Cuyamaca Rancho State Park California

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Overview

Cuyamaca Rancho State 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.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Camping

Green Valley Campground 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 Campground (5,000 feet in elevation) has 85 campsites and is 5 miles north of Green Valley Campground.  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 also 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.

Campground amenities include drinking water (spigots), flush toilets, hot-water showers ($), trash collection and a dump station. There are no hookups.   Firewood and ice can also be purchased at the camps.  Interpretive programs are offered during the summer season.   Reservations are necessary for weekends April through October.  The camping fee includes one motorized vehicle.  Extra vehicles are $10 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.

Environmental backpack in or horseback ride in camps are also available.  Granite Springs and Arroyo Seco Environmental camps are open on first come, first serve.   Both have chemical toilets, non-potable water, corrals and tent sites.

Amenities

• Amphitheater
• BBQ Grills
• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service Fair
• Drinking Water
• Dump Station
• Equestrian trail
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Firewood Available
• Grills
• Ice
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables
• Ranger Station
• Recycling Center
• Restrooms (Flush Toilets, Vault Toilets)
• Showers
• Trash Collection
• Visitor Center

Activities

• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Creek
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Horseback riding
• Mountain Biking
• Nature Trails
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Stargazing
• Walking Trails