Paso Picacho Campground
13652 CA-79, Julian, CA 92036
Overview
Located within Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Paso Picacho Campground features 85 mixed-use sites for tents or RVs, 3 standard cabins, and 1 premium cabin with electricity. Sites can fit trailers and RVs up to 30 feet.
For groups, there is both a standard campsite that can fit up to 50 guests and the Los Vaqueros horse camp for equestrian travelers. The site is ADA accessible but isn’t restricted solely for ADA-accessible use.
Amenities within the campground include showers, flush toilets, potable water, and a dump station. No hookups are available.
Dogs are allowed within the campground as long as they’re on a leash. They’re also permitted on the Stonewall Mine Road trail system and the Cuyamaca Peak Fire Road.
Reservations are required for weekend visits during the peak season of April through October.
Best Campsites at Paso Picacho Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Paso Picacho Campground.
Most Private Sites: #P007, #P010, #P085
- Located at the ends of loops
- More standoff distance from neighboring sites
- Easy access to trails
- Downside: farther from restrooms and showers
Best Sites for Amenities: #068–071
- Close to restrooms and showers
- More secluded area of the campground
- Not far from trail access
Best ADA-Accessible Site: #053
- Closest to restrooms and showers
- Farther from road/highway noise
- Downside: more congested area of the campground
Unique Experiences
- After rainfall or in the wet season, head to the local swimming hole near Green Valley Falls for a refreshing dip in a gorgeous natural pool.
- Grab your fishing pole and license for a relaxing afternoon catching carp, bluegill, and crappies at Lake Cuyamaca.
- For a short hike with stunning sights at the end, take the 3.5-mile trek to Cuyamaca Peak on the Lookout Fire Road to see panoramic views of Mexico, the ocean, and the desert below you.
Paso Picacho Campground Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax Trailer/RV Length
30 feetMax People per Site
8 peopleMax Vehicles per Site
2Fires Allowed
YesPaso Picacho Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesIndividual reservations can be booked via the online platform at www.reservecalifornia.com. Guests can also reserve by phone at 1-800-444-7275. All reservations will be charged a nonrefundable booking fee of $7.99.
A standard site costs $40 per night and can accommodate up to 8 people. Cabins cost $80 per night for a standard model or $100 per night for the park’s lone premium cabin with upgraded amenities and electricity. All cabins sleep up to 8 guests.
Group Camping Reservations
Reservations for group camps must be made by phone at 1-800-444-7275. The group site can fit up to 50 people and 10 vehicles. The paved pad is only 24 feet long, so it may not fit large RVs and trailers. This standard group site is $250 per night.
There is also the Los Vaqueros group site that can accommodate 9–80 people and 50 vehicles. Los Vaqueros is more expensive than the standard group site at a rate of $550 per night.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
Cancellations are permitted and can be requested through www.reservecalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-7275. A fee of $7.99 will apply, and the initial booking fee of the same amount is nonrefundable. Late cancellations made after midnight the day before arrival will also be charged the cost of the first night.
Paso Picacho Campground Campground Cost
Primitive Standard Sites
$40Basic Cabins
$80Premium Cabins
$100Group Site
$250Equestrian Group Site
$550Activities
Fishing
Swimming
Bike Trails
Boating
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Photography
Backpacking
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Campfire Rings
Grills
Potable Water
Visitors/Rec Center
Picnic Tables
Campground Host
Cell Service
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Paso Picacho Campground
Compared to other campgrounds, Paso Picacho is slightly more expensive per night but otherwise consistent in terms of amenities. The lake, the group site, and the ability to rent a cabin with electricity are other unique features that help Paso Picacho stand out from the competition.
The campground also has an on-site dump station for added convenience. Guests at other campsites do not have the ability to dump since there is no dump station or sewer hookups available.
However, the 30-foot length limit at Paso Picacho may be prohibitive for many. Neighboring campgrounds are able to fit RVs or trailers up to 50 feet.
Laguna Campground
Laguna Campground is slightly smaller than Paso Picacho. It features 54 mixed-use campsites, 9 tent-only sites, and 8 RV-only sites. All amenities are comparable, but Laguna can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet, which makes this the better option for large rigs that exceed the 30-foot limit at Paso Picacho. The fees are also much cheaper at $29 per night for all sites.
Tamarisk Grove Campground
Tamarisk Grove is located in a desert environment, so guests who prefer water sports and fishing will be happier at Paso Picacho. The campground offers showers and flush toilets, but the water is not potable. Drinking water can be purchased. Tamarisk Grove has 27 campsites and 11 cabins. There is no group site, and the limit for trailers/RVs is 21 feet.
Burnt Rancheria Campground
Burnt Rancheria has 48 mixed-use sites and 8 tent-only sites that can fit RVs and trailers up to 48 feet in some spaces. There is no group camp available. Amenities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. The cost per night for all sites is $29. Aside from lake activities, Burnt Rancheria offers most of the same recreational opportunities as Paso Picacho.
