Tag Archives: temecula

Culp Valley

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Anza Borrego Camping

Culp Valley Campground

Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Southern California, high desert; in between Temecula & Borrego Springs, CA

Culp Valley Primitive Camp Area, Anza Borrego

San Diego Deserts, San Ysidro Mountains
Montezuma Grade
Montezuma Highway, Hwy S-22

High desert elevations, large boulders, highway w/ primitive campground. No trees, but much vegetation; flat parking, large tent spots, picnic tables, vault toilet. High desert mountain pass, with boulders, canyons and many dirt roads to explore.

• Elevation: 3,350′
• Number of Sites: 10
• Vehicle Accessibility: all
• Campsites Reservation: No
• Camp Fee: No
• Length of Stay: 10 Days
• Season: October – May
• Trailheads: Grapevine Canyon, Pena Springs, Anza Borrego & PCT (Pacific Crest Trail)

culp valley

hike highcountry borrego

Culp Valley Trail, Grapevine Canyon, Montezuma Valley, Pena Springs, San Ysidro Mountains.

  • bouldering
  • camping
  • climbing
  • hiking
  • mountain biking
  • off-roading
  • picnic
  • stargazing
  • wildflowers
  • culptoilet

    2018 Wildfire Walk – Culp Valley
    https://www.parks.ca.gov/Events/Details/9825

    Summit Post for Culp Valley
    https://www.summitpost.org/culp-valley/931432

    culpvalleyOHV
    OHV trails SoCal Deserts

    Primitive Camp San Diego

    Fire Light Cove

    Open car camping is allowed in several places inside Cleveland National Forest, although NO campfires are permitted in the backcountry (trailside or dirt roads) – due to the high fire danger. Your best for FREE, open, dispersed camping (with a campfire) is Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Lower elevations w/ summertime temperature can get very hot, so plan for higher elevation camps. The more you explore, the more you can find.

    The Tom Harrison San Diego Backcountry Map can get you out there on the back roads.

    Laguna Mountain (off Sunrise Hwy. S-1)
    [south Cleveland National Forest]
    East of San Diego; 40 miles E on Interstate 8

    • Pine Creek Road – with plenty of mountain biking trails
    • Noble Canyon – popular mountain biking trail
    • Kitchen Creek Road (warning, heavy use w/ US Border Patrol)

    Palomar Mountain (off Hwy. 76)
    [north Cleveland National Forest]
    N of San Diego; 40 miles N on Interstate 15

    Anza Borrego Desert Camping
    East of San Diego CA

    • Dispersed camping nearly anywhere in Anza desert (w/ a metal fire bucket)

    [higher elevations (1000-2000′) near Cleveland National Forest]

    • Oriflamme Canyon (off Road S-2)
    • Culp Valley (off Road S-22)
    • Blair Valley (off Road S-2)

    [lower elevations (100′) near Hwy 78]

    Cupl Valley Camp

    A winter day out exploring Culp Valley back roads.

    mortero trails

    Maps Mountains / San Diego Maps

    Indian Flats Campground

    Temecula Camping / Warner Springs Campground

    San Diego Mountains – Cleveland National Forest

    Indian Flats Campground

    Indian Flat Campground is located on the seasonal San Luis Rey River in rural North San Diego County.  From I-15 @ Temecula, CA travel eastbound on Highway 79. Look for the tiny turn off  (on left side) for forest road #9N05, sorta near glider airport located west of Warner Springs. This poorly paved backcountry route (half dirt/mud at times) is also known as both Indian Flats Road or Lost Valley Road.

    Graded dirt road (paved in some portions) travel is approximately 6.5 miles to campground, look for gate and turn off on the left side. When you see the giant boulder near the entrance, you’ll know you’ve made it to the right place.

    Oak trees and a few pines, plenty shade, boulders and mountain scenery, this is a great small campground that is well away from everything in Southern California.  Seasonal creek-sized river and boulder waterfall often dries up in late summer. This means a wet spring is the best time to visit this camp. Hiking, mountain biking trails and hammock spots. Pacific Crest Trail access.

    Cleveland National Forest
    Palomar Ranger District
    760-788-0250

    ClevelandMap_07

    Elevation: 3,600′
    Number of Sites: 17
    Camping Reservations: None
    Sites Available: First come, First serve
    Vehicle Accessibility: Length 15′ max.
    Length of Stay: 14 Days
    Water: No Piped; Seasonal creek nearby
    Toilet: Vault
    Season: Closed for mud & snow during winter months
    Fee: Yes
    Operated By: National Forest Service
    Closest Town: Warner Springs, CA

    Indian Flat
    Indian Flat Campground Entrance

    Agua Tibia Wilderness

    Agua Tibia Wilderness Area

    • 15,900 acres
    • chaparral & oak at lower elevations
    • pine & fir forest at high elevations
    • elevations range 1,700′ – ­5,000′
    • 25 miles of trail
    • summer temperatures exceed 100°F
    • occasional snow in winter
    • best in winter through spring
    • wood fires prohibited
    • portable stoves permitted
    • water scarce
    • no overnight use of pack or saddle stock
    • groups limit – 15 people
    • visitor permits required
    Agua Tibia lies right on the RIVERSIDE
    & SAN DIEGO COUNTY border

    Cleveland National Forest
    Palomar Ranger District
    1634 Black Canyon Road
    Ramona, CA 92065
    760-788-0250

    Agua Tibia Map

    Agua Tibia Trailhead

    This is the trailhead for Agua Tibia Wilderness located at Dripping Springs Campground on Highway 79, near Temecula CA.

    See more: Agua Tibia Mountain hike details

    hiking SoCal

    San Mateo Canyon Wilderness

    San Mateo Canyon Wilderness

    • 9,700 acres, South of Highway 74
    • hiking near Temecula, California
    • between Camp Pendleton & Lake Elsinore
    • moderate to steep terrain
    • vegetation chaparral on slopes
    • riparian vegetation in stream channels
    • oak woodland at lower elevations
    • accessible by several routes off Hwy 74
    • accessible by dirt roads
    • some access routes may be closed in wet weather
    • best times to visit are spring & fall
    • wood fires prohibited
    • portable stoves permitted
    • visitor permit required
    Cleveland National Forest
    Trabuco Ranger District
    1147 East Sixth Street
    Corona, CA 91719
    714-736-1811
    San Mateo Wilderness Map