Observatory Campground

When’s the last time you tried your hand at some good ol fashioned trout fishing? If it was a while ago or even yesterday, the Department of Fish and Game consistently stocks Palomar Mountain State Park’s Doane Pond with trout year round, so you can go and get to anglin’. You can find the most recent planting schedule here, while the best fishing can be done during the winter, spring, and early summer (thankfully not during those peak months). Remember that fishing is not permitted at night and that classic CA Fishing License is required per California norm. While you’re there, enjoy some of the informal picnicking areas right by the pond, they call for a beautiful day out on Palomar Mountain. We also ask that, in accordance with State Park requests, you do not fish in the creeks below the pond, as they are home to some native fish species that are on the verge of complete extinction. Hate to put a downer on it all, but just stick to the pond and those trout and everyone will be happy!

Let’s get down to the real business of Palomar Mountain SP, and that’s the gorgeous multitude of hiking trails available for every trip of trekker. Enjoy the wide variety of jaunts that take visitors through magical Sierra-like terrain covered with lush coniferous and densely wooded oak forests up to some of the highest elevations in the San Diego area. You can choose something not too strenuous, such as the Doane Valley Nature Trail, or try your hand at some of the other treks available. On pretty much any of the paths you take you’ll find yourself at spectacular vista points with panoramic views both westerly toward the ocean and inland toward the desert. One example is the Boucher Hill Summit which has been listed in the Sierra Club's "Hundred Peaks Section" since first published in 1946.

If you have the guts to venture out into the remote Barker Valley in the corner of Palomar Mountain, you’ll be rewarded with hidden swimming holes. Granted, you’d have to have the skills of a mountain goat to get through the steep terrain, but what’s a reward without some challenge, right? You can find some directions here.

OK, what’s a dense forest without some great wildlife accompaniment? It’s like a musical without music. Thankfully the musical that is Palomar Mountain State Park is chock full of great “songs” of all types (aka species). Keeping in line with this song theme, let’s start with the avian community that inhabits the mountain. Avid bird-watchers can observe spotted owls, bald and golden eagles, western bluebirds, and many others. Our next quartet features some of the land mammals that are common: mule deer, gray foxes, coyotes, and the ever elusive mountain lion. Not bad eh? Well, let’s close it off with a finale of insects and plant life. Visitors usually come across flowering trees including western dogwood, azalea and wild lilac, and buttercups and penstemons in the meadow area. The park also is home to the gorgeous Pale Swallowtail and Skipper butterfly.