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Agua Caliente County Park
Category: Active Life Parks Parks [Edit]
39555 Great South Stage Route of 1849Julian, CA 92036
(760) 765-1188
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
10 reviews for Agua Caliente County Park
10 reviews in English
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Review from AL S.
1/2/2012
I just came back from camping here and had to give a review. I had camped in Julian the night previous, and was feeling like I wanted to go home when we got here, tired, grumpy and not feeling it. After my boyfriend really wanted to stay I decided hey why not. I am glad we did. I love this campsite! I dont know why there are so many negative reviews!
The ranger lady is super nice, and helpful. When we asked if she knew any good rock hounding sites nearby she let us inside and showed us a map. We had used up most of our wood the night before, so there is a small store about half a mile down the road. They have wood, ice, beer (7.99 for coors, 10.99 for newcastle, corona....), and lots of organic brand snacks! There is also a nice little book section with a decent selection as well as some gemstones and minerals!
The campsite is along a long road the S2 which has several other campsites as well, but none as amazing as this one. There was a decent amount of people camping, but not overcrowded or too noisy. There were a decent mix of older folks, young people and families. The only downside was one screaming child near our campsite but we drowned them out with our music. Our campsite was ( I think) the best one. Secluded, surrounded by trees and had a clear view of the sky for stargazing.
There are 3 pools, one outdoor which is not heated. I thought they were all hot springs so I was suprised when the water was ice cold. It would be nice to have the hot springs outside so you can look at the stars! The indoor pool is a donut shape with seats on the outside and the small inner circle in the middle. This is quite crowded. Not exactlty a great spot to share an intimate moment or get away from it all. There is also a small 2.5 foot deep pool for the kids on the upper level.
Overall we had a great experience and I will definately be comming back soon!
p.s. try the short .25 (all uphill) overlook hike for a beautiful view of the desert and the campsite below! -
Review from Rick K.
San Diego, CA
11/22/2011
I forgot the website for this park so I googled it and noticed there was a Yelp listing with reviews. I noticed that there were a fair amount of negative ones and wanted to make sure those reading this that the complainers and whiners are not valid here.
Yes, there are times when we come and there are a few too many kids screaming and running around, but I consider that I was a kid awhile back and loved to do just what they were doing. In fact, going to campgrounds and running around are some of my best childhood memories. So my advice is to either run around with them, bring earplugs or, better yet, get off your lazy butt and go for a hike. You will find the peace and the desert vistas you are craving away from the campground - and you don't have to go far. Take the Moonlight trail which is flat and easy if you are lazy, but keep going and ready yourself for a great circular hike that brings you back to the campground. And wear sensible shoes or you'll be whining about having to climb some rocks.
Yes the pools are sterilized and echoey due to the enclosure, but I'm sure the whiners would complain that they were smelly and full of leaves and sticks if they were natural pools. I do miss the old quonset hut they had before the glassed in greenhouse was put in, but alas, it does have a fresh air sunroof.
In the past, dogs were not allowed, but that changed a few years ago, so we come alot more than before. This is the only campground where you come home cleaner than when you left because of the soaking, swimming and showering. I have been to this campground about 50 times since moving to San Diego. I consider it a jewel in the crown of our county and would weep if it were to close due to budget cuts. -
Review from Chef L.
San Diego, CA
11/14/2011
We loved our spot at this campground. It was a good hookup with trees between us and the other camper. The location is surrounded by huge rocks and the tent site area has some GREAT rocks for big and small kids to climb, just keep an eye out all the time.
The "hot spring" pool isn't anything very natural at all. It's for 13 and older and it's an enclosed circular pool with a seat in the middle and around the outside rim. It feels great no doubt. Try and go when it's "quiet" because the echo of people talking is NOT relaxing at all. It would be great perhaps if they offered up a quiet hour. The last thing this tired mom of two under 4 needed was a LOUD experience. That aside it was nice to take turns with my hubby and soak the tired feet for a bit.
Showers, bathrooms, old school playground, fire rings. This is nature, go for a hike and enjoy time with family and friends. Bring the bikes too if you like the campground is bike friendly for big and small.
Note to those with tents at the tent sites, you are in a LOT of wind. I do not recommend arriving at night and trying to put up a big tent. Tall tents are not advised due to the high winds, in my opinion. Several of our friends moved their tents or slept in their cars because the wind didn't allow them to sleep.
That said, go and have fun and get dirty, the shower when you get home is SO worth it all. -
Review from Ann L.
Updated - 3/28/2010
We car camped at Agua Caliente Reg. Pk from Sat 3/20-Tues 3/23, 2010. V. picked campground #111 which I thought was a bit far for the bathrooms, but it was still ok.
The site is suppose to have drinking water, but when we went it was all closed because of some bacteria in the water. That was bad for us because we then had to find drinking water to cook with. Garbage can next to the site.
Lots of frogs making noises at night so didn't sleep all that much.
We didn't use the indoor spa or 2 outdoor pools. They have showers there that are FREE but the hrs are 9:30am-5pm, Fri & Sat open later. Sometimes they lock it after 5pm, othertimes not. They do have showers that you can pay money 2min for .25c, but V. found out those weren't working when he wanted to use it so went to the FREE shower instead.
Still, I'll recommend it if going to Anza Borrego SP or you live in San Diego County.
Website:
http://www.co.san-dieg...Listed in: cool places that not many have…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/19/2008 First to Review
We stayed here for 1 night so we could explore Anza-Borrego Desert SP. It was a nice campsite. We… Read more »
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Review from Sherrie G.
Los Angeles, CA
3/22/2010
I hate to give 2 stars to a park when our federal, state and county parks are all hurting so bad from terrible budget cut-backs. But I would definitely not recommend you camp here if you loathe:
- Packs of screaming, screeching, happy little monster-kids
- The sight of rows of huge RVs blocking your view of the desert horizon
- Being surrounded by 3-4 other bustling campgrounds
Very little privacy. Too many RVs. We bought a day pass on our first two days of camping so we could soak in the geothermal hot springs and take a decent shower (our much quieter & nicer campground at Vallecito Stage Coach campground is shower-less) and I am really glad we did not camp here.
Beware this place if you love **the solitude** of the desert!Listed in: Camping around California
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Review from Ric B.
San Diego, CA
3/25/2009 4 photos
My family used to go here to camp in the late 70's and early 80's. I returned with my gf a few weekends ago, and it was a blast.
We hiked the Moonlight trail, the Marsh trail, and the Desert Overlook trail, much fun. Also soaked in the hot baths. We built a nice fire and made smores, mmmmm. Good times.
One cool thing was the grills attached to the fire rings. You should bring some wood and something to clean the grill with, and of course some meat to grill. I grilled some hot dogs that I brought, but if I would've known about the grills I would've brought a steak or two.
Our campsite was near the stream and we heard tons of frogs at night. When I was a kid there were raccoons, but we did not see any. I did hear some coyotes barking at sunrise and that was pretty cool. Can't wait to go back. We stayed at site # 25. -
Review from Donna M.
El Cajon, CA
1/16/2012
Just got back from our 3rd trip from this amazing place! We are in our 40's with kids and absolutely love this place. Once you drive in you know the cell phones won't work,no internet..no work!-(Drive west on the S-2 20 minutes and you have great service) The park has different hook-up sites and all of them have beautiful views of all the mountains. The hotspring pools are fun for all. Very clean, well maintained park.
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Review from T L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/30/2011
This was so disappointing. I expected geo-thermal hot springs in a natural setting. What you get is a YMCA-like hot tub and swimming pool. While the water is naturally hot, it is full of chlorine and feels just like the gym. The water isn't even very hot. It's a spa-size hot tub with older folks talking about religion and politics. There's also a campground for RV's and a playground. Not for nature enthusiasts seeking natural hot springs.
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Review from Lori G.
Newbury Park, CA
4/26/2010 4 photos
Arrived on a Thursday for a four day stint in late April. Went for the wildflowers. Still abundant but earlier would have been better. Did not go for the mineral springs which were nice after a long hike. Seems there was a misunderstanding from another reviewer about the pools. They are fed from a natural spring into the various pools, the strong sulpher smell should be your first clue. But this is not a place to sit in a "Nature made" hot spring and soak, I have done that before and trust me you need canoes and permits, so not on a path this well beaten. We enjoyed the campground that was pretty empty mid week but by Friday and Saturday it was noisy and packed, the tent sites are close. We did day trips to go explore and saw some great surrounding areas in both Julian and Borrego Springs which looked like Palm Springs might have been 60 years ago before the rainbow bars and Spring breakers. The sulpher smell to the pools and all the running water would be off-putting to many city dwellers who dont expect that but it is to be expected in a true mineral spring water. Also I guess I didn't read the fine print but no doggies are allowed ANY where on the trails.
We woud definitely go back, but NOT on a weekend. -
Review from Alissa G.
San Diego, CA
4/13/2010
I do not prefer to camp so close to other campers so I cannot give this a raving review. On the other hand, hot tubs and indoor swimming - Yehaw! I say camp in sollitude further south and make a day trip to the springs for a soak.
