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Cleveland/El Cariso
Overview
Overview
Cleveland/El Cariso RV Park is a rustic, mountain-setting destination located within the scenic Cleveland National Forest. Unlike high-density commercial resorts, this park offers a more secluded, wilderness-oriented atmosphere. It provides a peaceful retreat for travelers looking to disconnect and enjoy the natural environment of Southern California. The park is characterized by its high-altitude location, making it a serene escape from the urban bustle of nearby cities while offering a refreshing change in climate.
Location & Surroundings
Situated along the winding Ortega Highway, the park is positioned high in the Santa Ana Mountains near Lake Elsinore, California. The surrounding terrain is defined by rugged slopes, chaparral landscapes, and dense forest canopy. Travelers can expect winding mountain roads that provide breathtaking views of the valley below. The elevation provides cooler temperatures than the valley floor, making it an ideal spot for those seeking fresh mountain air and quiet nights under the stars.
Amenities & Park Features
The park is designed to accommodate various camping styles, ranging from tent sites to RV hookups. While the facilities remain modest and focused on the outdoors, guests have access to essential RV utilities such as water and electricity. The layout is spaced out to enhance privacy, allowing campers to feel truly immersed in the forest environment. Maintenance crews keep the grounds clean, ensuring a comfortable base camp for those exploring the rugged trails that weave through the adjacent national forest.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for adventure just outside the park gates. The area is a hub for hiking and mountain biking, with numerous trailheads accessible within a short drive. Visitors can head down into Lake Elsinore for water-based recreation or explore the unique geological formations throughout the Cleveland National Forest. Whether you prefer a challenging trek up a mountain ridge or a relaxing afternoon of birdwatching, the proximity to these wild landscapes is a primary draw for visitors.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is best suited for independent RV travelers and nature lovers who prioritize a quiet, rustic experience over luxury resort amenities. It is an excellent choice for those with smaller to mid-sized rigs who enjoy scenic mountain driving and are looking for a base camp to launch their hiking excursions. If you appreciate a remote setting, crisp mountain air, and proximity to diverse terrain, Cleveland/El Cariso offers the perfect environment for a relaxing getaway.
Features & Amenities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Ariana Rivera
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.
Brad
Great campground, terrible location. There are a few good campsites here that offer some privacy and a level place to put your tent. The campground was mostly empty the Friday night I camped here, however that didn't mean I had a quiet night. Like others have mentioned, the road noise is pretty much constant and annoying. The proximity to Ortega Highway and being right up the hill from Lake Elsinore also creates another problem: people come up here to party (not camp). There was trash all over this campground, tons of broken glass, and empty beer cans and bottles everywhere. At around 12am on my night, a couple cars came into the campground with their music blasting, shouting, laughing, throwing beer bottles, until about 2am. It was extremely annoying, to put it lightly and of course my safety was also a concern. At around 6am the road of motorcycle woke me up and I couldn't get out of there fast enough. It's a shame because the campground itself is nice, it's just ruined by people.
Matthew Hengst
It’s a $15 a night campsite relatively accessible from OC which has water and bathrooms. Unfortunately it is right off the side of Ortega so if your sensitive to traffic noise you won’t like this one particularly with all the overly loud motorcycles. Sites themselves are rather nice with ample shade under the oaks but located very close to each other. On the plus side we were here on a Friday and Saturday in January and had it pretty much to ourselves.
Bud Betternippers
I always enjoyed this place in the late 80s very early 90s camping as a teen and young adult living In Laguna Hills MV high Graduate ! We partied are butts off here loved going up the road at night and hiking during the day .. truly a great place and would love to visit again but probably would never have the chance living almost 2700 miles way now and having no family in the area anymore …
Rebecca C
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.