Mount San Jacinto State Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Humber Park Lawler County Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mount San Jacinto State Park is located in Southern California and covers an area of approximately 14,000 acres.

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Summary

There are many reasons to visit the park, including hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and black bears.

One of the main attractions of the park is the San Jacinto Peak, which is the second-highest peak in Southern California. Visitors can reach the peak by hiking the popular Skyline Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Other popular hiking trails in the park include the Marion Mountain Trail and the Deer Springs Trail.

The park is also home to several campgrounds, including the Idyllwild Campground and the Stone Creek Campground. These campgrounds offer a range of amenities, including fire rings, picnic tables, and restrooms.

In addition to hiking and camping, the park offers a range of other activities, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and fishing. There are also several picnic areas and scenic overlooks throughout the park.

One interesting fact about Mount San Jacinto State Park is that it is home to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which is the world's largest rotating tramcar. The tramway takes visitors from the desert floor to the mountain station, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.

The best time of year to visit the park depends on your interests and activities. The park is open year-round, but the summer months can be very hot, so it is best to visit in the spring or fall. Winter is also a popular time to visit, as the park offers skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.

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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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