El Cariso Campground

This Place is for the Memory of all the fallen warriors WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER'S. Made me feel so proud to come and tidy it up a bit so people can enjoy a nice picnic, some nice quiet reading time, or maybe just some Peace and quiet Check out all those plack's on the wall. So many Folks have passed away doing what they loved. This is something I love doing too. Beautifying our forest lands and protecting them. Help us by keeping it clean, use the potties available to the public, I noticed so much Toilet paper outside of them. Its Our responsibility as American Citizens to keep our Public lands clean of litter. Hope you enjoy.

Stopped off for a quick road stop on my way to Lake Elsinore and found this small campground with 24 spaces practically stacked on top of each other right next to the busy 74 Ortega Highway. Although it did not appear busy it could easily be on the weekends as a quick getaway spot close to the Lake. Parking is limited to maybe 1 vehicle🚗 per spot since the road is narrow and permits only one way traffic. There is handicap ♿ parking near the bathrooms 🚽 and a fresh water spigot on either side of the grounds. Large trash🗑 bins are also available to help leave no trace. 💰$15 per camp site 💰$5 for a day pass Each site appears to have significant shading from the trees 🌳 but during my stop between 2-3pm the temperature 🌡 read 106 outside 🥵. With the fire station across the street and low hanging trees I imagine camp fires 🔥 have to be small and the signs indicated they could not burn out but must be put out.

This is you typical campsite with pads, picnic tables, fire pits, vault toilets, & some BBQ’s. There are water spigots with potable water dispersed around the campground. Groceries and other facilities are close by and there is even Lake Elsinore about 10 miles away. Sites are close together with no privacy. Nearly empty during the week & probably busy on the weekend. Like most places. Biggest issues is that this place is right next to a busy highway and you can’t escape the road noise. I would use this, as I did, for a last choice pit stops in the way someplace else. Although, while staying here I found out that Blue Jay Campground is a mere 4 miles away. It’s much, much nicer and spread out (privacy).

Nice little campground, we had the whole place to our selves on a week night! Traffic noise dies down in the evening. Multiple bathrooms and portable water made it really nice! The visitor center across the street is typically only open on weekends. Beautiful views, great spot when traveling through!

This is a nice campground. There are lots of pretty oak trees that give you the impression of being way out in the wilderness. There are hiking trails nearby and a rangers station with a visitor center across the street. I have two complaints one is that it can be a little bit loud at early in the morning due to the Ortega highway and sometimes people come here and party all night long and that can also be a little bit loud for camping but, other than those small issues this one of my favorite campgrounds.