Palomar Mountain State Park

Palomar Mountain State Park Palomar Mountain State Park features 1,862 acres of pristine forest, peaceful meadows, and pleasing panoramas of San Diego County.
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Created in 1933, Palomar Mountain State Park is located atop Palomar Mountain in San Diego, California. The Park consists of 1862 acres of pine and oak forests and various mountain meadows. There are over 14 miles of hiking trails within the Park, including breathtaking views to Downtown San Diego and San Clemente Island. The Park also boasts a variety of wildlife that feel at home at 5000 foot elevations.

Happy Labor Day!
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Did you know that Palomar Mountain State Park has over 500 confirmed species of plants and animals on iNaturalist?Now YO...
09/05/2026

Did you know that Palomar Mountain State Park has over 500 confirmed species of plants and animals on iNaturalist?

Now YOU can help US get those numbers up!

On Saturday, September 12th, from 10 AM to 12 PM we will be hosting a BIOBLITZ using the iNaturalist app. Meet at the Doane Pond parking lot. Bring water, wear a hat and sturdy shoes, and make sure your phone or camera has plenty of battery charge and memory for photos.

The BIOBLITZ will be going all week leading up to our event, too. Starting on September 5th to September 13th, your observations can be added to the "Palomar Mountain State Park BIOBLITZ 2026" project on iNaturalist. So, if you can't make it to the BLITZ on September 12th, you still have a chance to contribute to our project.

We'll be photographing and documenting the flora and fauna of Doane Pond and surrounding trails.
If you don't have the iNaturalist app on your phone, you can submit photos online through the iNaturalist website. You will need to create a profile in order to upload your photos.

Not sure how to work iNaturalist? No problem! We'll be there to help guide you through the process and provide instructions for how to use the basic functions of the app.

REMINDER (and correction) that the Palomar Mountain Hoedown is this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at the Palomar Community...
08/27/2026

REMINDER (and correction) that the Palomar Mountain Hoedown is this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at the Palomar Community Center on 21610 Crestline Road, Palomar Mountain.

Save the date!The Palomar Mountain Hoedown will be this Saturday, August 28th from 11am to 2pm. There will be food, live...
08/25/2026

Save the date!
The Palomar Mountain Hoedown will be this Saturday, August 28th from 11am to 2pm. There will be food, live music, vendors, and dancing!
We will be there with an educational booth.

Chip and the Giant Apple 🐿️🍏A Merriam's Chipmunk feasts on a heritage variety apple in our historic apple orchard. ...
08/23/2026

Chip and the Giant Apple 🐿️🍏

A Merriam's Chipmunk feasts on a heritage variety apple in our historic apple orchard.

A Merriam's Chipmunk, patiently waiting for snacks.Chipmunk snacks include: acorns, conifer seeds, and occasionally berr...
07/13/2026

A Merriam's Chipmunk, patiently waiting for snacks.
Chipmunk snacks include: acorns, conifer seeds, and occasionally berries such as thimbleberries and wild currants.
Photo: Interpreter Michele Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

"Pond Hunter"A Blue Dasher perched on a broken reed before resuming its swift patrols around the edge of Doane Pond.Phot...
07/06/2026

"Pond Hunter"

A Blue Dasher perched on a broken reed before resuming its swift patrols around the edge of Doane Pond.

Photographer: Interpreter Michele,

Sometimes, the only way to express how the natural world makes us feel is to get it all out on paper. You have time to t...
06/01/2026

Sometimes, the only way to express how the natural world makes us feel is to get it all out on paper. You have time to think, time to reflect, time to wonder what it all means and how it all makes you feel.

Best of all, journaling hones and strengthens our relationship with Mother Nature. Experiences that might once have blended into a sea of memories will stand out when jotted into a journal - precious moments are memorialized, epiphanies are crystalized, and that fleeting feeling can be momentarily captured and revisited.

Join us this State Parks Week for "Pages of Palomar," a guided nature journaling program on June 12, 2026 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Doane Pond. We'll be there with journaling and artistic supplies. All ages welcome and all experience levels welcome!

Whether you need a rigidly structured activity to get started, or a simple prompt to run with, we've got you covered.

See. You. There.

Happy Friday! Here's the latest from the park:☁️ We're seeing some cloudy weather hanging over the mountain. Expect some...
05/30/2026

Happy Friday! Here's the latest from the park:

☁️ We're seeing some cloudy weather hanging over the mountain. Expect some patches of sun with periodic cloudy conditions and even dense fog. Dress for cool, damp hikes with the ability to shed some layers.

👣 Seasonal crews are back in the park to work on accessibility projects in the campground and on trails. Part of a long term project to make the park more accessible to people of all physical capabilities.

Enjoy this Spotted Coralroot! These deep red orchids are parasitic plants, meaning they do not produce their own sugars through chlorophyll. Instead, all of the nutrients and compounds they use to build their anatomical structure is absorbed from their host. Kinda like a vampire plant. Kinda.

Nature abounds at Palomar Mountain State Park! Keep your eyes peeled and you will be rewarded.A quick glance to the left...
05/17/2026

Nature abounds at Palomar Mountain State Park! Keep your eyes peeled and you will be rewarded.

A quick glance to the left revealed this gorgeous little Bobcat doing some hunting in the creek. See if you can spot it before swiping to the second photo. 😺

Address

State Park Road
Palomar Mountain, CA
92060

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm
Saturday 7am - 7pm
Sunday 7am - 7pm

Telephone

(760) 742-3462

Website

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