Camping and Hiking at Beautiful Lake Morena in Backcountry San Diego

Lake Morena County Park is a great place to camp and play. This park is on a beautiful reservoir. This is one of the best stargazing locations in So. Cal. The park has water, showers, firewood, fire rings, and bathrooms. Pets are allowed if leashed. Quiet hours are between 10 PM and 7 AM.

The park has tent sites, RV pads, and cabin. Reserve your own site but join me for a campfire at site 68. Reservations can be made on line at the link below.

https://reservations.sdparks.org/reservation/camping/index.asp

We will post a hike for Saturday and Sunday in the nearby area. The campout is intended to facilitate these hikes. The campout and hikes are posted as separate meetup events. You can camp without hiking and hike without camping. Separate meetup RSVPs are required for each event.

Beyond hiking, there is a lot of things to do instead or in addition to hiking. The park encompasses a large reservoir. Motor boats and row boats available for rent. One can bring their own kayaks or other boats can launch for a small fee. (Be advised that the first time I took my kayak, they made me wash off the sea salt before they would let me use it in the reservoir.) The reservoir is stocked with fish. You can fish from shore or rent a boat. A fishing license is required. You can get a fishing license at the link below. (I recommend getting the license and saving it to your phone before you are at the park because cell service is spotty at the park,)

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing

To find out more about boats, lake access, and the park follow the link below.

https://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/LakeMorena.html

Star gazing is excellent at Lake Morena. I personally think it is better than Joshua Tree or Borrego Springs, which are two of my other favorite star gazing spots.

If you aren't a tent camping fan. They have cabins and RV sites available. Reservations at 877/565-3600. If you stay in a cabin or rent a RV site, please join us at the Youth Area site for our group dinner and campfire.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Orange County, take Interstate 5 south toward San Diego.... past Del Mar take 805 south.... take Interstate 8 east approximately 45 miles.... take Buckman Springs Road heading south 7 miles.... Turn west 2 miles on Oak Drive.... turn right on Lake Morena Drive to the Lake Morena County Park entrance. Address 2550 Lake Morena Drive, Campo, CA 91906 Distance from Orange County is approximately 120 miles. Drive time is approximately two hours. Consider car pooling to make the trip part of the adventure.

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.