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
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
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Once you know where you’re headed, find your next free USA camping location and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Also, check out best California RV camping & campground sites and our full list of recommended campgrounds across the US.
Get the best rates on campervan rentals across the USA
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FAQs about free camping in San Diego
Yes, there are great free camping spots near San Diego to park your van and enjoy the outdoors. One of the best options is Blair Valley Primitive Campground, about 90 minutes away in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. It’s super quiet, with views of the desert and plenty of space. There are also basic toilets and spots to build a campfire.
Another solid spot is Pine Creek Road, just over an hour away in the Cleveland National Forest. This one is more rugged, with no bathrooms, water or fire rings. But this is it if you’re looking for a peaceful place in the forest. Just pull into one of the clearings along the road. The Noble Canyon Trailhead is another great option, and it offers an awesome trail for hiking or mountain biking.
Yes, it’s highly recommended. Sites like Blair Valley Primitive Campground have basic toilet facilities but no showers or running water, while others like Pine Creek Road have zero amenities. If you’re planning to freedom camp, your campervan should be self-contained, with a toilet, water supply, and waste disposal, to make your stay safe, clean, and legal.
Generally, you can camp for up to 14 days within 30 days in the same area. This rule applies to most freedom camping zones managed by federal land agencies around San Diego, including Anza-Borrego and the Cleveland National Forest. After that, you’ll need to move to a different site at least 25 miles away.
No bookings needed at most freedom camp sites. Both Blair Valley Primitive Campground and Pine Creek Road are first-come, first-served. Especially at Blair Valley, it’s best to arrive early during busy seasons to lock in a good spot. For Pine Creek, just make sure you find an established clearing, don’t park in areas marked with boulders or signs.
Yes. Illegal camping can lead to fines between $200 and $1000, depending on the location and the offence. To avoid this, only camp in clearly designated freedom camping areas and be on the lookout for any regulatory signs indicating which areas are off limits.
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.
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Bastian Graf
Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.
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