Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Review

Spread over more than 25,000 acres of open meadows, oak woodlands, pine forests and mountains and rising to 6,512 feet at Cuyamaca Peak, much of the park, including its infrastructure, burned during a wildfire in 2003. Many of the camps, picnic areas, and trails are open again, and abundant seasonal wildflowers and other native plants emerge from the earth in a breathtaking display. For an inspirational desert view, stop at the lookout about 2 mi south of Julian on Route 79; on a clear day you can see several mountain ranges in hues ranging from pink to amber stepped back behind the Salton Sea.