Lake Cuyamaca

Lake Cuyamaca

If you are looking for a perfect day trip in the San Diego area, look no further than Lake Cuyamaca. The lake itself is only about 30 minutes from our El Cajon resorts, and 10 minutes from Julian, a quaint town known for its excellent apple pie.

Fishing at Lake Cuyamaca

Lake Cuyamaca is an absolutely beautiful place to visit and it is the only mountain lake in San Diego. Although the lake is small, the backdrop is anything but—and neither are the trout found here. Lake Cuyamaca is stocked with rainbow trout all year long, so you can enjoy fishing no matter the season. Not to mention the native variety of bluegill, smallmouth bass, crappie, and sturgeon that make the lake their home. This lake has good shoreline fishing opportunities, which leads many to use it for fly-fishing purposes. That said, boats are allowed and often preferred.

Humans aren't the only ones that enjoy fishing on the lake. A beautiful pair of bald eagles reside in the highest pine tree near the lake, and they often swoop down to catch fish. There are hundreds of bird species that make Lake Cuyamaca their home and bird watchers come each season to see the different birds that reside by the lake.

Hiking, Kayaking, and Canoeing

If fishing isn't your cup of tea, canoeing, float tubing, and kayaking are fun activities you can do out on the lake! And if you would rather stay on dry land, there is no better way to experience the overall beauty of Lake Cuyamaca than a hike around the lake's perimeter. Don't forget to bring some food to have a picnic after a day of hiking and kayaking! There are picnic tables and barbecues for guests to use, so you can enjoy a meal in the great outdoors!

Special Events

Be on the lookout for special events that occur annually at the lake. December brings the beginning of duck hunting season and there are children's fishing derbies planned in the fall. You can even get married at Lake Cuyamaca, for those looking for a picturesque location in the East County of San Diego.

After a long day of fun at the lake, you'll be ready to return to the comfort of home. Our RV resorts are your basecamp to visit attractions all over San Diego, without sacrificing cleanliness, safety, and excellent amenities.

Lake Cuyamaca is closest to our three El Cajon resorts: Circle RV Resort, Oak Creek RV Resort, and Vacationer RV Park.

Click here to explore more lakes in San Diego.