Camping, Day-use and Reservation Fees

Commercial Recreational Activity Permits

Film and Photography Permits and Fees

Right of Entry Permits

Camping, Day-use, and Reservation Fees

Fees are charged for camping and day-use at all of our facilities. Pricing is posted on our Online Reservations System - but here's some additional information regarding payments, add-ons and reservation transfers. 

Day-Use Parking Fees: A $3/vehicle fee is charged for parking at most of our parks unless otherwise noted. Annual Parking Passes are available by contacting the County Parks Reservations Desk at (858) 565-3600.

Camping Fees: All fees for Reserved Individual Sites and Reserved Group-Youth/Caravan Areas are collected in advance by the County Parks Reservation Desk. Any sites that have been deemed unreserved or available on a first-come, first-served basis may be booked with staff at the park. Fees must be paid prior to each night's stay. 

Reservation Fee: A $5 fee will be applied to all reservations. This fee is non-refundable. 

Additional Fees: Additional fees may be collected by the park ranger for pets, extra vehicles and boating or fishing (see Lake Morena).

Pet Fees: There is a $1/night charge for dogs (at all camping parks, please adhere to leash laws) and a $2/night charge for horses (at Sweetwater Summit and Vallecito County Park, only). Fees are collected upon check-in. See Frequently Asked Questions for additional pet regulations.

Extra Vehicles: The Park Supervising Ranger will determine each campsite's capacity for extra vehicles and permit usage as space allows. Extra vehicles will be charged an extra vehicle fee of $4/vehicle. An extra vehicle is considered a second motorized vehicle that is not towing or being towed by the main camping unit.

Reservation Transfers - Camping: A $5 transfer or change fee is charged for one reservation rescheduled within a three-month period of the date of the original reservation. Transfer must be made at least one business day in advance before check-in time.

Reservation Transfers - Day-Use: There is a $5 fee to change a reservation more than 30 days in advance. Transfers can be rescheduled up to one year from the original date and in the same park only. Transfer must be made at least 30 days in advance of check-in time.

Cancelations: To cancel a reservation, call (858) 565-3600 or (877) 565-3600, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please note the following:

• If a reservation is cancelled more than 60 days prior to the arrival date, the camping fee will be refunded minus a $5 non-refundable reservation fee and a $5 cancellation fee (total $10).
• If a reservation is canceled between 30 to 60 days prior to the arrival date, the $5 reservation fee, $5 cancellation fee and the first night’s camping fee are non-refundable.
• For reservations cancelled less than 30 days before the first day of a camping stay, all fees are non-refundable.
• Reserved sites will be held until 1 p.m. on the day after the scheduled arrival date. The site will then be offered to other interested campers on a first-come, first-served basis until the next scheduled reservation for that site.   
   

Commercial Recreational Activity Permits

A Commercial Recreational Activity Permit is required for all organizations/instructors offering programs or classes at a San Diego County Park when not reserving an area. Programs or classes that require a permit include any outdoor recreation, fitness or athletic program in which fees are charged for the services provided, professional instruction or coaching is being provided or using equipment for a program that has the potential to cause damage to the park (weights, medicine balls, tires, etc). Remember, this permit does not reserve space in the park, but gives authorization to conduct the activity.

Please review and sign the Commercial Recreational Activity Permit Application and submit it along with the following documents to askparks.lue@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Include:

• Insurance Certificate
• Release of Liability
• Certification (if applicable)
• Criminal background check clearance through County of San Diego

All permit fees shall be paid through the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) reservation system prior to conducting the program. The required proof of insurance, clearance of criminal background check and any other required documentation shall be submitted to DPR prior to processing payment for the permit fees.

For additional information, please call (858) 565-3600.

Film and Photography Permits and Fees

The San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department maintains and operates more than 50,000 acres of beautiful and unique locations and settings. Many of these are desirable for still photography and film backdrops. Most locations are available by reservation, and in many places, park staff can be on hand to assist with, and monitor, activities. 

Small photo shoots, like those for engagements, weddings and family photos, DO NOT need a permit. However, a photographer may be asked to move from an area that has been reserved, or if they interfere with recreational activities. For this reason, the Department recommends getting a permit for peace of mind, and to secure a preferred space.

Any large photo or film shoots that are commercial in nature, meaning, they are being produced specifically for post-shoot sales (big productions like commercials, TV shows and movies), MUST be permitted. 

Reservation procedures and fees for commercial photography in County parks are outlined below.

• Requests for photo/film permits may be made by  completing an application and e-mailing or faxing it to the County Parks Reservation Desk at (858) 495-5841. Please allow a minimum of 72 hours processing time, prior to the scheduled film/photo shoot.
• Any special requests/needs will be handled on an individual basis at the time of the application.
• The Department does not charge for still or video shoots that will not be published or used for marketing or commercial purposes.
• Most parks are open from 9:30 a.m. until sunset. Requests for early entry or late stay will result in additional charges. 
• Requests for drone use may be made by completing an application and e-mailing or faxing it to the County Parks Reservation Desk at (858) 495-5841.  Please allow four business days of processing time for commercial drone use.  For recreational/hobbyist, please allow one business day of processing time.  
• For commercial film, photo and drone applications, a $50 non-refundable application fee is due upon submittal.  If the commercial film application is approved, the $50.00 application fee will be applied to the total permit cost.
• If the film/photo shoot application is approved, a refundable security deposit for a film/photo crew of 10 or less persons is required to furnish $300.00 (cash, credit card, cashiers check) prior to filming to ensure cleanup and restoration of the site. The security deposit may be increased at the discretion of DPR if it requires a larger production crew of 10 or more persons. 

Total payment for the permit is due prior to the shoot. For additional information or questions please call (858) 565-3600.

Right of Entry (ROE) Permit

A Right of Entry (ROE) Permit is required for all individuals and organizations interested in conducting research, business and other non-recreational activities on County Parks property.

County Parks works to preserve regionally significant natural and cultural resources. When reviewing requests for ROE permits, we balance those requests with existing and future habitat restoration and preservation efforts. 

Requests for a ROE permit must be made by filling out the Application Form. Carefully review the “Standard Conditions for Right of Entry Permit” before signing and emailing your completed application with the following additions, to ParksROEPermit@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Include: 

• Proof of Insurance ($1,000,000 minimum limit)
• Any other local, state or federal permit(s) required for the proposed activities
• Previous ROE Permits with the County, in good standing

Please allow four weeks for processing. A fee may be required. Incomplete forms, or those lacking the required attachments, will not be processed. 

Some parks and preserves are more popular than others. For this reason, a request could be denied based on existing ROEs at that location. 

Failure to obtain ROEs to conduct research or other business, or continuing to access land after an ROE permit has expired, is considered a violation of the County Code of Regulatory Ordinances and may result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties up to $2,500 per day. In addition, failure to follow ROE permit terms and conditions may result in immediate revocation and could jeopardize future permit requests.

For more information see: County Code of Regulatory Ordinances, DIVISION 1. PARKS AND RECREATION, ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS, SEC. 41.107. VIOLATIONS; ARTICLE 2. PRESERVATION OF COUNTY PARK FEATURES AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFTEY, SEC. 41.111 – SEC 41.113.