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Lake Cuyamaca

3.7 (152 reviews)
Open 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

Lake Cuyamaca Photos

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Myrna M.

Decided to check out this campground and was happily surprised. The campsite (while close together) have fencing to separate campers. They have rentals for kayaks and boats reasonably priced.

Analette E.

We camped at the Lone Pine Campground at Lake Cuyamaca. We have the best view from our trailer. The campground provides water & elecricity.The bathrooms were immaculate equipped with handicapped accessible coin operated showers. Friendly staff who's always checking on the campers. Shout out to Cole & Scott for their kindness. We'll definitely come back hopefully the same spot we're in. Thank you Lake Cuyamaca staff for making our stay enjoyable and memorable.

5/27/23 Lake Cuyamaca, trout fishing, saw a father teaching his kids to fish
Jennifer W.

5/27/23 Lake Cuyamaca, trout fishing.....I would've loved to fish here but my fishing prowess has never been so outstanding...lol I do love to watch people fish & catch a live one! A few years back, we used to camp here with my siblings & cousins, along with their pit bull, Zeus (in Puppy Heaven now, RIP the loyal pittey). Reserve in advance for the parking & camping spots, it was a fabulous & wonderful time. Today was just a little peak into this peaceful & magnificent scenery as we drive towards Julian-for pies of course! Otherwise it would've a nice leisurely visit to embrace nature.

Nikki M.

The lake is beautiful and clean. Just be prepared to pay a bunch of fees as it's $10 for parking ... $15 dollars to fish ....we were there for a good solid 5 hours only caught algae and no fish ! A lot of the good spots to fish are off limits and the boats run really close to where the fishing spots are so it disrupts the sport a little bit . The snack shop was a total rip off ! Four ice creams , one starburst and a beer cost about $43 dollars !!! That was insane .... There were no prices listed and couldn't say no to the kids until it was too late . If you want to waste the day and have patience to sit and fish then all good , not recommended for the kiddos and considering it's a private lake can we please put trash cans ... why was there so much trash by the shore !

Soo H.

Back in the day Phel Steinmetz taught me lake fishing at Lake Cuyamaca.  We took a boat out and cast lures.  On lucky days we would land some rainbow trout.  On unlucky days we would enjoy the sun, the sky, and the beauty around us.  It was quiet except for the occasional bird song and the wind speaking through the trees.  I stop to look at the sun glinting across the surface of the water.   It's as lovely as in the old days.  I remember the drive home in the fading sun, the orange glow in the sky and the trees darkening.  One time we stopped in Descanso for dinner.  Those moments now only live in my memory but the lake glistens in the sun and the moonlight. "I believe that when we leave a place, part of it goes with us and part of us remains. Go anywhere in the station, when it is quiet, and just listen. After a while, you will hear the echoes of all our conversations, every thought and word we've exchanged. Long after we are gone .. our voices will linger in these walls for as long as this place remains. But I will admit .. that the part of me that is going .. will very much miss the part of you that is staying." G'Kar to Sheridan, Objects in Motion - Babylon 5

Jared S.

Visited this lake during the winter (February) as it was on the way to our hotel in Julian. Not much is happening here in the winter and it's not really worth visiting in my opinion but I'm sure that depends on the time of year. When we entered the parking lot, we didn't see that a $10 entrance fee was required so we parked, hung out in the car while we ate our lunch, and then decided to check out the lake. Again, not much to see and the area around the lake was muddy and had an abundance of trash, which was sad to see and probably not good for the wildlife that inhabits the lake. After walking around the lake for about 5 minutes we went to check out the little store they have and also the restaurant as there were some nice views. Upon walking back to our car, one of the park rangers pulled up in his truck, blocking our path to our car. He was super rude and asked for our passes, which we didn't have because we didn't know. He then proceeded to lecture us, saying we needed to know where we were and asked if we could read the sign. We told him we were leaving and he became visibly upset so we told him we wouldn't be back, which is the truth. After that experience I wouldn't pay 10 cents let alone $10. A private lake, eh? Then why is it open to the public and why don't you have an entrance booth set up to collect payment upon entering? Instead you have to go into the store to buy a pass and if you don't see the sign, you're lectured by some old grumpy rent-a-cop. And what's the $10 for? There's nothing going on at the lake and clearly they don't keep it up during the winter months. Seems like a racket to me. When we got back to our car there was a note on the windshield letting us know there was a fee. The note was friendly so I don't know why they couldn't just leave the note instead of having Mr. Condescending lecture us. Sure, he was right to ask for the pass and yes, he was also right in pointing out the sign but there's a nice way to do things. Had he been nicer I would have went and bought the pass even though we were leaving but since he was a jerk, nope! Honestly, it's not worth it to stop and pay the $10 because if you just drive around the lake and pull over, there are some better photo opportunities...especially since they hire the rudest of the rude here. I attached some photos, most of which were taken driving around the lake and not where the fee was required. Not worth $10 at all. To the Board of Directors, please teach your people to be nice. You get more bees with honey. Good luck to you and your exclusive lake.

Brittany T.

Beautiful views and a nice place to enjoy nature. Very secluded and private. $10 to park. They have camping and you're able to rent some boats. Fishing with a permit is allowed. Can get VERY windy, almost knocked me down a few times.

Riley M.

I love fishing here, the people at the tackle shop are great! Always a good adventure!

Reilly J.

I went to Lake Cuyamaca for 2 days to fish with my fiance, it was our very first time fishing. The first half of the first day we tried to just figure things out on our own but an extremely nice and helpful staff member named Shona came over to us to see how we were doing, and pointed us toward Chambers park, where most of the action of the lake seemed to be. It was beautiful these past two days and the entire lake was so serene and peaceful, all of the autumn leaves brought so much beauty. Shona came back and helped me pick out some gear for fishing, and even helped make our lines and showed us the kind of bait she uses! The second she left to go do some other things, I caught my first fish! It was a rainbow trout that was 1.5lbs! The next day we only came for a half day but used everything we had learned and caught three more fish! It was such an amazing time and Shona had really made it special and went entirely out of her way to make sure we had a good time! We will definitely be coming back as we don't live too far away, and fishing is going to become a big part of our lives thanks to Shona!

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Ask the Community - Lake Cuyamaca

Do you need a fishing license?

A state fishing license as well as a lake permit are required, both can be purchased at the tackle shop.

Do you have to rent a boat to go fishing? Trying to take our son for his first fishing experience. Wasn't sure if we can do that from the shore.

There is a lot of fishing from the shoreline. No boat necessary.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Lake Cuyamaca

We started off at the Tackle Shop where we figured out our day passes and fishing logistics.

Mentioned in 21 reviews

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Lake Cuyamaca - lakes - Updated May 2026

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