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Activities around Kumeyaay

KUMEYAAY LAKE CAMPGROUND is open for camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through August 31, 2008. Campers must depart Monday by 12 Noon. The KUMEYAAY LAKE CAMPGROUND is CLOSED for camping on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday through August 31st.

AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2008, the campground will be open on Friday and Saturday nights ONLY. Campers must depart Sunday by 12 Noon. The KUMEYAAY LAKE CAMPGROUND will be CLOSED for camping on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Mission Trails Regional Park encompasses over 6,000 acres of both natural and developed recreational acres. Its rugged hills, valleys and open areas represent a San Diego prior to the landing of Cabrillo in San Diego Bay in 1542.

Be sure to visit the Field Guide or Trail Guide areas of the park's website to plan your excursion into Mission Trails Park.


Upcoming Events
  • Trail Guide walks start from the Kumeyaay Campground Entry Station on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month (weather permitting) at 8:30 a.m. Trail Guides choose from three trails:

    On the Kumeyaay Lake walk, you are surrounded by cottonwood and sycamore trees growing along-side dense willow thickets, the habitat of the endangered least Bell's vireo. On the walk to Old Mission Dam, a registered historic site, you learn the story of San Diego's early efforts to achieve a reliable water supply. The Oak Canyon Trail takes you along a narrow streambed with seasonal waterfalls and colorful wildflowers.

    Walks start from the Visitor Center each Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. (weather permitting). Trail Guides choose from three different trails or the Native Plant Garden near the building. Come on out to enhance your appreciation of our open space and the unique beauty of San Diego's natural environment.

    Walks last up to an hour and a half and are free to the public. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are also recommended.


  • Get your exercise for the day AND help make a difference at the same time! How? By coming out to lend a hand on one of our Volunteer Work Crews:

    Habitat Restoration Crew - 2nd Saturdays
    June 9, July 14, Aug.11, Sept.8
    Trail Improvement Crew - 3rd Saturdays
    June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15
    Park Beautification Crew - 4th Saturdays
    June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22

    In June, all crews meet by the flag poles in front of the Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. and work until approximately 12:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Beginning in July, work crews will meet at 7:00 a.m. and work until approximately 11:00 a.m. (weather permitting).

    Please bring work gloves and wear long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are also recommended on sunny days. Water and donuts are provided! For more information, please call (619) 668-3281.

  • Join members from the San Diego Astronomy Association on the 2nd Friday of each month (weather permitting) at the Kumeyaay Campground Day Use Parking Lot, from sunset to 10:00 p.m. Telescopes will be available for you to view the stars and planets!

    June 8
    July 13
    Aug 10
    Sept 14
    Oct 12
    Nov 9
    Dec 14


  • Join Mike Wellik on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 8 to 10:30 a.m. for an adventure in Bird Watching! If you have binoculars and/or a field guide, please bring them along.

    Dates/Locations:
    July 20 Owl Prowl (* FRIDAY NIGHT - 7:30pm, meet at Visitor Center)
    Aug 18 East Fortuna Staging Area ( meet in parking lot off Mast Blvd)
    Sept 15 Old Mission Dam ( meet in Old Mission Dam parking lot)
    Oct 20 Kumeyaay Lake Campground (meet in Day Use Parking Lot)
    Nov 17 Visitor Center Loop ( Meet in front of Visitor Center)
    Dec 15 Lake Murray (meet in parking lot off Kiowa Drive)


  • Join Trail Guide Winona Sollock for a 90-minute class to learn five simple techniques for identifying birds at a glance. You will also learn how to use a field guide, so if you have one, bring it with you. Meet in the Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month.

    Dates:
    June 30
    July 28
    August 25
    September 29
    October 27

    NO PROGRAM IN NOV & DEC



  • Join resident star gazer, George Varga, and his telescope at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground to view the stars and planets. Meet at the far end of the Day Use Parking Lot (weather permitting). In consideration of others, no white light flashlights or lanterns near the telescope, please.

    Dates/Times:

    Jan 19 5:00 p.m.
    Feb 16 5:00 p.m.
    Mar 15 6:00 p.m.
    Apr 12 7:00 p.m.
    May 17 7:00 p.m.

    (NO PROGRAM JUNE - SEPTEMBER)

    Oct 25 6:30 p.m.
    Nov 15 5:00 p.m.
    Dec 13 5:00 p.m.



  • Ant-Sized Adventures!
    Bring your "ant-sized," preschool children (ages 2-5) out to Mission Trails Regional Park's Visitor and Interpretive Center, on the 3rd Thursday & Friday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m., to enjoy an "Ant-Sized Adventure!"

    Each adventure will explore the magic of our natural world here at the park on a short hike and include a group storytime, songs, and arts-and-craft project to make and take home.

    * PLEASE NOTE:
    There is a $2.00 fee per child and PRE-registration is REQUIRED, at least 48 hours in advance, as space is limited. Sorry, NO REGISTRATION ACCEPTED DAY OF PROGRAM.

    Please bring along water and a snack. (Sunscreen and hat optional.)
    For more information, contact David Lee at (619) 668-3278, or dlee@mtrp.org

    Dates:
    September 18 & 19 :Lizards & Snakes
    October 16 & 17: Bats
    November 20 & 21: The Kumeyaay People before 1769
    December 18 & 19: Mule Deer
    January 15 & 16, 2009: Coyote, Gray Fox, Bobcat, & Mountain Lion
    February 19 & 20, 2009: Opossum
    March 19 & 20, 2009: Woodrat
    April 16 & 17, 2009: Rabbits & Flora
    May 21 & 22, 2009: Birds
    June 18 & 19, 2009: Spiders & Bugs
    July 16 & 17, 2009: Raccoons & Skumks
    August 20 & 21, 2009: All Animal Review with Songs, Games, and Hike!






Camping at Kumeyaay

Where: Mission Trails Regional Park, Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, off Mission Gorge Road.

Facilities: Forty-six (46) space primitive (Dry) campground. Each site features a concrete fire box, concrete picnic table, mulch covered tent area, drive-in parking area (back-in parking is prohibited at 14 sites). The lower numbered sites (1-18) are closer to Kumeyaay lake, generators are prohibited April 15th to September 15th. The campground has clean restrooms and solar heated showers. A day use, and over flow, parking area is east of the campground. There is also a dump station.

Cost: $14.00 per site, with one vehicle; $4.00 each additional vehicle; $3.00 for each pet; maximum stay, four consecutive days, closed Tuesday through Thursday.

Activities: The campground is part of more than 5,800 acres of chaparral, oak woodlands, mountains and grasslands that make up Mission Trails Regional Park. There's limited fishing in Kumeyaay lake for bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and carp. The park has over 40 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. There's also good bird watching throughout the park, especially at the lake.

Comment: Well designed campground for self-contained RVs and tent camping. Family friendly with lots of interpretive programs and an amphitheater for day and night entertainment. The hiking, biking and horseback riding opportunities make it a great staging area for exploring Mission Trails Regional Park. Due to the proximity of Kumeyaay Lake and the San Diego River, we reserve the right to cancel reservations if deemed necessary for public safety due to mosquitoes.

Due to a decreased level of staffing we do not take reservations over the phone. For reservations please use the online reservation system at the top of this page. Click on "Flash Version" or "Non-Flash Version". For questions, comments or problems with the website please call 619-668-2748. Sites are also available first come, first serve. All campsites are subject to change.


Cancellation Policy

Reservations must be canceled 14 days in advance of reservation date. Fees are not refunded for late cancellations.
Reservation Fees:

Fees for multiple sites or reservations will be paid in one form of payment (No Partial Payments) (i.e. cash, check, credit card) for the total balance due.



KUMEYAAY LAKE CAMPGROUND
RULES, REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION

For your safety and enjoyment, as well as that of other campers, you are required to adhere to the following rules and regulations, as well as those posted throughout the rest of Mission Trails Regional Park. Violators may be evicted and/or cited.
  • Check-In Time is 2 p.m./Check-Out Time is 12 p.m. If you wish to extend your stay, please register with Park Staff by 9 a.m. Extended stays will be permitted as space allows.
  • Campsites may be reserved for a maximum of 4 days with no more than 6 occupants per site. Tents and ground stakes are permitted in tent mulch areas only. Tents must be at least 6 feet from the fireboxes. Vehicles must park on hard surface only and are not permitted on tent mulch area.
  • Bicycles are restricted to the paved asphalt areas only within the campground. Bike racks are supplied for your convenience. Please follow direction of traffic.
  • Firearms, projectile weapons of ANY type, and hunting are not permitted anywhere in the campground or within Mission Trails Park. Possession of any weapon of any kind is prohibited.
  • Fires are permitted in designated fireboxes only, using fire materials limited to charcoal, wood or paper. All other materials are prohibited. Fire materials are not provided and must be brought in. Fires exceeding a height of more than 12 inches above the upper edge of the fire box are prohibited, and materials must be wholly contained within the inside edge of the fire container. Fires MUST be attended and extinguished after use. Fireworks are prohibited. Barbecues must be placed on solid surface only and not on the dirt, tent mulch area, or ground. A catch basin/drip pan must be used.
  • Fishing is permitted from sunrise to sunset. Shoreline fishing only. No floats, boats or tubes are allowed in the lake, or anywhere in the San Diego River. A Fishing License is required for those over 16 years of age. No fish cleaning at lake or in sinks. Catch and release is recommended.
  • Food should not be left out unattended during the day or over night. Please secure it in your vehicle.
  • Generators may operate between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. in sites 25 to 47 only, between September 16 and March 14. (No generator usage permitted March 15 through September 15.)
  • Hobbies/Games of Sport are not allowed in the park, where no area is set aside for it. This includes, but is not limited to: football, baseball, soccer, frisbee, kite flying, metal detecting, paint ball, use of remote control vehicles, etc.
  • Natural Features and Archaeological Resources are fully protected and may not be damaged, injured or removed. Any gathering of dead and downed wood is prohibited. Do not tie, tape, hang, nail, screw or staple ropes or wire, or otherwise attach your tents to trees.
  • Noises that are loud or disturbing, such as music, voices, etc., which can be heard beyond your immediate campsite, are not permitted at any time. No person shall disturb another between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Violators may be evicted from future camping.
  • Pets, are welcome if kept properly under control by the owner. An extra fee is required. Dogs must be licensed, kept on a leash no longer than 8 feet, and attended at all times. You must pick up after your pet (plastic bags are provided). Animals must be in your tent or camping unit at night. Vicious or noisy pets are not permitted. Only Guide Dogs are allowed inside the restroom facilities.
  • Trash, including garbage, cigarettes, paper, cans, etc., should be placed in the proper receptacles.
  • Visitors are welcome from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and must park in the Day Use area.
  • Vehicles must park within the parking area of your campsite. One vehicle is allowed per campsite. Extra vehicles are permitted for an additional fee if they safely fit at your campsite, as determined by Park Staff. Extra vehicles and visitors may park in the Day Use area at no additional cost.
  • Speed Limit is 5 mph for vehicles within the campground.
  • Wastewater must be disposed of in the approved Dump Station and never poured out on the ground. Dump Station is for the use of registered campers only. Key must be obtained from Entry Station.
  • Youth under the age of 18 years of age must be accompanied by an Adult Guardian while camping.
  • Alcoholic Beverages AND Glass Containers are NOT permitted in the campground or anywhere within the park at any time.
  • Wildlife is protected. It is unlawful to feed any wildlife.
  • Unauthorized Vehicle Use (i.e., electric or gas powered golf carts, motorized scooters, etc.) is not permitted within the campground at any time. Violators will be cited.


 

Mission Trails
Regional Park


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