La Jolla Valley Walk-In Camp

Fun spot. Sites come with a table and food box. Pretty overgrown and some sites are better than others. Generally overgrown. If I don’t mind the extra brush to create some more privacy. Overall nice for an overnight trip as this locale is pretty stunning in terms of views and not too challenging to hike.

Very overgrown after the incredibly wet winter of 2022-2023. The silver lining is that means there is more shade. Our campsite felt nicely secluded by the surrounding brush. It costs $10 per night per camper. Pay at the automated pay station at the Ray Miller Trailhead, GPS coords 34.08607, -119.03700. We took the shorter route which starts at the Chumash Trailhead. It is very steep for the first 0.8 miles but shorter overall at about 3 miles compared to starting at the Ray Miller trailhead. There is a toilet but it was almost full and very dirty. Be sure to bring your own toilet paper. Still no water, no dogs, no campfires.

Good walk-in Campsite with a toilet, but no water. All sites offer good privacy, have a Picknick table, bear box and space for one tent. Some sites are a little overgrown but no problem if you got a knife ;) no shade or almost no shade.. And no fires allowed!! You pay for the campsite at the ray miller trailhead parking lot. The machine only allows one camper per transaction, otherwise you get the message to try another credit card..

There are 8 walk-in campsites and 1 group site, all sites have a picnic table with bear box attached, and room for 1 tent. No fires are permitted. There is one pit toilet, and therein is the reason for the drop to 3 stars, the pit has not been emptied, it is full to the top. Each of the sites in and of themselves is great. Very secluded from each other. This was my second time camping here, and I will return, even though the La Jolla trail is currently closed and you must take the long way around.

A great spot for a quick backpacking trip & great for beginners. I started from the Ray Miller trailhead. There's an electronic pay station where you select your trip type (day hike / La Jolla group camp/ La Jolla hike-in / etc), number of days, and number of campers, then pay with cash (no change given) or credit card. It's about 3 miles uphill along the Ray Miller trail then another 2 along the La Jolla fire road and down into the valley. Based on the map near the pit toilet there are 7 sites: 5 on the trail by the pit toilet and 2 sites on a trail maybe 2 minutes before it. Great to go in the late winter after the rain -- everything was so green! Note there's no water, no dogs, no campfires.