While Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District recognizes the importance of keeping recreation, fishing and camping accesible to as many people as possible, rising costs across all aspects of operations requires us to make some changes to our pricing. As a special district that receives no tax funding, one of the only of it's type in the entire state, our operating costs must be covered entirely by our revenue generated by fishing, camping,  access and other fees and services.  We recognize that many people are facing financial challenges, but in order to prevent Lake Cuyamaca from going the way of many other lakes and parks at this time, we have to make some adjustments to continue to offer everything the District has become known for over the last 50+ years.

 

Recently the District changed prices for boating for the first time in nearly two decades. The cost of maintenence, gasoline, staffing and insurance have risen significantly over those nearly 20 years and we have held off on adjusting prices as long as we could. In adjusting the prices we have made sure to stay competitive with pricing at other lakes.  Prices for boats have been updated on the boating page.

 

In the last 10 years, our cost per pound on trout has risen nearly %40, and it has been longer than that since we have made any adjustment to fishing permit prices.  Additionally in reiewing catch numbers and other factors, the age for the free fishing permit will be adjust as below. 

 

Effective August 1st, 2026 - fishing permit prices will change as follows:

 

• Adult, 16 and older: $12.00
• Youth, 6 to 15: $7.00
• Child, 5 and under: Free (Must be accompanied by paying adult)
• Senior (65+), disabled, first responder & military/veteran: $7.00
• Military Youth, 6 to 15: $3.00

 

We intend to have our camping and lodging prices remain the same through this season and the off-season at the end of the year, but again costs for insurance, maintenence and cleaning have increased and we may have some minor adjustments in spring of 2027.

 

We appreciate all of our new and returning guests, and we hope to be albe to continue to offer such a special place for many years to come.