Paso Picacho Campground Guide
Paso Picacho Campground is one of two large family campgrounds in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, a mountainous area known for its oak woodland forests, pine stands, and grassy meadows. Located in Southern California’s Peninsular Ranges, about an hour’s drive east of San Diego, the campground offers tent and RV sites (no hookups), one large group camping site, and four rustic cabins.
The campground is well situated for exploring the park’s many hiking, biking and equestrian trails. The trailhead for the most popular trail in the park, Stonewall Peak Trail, begins just across Highway 79 from the campground.
Campground Details
Site types: Tent, RV, Group Sites
Amenities: Potable Water, Toilets, RV Dump Stations, Trash Receptacles, Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Camp Store
Information number: 1-760-765-0755
Reservations: Reservations accepted
Reservation number: 1-800-234-7275
Campground Coordinates: 33.707704,-116.734375
Location: Mountain Center, California
Address: 13652 CA-79, Julian, CA 92036
Season: Year round
Getting to Paso Picacho Campground
Take I-8 about 35 miles east of San Diego. Take exit 40 and take CA-79 north for about 12 miles to Paso Picacho Campground.
The Campground
The campground is open year-round and offers 85 campsites, one large group site, and 4 cabins. Reservations are highly recommended during peak camping season, from Easter to Thanksgiving. Visitors can book sites and cabins up to six months in advance at ReserveCalifornia.com (search for “Cuyamaca Rancho SP”) or by calling 1-800-444-7275.
Up to eight people can camp at the standard sites and in the cabins, though additional tents can be used at the cabin sites. The size and tent capacity of each site varies. Check the reservation website for specifics on each site.
The large group site is located on the northern side of the campground and offers tent-only camping for groups of up to 40 people. The site has parking for up to 20 cars.
Check-in time for the sites is 2 pm and check-out time is noon. Pro tip: when reserving a site look for those on the outer side of the loops, where you aren’t sandwiched between other sites.
The camping fee includes one vehicle, and additional vehicles will incur an additional $10 parking fee. Overflow parking is available if you need to park more cars than your site can handle.
Each campsite at Paso Picacho Campground includes a picnic table and fire ring (see below for more info on campfires).
The campground offers restrooms and showers in four different locations, and water faucets are available throughout the campground, every few campsites. The showers run on quarters (a couple of minutes of water per coin), so bring some change. Campers can buy firewood and ice at a small camp store.
Fires
Ground fires are prohibited anywhere other than in designated fire rings or in portable camp stoves or fire pits.
You can purchase firewood at the campsite. Don’t gather firewood in the park–wood and other biomass such as leaves, pinecones, and plants, provide important nutrients and habitat to the local ecosystem. So if you are planning to make smores, bring your own marshmallows roasting spits instead of using branches from live or dead vegetation in and around the campground.
RV Information
The campsites can accommodate trailers and motorhomes from 24-30 feet in length (check the specifics when reserving sites at ReserchCalifornia.com). The campground doesn’t have hook ups but it does have a dump station. Generators can only be operated from 10 am to 8 pm.
Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding
Over 100 miles of terrific trails wind through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, some of which have trailhead in or very close to Paso Picacho Campground. These nearby trails include:
Stonewall Peak Trail
This is one of the most popular trails in the area, bringing hikers to a stony summit and sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. A 4-mile out-and-back, the trail climbs about 800 feet to the peak. The trailhead is located just across Highway 79 from the campground . The trail is well maintained and good for kids, though you’ll need to keep an eye and a hand on little ones at the top. Go to Trail Guide
Cuyamaca Peak Trail
Cuyamaca Peak, elevation 6,512 feet, is the second-highest mountain in San Diego County, and also offers stunning views of the region. The 6-mile out-and-back trail to the peak begins at the southwest corner of the campground, where it initially follows Lookout Rd. The trail climbs 1,560 feet to the summit, from which you can see all the way to the Channel Islands and Mexico on clear days. Go to Trail Guide.
Oakzanita Peak Trail
Nearby is Oakzanita Peak Trail, a 5.9-mile out-and-back hike that attracts fewer visitors but is no less enjoyable. The trail is a moderate hike that’s perfect for those seeking solitude and stunning views. Go to Trail Guide.
Snow Days
Paso Picacho Campground is a popular destination after snowstorms for San Diegans looking to enjoy sledding or a snowy hike on a rare wintery day in SoCal. The campground offers day-use parking, which fills quickly.
If there is enough snow, the nearby trails offer a chance to snowshoe or even cross country ski. For tips on visiting the area after snow falls, check out our guide to San Diego snow days.
