Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Paso Picacho Campground
Lake Cuyamaca Campground
Trails Covered
Oakzanita Peak Trail ~6 Miles
Middle Peak Loop Trail ~6 Miles
Green Valley Falls and Arroyo Secco Loop ~4 Miles
Green Valley Falls ~0.5 Mile
Dead Horse Falls ~ 2.5 Miles
Cuyamaca Peak via Lookout Fire Road ~5.5 Miles
Stonewall Peak Trail ~4 Miles
Stonewall Peak via Cold Stream and Stonewall Creek Loop ~6 Miles
Cuyamaca Peak via Azalea Glen Loop ~8 Miles
Stonewall Mine and Lake Cuyamaca via Marty Minshall Trail ~3.5 Miles
Cuyamaca Peak via Lookout Fire Road
The hike to Cuyamaca Peak brings you to San Diego County’s second highest point at 6,512 feet. It’s only 20 feet lower than the highest peak, but much easier to hike (highest peak is Hot Springs Mountain). Parking at Paso Picacho campground is $10 and the adventure pass is not accepted.
~5.5 miles | ~1,600 feet elevation gain | Out and back trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Stonewall Peak Trail
Stonewall Peak Trail is my absolutely favorite place in San Diego to watch the sunset. With 360 degree views featuring Cuyamaca and the Cleveland National Forest, you can't go wrong checking this trail out. The distance is also short enough where nighttime hiking isn’t terrible. Parking at Paso Picacho campground is $10 and the adventure pass is not accepted.
~4 miles | ~800 feet elevation gain | Out and back trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Stonewall Peak via Cold Stream and Stonewall Creek Loop
An alternative way or what I call the ‘Scenic Way’ up to Stonewall Peak. This trail loops around the north part of Stonewall and gives magnificent views of Cleveland National Forest as you make your way up. Parking at Paso Picacho campground is $10 and the adventure pass is not accepted.
~6 miles | ~1,000 feet elevation gain | Loop trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Cuyamaca Peak via Azalea Glen Loop Trail
This trail is the long way to get up to Cuyamaca Peak. The fire lookout road trail is the straight shoot up to Cuyamaca Peak and this trail is longer because you explore a lot of the mountain (Azalea loop). It is a beautiful trail and if you have the time, I highly recommend you explore this route. You can always take the fire road on the way down to make it easier towards the end.
~7.7 miles | ~1,800 feet elevation gain | Loop trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Stonewall Mine and Lake Cuyamaca via Marty Minshall Trail
Sometimes you want to enjoy an easy hike and relax out in nature. Stonewall Mine via Marty Minshall is just that. This hike is a flat and easy 3.5 mile loop with views of Cuyamaca Lake, Stonewall Peak, and if you’re lucky, some deer and wild turkey too.
~3.5 miles | ~200 feet elevation gain | Loop trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Oakzanita Peak Trail
Oakzanita Peak is a lesser-known trail in Cuyamaca. A very enjoyable trail that leads you to a peak with 360-degree views - similar to Stonewall Peak, but not quite as high in elevation. The peak features wonderful views of Stonewall and Cuyamaca Peak in the distance, as well as the Cleveland National Forest.
~6 miles | ~1,200 feet elevation gain | Loop trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Middle Peak Loop Trail
I have always said - every hike has a purpose. The purpose of Middle Peak Loop, this lesser-known trail, is solitude. Out of all the hikes in Cuyamaca, Middle Peak is the least traveled providing an opportunity for folks to really immerse themselves in nature and relax.
I cover additional tips and a good trail deviation in the video trail guide!
~6 miles | ~1,100 feet elevation gain | Loop trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Green Valley Falls and Arroyo Secco Loop
Green Valley Falls and Arroyo Secco Loop is the perfect trail if you want to both, visit Green Valley Falls and get a small workout in. This hike passes by the falls but also takes you onto Arroyo Secco Loop which totals ~4 miles. Check out the video to learn what parts of this trail are the best to explore. A parking fee of $10 is necessary to park inside the Campground.
~4 miles | ~1600 feet elevation gain | Loop trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Green Valley Falls
Green Valley Falls trail is an incredibly easy half-mile hike with some amazing views. Located within the Green Valley Campground, Green Valley Falls offers a brief trek that showcases a pair of waterfalls and inviting swimming spots in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (and wilderness). A parking fee of $10 is necessary to park inside the Campground.
~0.5 miles | ~100 feet elevation gain | Loop trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly
Dead Horse Falls
Dead Horse Falls Trail is an easy hike in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (this hike is specifically located in Descanso). The important part of this hike is the fork in the road - which I cover in detail in the video. The trail up the Merigan Fire Road takes you to an awesome spot at the top of the falls (only worth going if there is water flowing) and the trail down to the sweetwater river is too overgrown. Time this hike right and you'll enjoy it out here.
~2.5 miles | ~300 feet elevation gain | Out and Back trail
No dogs allowed | Kid Friendly but Overgrown
