Free Camping San Diego

San Diego is famous for its golden beaches, perfect weather, and an almost endless variety of outdoor activities. But what many people don’t know is that it’s also a super popular destination for camping lovers. Even better, there are some free camping options that offer amazing scenery and the chance to escape the busyness of popular areas and escape into the quiet for the night.

If you like the idea of getting away from the hustle and bustle, dispersed camping in San Diego is the way to go and to make planning your road trip easier, we’ve detailed the best free San Diego campsites below. You’ll even find information on what you can do nearby, so you can spend more time enjoying your vacation and less time planning!

Are you ready? Let’s hit the road!

Free San Diego Camping Spots

• Blair Valley Primitive Campground
• Pine Creek Road

Before we take a closer look at these free camping spots, it’s important to note that they are best visited by campervan. Contact Travellers Autobarn and let our team of experts help you hire a campervan out of Los Angeles that best suits your needs, whether you’re traveling solo or with a family.

Blair Valley Primitive Campground

Borrego Springs, California

Set within the beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Blair Valley Primitive Campground is around 90 minutes from San Diego and is the perfect place for nature lovers to spend the night. It’s also the ideal quiet space, with wide-open spaces and surrounding desert landscapes ensuring that you have a peaceful night away from the noise of busier areas.

This is a dispersed camping site, so don’t expect anything too luxurious when it comes to amenities. However, it does have everything you need for a comfortable stay, including toilet facilities and designated spaces for building a campfire. It’s also pet-friendly, which is great if you’re traveling with your trusty canine companion. Just remember that, like all dispersed camping spots, you’ll need to pack in and out, following the Leave No Trace principles. Also, you can’t reserve a spot here, so it’s best to arrive early if you’re traveling in peak season and you want to grab a space.

Once you’ve set up camp, the real adventure begins! One of the best things about Blair Valley is its historical past, and you can find evidence of this by hiking the Moteros Trail, which is 20 minutes away and is dotted with ancient grinding holes left by the Kumeyaay people. Once you’ve completed this relatively short trail, head out on the Ghost Mountain Trail, which is closer to the campground and just a 15-minute drive. This trail takes you up to the remains of a homestead built in the 1930s by a family seeking off-the-grid life, and the views from the top are especially beautiful at sunset.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Designated Campfire Area

Pine Creek Road

Sunrise Highway, Julian, California

If you’ve been craving the solitude of the backcountry but want to stay closer to the greenery of the Cleveland National Forest, Pine Creek Road is the perfect spot. Just over an hour from San Diego, this spot is located in the Descanso Ranger District, and it offers dispersed camping along the road. All you need to do is pull up at a clearing and park your van. This might feel pretty informal, but really, that’s all part of the charm, and you’ll truly feel as though you’ve stumbled into your own little slice of wilderness.

As you might imagine, you won’t find any toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, or other amenities here. This is true primitive camping! However, this doesn’t mean you can pull up wherever you want, and while the established sites are easy to spot by the driveways leading to them, there are some that are marked with boulders where camping or turning around is prohibited.

Hiking is the main attraction here, and the Noble Canyon Trailhead is just 10 minutes away. This is a popular route with both hikers and mountain bikers, taking you through forested areas and over rocky terrain before ending with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Or, if you’re feeling like a more relaxed day, Pine Valley Creek is a 20-minute drive away, where you’ll find crystal clear pools that are perfect for cooling off in the desert heat.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• No Amenities – Dispersed Camping Site

San Diego is so much more than beaches and city life, and its free camping spots offer you the chance to explore the desert landscapes and forest trails without breaking the bank. And when it comes to planning your trip, Travellers Autobarn is here to make it even easier with reliable campervans and free unlimited miles, so you can hit all the best spots and discover even more of the best campervan campgrounds in California at your own pace. All you need to do now is pack your bags and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

Looking for more California road trips? Make sure you check out these articles:

• Free Camping California
• 7 Unforgettable Family Camping Spots in California
• Best Beach Campgrounds & RV Parks in California
• Best Campervan Campgrounds in California

DISCLAIMER: All information provided, including prices, availability, and site details, is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend contacting campsites or caravan parks directly to confirm the latest details before planning your visit. Please review our Terms and Conditions for additional information.