Disclosure: We do not offer cabins for rent here! Please visit JulianCabins.com to book a rental!
Located just South of Julian, CA, Lake Cuyamaca is a recreation and park district in the San Diego Backcountry. At roughly 4200 feet above sea level, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is interspersed with pine forests and lush riparian zones, providing a beautiful assortment of oak and chaparral. Whether you wish to explore the park, invest in land or a cabin, or simply decide to go on a camping excursion, this hidden gem is worth visiting!
Explore Cuyamaca State Park
Interested in getting to know the beautiful Cuyamaca Rancho State Park? First, we suggest hiking around the lake. The 3-mile perimeter trail takes about half a day to hike; there are many gorgeous sites along the way, including side-rivers, and wild animal hotspots. Keep your eyes open for deer, bobcats, coyotes, skunks, and racoons. There are also over 475 bird species in the state park for avid bird watchers to enjoy.
Prefer to spend the day on the water rather than land? You can rent a rowboat, motor boat, peddle boat, kayak, or even a full pontoon boat to enjoy an afternoon on the lake with friends and family. There are also various fresh-water fishing opportunities as the lake is annually stocked with roughly 38,000lbs of trout. We suggest that expert fishers rent a boat and take to the middle of Cuyamaca Lake, while beginners stick to the piers and shoreline.
A favorite hike of ours is the Green Valley Falls loop. Discover natural beauty in the cascading water from the top of the falls. Prepare to scramble across boulders in order to get the best pictures. Another gorgeous hike is Stonewall Peak Trail. At 3.4 miles, this Julian hike offers a spectacular 360-degree view from the top of the peak. Stonewall Peak is also a popular destination for rock climbers. The Red Hawk Realty team concludes that Cuyamaca State Park is worth the visit!
Cabins in San Diego County
Thinking about renting or buying a cabin in San Diego County? Julian cabins are one of the best get-away options in the backcountry of California. There are many great Lake Cuyamaca Cabins, with some of the best located at Chambers Park and Lakeview. We recommend Lake Cuyamaca Lodge.
Mainstream sites such as Airbnb and VRBO can also be used to discover and book a cabin rental. San Diego County in its entirety is known for having some of the most highly rated backcountry cabins. Here is a list of San Diego County, CA parks with available cabin rentals in the parks themselves:
- Agua Caliente County Park-7 cabins offered
- Dos Picos County Park-2 cabins offered
- Guajome Regional Park-1 cabin offered
- Lake Morena County Park-10 cabins offered
- Potrero County Park-2 cabins offered
- William Heise County Park-14 cabins offered
Perhaps you are looking to purchase or lease a San Diego County Cabin, though. In this case, a Real Estate group that specializes in San Diego backcountry is the first place you should look. Purchasing a San Diego County cabin or retreat-home is one of the best ways you can invest in yourself, and your long-term solitude.
Lake Cuyamaca Camping
Looking to camp at Lake Cuyamaca? Camping opportunities are popular here – so make sure you book early! If you wish to pitch a tent at or near the lake, there are 26 tent sites open for reservations at the Cuyamaca campground. Tent camping costs $25 per night. You may also camp with an RV at Lake Cuyamaca. With a 14-night maximum stay, lot costs range from $25-$35 depending on parking lot and hookup preferences. Refer to this campsite map for your options.
Prefer a cleaner camping experience? Don’t fret, there are several shower locations around the lake.
A few miles away from the lake is the Paso Picacho Campground- a sister site within the Lake Cuyamaca State Park. The much larger premise (as compared to Lake Cuyamaca) boasts 85 campsites, mainly in a coniferous forest. Fun outdoor activities here include hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Be on the lookout for swimming holes in the nearby creeks.
Also consider camping at Green Valley Falls Campground. It is located in Cuyamaca State Park off of Highway 79 between Descanso and Julian. Green Valley Falls offers 74 campsites with many scenic rivers and waterfall spots within hiking distance of all sites. There is even a peculiar geo-structure similar to the iconic “Potato Chip Rock!”
What are you waiting for? Lake Cuyamaca is calling!
Speak with an agent today!
Whether you decide to take a full-on family vacation to Lake Cuyamaca, or just accomplish a simple day-hike, you surely won’t be disappointed with the serene beauty the region has to offer. Interested in Lake Cuyamaca cabins, land, or other kinds of properties? View current MLS listings or contact one of our agents to learn more about all of our great Lake Cuyamaca properties for sale! We specialize in San Diego land for sale as well as properties throughout the backcountry including in Julian, Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Vista and more!