“stargazing to the extreme!”
The beautiful park offers camping and hiking in an oak woodland forest, with a sprinkling of pines and lovely meadows with creeks. There are over 100 miles of trails which accommodate hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The two family camps, Paso Picacho and Green Valley, are open and on the reservation system spring through fall. Green Valley sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and has a creek which runs through the middle of the campground. The day use area offers sets of cascades and shallow pools, great for water play on hot days. Green Valley has 81 campsites. Paso Picacho, 5 miles north, sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The most popular hikes start from this camp, including the 2 mile hike up Stonewall Peak (elevation 5,700 feet), and the 3.5 mile hike up Cuyamaca Peak (elevation 6,512 feet), both which offer breathtaking views of the deserts to the east, the coast to the west, and Lake Cuyamaca at the bottom. Lake Cuyamaca, operated by the Helix Water District, is two miles north of Paso Picacho and offers boating and fishing. Paso Picacho campground has 85 campsites.Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. Restrooms with flush toilets and pay showers are in the campground. Water faucets a located every few campsites. There are no hookups. Each campground has a dump station. Firewood and ice may be purchased at the camps. Interpretive programs are offered during the summer season. Campsites are $30 per night. Reservations are necessary for weekends April through October. The camping fee includes one motorized vehicle. Extra vehicles are $8 per night. There is a limit of 8 persons per campsite. Dogs are allowed but are restricted to the campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved roads and Cuyamaca Peak Fire Road. They may not be left unattended. Reservations may be made through ReservAmerica at 1-800-444-PARK. Environmental backpack in or horseback ride in camps are also available. Granite Springs and Arroyo Seco Environmental camps are open by reservation. Both have chemical toilets, non-potable water, corrals and tent sites. Contact Reserve America at reserveamerica.com to make your reservation.
Excellent mountain bike trails. About thirty five miles in all; roughly half singletrack. Trails extend into the adjacent Anza Borrego Desert State Park to the north of Cuyamaca. On the south side of the park, East Mesa Fire Road connects to trails leading all the way to Mount Laguna Recreation Area.
While choosing to spend our August weekend in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, we couldn't imagine how nice it would be for all of us.
The place includes everything!! Just grab your tents and your fishing equipment in order to spend some nice afternoons fishing..
There are toilet facilities and showers on site, which are in a good condition..not perfect but affordable to use.
When we went, the place was crowded enough to feel you are within civilization but not that crowded to avoid privacy.
Great natural location! Enjoy
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Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Season End
- Year Round
- Affiliation
- State park or forest
- Sites Count
- 81
- Season Start
- Year Round
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Sites
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Showers
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Big Rigs
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Dump Station
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Water Hookup
Campground
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