Campground Closures

Everyone, by now, has heard of the State Park closures. You may or may not be aware that the State Parks’ budget has been slashed by millions of dollars every year for the last few years. This has resulted in campground closures, layoffs, seasonal closures of certain parks, or sections of parks. Last winter Palomar Mountain State Park was closed over the winter.

I found out last night that campgrounds at Palomar Mountain State Park will be closed on Sunday, Oct 2. Four days from this writing. Unless unexpected funds are made available, Palomar’s campgrounds will remain closed through the scheduled closure of the park itself in July, 2012. Day use will remain open. And Palomar’s upcoming events; “Fall Clean Up & Restoration” – Sat, Oct 8th, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m, and an “Apple Festival” – Sun, Oct 23rd, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m, will not be affected by the closure, and will proceed as planned.

In addition, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park’s Green Valley campground, Horse Camp, and day use area will also be closing on Sunday Oct 2, through July of 21012. Normally these areas would close at the end of November.

Any outstanding reservations for those campgrounds will be given the option of a refund, or to transfer the reservation to another campground. Closing a campground is the result of employees being laid off. Campgrounds themselves are full every weekend, and all summer.