DOANE VALLEY NATURE TRAIL
High up on the west side of Palomar Mountain, the 1,862-acre Palomar Mountain State Park offers nature walks, hiking trails, picnic spots, a fishing pond, as well as a campground.
The popular Doane Valley Nature Trail, is an easy 1-mile trail that leads through a meadow and forest setting. The trail loops around Doane Pond and crosses both Rattlesnake Creek and Doane Creek. The cool spring water that flows through the pond joins French Creek which eventually becomes part of Pauma Creek in the Lower Doane Valley, ultimately flowing into the San Luis Rey River, which meets the sea in Oceanside. From squirrels and deer to herons, blue jays and woodpeckers, there’s a variety of bird and wildlife to experience as well as a diverse array of plant life that ranges from wild roses, dogwoods and thimbleberries to white alder, California black oak and incense cedar trees.
Palomar Mountain State Park is located at 19952 State Park Rd., Palomar, CA 92060. Visit our Palomar Mountain Guide and for more information, call 760-742-3462 or visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=637
JIGSAW PUZZLE: Watch our Big Blend Video “60 Seconds of a #OneHourWalk Palomar Mt. State Park,” and then enjoy piecing together this online jigsaw puzzle of Doane Pond. Use the full screen icon to make it easier. Use your mouse roller or arrow keys to rotate the puzzle pieces and click and drag to put the pieces in place. Use the Image Icon to see the picture and the Ghost Icon to set your workspace.
![]() |
![]() |