitat of the Laguna Skipper Butterfly, an endangered insect endemic to the area.
The Falcon Group Campsites are located near the eastern edge of the forest, just 15 miles west of the town of Lake Elsinore. This campground is comprised of three group campsites; the Lupine site, which is able to accommodate up to 40 people and eight vehicles; the Sage site, suitable for up to 30 people and six vehicles; and the Yarrow site, able to comfortably handle up to ten vehicles and 70 individuals. Each group campsite can be reserved up to 12 months in advance of your adventure. There is a maximum vehicle length of 25 feet. None of the sites provide electrical, water, or sewer hookups, but generators with spark arresters are allowed for use during the daytime hours. There are faucets with potable water along with vault toilets located near each site. Pets are welcome at the Falcon Group Campsites but must be restricted by a six-foot or shorter lead.
Visitors to Cleveland National Forest will want to be sure that they bring a good pair of hiking boots along with them in their campervan. This forest is known for its many scenic trails with varying difficulty levels. There are several short, easy trails, like the Wooded Nature Trail, a 1.4-mile loop that features a number of colorful wildflowers in the spring and summer, and the Desert View Interpretive Trail, a one-mile loop which provides excellent opportunities to view local wildlife. Those hikers who are looking for more of a challenge may prefer the 3.1-mile Viejas Mountain Trail, a rocky trail that provides both gorgeous views and a great workout, or the popular 6.7-mile Corte Madera Mountain Trail, a heavily trafficked trail with views of several mountains, including San Diego’s half dome, the Corte Madera Mountain.
This 460,000-acre national forest is made up in large part by chaparral areas which support a large variety of wildlife. Predators such as coyotes, bobcats, and grey foxes are abundant in this area, as are burrowing animals like American badgers, botta’s pocket gopher, and the California ground squirrel. There are also a plethora of amphibians who live in the waterways, such as the arboreal salamander and the endangered arroyo toad. The hot, dry climate of the area is perfect for reptiles as well, and you are likely to spot lizards and skinks scurrying under the bushes, such as granite night lizards, gilbert’s skinks, or even the San Diegan legless lizard. Snakes you might spot include the California king snake, the desert rosy boa, and the western patch-nosed snake, along with three varieties of rattlesnake.
There is a large population of avian residents in this forest so birdwatching enthusiasts will want to be certain that their birding kit is in their trailer when they visit Cleveland National Forest. Several varieties of woodpecker and sapsuckers search the trees for insects, and roadrunners and quails run along the ground. There are several varieties of threatened songbirds that make their home in this forest as well, such as the olive-sided flycatcher, the pinyon jay, and cassin’s finch. Raptors such as turkey vultures, prairie falcons, and red-shouldered hawks hunt here during the daytime. Owls hunt during the night, including western screech-owls, northern saw-whets, and barn owls.
The Blue Jay Campground is located approximately 15 miles west of the town of Lake Elsinore, near the eastern edge of the forest. It is a secluded campground made up of 50 small but private sites, available on a first-come, first-served basis, which are suitable for either tents or rigs. These rustic sites do not have electrical, water, or sewer hookups, but generators with spark arresters can be used during daylight hours. Each campsite has a dirt pad, a fire ring, hibachi style grill, and a picnic table. There are potable water faucets and vault toilets available. While the majority of the sites are fairly level, it may be a good idea to pack blocks in your RV in case you need to level out your vehicle. This campground is rarely monitored at night and does sometimes attract a noisier crowd than some of the other campgrounds in the park.
San Diego State University’s Mount Laguna Observatory, located on the eastern edge of Cleveland National Forest, is equipped with large telescopes, perfect for viewing California’s night sky. For many years, as part of the Explore the Stars program, star parties have been conducted once a month, usually on a Friday or Saturday night, throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. Attending one of these events will give you the opportunity to see rare views of the night sky, and the chance to learn more about what you are seeing from knowledgeable amateur astronomers.
Cyclists who enjoy mountain biking will want to ensure that their bike is with them when they camp here. While not all of the hiking trails are suitable for this activity, there are enough to satisfy any mountain biking enthusiast, from the novice to the expert. Experienced cyclists who prefer a challenge are likely to enjoy the rocky, ten-mile Noble Canyon Trail or the intense 15-mile Saddleback Mountain Trail. Novices will be delighted with easier trails, such as the 1.4-mile Falcon Trail, or the 3.2-mile Pine Mountain Trail.
Geocaching is a type of worldwide treasure hunt that utilizes modern GPS technology to search for small hidden containers, referred to as caches. The caches, typically hidden by other participants, contain small log sheets or log books in which to record your find. Many contain trinkets, which can be taken and replaced by a trinket of similar value, or trackable tokens which travelers can move from one cache to another. This activity is quite popular in the Cleveland National Forest, and there are many caches to be found by both casual and ardent participants.
