Wowww, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is a beautiful green peaceful escape. A great weekend getaway! It's excellent for hiking with lots of trailheads, camping sites and amazing scenic views. I highly recommend this park...had a wonderful time. read more

See all

Backpacking weekend for a scout group out to Granite Springs primitive camp via Harvey Moore Trail loop from Green Valley Falls CG. For primitive campsites at Granite Springs or Arroyo Seco call the 760 park # to inquire about site availability a few days before arrival. They can tell you if the sites are claimed already. read more

See all

Beautiful natural area. Great for a day trip hiking the trails. Rolling hills, bucolic meadows with cows. It feels like you're so far away. We went up to the peak, and the view was spectacular. read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

Beautiful place past Julian where you can camp and enjoy nature. Very peaceful and quiet, not much noise. read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

I love hiking in Cuyamaca Rancho state Park. I also like looking in Cuyamaca Peak. This looks like a great place to hike. I am looking forward to hike here again read more

Beautiful park and a great place for hiking and enjoying nature. Here are some tips to consider before and during your visit: - Rain doesn't seem to lead to trail closures. Call before you go, but don't be surprised if no one answers. - Wear hiking boots. Some of the trails can be pretty soggy. - Don't expect the Visitor Center to actually be open. This is not a National Park. - Check this site before you go: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=667 And this https://crspia.org/ - You need a day pass for everything, including the restrooms at the campgrounds. Your local library may have one available to check out. - They have maps for sale. I recommend just downloading a PDF to your phone before you go: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/667/files/CuyamacaRanchoFinalWebLayout060917.pdf - Parking lots which are indicated as such on the map are not clearly marked with signs. Sometimes, they are just shoulders off the road. Example: the trailhead for the Minshall Trail (which, for some reason, is marked as "Trout Pond" and called "Los Vaqueros Trailhead" on Google Maps). - The Minshall Trail is probably one of the best trails for spotting wildlife. We saw a bald eagle during a recent winter hike. - Please respect the local flora and fauna who live in the park. - Water and sunscreen are recommended. read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Waterfowl tracks - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

It was an amazing experience. The cabin was very clean and comfortable. I will definitely have to visit again soon .

Cuyamaca State Park is the de facto camping and hiking area for San Diegans. This Yelp page is a bucket for all of the cool trails and campgrounds in the area. Paso Picacho Campground - A very nice campground that's family-friendly. The reason why I like this campground is that they have real toilets and have private showers. There are also several trails here for all skill levels. On the weekends they have free programs like the Jr Rangers and animal trackers for the kids. Sneaky Good hiking trails - 1. Stonewall Mine / Lake Cuyamaca / Marty Minshall Trail Loop hike. ( https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/stonewall-mine-lake-cuyamaca-hike ) 2. Stonewall Peak 3. Azalea Loop Trail Tip - Three miles down the road is the Cuyamaca Visitor Center. Lots of fun things for the kids to do on Sundays. IGNORE - Ben Q's review and pictures. This is not the Anza Borrego State Park. read more

See all

This state park is home to two of the most iconic promontory views in San Diego County, lots of campsites, tons of trails, a pretty mountain lake, and sadly, lots of fire damage. For hikers, the two biggest highlights are Cuyamaca and Stonewall peaks. There are other trails all over the place, and the network connects pretty much everything to everything. Get a trail map, and you'll see what I mean. The hike to Cuyamaca is most notable for perhaps the best view of the county at the top. Just shy of being the highest spot in San Diego County (the remote Hot Springs Mountain is a handful of feet higher) and situated almost smack dab in the middle of the county, the view takes in everything from the ocean and city tot he west, Mexico to the south, the desert to the east, and the San Diego River basin, Laguna Mountains, and Lake Cuyamaca, in the relative foreground. It's easy to spend hours up there taking it all in. Unfortunately, the main trail to the top is slog -- a fairly steep and unrelenting paved fire road that offers little of interest. In the alternative, you can take a number of actual (non-paved) trails, and while it makes the hike longer, it is far prettier and more satisfying, although many parts were destroyed during the Cedar fire of 2003. While these areas have somewhat recovered, much of the former forest is gone. Just across the road from the main Cuyamaca Peak trailhead at Paso Picacho lies the trailhead to the other main highlight -- Stonewall Peak. The trail is shorter and easier than the one to Cuyamaca Peak, but still no pushover. As you get to the top, a set of metal rails take you to the rocky top which offers a truly idyllic view of the local Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains areas. While it doesn't offer the far off views of its neighboring peak, it's more than worthy in its own right. The park has other highlights, including some small waterfalls at Green Valley Campgrounds, lots of places to camp, a pretty mountain lake, and lots of other lower key trails. There's also a visitors center and historic mine. All in all, Cuyamaca makes for a great day or camping trip from San Diego. read more

I AM NOT AN OUTDOORSY TYPE. i am a city girl that was born in the province of some small town tucked away in Asia. which is why i have a childlike heart with a grandmother soul. :3 Anyways... campycamp relevance: i went to 6th grade camp & church camp in college, but stayed in cabins. used to fish as a child. i have hiked a very few timez. Welcome to my experience with this real camping: lol. stayed from april 26-28 So.. i got two bug bites on my left arm that were pretty minor & stopped itchin after the first night. then two bad bites on my left thigh & hip on the second. i guess thats my fault for running around in a freakin two piece bikini all day long. (im joking.im not sexy nuff for no 2piece! i was wearing sweat pants & 3 layers on top. & layers of bug spray. my friend says its coz im so swt they ate through all that. kekeke.) needless to say i was applying cream from Sunday to Thursday. star gazing was cool but it wasn't dark enough to see everything. roasted the blackness out of some marshymallows :3 mmmmmm smoresy!! i was in my tent by 10pm the first night & daaang my neighbors were loud as heck. giggling & talking nonsense. i was tempted to shush these dang youngins. I got up at 5Am and got all loud. my tent roomie goes,"shh people are sleepin!" & im like, "ugh. Why!? they were loud while we were tryna sleep!" Moral of the story is: do not f*ck with me if i'm sleepy or hungry. or else i will get all loud & laugh at the most hilarious jokes i have ever heard & be your asian city rooster. caw-CAWwww mother *beeeep* ers! :) (4STARS: coz at one point i was in my tent crying about my quarter century life & realizing that submitting myself to this camping experience makes me see how life could be for me& is for some if not most people. i truly believe that everyone should experience sleeping in the wild on the ground. it may not be for everyone, but one cannot fully decide that til they try. nonetheless, you learn to appreciate life without clocks/ technology&become in tune with nature & your inner being.) /endsfrigginpostwithlove. *kisses your forehead&tells u scary ghost story before tucking u in* ahahahha jk Im not mean. :) ps: dont watch jason movies&think of them while camping. kekeke *shmiles* :3 read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - each campsite comes with a picnic bench&bonfire pit w/ grill. :) - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

Finding myself intending not to waste a beautiful warm Saturday, longing to do something outside my normal weekend activities (shopping, eating & drinking excessively) and hearing the voices of friends in my head continually chanting, "we don't see you as the camping type" led me on a 40 minute scenic drive to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The parking fee was $6. Rented a paddle boat (max 1 hr.) for $15 with a $15 deposit and after that hour I thought, "holy s@#t! what a workout!" Perhaps I should have also rented a rowboat to get a complete workout or alternatively, a motorboat. The gorgeous views of the lake made it worth the pain. It hurts so good! With burning legs I wandered towards a congregation of ducks and a couple of geese with a bag of food in hand. As I fed the ducks, my mind played "rubber ducky, you're the one..." like a broken record. In part because that's all I know of the song. The geese were lovely, but territorial as a caution to those who wish to chance getting near. Note to mini owners: If you haven't done so, I recommend driving your mini through the road to Cuyamaca as every turn was a blast. Have a happy and safe motoring. read more

See all

Cuyamaca is calling me to return playing in the babbling brook. Stay at the log cabins. While remaining cozy inside the cabin, burn cracklin' logs in the woodstove. Hike, bike, ride a horse, picnic, eat, check out the cougars, but stay away observing at a very safe distance. Cuyamaca is calling me . . . read more

See all

We love this park! Great trails and always a chance to see wildlife. Our favorite trail is along the Sweetwater River, starting in Descanso. Too bad there isn't much water in the summer and fall. The state should put some beavers into the river. Beaver ponds create great habitats for other animals and create lush, beautiful habitats for us hikers to enjoy. They also help fight against drought by keeping water in the upper watershed longer. https://beaverssandiegocounty.com/ read more

I've been here a number of times over the years to go camping. It's a beautiful area in San Diego to get away to the mountains and refresh yourself in nature. This past weekend was no exception! There are plenty of trails throughout the park to explore and of course Stonewall Peak hike which will give you beautiful views of lake Cuyamaca and the surrounding park. If you're not up for a strenuous hike, there are many leisurely hikes you can take throughout the park. You may encounter wonderful wildlife on your hike. This weekend I was able to see deer, squirrels, and wild turkeys out in the area. If you want a day of fun, head over to lake Cuyamaca for some paddle boating, fishing, or a slice of Julian pie with tea (that's what my friend and I did!!) Overall, you'll love his get away merely an hour from San Diego! Do it!! read more

Campsite #35 is one of the better campsites. We had a great time despite some complaints... But it's expected. We would definitely come back and maybe try GreenValley next time. Book in advance: it tends to get full and you are left with shitty ass campsites that are so close to your neighbors... Or bad unshaded spots. Campsite #35: all campsite comes with a bench and a fire pit. Not many had grills... Or At least we didn't see. Our campsite had no right neighbor, had a cabin on the left (which we barely saw anybody there or if there were there it was just to sleep and not "camp") and a neighbor across from us. We put our tent a little downhill facing the canyon. Which was perfect because there was no neighbors. It was secluded and located in a small hill. There were lots of fire ants, but luckily we didn't mind bc it's their home and they didn't bother us. Human Noise level: our neighbor across the street were rude and loud ass MF. No consideration for other human beings. They even came over to borrow a bottle opener (and didn't give it back until the next day... Seriously?) and they didn't know how to start a fire and came with their wood and asked us how to start a fire but already put their wood in our fire to bring back to their pit... Uh ok. Not your typical campers. They also had 4 adults and 2 kids and all slept in the same small tent... I don't think they know how camping worked... They woke up at the crack of dawn and made lots of noise and their kids screamed at the top of their lungs... UGH! Also there were tons of kids everywhere. At one point all the kids (I believe 4 different campsites) were all crying. And at one point they were all playing and screaming. I didn't know if they were getting murdered or playing around but they all screamed at the top of their lungs until 11pm ish. No campground attendants did anything to control noise level. They were all over the campground unattended. One kid even tried to cut in front of the bathroom line and I just told him straight up "hey kid, there's a line". I'm sorry if I'm a kid hater but I'm not tolerant to RUDE kids with no manners. Where were their parents?! Natural noise level: At the crack of dawn expect to hear the birds chirping (and what sounds like talking to each other), woodpeckers, mockingbirds, and other creatures. The woodpeckers are the funniest because you hear something picking at the wood. Sounds like knocking on the door. It's nice to hear nature. Bathrooms: the bathrooms are pretty clean. I was impressed how well they kept it up. The only time it got dirty was "rush hour". Early morning when everybody's digestive tracts are on schedule and you'll have to wait your turn to release. And after dinner when you just had that big meal. There was always toilet paper and hot running water. Keep in mind there's no soap or toilet liners! Bring wipes for your hand or sanitizer. Showers: probably the cleanest showers at a campground! It was big and had lots of space, can fit 2 people. We wanted to save water so we showered together. It's a quarter for 2 minutes. More than enough and really hot water to cold. Perfect. Better than some hotels honestly. Activities: many short hiking trails everywhere. About a month ago we did Cuyamaca peak. It was the worst hike ever. On a fire road... The hike was okay until we got to the top. It was like an abandon cell tower and it was dirty! Diapers, trash and shit smelling flies everywhere. Avoid! This time we went to Stonewall peak. One of the most beautiful hike. Go early or be stuck in a marching ant line! It gets busy around 10-11. Take a short drive to Lake Cuyamaca or Julian and go eat some apple pie or go cider tasting! Pricing: $30 per night for a campsite, $8 firewood, $4 ice bag, 25cent for 2 minute showers, $8 parking for extra cars. On the pricier side for camping. read more

See all

Life in the big city can sometimes be too much to handle. Dealing with drivers who can barely see over the steering wheel, crackheads throwing themselves on the hood of your car, midget sign-twirlers on street corners, juggling multiple restraining orders, watching college girls from your van in the nude - everyday normal stuff. There comes a time when you need to get the hell away from it all just to detox. My favorite local get-aways are Bear Bear, Idyllwild, Inglewood and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. At Cuyamaca you can do it all: (definitely not nude) hiking, camping, horseback riding, fishing (there is a lake nearby), biking - lots of fun stuff. I enjoy hiking up to Cuyamaca Peak which is 7 miles round trip at an elevation of 6,512 feet. Though fires came through the park in the fall of 2003, the park is recovering nicely and they're busy planting new trees for future generations: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/qjETFmQMdJSKPW667g0gvA?select=GmKC7H7w-egvATrz9zF6fA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/qjETFmQMdJSKPW667g0gvA?select=IaoxNMxAdQ9N5z8vjqki8A http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/qjETFmQMdJSKPW667g0gvA?select=4Ey-l-WQ6bcrhJLxzCrh0w http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/qjETFmQMdJSKPW667g0gvA?select=AFlRMfgsKEkWUB9o1JFH-w http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/qjETFmQMdJSKPW667g0gvA?select=dEFsIN3WZeJhzz40SQaBNg Come enjoy what nature has to offer before it's gone! read more

See all

Cuyamaca Paso Picacho Campground was is an excellent destination for any local San Diego camping adventure. The campgrounds are well maintained including the bathroom and shower facilities. During my recent visit the State Park employees were very friendly and more than happy to share information about the surrounding area. The hike to Stonewall Peak is a highlight for any trail lover and also good for families with older children. The last few feet to peak turned me into a helicopter parent but is absolutely breathtaking!! This was the first of what will be many weekend trips to Cuyamaca!! read more

Starting the beginning of November, we are hiking one mount per week. Compared with the former three mounts we visited, Cuyamaca park is definitely the most beautiful and the most worth-visiting place(the other three are: Mount Woodson, Iron Mountain, and San Miguel Mountain). There is a Cuyamaca lake hidden between mounts and hill, resides with numerous kinds of birds and land animals. An hour and a half hike around the entire lake is very refreshing. People do all kinds of activities there, photographing, fishing, boating, picnicking, or just sitting there and watching egrets hovering. People enjoy their time at Cuyamaca! It is autumn time, and trees are turning yellow or red adding extra colors to the already colorful lakeside. Cuyamaca Peak has a prominence of 1700 feet. You will need to pay for the parking fee of $8 dollars per day. There is a paved road called"Lookout Fire Road" leads you go straight to the top. The road is very inclined. The whole trip generally extended for seven miles. It took us about 2hours15mins to finish it. There is another mount called "Stonewall Mount" which has a prominence of 900 feet right across Hwy79. It's four miles for the entire trip. The ones who has the energy may try the the mount also. read more

See all

I give this park 10 stars for beauty and variety! We parked our car at Green Valley campground, paid $5 per person, and then hiked the Harvey Moore trail to Granite Springs Primitive Camp. You can see from my pics that the weather was perfect. The four stars is for the campsite, and that's only because you can't have campfires there. Getting information about these primitive camps is like extracting teeth...info is IMPOSSIBLE to find...there's ONLY well water at the primitive camps. So, drawing on our extensive knowledge of Survivorman, Man V. Wild, and Man, Woman, Wild, we were able to have good drinking water that didn't make us sick merely by boiling the well water provided and then using a coffee filter to get rid of the yellowish-rust color. We didn't get sick. You can only get to this site on foot. It is in the middle of nowhere. You have to reserve your spot through www.reserveamerica.com 48 hours in advance. Since we went on a Thursday, I called the CRSP # on Wednesday and asked if there was anyone there, they said no, and to go ahead and pay the fee at the kiosk at the entrance to Green Valley Campground. There was no one else there and the silence was uncanny...no people, no cars, just turkeys and birds :) Site #1 is ideal for hot weather as the site is completely covered with shade from trees, and it has good areas for tents. Site #2 doesn't even look like a site - it's overgrown and is very close to Site #1. Site #3 is the farthest from anyone and it has several good areas for tents, and partial shade for those winter months. :) We'd go again, but realized we're weanies when it comes to "primitive sleeping" (lol), and are going to invest in hammocks very soon. :) Enjoy! read more

See all

This park serves as a reminder of how destructive illegal forest fires are. I guarantee that if the cedar fire in 2003 hadn't happened this lovely park would look even more beautiful. There are some really nice trails here. Cuyamaca peak and Milk Ranch Road/Sill Hill trails are similar and provide different things to see. There is also Cuyamaca lake and Stonewall peak and mine which we will come back to check out. I would recommend bringing along a map or downloading the alltrails app to navigate through all the different trail heads, because there are many and it is possible to get lost. I've been here twice already to hike Cuyamaca Peak and visit Sill Hill Falls (which we were not prepared for, and therefore never made it. My review for it is on AllTrails). We will be returning again multiple times to hike before we leave San Diego. If you love nature and the wilderness and want to get away from the SD city life, come here. The peacefulness is rejuvenating. read more

See all

Can't blame a campground for flies, but damn, they are obnoxious. Place is great for a night, not sure I would stay longer next time. Came for two nights w two buddies and our 3 kids (all 11-13). Decent hiking. Went to lake to rent a pontoon boat today ($175). There is simply no place to swim (no you cannot swim in lake, and not sure you'd want to). Couple of decent hikes but kids were bored silly. As was I. Again, great place for a night. One buddy and his kid left after one. Me and my other friend stayed the second. Neighboring campers were so-so friendly. Not like camping in Oregon where everyone hangs as a big camping family. Lake pretty much sucked. Ate restaurant and it was a 2-star event. Pontoon boat should have a 1/2 day option. Overall, I am stretching with 3-stars. I will come back, but for just a night. read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Sun setting over campsite. - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

This has got to be one of the finest state parks! This area offers something for everyone; Camping, hiking, fishing, biking & riding trails. We make sure we visit here at least once a year. The park is mainly an oak woodland forest, with a few pine trees and several meadows with seasonal creeks. With two family camps, Paso Picacho and Green Valley, there are plenty of open sites in the off season. During summer go online and use the reservation system. Green Valley has small seasonal waterfalls that are fun to splash around in, however I am partial to camping at Picacho because of the good hiking trails. During the Summer months this place can get VERY touristy, so use caution and plan your visit carefully!! Make sure you visit the Gift Shop located where the old Dyer House was, this historic house was burned during the 2003 wild fires. This park also participates in the Junior Ranger program, although they were out of booklets when we were there. :( While you are in the area, make the short drive to Julian for some pie! read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Charred oak - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

Who knew this was so close only about forty minute drive. Went here for a retreat and it feels like I am far away from the city. Beautiful scenery, a variety of hiking options, and a variety of places to chill. Would recommend for day trip or group retreat. Our retreat provided food which I wouldn't rave about but it was good and filling. read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Beautiful springtime - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

Located about 40 miles east of San Diego, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is a great getaway and a welcome change from the otherwise barren San Diego terrain. The park has an expansive area filled with pine and oak trees and a number of decent trails for hikers. The Cuyamaca Peak Loop trail offers a picturesque view from the top of Cuyamaca Peak, the second highest point in San Diego. During winter if you are lucky, you might get to experience snowfall here, though I wasn't quite fortunate enough during my last visit towards the end of January. Another good option is the Big Laguna Trail, featuring the creatively named Big Laguna Lake. Be prepared to be disappointed with it's size given it's name though. The Cuyamaca Lake on the other hand is quite a scenic spot and even offers boating and fishing options. There are also a number of good view points nearby, where you can experience the variety of California's terrain. One example being Kwaaymii point, where you get to enjoy the colorful forests of pine valley, the barren dessert of Anza Borrego, all the way up to the snow capped mountains of San Jacinto, all in one place. To top it all, this park is only about a 15 minutes drive to Julian which has one of the finest pies you will find anywhere in San Diego. Definitely a place to put on your list for your weekend getaways. read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

See all

An absolutely beautiful part of nature. Miles of trails to hike. Climb to the top of Stonewall or Cuyamaca Peak for amazing views. The wildflowers in early spring are beyond beautiful. And the wildlife is fun to watch. From woodpeckers to bald eagles soaring over Lake Cuyamaca; wild turkeys marching through the meadows in single file; the beauty of the mule deer. Sitting out under the stars at night is an unbelievable sight. A piece of Heaven on Earth. read more

This is one of the most wonderful places in San Diego County. There are so many trails within the park that they are nearly innumerable, and there are a few peaks that are spectacular for their views. The main Peak is a short but steep ascent from Paso Picacho, and affords incredible views in all directions ... and you can see from the Pacific to the edge of Mt Laguna and the desert beyond. Stonewall peak is also a quick climb from Paso Picacho, and worth the trek. The park itself offers so much. It was nearly entirely burnined in the firestorm of 2003, but much life is recovering. The trees are the slowest to recover, but just today I was there and two huge packs of deer, and an incredible flock of wild turkeys (likely about 100 or so). The trails are well marked, and very fun to hike and run. In addition, they connect to many other trail networks (notably the California Riding and Hiking Trail). This is all available in about a 50-55min drive from Downtown. Incredible. It is a must visit in San Diego, so go go go. read more

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - snow trails near Middle Peak. - Campgrounds Near Me - Julian, California

See all

My review is for the Green Valley Campsite, specifically our spot at #49. This place gets two stars because of these factors: the bathroom facilities were the nicest I've seen in my few years of camping. CLEAN bathrooms with two flushable toilets, showers, and sinks. It was always maintained which was great. Reason two, I generally liked our campsite. It was spacious with a large tree and rock formation in the center. This alone was great, but it was in close proximity to others which made it seem like we could hear everyone's business. BUT HEY! Luckily quiet time is at 10PM, so you won't have to worry! At precisely 10:05PM, a park ranger came by to remind my group of five gals total that it was quiet time. Thanks Dad. This was extremely aggravating because you have to be a certain age to book your site, so clearly they aren't dealing with children. Even though we adhered to their preposterous rule, we hated it. We've been able to quietly and discreetly enjoy ourselves elsewhere where rules weren't mandatory. PASS. Normally you're allowed two cars with your reservation, but nope not here! You have to pay an additional $8 a night per car. NO THANKS. The final kicker- dogs are allowed on the campgrounds, BUT NOT ON THE HIKES. People, you must know this going ahead of time, DO NOT BRING YOUR DOGS WITH YOU! It's practically pointless unless you have someone to leave them behind. We were beyond upset, nowhere does it say on the booking sites or even the hiking site that dogs aren't permitted on the trails. IFFFFF it does say that, it's not obvious. I will check again, but either way, this was a huge bummer. Overall, we won't return here. If you want to camp feeling like your parents are watching, then go for it. This is not the place to kick back and relax. Plus the second we took out food, bees were swarming all over us. read more

We stayed at the Green Valley campground in the last few weekends of April--temperature dropped to about mid 30s at night, mid 60's during the day. So yes, it got cold--don't forget your long johns, mittens and caps! Camped at site# 74--wide open space with flat and sloped ground but no sun coverage, East to West. That's important because I try to minimize the glare and heat of the early morning sun when I'm trying to sleep past 7 am! Suggestion: book campsite #73--EXCELLENT shade coverage for early morning and afternoon sun and a lot flatter. Campsite #71 also looked well shaded as well. But if you can't get #71/73, book 74 as all are quality sites. Both are close to bathroom/trash, far enough from other sites and is close to the Green Valley Falls trail that takes you pass the waterfall and is an easy hike. Don't buy the avocado firewood ($6/bundle)--it didn't burn very well at all. Ranger said it burns longer but I don't see how considering it doesn't light at all. Suggestion: stop by Julian (about 14 miles north on the 78/79 highway) and pick up some white oak from one of their markets. It's a dryer wood that lights quickly and burns longer. Don't forget to pick up a piece of apple pie, either! We saw wild turkey, squirrels, pheasants, rabbits and various birds. Our campsite had tree stumps all around that can double as tables. read more

This is probably one of my top five campgrounds! Stayed at the Green Valley Campground over Labor Day Weekend. Pretty low key and bathrooms were one of the cleanest camp bathrooms I have seen, and we go camping a LOT! Check in: pretty easy. We came in off of the 79, so it is about an extra 10 miles once you enter there path from the lake side. But the views are amazing. Even with remnants of the fire damage. We arrived at 1:30, they checked us in with no problem. They sell fire wood and ice at the entrance as well as at the camp host site. We stayed in site #30. I had read a previous review about this site and was really nervous. But in my opinion it's one of the better sites. It's not too close to the road, tons of shade, no one behind you. HOWEVER it IS on a slant. But we didn't really have a problem. Just find the flat areas and pitch your tent. Bathrooms: as mentioned before, cleanest I've seen. Only on the last day were there a lot of leaves on the foot because the door was left propped open Firepit/Grill: not too functional but they had one of those brick ovens that worked really well. We always bring our own burners anyway so it wasn't that big of a deal. Critters: SQUIRRELS! They were out and about and waiting to snatch up your food so keep your stuff covered. Meat bees, had never heard of them until this camping trip. But we got a bee trap and set it a few feet away from the tables and that seemed to do the trick. Waterfall: we went during great weather and after recent rains. So it was really pretty. The trails were crowded, so if you are worried about getting lost, you will be fine. Restaurant: we went to both. The lodge at Tanzanita and the restaurant on the lake. Both were good, decent prices. Restaurant on the lake had better menu options. View was much better. The lodge/store was closer to the Green Valley Campground. Star gazing at night was spectacular. First night the sky was so clear you could see everything. Second night the clouds were moving in so visibility was limited but that breeze felt amazing! Good neighbors, piece and quiet. Drawback: no phone service. We had no signal (T-Mobile) so our plans of watching movies on the laptop were out the window. But it was nice to unplug completely. All in all, had a great camping trip and would definitely come back. read more

See all

Green Valley Area: Just got back from a GREAT weekend with the family at Green Valley. We reserved a couple of sites, parked the RV, put up a couple of tents then just relaxed! If you want to get away from it all with about a 50 minute drive from town, this is the place to go! And even though I had a couple of things I wish were different, I would go back without hesitation. I'm a bit of a spoiled city girl (if you call Chula Vista city living) so it was hard not having any phone reception, but I have At&t and a friend had Verizon and she got her calls, so that's the carriers fault. There aren't any hook-ups, so we couldn't plug our RV to keep the frig, heat, or anything electrical going. But again, that isn't the point of camping is it? Oh and the website says they have WiFi around the park and they don't. Maybe the fire put that down. But just so ya know. They allow dogs, but only on the fire roads and tied up at your campsite. I was bummed because the website made it sound like no dogs were allowed at all. I guess it just means on the trails. So other than those FYI items, the place was beautiful. We went on some hikes down to the falls and into the valley. Took some great photos, and we got to enjoy the miracle of God's hand in a place that was just devastated a few years ago by fire. So take some time off, and even just go up for a day trip, pack a lunch and take a hike. It was $30 to camp for the weekend and $8 for the people who came up to hang out just for the day. read more

Love this place! We stayed at Green Valley Falls for the second time and it was just wonderful. Yeah...you may have drunkards around you being loud but honestly where do you not when your camping?! We stayed at campsite 59 and its just a great spot, you have a little bit of morning sun but you have afternoon and evening shade. The bathrooms are clean and showers are nice and only 25 cents for a 2 minute shower.....not to shabby. Hike to the falls is not to far and very peaceful...But be careful because the rocks can be super slippery. Also there are snakes around so just watch out! Love this campground so much we already made a reservation to go back in two weeks! read more

This is a beautiful park not too far out from San Diego. We stopped to hike up to Cuyamaca Peak, the second highest peak in San Diego county. I was pleasantly surprised by the really nice campground here. The hike was nothing crazy, just an incline on an old paved road to the top. The views at the top were very nice. We then stopped at the lake area and had a nice lunch overlooking the lake. I highly recommend this spot for some camping and trails. We wished we would have brought our tent! $10/day use fee, $30/camping read more

Dogs allowed on 6 foot leash on some trails Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!! We saw three Bald Eagles! Lots of ducks and geese. Over 100 miles of trails!! read more

Green valley campground is in a beautiful setting. It's a little costly at $30 a night. The falls are gorgeous. I went mid may midweek. Very peaceful except for neighbors---car alarm going off twice in the middle of the night! And group of teens playing catch, volleyball and frisbee and yelling---annoying! read more

See all

My husband and I love, love, loveeee visiting this beautiful park. We bring our fur babies pretty much everywhere we go and they allow leashed dogs in the park! Their restrooms are amazing. Always clean, lights on, and warm in the winter when you are freezing your booty off. Rangers can be nice or a little grouchy at the entrance but we've never had a problem. The trees are ever green and it reminds you of little Bambi between the woods. Beautiful deer here btw. We always feel in touch with nature here. The camp sites also have a fire pit of their own. I believe they have removable metal rails. They do have little cute cabins to rent out. Though you do have to reserve ahead of time! Great for families, couples, and dogs. If you run out of firewood, they have some for you to buy. It's a few extra bucks. Over all, the campground is clean, beautiful, and peaceful. read more

We had a great weekend June 4,5 2011. Perfect weather and great hiking. Got cold (41 degrees F) 3am. Staff is very, very friendly. Bathrooms and showers clean and maintained. We stayed at site #25 and it was nice. I would love to stay at the Cypress - it has a mini cabin with heater and bed. Driving into the area we only had 30 miles to go and all I saw was So Cal Desert and Rock. I was saying to myself, where is the forest. Well it is there and it is a nice spot. Enjoy. If you have some vacation time go on a weekday and be by yourself. Start Sunday night and leave Friday morning. Hit the lake and get fish. Get lots of water if you hike to the lake. 2-3 hrs each way hike. I think kids fish free in California. Enjoy. I did. read more

Beautful expanse in the what looks like Southern California Dessert. I love to escape the heat and sand and be wisked away to a cool mountain hideaway. The location is wonderful but let me qualify it now. The forests have not healed from the fires. It is still charred with remnants of dead oaks lining the many once lovely trails. I hope the trails can be cleared so I can run through them. It was my main squeezes first camping trip and a damn cold and windy one. Ay, will try it again. read more

Stayed on Green Valley campground. People around seemed to be respectful, not too loud after dark hours. The Campsites are kind of close to each other. Park rangers are friendly and informative, they were patrolling on regular basis around the campground. They provided scheduled presentation about the campground and the wildlife around it while also explain what are their responsibilities.Clean flushing toilets and coin showers available, individual spigot and nice trail. Very good experience for us! read more

Happy 75th Birthday, Cuyamaca! This state park is truly one of the jewels of southern California. Situated east of San Diego and south of Julian, it is 25,000 acres of God's country. You can get there in an hour from downtown. The park contains a plethora of different climates, terrains, wildlife, historical sites (both Indian and Californian), and fun! You can camp, hike, ride horses, mountain bike, fish, watch birds, see wildlife, etc. A lot of the park burned in the 2003 Cedar Fire, but it is amazing to watch Mother nature do her thing-- lots has already sprung back to life. And for those certain species that haven't (the oaks have bounced back, but conifers don't refoliate and so are still dead), there are amazing people, both paid and volunteer, who put their hearts and souls into preserving and restoring the park. I have been volunteering here with the Mountain Bike Assistance Unit for the past 4 years, so I have had plenty of time to fall in love with the REAL Cuyamaca. No one-night stand here. On a recent gorgeous spring Saturday afternoon, a friend and I went for a bike ride on Middle Peak, which is mainly fire road but offers some choice singletrack as well. 65 degrees, sunny and clear. It was a nice gradual incline (the whole loop climbs from 4800 ft. to about 5900 ft.) and made for a great workout. After a great climb, we bombed down (at a responsible 15MPH speed of course) the other side of the mountain, and made it back in two hours flat. While we recovered at the car, we were rewarded with the sight of a family of mule deer out foraging for their evening meal. We also spotted a coyote bounding around a prairie trying to catch its dinner. [*SHAMELESS PLUG*] There are four volunteer units in the park which are always looking for new members: - MAU (Mounted Assistance Unit)- perform duties, usually on horseback, relating to riding the backcountry trails while providing public information and assistance, advising staff of hazards and violations, guiding interpretive rides, and providing trail work - MBAU (Mountain Bike Assistance Unit)- similar to MAU, but on mountain bikes instead of horses - TMU (Trail Maintenance Unit)- works to keep the trails well-groomed and safe for park visitors - IAU (Interpreters Assistance Unit)- performs a variety of duties such as museum docent, patrolling trails on foot, leading interpretive walks, and developing and presenting interpretive programs. The time commitment is generally one weekend morning per month. It's a great way to get out into nature and give back to your community! For more information check out http://cuyamaca.us/volunteers/ [/plug] read more

Fantastic, beautiful state park about 30-40 minutes max east of San Diego proper. I went camping there last night and had an amazing time. The sites are nicely maintained, and easily accessible, the beautiful wooded areas are charming, and there's just something freaking amazing about kickin' it out in a sleeping bag under the stars. Life just looks better when you can do that. :) I have to go back while I still live here! read more