Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park
  • Welcome!
  • Things to do
    • Hiking
    • Picnicking
    • Fishing
    • Camping
    • Features & sites of interest
    • Boucher Hill & Historic Fire Tower
    • Special events at the park
    • Tips to enjoy your visit
    • Check the weather
  • About the park
    • A special place >
      • Cultural history
    • Hours & fees
    • Directions
    • Maps & brochures
    • Help protect the park
    • Dogs & other pets
    • Contact the park
  • News & Events
  • About Friends of PMSP
    • Who we are
    • Our board
    • History of FPMSP
    • Contact us
    • Important links
  • Support Palomar
    • Invest in a legacy
    • Donate

Hiking


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Palomar Mountain State Park has over 11 miles of trails through oak forests, chaparral, grassy meadows and majestic fir and cedar woodlands. Go here for a trail map. Please note that only cash and checks are accepted for the day use entrance fee. (If you're camping, your camping fee includes day use.)

Some trails lend themselves to short, leisurely walks, while others are suitable for vigorous, half-day hikes. All the trails can be stitched together for a rugged all-day hike.


An excellent way to become familiar with the park's trails is to read reviews by local trail maven Scott Turner found at ModernHiker.com

  • Hiking Palomar Mountain State Park ~ Overview
     
  • Hiking Lower Doane Valley & French Valley

  • Hiking the Boucher Hill Loop

  • Hiking the Thunder Spring and Chimney Flat Loop

Some important notes: Please don't take anything home except memories and photographs. All features are protected, and disturbing or collecting is not allowed... even pine cones. Leave any historical artifacts you might find alone and report the location to park staff. An artifact “out of place” is historical knowledge lost.

Trails are open to foot traffic only. Dogs, horses and mountain bikes are not allowed on trails. However, dogs on a 6' leash are permitted on Myers Fire Road which begins on the east side of Doane Valley Campground.  (See map. Starts beside Campsite #9.) For an excellent review of this much overlooked trail, see San Diego trail expert Priscilla Lister's blog found at TakeAHikeSanDiego.com.

THINGS TO DO:     HIKING     PICNICKING     FISHING     CAMPING     FEATURES & SITES OF INTEREST
BOUCHER HILL & HISTORIC FIRE TOWER     SPECIAL EVENTS     TIPS TO ENJOY YOUR VISIT     CHECK THE WEATHER


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We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!

Contact the park       COntact FPMSP

Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park, a Non-profit
501(c)(3) charitable association, California Registry
of Charitable Trusts ct0210608


  • Welcome!
  • Things to do
    • Hiking
    • Picnicking
    • Fishing
    • Camping
    • Features & sites of interest
    • Boucher Hill & Historic Fire Tower
    • Special events at the park
    • Tips to enjoy your visit
    • Check the weather
  • About the park
    • A special place >
      • Cultural history
    • Hours & fees
    • Directions
    • Maps & brochures
    • Help protect the park
    • Dogs & other pets
    • Contact the park
  • News & Events
  • About Friends of PMSP
    • Who we are
    • Our board
    • History of FPMSP
    • Contact us
    • Important links
  • Support Palomar
    • Invest in a legacy
    • Donate