Blue Jay Campground

Stayed here on 3/16/23. Needed a quick spot to camp before it got too dark on my way to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and I ended up in the Lake Elsinore area. Originally was going to choose the El Cariso campground right off the 74 highway, but decided on this one after reading the reviews saying it was a bit loud (I also had a $20 and no change, as the other one is $15 a night). It was nice and quiet aside from another group playing music til maybe 10pm. The drive is a small road in but easy to navigate. It was quiet cold for the evening though, dropping below 40°. The cold and frosty morning made it hard to pack up my tent, but by 8am it had warmed up. Great, very clean restrooms as well as potable water next to my site (#19). Site also included a pit fire, with grill attachment and an additional standing grill, as well a table. If I'm in the area I'll definitely stay here again.

This has to be one of my favorite campgrounds. Unfortunately it’s a pay campground ($20). It’s becoming the norm, so clean up after yourself so the forest service doesn’t have more reasons to increase the fees.
You do get generous campsites, some of which have some space between sites and bushes for privacy. There is also dispersed potable water spigots, vaulted toilets, and trash. Weirdly the trash is not animal resistant. Some sites are pretty big. My 40’ truck/trailer fit in several. Beware though, the final 1 mile road is steep, with tight curves, very narrow with only room for 1 vehicle, and only 2 turn outs. It’s paved, not easy, but doable.
The area is pretty and green with trees and bushes. The trailhead for the San Juan trail is just outside the campgrounds with another trailhead in the way to sites 40-50. Great for a hike or for mountain biking. The trailhead within the campground actually has lots of parking.
Section 40-50 is for tent camping and currently closed for not obvious reasons.
There is also a group site nearby which you call to reserve.
It was relatively quiet even on the weekend when all the sites filled up (nearly empty during the week). There were lots of flies but not the kind that bite. Also, the cell service was spotty for Verizon. There was a decent connection at the trailhead just outside the campground.

My family and friends LOVE this camp! We do wish the bottom portion was open so more sites were available. But everything about this campground is awesome. The bathrooms are easily accessible. Handicapped accessible too. There is lots of faucets for potable water. It’s dog friendly!!!! (Huge plus for us) The trails are easily accessible as well. The the sites have fire rings and a bbq to cook on. Another huge plus is that if you get there before it starts filling up, you can snag some pretty large camp site so you can set up volleyball nets or something of that nature. It’s only a 20 minute drive from home for us but it feels like you are hidden away in the woods. We love this spot and come as often as we can. I definitely recommend staying here and enjoying your weekend in the woods.

P.S. When hiking on trails, do be careful and aware of mountain bikers flying around corners. They go fast and hard coming down hill. So if you have littles, keep them at arms length so you can grab them out of the way if need be.

Overall, enjoy a great camp site with friends and family!!

Big fan of this spot. It's off the beaten path so it stays pretty empty besides day traffic being that the San Juan Trail head leaves from the site.

Google: San Juan Trail (Some of the best MTB riding/hiking in Orange County.)

Great place for hiking and mountain biking. My Boy is entertained 3/4 of the day w/ a slingshot, ha!

Warning:

- It can get very hot & dry here though in the summer.
- Cell coverage is limited to the higher elevation sites. The Low ones will have little to none.