Horsethief Trailhead | Informal Campsite

February 16th, 2022 by kenandsarah.ca

Spent a quiet night on the sand lot just north of the parking lot. The sand lot is level. No issues with any authorities.

September 6th, 2018 by HahnSolo

Arrived after dark and set up a tent on the edge of the parking lot. Was awoken at 8:30am by a US Forest Service ranger issuing each member of our party a $65 citation for failing to secure a free camping permit at the nearest US Forest Service office.

Very little shade and it was blazing hot within 30 mins after sunrise.

November 14th, 2016 by Flip Flop Cowboy

Met with a group of friends (4 rigs total) before crossing the border at Tecate before the Baja 1000. There is a nice dirt pullout just up the road, above the gravel lot and we stayed there this time. it is much more level than the trailhead parking area.

We assumed the lot was from others camping, but it seems that it may be a popular place for the border patrol to park at night. We actually had several officers park a respectful distance away from us through the night. We did speak with the first one and he confirmed that the ground was Forest Service and that camping was fine. We even offered to move, but he just told us it wasn't necessary and wished us a good night.

November 13th, 2016 by Flip Flop Cowboy

Just a gravel lot on USFS land. Quiet, free, and close to the Tecate crossing into Mexico.

Saw it on another app and there aren't any "no camping" signs.

There are some FS roads further up, but after a long day this lot looked just fine.

(edit) Saw border patrol and Forest Service Rigs and nobody seemed to mind us camping here.