Park Information

 

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
12551 Highway 79
Descanso, CA 91916
(760) 765-0755

 

 

Directions:
Take I-8 east to Highway 79.  Head north about 12 miles to Paso Picacho Campground in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

 

 

 

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is located 40 miles east of San Diego, CA in the Peninsular Range of Southern California. Encompassing nearly 25,000 acres of pine and oak forests, streams, waterfalls, and grasslands, elevations of several peaks within the park rise to over 5,000', culminating at 6,512' atop Cuyamaca Peak. Standing atop Cuyamaca Peak offers nearly 75-mile views in all directions of the Southwestern landscape. To the east are the deserts, the Chocolate Mountains and the Salton Sea. To the south are the Laguna Mountains and the mountains of Baja Mexico. To the north are the mountains of the 10,000' San Bernadino range, and the Palomar Mountains with the famous observatory on Mt Palomar. Finally, to the west are the many coastal hills, which flow down to the popular coastal cities of San Diego County and the vast Pacific Ocean beyond.

Popular activities at the park include camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, nature schools, and pleasurable day trips for picnics and simply getting away from it all. The many trails allow relaxing day hikes through the beautiful meadows of Green Valley and the magnificent stands of oak and pine, which cover all the mountain slopes. Wintertime activities allow for all kinds of typical cold-weather fun in the snow.

 

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