Oak Grove CG, Cleveland NF

[Gina D.]

Today I had to take the LONG way home from Baja coming back from a biz trip. (Traffic, borders and other delays made me change my route)

I traveled from the border at Tecate and wound my way up from the 8 through Cuyamacca, Julian, and points north on the 79.

In the middle of what seems like nowhere, I came across the famous "Campground 1/4 mile" sign. OK, I am in no hurry, I can check it out.

I drove through three large loops of perfectly level, long and paved campsites in Oaks and other high desert type foliage.. with most all sites hidden from each other by Chammes (?) bushes and other various vegetation. The place was immaculate, tho old in lots of spots, with wooden tables and the usual FS campsite fair. Some had large stone fireplaces, and one of the "doubles" actually had 4 Lazy Days rigs in it, pulled into the site, not on the spur. I suppose this is allowed.. it was hard to hide. The sites that would allow this are huge and pulling in to the already dirt site damages nothing, but makes it cozy under the trees.

I realize it was midweek, but it was nearly deserted. It isn't near any lakes or "attractions", much like my favorite CG near here, so I am wondering if it's an orphan place on weekends. It's open year round.

Anyone stay there? It has 81 sites.. thats a LARGE CG for around here... there must be a reason...

The well laid out sites and privacy make it attractive to me, plus getting there is easy, about 40 mins outside of Temecula.. I could make it there on a friday nite before dark.

[Nick Z]

I used to work at the Fire Station/Ranger Station accross the Hwy and I don't recall the camp ground ever being full. I would agree, I think it's a great spot and extremely close.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Saturday is my 53rd birthday. Robert knows that camping in the trailer is the one thing that I enjoy the most, so he proposed that we go out this weekend, and I didn't object.
He suggested Cibbets Flat, but I find that campground too crowded on weekends, with only 25 spaces just 6 miles off Interstate 8.

I've decided to try Oak Grove and hope to report back next week.

Robert said that with an old "Butterfield Stagecoach Stop" landmark nearby, he's sure he and his Boyscout troop camped there when he was young.

[Frederick L. Simson]

In the middle of what seems like nowhere, I came across the famous "Campground 1/4 mile" sign.

Well, yes, it IS in the middle of nowhere... But it is it's own community.




One of those 2 or 3 persons is a Forest Service Ranger. More about him later...

[Frederick L. Simson]

And then we arrived at the campground.




Coming up from metropolitan San Diego, we chose to mimic your route somewhat... so we took I-15 North to Scripps Poway Parkway East, to State Route 67 North to Ramona. In Ramona we transfer to State Route 78 East and go to Santa Ysabel. There we turn onto State Route 79 North, past the new Casino, and the Glider Port in Warner Springs. Next time we are going to sign up for a ride!

[Frederick L. Simson]

I used to work at the Fire Station/Ranger Station across the Hwy and I don't recall the camp ground ever being full. I would agree, I think it's a great spot and extremely close.

The Fire Station is right across the Highway from the park entrance.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Which site?
So we drive 2 of the loops. (The 3rd is closed.)

[Frederick L. Simson]

OAK loop has trees, while RIBBONWOOD only has 6' tall "chaparral"; great for privacy but no shade.
CHAMISE loop is closed and barricaded off.

OAK loop it is!

[Frederick L. Simson]

We choose site #7. A 5th-wheel in #17 and tenters in #26 are the only neighbors.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Nothing much to do but take pictures...




#8, across the way, is also nicely shaded.

[Gina D.]

I will keep this place in mind then, for low land winter camping.

Seems a shame to go to ones that are open all year when the ones near me are only open in summer.

So many campgrounds... so little weekends

[Frederick L. Simson]

Well, yes, it IS in the middle of nowhere... But it is it's own community.

Attachment 13739


One of those 2 or 3 persons is a Forest Service Ranger. [b]More about him later...

We check in on Friday evening.

Saturday morning the Camp Host stops by our site. After seeing our hose connection, he asks us to please use our water tank and not stay connected with a hose. The hose bibb at our site is lacking a [b]back-flow preventer. We would need one if we wished to remain connected. He said that they try to install them, but campers take them.




The Host told us that if a certain Ranger would have seen our hose, he would have written us a Violation Ticket.

The Host had trepidations about approaching us on this issue. He did not wish to engage a belligerent camper, and said that many campers become belligerent when told they need to change something. When we wanted to learn more about back-flow preventers, (I had never had the issue come up before) he relaxed and was happy to answer our questions.

[Frederick L. Simson]

I will keep this place in mind then, for [b]low land winter camping.

Over 2,700 feet is LOW???

[Frederick L. Simson]

5 miles south of the campground is Sam Drucker's General Store.

[Frederick L. Simson]

They had instant Birthday Party kits!

[Frederick L. Simson]

Later, we tour the entire property. Several sites have multiple fireplace-like structures, in addition to metal barbecues and fire rings.

[Frederick L. Simson]

RIBBONWOOD loop has flush toilets and sinks (cold water only) but no showers.




It also has a building with Vault Toilets.

[Frederick L. Simson]

A typical RIBBONWOOD site.




A double-fee RIBBONWOOD site.




There is an amphitheater in the middle of RIBBONWOOD.

[Gina D.]

Over 2,700 feet is LOW???

it is when you LIVE at 5k feet!

(Flatlander! )

[Frederick L. Simson]

The 2 Vault Toilets in OAK loop are brand new. Prefabricated pre-stressed concrete panel construction.