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Alter Experiences

4.9 (67 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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San Felipe - El Dorado Community Beach
Jaclyn M.

My family and I have enjoyed the Fox Den at the Cleveland National Forest and the Hacienda in San Felipe. Highly recommended both locations. Alter Experience is very thorough and ensures you'll have everything needed to enjoy your trip and feel pampered.

My bell tent in background and next to tree tent.

I've been following Alter Experiences via Instagram for a few years. I LOVE Mt. Laguna and was so curious about the glamping experience. I'm so happy I finally pulled the trigger and booked. This is 5 camping for sure. It was so nice rolling up and not having to set anything up. The kitchen was fully stocked and extremely clean. Our bell tent was so clean, really cute, and extremely comfortable. The beds are platform beds with comfortable pillows and mattresses. The temp dipped to 30° at night and we were warm and never even felt the wind blowing. As for my two kids (11 & 14,) they each had a tree tent they never wanted to leave. They both commented on how comfortable they were. It was a real treat for them to sleep in a hammock tent. We plan on making this an annual trip!

Hammocks!
Knikki R.

What a perfect getaway! Comfy beds, beautiful views, bright stars and all within an hour of San Diego! Alter Experiences is the Ultimate camping experience - they leave you wanting for nothing, right down to pots and pans, in room heaters and cozy, fun hammocks to spend your days. Although I love camping, I've become an even bigger fan of Glamping! You don't have to lug a bunch of stuff up the mountain and you actually get a great nights sleep - really critical as I creep into my 50's and looking for a relaxing long weekend. I highly recommend Alter Experiences - it will exceed your expectations and their staff (our host was Shantel) are excellent.

Wayne V.

We loved Eagles Nest. It was clean, spacious and private. These sites are the best ones in the campground and some of the nicest that I've ever seen. It was such a beautiful, relaxing and stress free camping trip. I'm a "Real camper" but my wife and two kids aren't so its nice to have glamping amenities and still be in nature. It great only having to bring food water! The 3 elevated tents were fun and the big tent with beds and heater were so nice on a cooler evening. We also enjoyed the hiking trails and seeing the vistas from the world famous Pacific Crest Trail. Our camp host, Shantel was informative and helpful.

Courtney C.

I booked this amazing glamping trip for my dad and husband for a Father's Day gift and we took our two kiddos, ages 4 and 6. We stayed at the Blue Jay site and it was even better than the photos. We felt like we were the only ones at the campground! The kids loved the large hammocks (that felt more like trampolines!), tree swing and of course the s'mores. We loved having everything already there and set up and, of course, the super comfy beds as well as nearby plumbed bathrooms and showers. My hubby and I also enjoyed renting mountain bikes for the day from our hosts (Shantel and Rami were amazing)! We're beginner riders and had a great time riding around the nearby lake. My dad and I were able to hike a section of the nearby Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). We will definitely be back!

Suzy W.

My husband and I stayed at the Lions Den with two of our friends and their families (8 total) for two nights recently. We all had a great time and were really impressed with everything that was set up and provided for by Alter Experiences. It also gave us a chance to try out some gear and games to see if we would want to purchase them for ourselves (I loved the Luci solar lanterns and the water bag is really convenient for hand and dish-washing). Even though I had looked at their website and read the informative email from Shantel several times after making the reservation, we still packed a lot of "just in case" things, most of which turned out to be unnecessary and unused. Since we had three vehicles and the site only has space for two, we opted to pay for the regular campsite across the "road" rather than park it further away in the overflow lot. It's always nice to have your car nearby and it was worth the price difference ($28 per night for the campsite, but 1/2 off if you have an Interagency Military/Veterans Pass vs $10 per night for the overflow lot). Make sure to bring cash or a check if you have more than two vehicles. You pay the campground host or self-service fee tube for those, not Alter Experiences. The whole Lions Den site was bigger than I anticipated, and also pretty secluded considering it's part of a public Forest Service campground. The bell tent with a queen bed and sofa bed is tucked away in the trees at the back of the site and very private. One of the 3-person families slept there. The lounge tent with the two sofa beds is more in the open at the outer edge of the "main" area and is where the other family slept. Both families said the bell tents were comfy and spacious. One had trouble restarting the propane heater after they had to change tanks during the first night, so the husband hooked up a bigger tank he'd brought from home and it lasted the whole second night. My husband and I slept in a 2-person tree tent together the first night, but because of his snoring and me rolling into him (because he's heavier), I grabbed two of the extra sleeping bags that we'd brought with us and moved into the top of the two-story tent for the second night. It was VERY comfortable up there. I wish we had slept separately the first night too (lol). I was a bit worried about navigating the strap ladder for a middle-of-the-night nature call, so we put a cooler underneath the portal before I went to bed and used that as a step stool which worked out well. While we had planned to do some hiking during our stay, we were having such a great time visiting under the oaks and pine trees and the kids were having such a blast playing in the huge hammock, that we stayed at the site and enjoyed the scenery and each other's company the whole time. The kitchen was well-equipped and made meal prep and cooking easy, the slackline was fun for the kids and adults, and the campfire was perfect to tell stories and toast marshmallows around (sticks are provided) underneath the starry sky at night. We all agreed that it was an amazing experience and we hope to make it an annual trip!

Bell tents and solar lights
Amie C.

We just had the most amazing glamping experience in Cleveland National Forest! Alter experience made everything so easy, we just had to show up with our cooler and clothes! EVERYTHING was set up and ready. Solar lights made getting around the camp at night easy and safe. The tents were huge and beautifully decorated, and extremely cozy. Mattresses were soft, pillows were perfect, and everything was extremely clean. The kitchen tent had everything we needed to prepare and cook! Coffee, tea, French press, seasonings, cookware, and so much more. Teens had a blast, playing instruments, laying in the tree hammocks, chilling in the tree tent, and connecting with each other and nature. Our camp host, Rami, definitely made us feel like family and made sure all our needs were met. The electric bicycles were amazing and fun to cruise around the campground effortlessly. Highly recommend! This was definitely an experience of a lifetime!

Tree tents with one of the bell tents in the background.
RachelMarie D.

Such a wonderful experience camping at Lions Den site over the weekend. We have been glamping before and this site and campground is by far our favorite. The kids enjoyed the tree tents and on-site activities, the adults enjoyed the amenities and the expansive tents and campground. The hostess was very warm and welcoming and checked us in and checked in on us the second night to make sure we had all we needed. I highly recommend Alter Experiences. We are already planning our next visit.

Fox Den
Shauna H.

Such a great way to camp/glamp. Everything really was great, the space with all the amenities and the many tables and camp kitchen were so helpful. The kids loved the double decker tree tent. We appreciated the little touches - umbrella over picnic table, lights around the canopies and tents, the condiments & coffee/tea/sugar provided, the toiletries - all very appreciated. The yurt style tents are beautiful inside, just like the pictures. Do continue to dress warmly in cool weather though, while there are heaters in the tents, it's still outdoor camping and the heaters only last so long on the propane tanks. Lots of blankets are provided, as well as towels for the on-site coin operated showers. Anything I thought we ran out of (we didn't, I just didn't look in the right place for the back-up), they were happy to provide to us.

Bell tent at night
A A.

This is one of those places that I almost hesitate to review because I selfishly don't want it to get too popular! I celebrated a milestone birthday at Eagles Nest with my family. Pictures don't do the campsite justice. Unique, comfortable, and well-appointed. They've seriously thought of everything! Shantel was responsive and met at arrival to show us around. She also surprised me with a birthday sign, a beautiful grazing box, and an apple dumpling from Mom's in Julian. Such an amazing experience. 10/10 would recommend.

Panoramic view of the Deer Peak site!

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Amazing site and even better host! Great service and beautiful nearby hike recommendations.

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Ask the Community - Alter Experiences

Is the campsite near any trails, waterfalls, or places to explore with children?

Yes! All of our sites are within a few minutes of two of the best trail heads in Mount Laguna, half of them with direct access to the PCT and the other half to the Big Laguna Meadow Trail!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Alter Experiences

My hubby and I also enjoyed renting mountain bikes for the day from our hosts (Shantel and Rami were amazing)!

Mentioned in 31 reviews

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William Heise County Park - Picnic table at site 19.

William Heise County Park

(177 reviews)

This place fills up fast but we booked several months out and were able to choose our campsites…read morebased on proximity to the dumpsters, bathrooms, and even based on whether the sites had shade. We reserved campsites 89 and 90. Campsites were about $37 per night, after the reservation fee, and could fit a maximum of eight people in two tents. Several of us had car set-ups and when we called the reservation office, they confirmed that sleeping in the car wouldn't count towards the two tent limit. Each site also has two dedicated parking spots. If you have additional cars, it'll be $6 per car/night and there's overflow parking scattered around the campground. Quiet hours start at 10PM and all campfires must be out (no embers) by 11PM. The bathrooms were fine, considering this was a campground. Showers are coin-operated and you can get 4 minutes for 50 cents. Make sure to exchange your cash at the ranger station before the sun sets! From my friend group, I heard mixed reviews on the showers. It seemed like the girl's side had poor water pressure and usually was cold. But both times I showered, I had decent pressure and the water eventually turned warm. There's also potable water throughout the campground, with a specific spout with filtered water (for taste). Our campsites were pretty great especially site 90. It's flat and right under a huge tree so it was the perfect spot to hang out and escape the sun. For tents, the ground was kind of rocky so make sure to bring a pad or air mattress if you can. Each site comes with a table and a fire pit. For firewood, you have to purchase from the campground because they don't want you to accidentally introduce any invasive species. Overall, great campsite with decent bathrooms! We didn't get a chance to explore the campground and the trails around it so I would love to come back one day. Oh and dogs are allowed as long as they're on a leash!

First time at this campground! It's been a while since I've been camping, but this campground seems…read moreto be much nicer compared to what I remember from campgrounds I've been to in the past. The bathrooms were clean and fully stocked with toilet paper and free tampons on the women's side. There were 2 men's and 2 women's showers at the bathroom closest to our site. One of the women's showers didn't have the best water pressure and sprayed more of a mist...but the other was fine. Neither appeared to have warm water, but it wasn't freezing either, so it was bearable. We heard the men's showers did have warm water though. Showers were 50 cents for 4 minutes, and then you could add additional quarters to add on 2 minutes each. There were spigots and bottle refill stations too near the campsites. I'd probably avoid the sites right next to the restrooms unless you want to hear toilets flushing, the loud hand dryer, and foot traffic throughout the night.  There were plenty of trees so most of the campsites around us at least had at least some shade during the daytime. The only issue I really noticed was that some campgrounds were pretty close together so you will probably hear noise from neighboring sites. There was plenty of parking too, but these were also close to the sites, so one night we heard the sound of cars constantly locking throughout the night. Not the biggest issue though and you should probably bring earplugs while camping if you're a light sleeper. Overall, these campgrounds are nicer than a lot of other ones I've been there where you have to drive into town to shower. The tradeoff though is that with the nicer facilities and proximity to neighboring sites, it doesn't feel as remote and sort of feels like you're one step away from civilization. So maybe not the best place to camp if you're looking for a more true camping experience.

Pinecrest

Pinecrest

(10 reviews)

We rented their Spartan Mansion vintage trailer for 2 nights in July. The trailer was really cute…read moreand decorated in a Hawaiian theme. Very clean. Full size fridge with freezer though lacking ice cube trays. They provided charcoal and fire wood which I did not expect and was a nice surprise. Very quite and peaceful while we were there (Wednesday-Thursday). The community room was retro decorated and the bathrooms were very clean. My only complaint about the pool was the temp of the water. It did not seem heated even though they advertised as a heated pool.

This review is in regards to the vintage trailers. Pinecrest is a beautiful location, and the…read morevintage trailers have a lot of potential. We stayed in September and it definitely was very hot. I wish that all of the trailers had AC. I was disappointed to learn that the trailers don't lock from the outside. They tell you to keep your valuables in your car. A. This is inconvenient, B. I am not sure if the spartan locked from the inside either. I feel like the locks are something that they should definitely invest in fixing. The spartan also has a very small water heater. I think that they told us 2 gallons when we called. I couldn't even get through a shower without it running out. We called because we thought maybe it could be fixed but they let us know the water heater is small but they have public showers available. Since it was hot I toughed it out. My brother stayed in the mansion and it had a bad smell in it. It bothered his girlfriend a lot. They did have AC and their hot water was fine. Their trailer also did not lock from the outside. The trailers are cute, and we liked the vintage decor but they need some work done. I feel like their trailers have a lot of potential if they would just invest in them a bit. My husband and I stayed at another location that had vintage trailers. They were definitely nicer. AC, hot water, new linoleum, locks and keys, and did not have a bad smell. I hope that pinecrest can improve their vintage trailers. I think that if they improved them they would have a lot more return business.

Volcan Mountain Preserve - Mountain Lion tracks

Volcan Mountain Preserve

(87 reviews)

We tackled Volcan Mountain Trail with an eight-year-old, so we didn't make it the full way but it…read morewas such a nice experience. We also brought along our dog as it is a dog friendly trail as long as your dog is on a leash. The trail starts out pretty steep, but it's well-marked with clear paths throughout. One thing I really loved was all the signage explaining local plant life and animal tracks so it made the hike feel educational and engaging. My kiddo was really into looking at the different animal paw prints. This trail is great for hiking enthusiasts and beginners alike but just know your limits and pace yourself if you're newer to hiking. I would definitely say if it's sunny to make sure you bring plenty of water with you, but there are a lot of shady spots on this trail so that is a nice change from the hikes that are closer to coastal San Diego.

It's a good hike to pair with a trip to Julian. My husband and I picked up sandwiches in town for a…read morepicnic on the trail. Parked next to the road and knew we were in the right place because of all the other cars. We made our hike a loop as we went up the mountain, taking the 5 Oaks Trail, and then came down using the Vulcan Mountain preserve trail. The 5 Oaks Trail has more of a view. There are a few seats to stop, sit (catch your breath) and enjoy the view. Sadly, we haven't had rain so it wasn't as green as I'm sure it would be on a normal January. Nevertheless, a great hike to work off all the apple pie you eat in Julian.

Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures - We made this candle and painted these at Fort Cross!!

Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures

(139 reviews)

Absolutely amazing experience for adults and kids alike! Went with my little one and husband for a…read morest. Patrick day event! It was above and beyond what I expected and we enjoyed every minute of it! St. Patrick was a highlight for my son and husband who enjoyed his spot on Irish accent very much! The scavenger hunt was sweet and well thought out with very fun prizes at the end! Everyone made new friends, the petting zoo was great too! I made friends with one of the brand new goat babies they're very sweet and tiny! My husband held a couple snakes and my little guy had fun watching the tortoises eat! If your family want to have a great time I highly recommend visiting fort cross! Incredible Photo ops everywhere! Did I mention paint ball slingshot , tomahawk throwing and archery ? Well done and family fun great for bonding! We loved the very welcoming and compassionate owners! We are already planning our next visit back!

If you are looking around Julian for an activity outside of shopping, eating and apple picking; I…read morewould recommend Fort Cross Adventures. This family owned and built setup gives an old timey backyard feel with games ranging from treasure hunt, archery, ax throwing to a large garden/nursery. Like a large backyard it is all dirt paths with over grown trees & bushes so i would not come in high heels or nice shoes. The garden area is an "instagram" worthy spot for influencer photos as it is decorated with vintage photo frames, art, pottery giving it a rustic yet artsy feel. Pictures on yelp do the venue more justice than the companies website or TripAdvisor. Dates and hours are limited, as the family runs all aspects of Fort Cross. Highly recommend confirming they are open before just heading out. My one reservation or word of caution is with the archery. There are no forearm guards or finger protection offered. The bowstring with repetitive can possibly hurt your skin and cause of injuries.

Alter Experiences - campgrounds - Updated May 2026

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