Hellhole Canyon County Preserve Campground California

Hellhole Canyon County Preserve Overview

Hellhole Canyon County Preserve is about 4 miles east of Valley Center in northern San Diego County. The 1,907-acre County preserve includes a group camping area (13 sites). Amenities include drinking water, vault toilets, an amphitheater and parking/staging area for horse trailers and other vehicles.

The group camping area includes 13 sites (tent only) that are about 1/4 mile from the parking/staging area. Each site has a (fairly) level dirt area to pitch your tent. Only campsite #11 has a metal picnic table. Campers can access the water and vault toilets up near the parking area/camp host. Fires, smoking or open flames are also prohibited. Cell service is fair in the area.

The preserve is open year round sunrise to sunset. It also has 13.5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. The trails are well-maintained and have interpretive signs and benches at various locations. Dogs are allowed on trails but must be on leash. Mountain biking is not allowed in the preserve. Native Americans did not live int he area, but did come to collect and grind acorns, as well as gather other plant and animal resources. Settlers to the area gave colorful names to features within the canyon, such as Hell and Paradise Creeks, Horsethief Canyon and Paradise Mountain.

You might also like Observatory Campground and Fry Creek Campground. Both are about 25 miles away near Palomar Mountain. Doane Valley Campground (Palomar Mountain State Park) is also nice.

Make a Reservation for Hellhole Canyon County Preserve

Amenities

• Amphitheater
• Campground Host
• Cell Service Fair
• Drinking Water
• Equestrian trail
• Group Camping
• Overflow Parking
• Pets OK
• Trash Collection

Activities

• Bird Watching
• Creek
• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• Nature Trails
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Stargazing
• Walking Trails
• Wildlife Viewing