Rancho Cuyamaca State Park
When is Rancho Cuyamaca State Park?
Rancho Cuyamaca State Park takes place on Saturday, October 10, 2026 in Julian, CA.
What distances does Rancho Cuyamaca State Park offer?
Rancho Cuyamaca State Park offers 3 events: Traditional - Beginner, Traditional - Intermediate/Advanced, Traditional - Advanced/Expert.
| Event | Distance | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional - Beginner | — | $15.00 | Register |
| Traditional - Intermediate/Advanced | — | $15.00 | Register |
| Traditional - Advanced/Expert | — | $15.00 | Register |
How much does Rancho Cuyamaca State Park cost?
Registration for Rancho Cuyamaca State Park starts at $15.00. Prices vary by event distance.
Where is Rancho Cuyamaca State Park held?
Rancho Cuyamaca State Park is held in Julian, CA at 12551 CA-79.
About Rancho Cuyamaca State Park
Just one hour east of San Diego lies Cuyamaca Rancho State Park — 24,000 acres of oak woodland, pine forest, sweeping meadow, and mountain vista. It's prime territory for a day of orienteering, whatever course you choose. Pick the challenge that fits you: a beginner-friendly loop, or a more demanding Intermediate/Advanced (mostly off-trail) or an Advanced/Expert route. New to navigation? We'll walk you through the basics at check-in, and if you don't have a compass, we'll loan you one free. 🧭
New this year: two start locations:
- Beginner course: start and finish at HQ.
- Intermediate and Advanced courses: use a remote start at Stonewall Mine.
A shuttle runs continuously from the HQ to the remote start, and the ride takes about 10 minutes. See Course Notes for more details.
Event Team:
- Event Director: Dana Borie
- Course Setter: Ori Auslender
- Visit the Volunteer page to learn how to help with the event.
- See "Volunteer" at the top right of the page. 🔝
- Volunteers get up to a $20 credit for a race to cover their registration fee.
- Volunteer roles explained in detail
Format: Traditional
Map: scale: see Course Notes | 5m contours
Courses: Beginner, Intermediate/Advanced, and Advanced/Expert
- Beginner: 2 km as the crow flies, 30m of altitude
- Intermediate/Advance: 4 km as the crow flies, 110m of altitude, mostly off-trail
- Advanced/Expert: 7.4km as the crow flies, 185m of altitude, mostly off-trail
- See Course Notes for more details
Starts: 10am to 11am
Time Limit: Two and half hours. All competitors must return to HQ and download by 1:30pm so we know you are safe. If you don't check in before leaving, volunteers will search the course to ensure you are not lost. Please check in before you leave.
Scoring: Electronic punching will be offered. All participants must bring, rent, or purchase one. Controls will be AIR+ enabled.
E-Punches: Rental electronic punches will be available for $5. Alternatively, you can purchase your own e-punch at our gear store for delivery to the event (use "000000" when registering).
Clinics: An introductory clinic will be offered at 9:45 am. An experienced orienteer will teach you the basics.
Registration: All participants must pre-register. All standard SDO registration policies apply.
Fees:
- $20 for adults, $10 for juniors (under 21), free for kids 11 and younger.
- $5 early bird discount through midnight, Saturday, Sep 19th.
Closes: Registration will close at 10 am on Friday, Oct 9th, or when we reach our limit.
Entry Limit: This event is limited to 100 participants. See the "Find a Participant" tab to see the registration list.
HQ Location: 32°57'37.6"N 116°34'47.8"W - use this link for driving directions
Stonewall Mine backup parking location: link
Parking: There is a good amount of parking at the state park. After you pay the $10 entrance fee, veer to the right to enter the parking lot.