Part of Tent Camping, our guide to tent camping in San Diego County.
Four agencies run San Diego County tent camping, and each books differently: State Parks on ReserveCalifornia, County Parks on its own system, Cleveland National Forest on recreation.gov, and BLM with no booking. Read on October 23, 2026: the forest bans fires outside listed campgrounds, and BLM land is under Stage II.Checked October 23, 2026.
Fire Rules by Agency
Cleveland National Forest: Forest Order 02-26-10 runs June 12 to December 31, 2026 and bans fires, campfires and charcoal fires except within a listed Developed Recreation Site. The forest page showed fire danger “High” in all three ranger districts on 2026-10-23. Wood or charcoal fires are never allowed outside developed campgrounds or picnic sites; portable stoves and lanterns are allowed unless elevated fire conditions prohibit them. See the forest fire page.
BLM: the BLM California page read 2026-10-23 puts all San Diego County BLM lands in Stage II. That means no open fires of any kind, portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit, and smoking only inside an enclosed vehicle or camp trailer. See BLM California fire restrictions.
State parks: Cuyamaca Rancho and Palomar Mountain direct fire questions to (760) 767-4037. Anza-Borrego posts a notice that open fires and barbecues are prohibited at Blair Valley, Culp Valley and backcountry sites during heat and fire-danger restrictions.
Stay Limits and Permits
Cleveland National Forest Order 02-26-11 (July 17, 2026 to July 16, 2028) caps camping at 14 days per calendar year inside or outside a developed campground, with 28 days total. The forest camping page still reads “14 consecutive days in a calendar year”; the newer order (updated July 22, 2026) is used here.
Backcountry camping in the forest needs a permit in all three districts, except the Laguna Recreation Area for Descanso. Anza-Borrego limits the same people, equipment or vehicles to 30 days in a calendar year. BLM Otay Mountain Wilderness allows 14 days, then move at least 25 miles.
Booking and Closures Read Today
County Parks online booking closes 24 hours before the first night; same-day booking is by phone. The pages read do not state how far ahead County sites open.
Closures posted on 2026-10-23: Coyote Canyon road closed at the third crossing (Anza-Borrego); Boil Water Advisory at Fry Creek and Observatory campgrounds; San Onofre Bluffs closed south of the Trail 1 lot. The Tijuana River Valley campground is only partly reopened. Follow each agency page, because none of these are permanent.
Kids, Dogs and Water
State park campgrounds: minors under 18 must be with a parent or guardian or carry a permission letter. Dogs are allowed in state campgrounds on a leash but not on trails. Anza-Borrego tells campers to bring 1 gallon of water per person per day. Individual campground pages list their own rules.
What We Could Not Verify
- Whether the Anza-Borrego superintendent’s order from 2019 is still the current version. Anza-Borrego District staff (760-767-4205) can confirm.
- How far ahead County and State Parks sites open for most parks. The agencies’ reservation systems can confirm.
- Any County Parks fire notice: none was found on the County pages read. County Parks at (858) 565-3600 can confirm.
More in Tent Camping
FAQ
Can I have a campfire in a San Diego County campground right now?
It depends on the agency and campground. On Cleveland National Forest land, fires are allowed only in campgrounds listed in Forest Order 02-26-10, and BLM land is under Stage II with no open fires. State and County rules vary; check each page as of the day you go.
How long can I camp?
Cleveland National Forest caps camping at 14 days per calendar year under Order 02-26-11, with 28 days total. Anza-Borrego allows 30 days per calendar year. BLM Otay Mountain allows 14 days.
Sources
- Cleveland National Forest: camping and cabins
- Cleveland National Forest: elevated fire use restrictions
- Cleveland National Forest: dispersed camping and stay limits
- BLM California: fire restrictions
- California State Parks: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- County of San Diego Parks: park notices and closures
Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.