Highwood Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Kunkel Park Vista La Mesa Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Highwood Park is located in the state of California and is a popular tourist destination.

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Summary

There are several good reasons to visit the park, including its scenic beauty, diverse wildlife, and numerous outdoor activities. The park features several points of interest, including the Highwood Creek Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Other notable attractions include the Highwood River, the Highwood Pass, and the Highwood Ridge.

Visitors to Highwood Park can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, and elk. In addition, there are several picnic areas and campgrounds located throughout the park.

Interesting facts about Highwood Park include that it is the highest paved pass in Canada, with an elevation of 2,206 meters above sea level. The park is also home to several endangered species, including the western toad, the western screech owl, and the grizzly bear.

The best time of year to visit Highwood Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is open for outdoor activities. However, visitors should be aware that the park is also popular during the fall months, when the leaves change color and the wildlife is active.

In conclusion, Highwood Park is a beautiful and diverse destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you are interested in hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, or simply enjoying the scenic beauty of the park, Highwood Park is definitely worth a visit.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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