Interpretive Programs

Cuyamaca Rancho and Palomar Mountain State Parks offer a number of guided interpretive programs throughout the summer. These programs usually start in May and run through September. Contact the park entrance station for information on both parks programs.

JR. RANGER PROGRAMS for children 7-12 years of age. These programs are 45 minutes to an hour long and occur on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The children earn pins, certificates, and badges for attending certain numbers of Jr. Ranger programs. There are also self-guided Jr. Ranger activity books at each entrance station. The books, when completed, count as programs.

NATURE HIKES are offered on weekends and are led by our terrific volunteer staff.

TRAIL MAPS Both parks offer over a hundred miles of trails for hikers, bikers and equestrians – something for everyone. Detailed trail maps are available at Park Headquarters, at Campground Entrance Stations and the Visitor Center for $2.

RECYCLING Recycling bins are located throughout both parks. Thank you for conserving resources. Please separate recyclables before throwing your trash away.

CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS are held on Saturday nights, usually at both parks, and often during the week. Please check the park announcements for exact dates, times, and titles of programs. Come join in. You’ll have a good time and learn a bit about YOUR park.

The VISITOR CENTER in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is also a great place to learn about this park. The center is located between Paso Picacho and Green Valley Campgrounds on Hwy 79. Just follow the signs that say Park Museum or walk there on the Cold Stream Trail. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00-4:00.

WHERE CAN I TAKE MY DOG?

Though dogs are welcome at both parks, the parks are dedicated to the preservation of the wildlife and its habitat. In light of this, dogs are restricted to developed campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved roads, and must be on leash at all times.

Ticks

Ticks are a fact of life in wild areas of San Diego County. Not all ticks carry diseases, but some in this area do carry Lyme disease. Humans and dogs can contract it any time of the year since the ticks feed at various times of the year, including winter.

Lyme disease often presents a rash around the bite and flu-like symptoms and if untreated can lead to arthritis, meningitis, neuralgic and cardiac problems.

The best way to avoid ticks is to avoid trail edges, brush and grassy areas, wear light colored long pants and long sleeves, use insect repellent; and check for ticks on you, children and pets frequently. Gently remove an embedded tick using tissue or tweezers and save it for identification. Be sure to tell your doctor you were bitten by a tick if you develop symptoms.

Poison Oak

This is one plant you need to know. Learn to recognize it at a glance. Poison oak has a triple leaf pattern with prominent veins and shiny surfaces. It is a very hardy plant common throughout the local parks. Irritating oils in the leaves can cause a severe rash. Avoid touching it, pets, or tools which may have touched it. Much of the irritating oil from poison oak can be removed by washing with soap and water at the first opportunity. A physician should treat severe inflammation.

Park Rules and Reasons

ANIMALS: Family pets are welcome in the campground and on paved park roads, but dogs must be on a leash at all times. Please, do not leave pets unattended. Pets are not allowed on any trails because they may introduce disease, threaten park animals, and become lost or injured. Leashed dogs are allowed on the Cuyamaca Peak Fire Road.

PLANTS: Plants are beautiful attractions to our parks but all plants are protected and removal is not allowed. Gathering pine cones or wood is prohibited.

FIRES: Be extra careful with fire. An oversized campfire can be disastrous.

FIREWOOD: Over 10 million people visit California State Parks each year. If each person collected camp firewood the soil would suffer severely without the replenishment of organic material. You may purchase your firewood or bring it from home, but collecting downed wood is not permitted.

PEACE AND QUIET: Some folks come here to “get away.” Please observe the quiet hours of 10 pm to 6 am. No generators from 8 pm to 10 am.

PARK ANIMALS: Please do not feed the animals. Don’t teach them to like “human food” because it isn’t a healthy diet for wild animals, and they’ll frequently starve in winter.

Remember! Though they may seem tame, these are wild animals. Let’s keep them that way!

LITTER: Please keep the park clean. Trash is unsightly and can be a hazard to the wildlife. Be a full time “LITTER GETTER.”

WEAPONS: For the protection of everyone, weapons of any kind are not allowed. Items as simple as slingshots and BB guns may cause damage to trees and definitely are harmful to animals. Firearms are used for poaching, and much worse. For these reasons, firearms, BB guns, paintball guns, slingshots, and bows and arrows are prohibited. Firearms may only be possessed when they are rendered inoperable and locked in a case.

BICYCLES: Bicycles are welcome on roads, both paved roads and primitive fire roads and some designated trails. Bikes are not permitted in the wilderness. Remember, children must wear helmets.

ARCHAEOLOGY AND GEOLOGY: All features are protected and disturbing or collecting is not allowed. Leave any historical artifacts you might find alone and report the location to park staff. An artifact “out of place” is historical knowledge lost.

Remember… IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL 911!