Inaja Memorial Picnic Site

Facility · California ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Cleveland National Forest (NF) · Open Access

3,321 ft
Elevation

 

Distance

Offers a 0.5 mile trail

Pets Allowed

Yes

Fees

None

Hike Time

30 minutes to 2.5 hours

Difficulty

Easy

Best Seasons

All Seasons

Location

On Hwy 78 East of Santa Ysabel

Ranger District

Palomar Ranger District - (760) 788-0250


The Inaja Memorial Picnic area was established to memorialize the 11 firefighters who lost their lives battling the 60,000-acre Inaja Fire in 1956. With an elevation of 3440, the higher altitude offers year round cooler temperatures, and great views of surrounding mountain ranges. Besides the beautiful mountain scenery, this site offers a quiet tranquil setting that creates a great environment for afternoon family picnics, with connecting trails, interactive site seeing activities and scenic areas. For more information on the Inaja and connecting trails, please see our Inaja Trail Recreation page. For a more detailed look at this trail, read our Spotlight: Inaja Trail

 

Getting there

33.09806, -116.66389 · 33°5'53.0"N 116°39'50.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Aug, down to 52°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F535458626979868681716052
Low °F393941434755636257504338
Precip in4.75.33.91.90.80.10.20.30.31.12.33.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Inaja Memorial Picnic Site

Can you reserve a site at Inaja Memorial Picnic Site?
No. Inaja Memorial Picnic Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Inaja Memorial Picnic Site

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.