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Palomar Mountain/Doane Valley
Palomar Mountain Doane Valley is a popular destination for outdoor recreation in San Diego County, California. Located in the Cleveland National Forest, the area is known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as its abundance of hiking trails. The area is also home to the Palomar Observatory, which is one of the world’s largest optical telescopes. Visitors to the area can enjoy camping, fishing, and picnicking, as well as a variety of other outdoor activities. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and mountain lions.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
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User Reviews
AW L
Palomar Mountain State Park It’s about an hour and twenty minutes from San Diego, and I was surprised to find such a beautiful mountain and hiking trails there. Since it’s autumn, there were lots of acorns scattered on the ground — be careful not to slip while walking! I went to see the lake, but it was more like a pond in size. The water was murky with some algae. However, the trail was nice and cool because of all the trees, and the park felt more like a national park than a state park. I also checked out the campgrounds — they were very clean, well maintained, and quite large, with two main areas. I definitely want to go camping there next time. Highly recommended!
Norm Hutton
Not a lot to do here besides camp - Doane Pond is so weed choked it can be a dishes in a couple very small condies areas. No water to cool off in.
Grant Osborne
I generally come here several times a year driving from North County. It's a great, secluded spot for those wanting to get to the mountains and see vegetation like that at Idyllwild or Big Bear Lake / Arrowhead but don't want to drive 2 or 3 hours to get there. The pictures I've used for this review are from my April 26th / 27th overnight camping trip when it was foggy/rainy. Not the best sleeping/camping experience in itself (not knowing how to hang up a tarp to be used a a rain guard while setting up a tent, Fry's Creek camp lot itself was on a bit of a slope, clothes were a bit damper than I thought etc.) but the actual hiking in Palomar itself during this time was a nice experience. Also felt like I was in Oregon/Washington at times for some reason, despite never being there. While venturing out here be mindful of several things to make your stay enjoyable: 1. Try not to tent camp during ANY chance of rain, even if it's only supposed to be less than a quarter inch - Unless you're already experienced in properly setting up a tent site when it's raining 2. Poor cell phone coverage in the general area. 3. Lack of eating options save for the one general store at the crossroads 4. Motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts love to drive up and down the S6 - South Grade Road. Be on the lookout when driving up and down from that road. 5. Hiking boots or hiking sticks are recommended as some of the trails can be quite steep, especially those near Doane Pond
Jim H
Great hiking at the park. Enjoyed the meadows and various trails. Some cool things to check out along the trails.
David Ayres
A quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the hustling bustle. Make this journey into the mountains and lose yourself in the nature the moment you enter. You never ever wanna let it go. Whether it's a trail run after work or a picnic with the crew, you can find something to do you.