Assessment of Suitable Areas for Campsite Development – San Diego County, CA

Suitable areas for campsites in San Diego County were determined based on 5 criteria: terrain elevation, terrain slope, proximity to major roads, proximity to trail heads, and type of vegetation cover. Favorable locations are those at a high elevation (4000 ft and above) and that have little-to-no terrain slope (preferably <5°). A low slope indicates flat, stable ground and higher elevation sites will allow for more comfortable temperatures during the summer months. Accessibility was evaluated with favor given to locations that are near major roads and trailheads. Preference was also given to sites with forest cover of either coniferous, oak, or mixed woodland.

The results of this analysis indicate that the best areas for future campsite development are near Mount Laguna in eastern San Diego County. This is an area of high elevation in the Laguna Mountain Range with ample forest cover. The Sunrise Highway runs through the area which makes it easily accessible by car. There are also a variety of hiking trails in the surrounding area, with several trailheads located right along the highway. This site suitability analysis could be further refined by also taking into consideration proximity to minor roads. There are also several existing campgrounds in the Mount Laguna area, which should be taken into consideration when choosing the location of future campgrounds so as not to overcrowd a particular area.

Tools: QGIS

Data Sources: UCLA GEOG XL 181A Course Website

November 2021