Posada Don Diego

The essential Baja Hwy 3 stop — cold beer, full hookups, and stargazing at 2,600 ft

Location: Valle de Trinidad, Baja California, Mexico, MX-BC

Price: From $15 per night

Price range: $15–$25 per night

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (203 reviews)

Elevation: 2625 feet

Season: Year-round

Posada Don Diego is the most famous campground stop on Baja’s Highway 3, the route connecting Ensenada to San Felipe through the Valle de Trinidad. Operating since the 1970s, it’s a mandatory overnight for Baja road-trippers. Cold Tecate, full hookups, and a warm desert night sky at 2,600 feet. Around 30 sites in a high-desert valley surrounded by chaparral and granite boulders. The National Astronomical Observatory of Mexico (OAN) is accessible on a day trip into the Sierra San Pedro Mártir.

Amenities: ~30 sites, Full hookups 30A, Dry camping, Hot showers, Flush toilets, Cold drinks / small store, High desert stargazing, Pet friendly, Pull-through sites

Posada Don Diego is mandatory on any Ensenada-to-San Felipe drive and has been since the 1970s. At 2,600 feet in the high desert, the night sky is genuinely extraordinary — zero light pollution, Milky Way visible with the naked eye on most nights, and the Sierra San Pedro Mártir rising dramatically to the south (home to one of North America’s premier astronomical observatories). The combination of cold beer, $15–20 hookup sites, and star fields overhead is why every Baja road-tripper stops here at least once.

The Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (OAN) day trip — a 30 km drive up a spectacular mountain road to 9,000 feet on top of the Sierra San Pedro Mártir. You’ll see the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez simultaneously from the summit. The observatory has multiple large telescopes and staff are occasionally willing to show visitors around. The drive itself is one of the great Baja experiences.

What is new at Posada Don Diego: 2026: Basic Starlink antenna now operational for guests (limited bandwidth). New propane resupply available on-site.

Wildlife alert: Rattlesnakes are present throughout the high desert chaparral — most active spring and fall. Watch where you step at night. Mule deer and golden eagles are common in the sierra above camp.

Fire rules: Open campfires in designated areas only. Fire risk is high in the chaparral. Always check with staff on current conditions. Propane permitted.

Things to do near Posada Don Diego: OAN day trip to the Sierra San Pedro Mártir summit — see both oceans simultaneously. Milky Way photography after 10pm — zero light pollution, 2,600ft elevation, exceptional clarity. Valle de Trinidad town 5 km — small Mexican working town with a great taqueria.

Insider tips for Posada Don Diego: Arrive at Don Diego’s in the afternoon, rest, and then drive to the OAN early the next morning — the road is easier in daylight Check moon phase before arrival — new moon weeks give the best stargazing. Full moon washes out the Milky Way. The small taqueria in Valle de Trinidad town is excellent — birria and carnitas tacos for under $2 each

Skip Posada Don Diego if: You need reliable cell service. You want full amenities or on-site food beyond a small store.

Best time to visit Posada Don Diego: Oct–Apr — Coolest and clearest nights. Best stargazing. Comfortable days.. Jul–Aug — Monsoon season brings lightning storms that are spectacular from this elevation. Not for everyone..

Common issues at Posada Don Diego: Very basic facilities — limited supplies on-site. Stock up completely in Ensenada before this stop. The valle has a small town (Valle de Trinidad) 5 km away with basic supplies. Cell service unreliable — Telcel only, and patchy. Plan offline navigation. Download maps before leaving Ensenada. This is part of the experience. Dusty in dry season — everything gets coated in a fine layer of valley dust. Cover sensitive electronics. Accept that your rig will need washing after the Hwy 3 crossing.

What campers say about Posada Don Diego: "We pulled in for one night and stayed three. The stars alone justified it. Milky Way from horizon to horizon. No words." — iRV2 Forum 2025 "Cold Tecate and a Milky Way sky after a long desert drive. Don Diego’s is exactly what it’s supposed to be and nothing more." — Campendium 2025 "Day trip to the OAN observatory is extraordinary — dramatic mountain road, views across the whole peninsula, and actual working telescopes you can ask about." — The Dyrt 2025

Nearby campgrounds: Villa Maria Isabel RV Park (Maneadero, Baja California, Mexico), El Palomar Campground (Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico), Pete's Camp (San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico), Estero Beach Resort (Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico).