Where to Go Camping Guidebook
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WHERE TO GO CAMPING GUIDE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2011 Edition Published By The Tiwahe Lodge Order of the Arrow San Diego-Imperial Council Boy Scouts of America 1207 Upas Street San Diego, CA 92103 Eighth Edition of the “Where To Go Camping Guide” Published By Tiwahe Lodge San Diego-Imperial Council – Boy Scouts of America Edited: January, 2011 i Forward THE ORDER OF THE ARROW “Where To Go Camping Guide” One of the purposes of the Order of the Arrow is “to promote Scout camping and to help strengthen the District and Council camping program. Toward this purpose Tiwahe Lodge presents the current “Where To Go Camping Guide”. The Guide has been prepared to help unit leaders of the San Diego-Imperial Council find quality camping opportunities for their Scouts. The Lodge assembled the information contained herein from the websites of the San Diego-Imperial Council, San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department, National Park Service, and U.S. National Forest Service. Most of the sites listed in the Guide have a current Website address. The sites have been grouped according to the agency that operates them. All photos are the property of the appropriate park service. The information in the Guide is subject to change without prior notice. Tiwahe Lodge has no control over fees and/or camp availability. All agencies have the right to refuse admission to their facilities. While every effort has been made to provide the most current information, we urge the reader to contact the proper agency before you leave for fees, reservations, required documents and/or latest information. Always remember to call ahead and “Be Prepared”! The Guide was provided to encourage you to explore new and wonderful places in nature. Suggestions are welcomed, including new sites that should be included, corrections to site data or additional information. Please send comments to the Lodge. We acknowledge and thank the many dedicated Scouters whose tireless efforts made the Guide possible. Happy Camping! Tiwahe Lodge San Diego-Imperial Council 1207 Upas Street San Diego, CA 92103 ii Table of Contents Credit ……………………………………………………………………………………………………...i Forward …………………………………………………………………………………………………...ii Use Policy BSA Wilderness ……………………………………………………………………………...1 Leave No Trace Principles ……………………………………………………………………………….4 The Order of the Arrow …………………………………………………………………………………..9 Cub Scout Camping ……………………………………………………………………………………11 San Diego-Imperial Council Camps …………………………………………………………………….13 Camp Balboa ……………………………………………………………………………………..14 Youth Aquatic Center and Camp Fiesta Island …………………………………………………..15 Mataguay Scout Reservation ……………………………………………………………………..16 Camp General Information ……………………………………………………………………….17 Cub Scout Family Camping Locations …………………………………………………………..28 County of San Diego Parks ……………………………………………………………………………...29 Agua Caliente ……………………………………………………………………………………30 Dos Picos ………………………………………………………………………………………..31 Guajome …………………………………………………………………………………………32 Hellhole Canyon ………………………………………………………………………………...33 Lake Morena …………………………………………………………………………………….34 Louis A. Stelzer …………………………………………………………………………………35 Potrero …………………………………………………………………………………………..36 Sweetwater Summit ……………………………………………………………………………..37 Vallecito …………………………………………………………………………………………38 William Heise …………………………………………………………………………………...39 Regional Parks …………………………………………………………………………………………..40 Santee Lakes …………………………………………………………………………………….41 Helix Water District ……………………………………………………………………………………42 Lake Jennings …………………………………………………………………………………...43 U.S. Bureau of Land Management ……………………………………………………………………...44 Coon Hollow …………………………………………………………………………………….45 Corn Springs …………………………………………………………………………………….46 Cottonwood ……………………………………………………………………………………...47 Lark Canyon …………………………………………………………………………………….48 Mittry Lake Wildlife Area ………………………………………………………………………49 Oxbow …………………………………………………………………………………………...50 Senator Wash North Shore ………………………………………………………………………51 Senator Wash South Shore ………………………………………………………………………52 Squaw Lake ……………………………………………………………………………………...53 Wiley’s Well …………………………………………………………………………………….54 California State Parks …………………………………………………………………………………...55 Arroyo Seco ……………………………………………………………………………………..56 Borrego Palm Canyon …………………………………………………………………………...57 Bow Willow ……………………………………………………………………………………..58 Culp Valley ……………………………………………………………………………………...59 Fish Creek ……………………………………………………………………………………….60 Granite Springs ………………………………………………………………………………….61 Green Valley Falls ………………………………………………………………………………62 Mt. Palm Springs ………………………………………………………………………………..62 Palomar Mountain – Doane Valley ……………………………………………………………...64 Paso Picacho …………………………………………………………………………………….65 San Elijo Beach ………………………………………………………………………………….66 Silver Strand State Beach ………………………………………………………………………..67 South Carlsbad Beach …………………………………………………………………………...68 Tamarisk Grove …………………………………………………………………………………69 Yaqui Wells ……………………………………………………………………………………..70 U.S. National Forest Service ……………………………………………………………………………71 National Forest Adventure Pass ………………………………………………………………...72 Cleveland National Forest ………………………………………………………………………74 Agua Dulce ……………………………………………………………………………………...76 Boulder Oaks ……………………………………………………………………………………77 Burnt Ranchero ………………………………………………………………………………….78 Cibbets Flats …………………………………………………………………………………….79 Crestline …………………………………………………………………………………………80 Dripping Springs ………………………………………………………………………………...81 El Prado ………………………………………………………………………………………….82 Fry Creek ………………………………………………………………………………………..83 Horse Haven ……………………………………………………………………………………..84 Indian Flats ………………………………………………………………………………………85 Laguna …………………………………………………………………………………………...86 Oak Grove ……………………………………………………………………………………….87 Observatory at Palomar ………………………………………………………………………….88 Boy Scout Camps of California …………………………………………………………………………89 Southern California ……………………………………………………………………………...90 Other Scout Camps in California ………………………………………………………………..93 BSA National High Adventure Bases …………………………………………………………………...96 BSA Council High Adventure Bases ……………………………………………………………………96 HAWAIIAN ISLAND ADVENTURE…………………………………………………………………..97 Camp Pupukea…………………………………………………………………………………...98 ii BSA Wilderness Use Policy For the purposes of this policy, all privately or publicly owned backcountry and designated wildernesses are to be considered "wilderness." The Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America applies to outdoor behavior generally, but for treks into wilderness, Leave No Trace camping methods must be used. Within the outdoor program of the Boy Scouts of America, there are many different camping-skill levels. Camping practices that are appropriate for day outings, long-term Scout camp, or short-term unit camping do not apply to wilderness areas. Wherever they go, Scouts and Venturers must adopt attitudes and patterns of behavior that respect the rights of others, including future generations, to enjoy the outdoors. In wildernesses, it is crucial to minimize our impact on particularly fragile ecosystems such as mountains, lakes, streams, deserts, and seashores. Since our recreational use varies from one season of the year to the next, we must adjust to these changing conditions as well, to avoid damaging the environment. The Boy Scouts of America emphasizes these practices for all troops, crews, and ships planning to use the wilderness: Contact the landowner or land-managing agency (Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agency, private landowner, etc.) well in advance of the outing to learn the regulations for that area and to obtain required permits and current maps. Always obtain a tour permit, available through local council service centers. Meet all conditions specified and carry the permit on the trip. Participate in Leave No Trace training for adult leaders, or be proficient and experienced in the leadership and skills required for treks into the wilderness. Match the ruggedness of high-adventure experiences to the skills, physical ability, and maturity of those taking part. Save more rugged treks for older youth members who are more proficient and experienced in outdoor skills. For your group, conduct pre-trip training that stresses proper wilderness behavior, rules, and skills for all of the conditions that may be encountered. Use backpacking stoves, particularly where the fuel supply is limited or open fires are restricted. An adult knowledgeable in the use of the stove(s) must supervise. If a fire is necessary, keep it as small as possible and use established fire lays where available in safe areas. After use, erase all signs. Emphasize the need for minimizing impact on the land through proper camping practices, and for preserving the solitude and quiet of remote areas. Camp at low-use areas; avoid popular sites that show signs of heavy use. Leave dogs, radios, and cassette or CD players at home. Use plastic (not metal or glass) food containers that are lightweight and reusable. Carry out unburnable trash of your own and any left by others. 1 Dig cat holes for latrines and locate them at least 200 feet from any source of natural water. Wash clothes, dishes, and bodies at least 200 feet from any source of natural water. Where a choice is available, select equipment in earth-tone colors that blend with natural surroundings. Look at and photograph; never pick or collect. Follow trail switchbacks and stay on established trails. Treat wildlife with respect and take precautions to avoid dangerous