San Diego/Orange County Long Beach
Full Lunar Eclipse & Mineral Pools Campout
Sun March 1 - Tues March 3, 2026 @ Agua Caliente County Park
Overview
You're invited to join Great Outdoors San Diego (GOSD) at Agua Caliente County Park for a relaxation filled 2 nights. We will enjoy a nearly empty park over these weeknights, relaxing in the geothermally heated springs mineral pools (an indoor 102 °F therapeutic spa with adult only hours in the evening), a sun deck outside the pools for lounging, and late night fires before the full lunar eclipse. Amenities include coin-pay showers and hot spring-fed pools.
Agua Caliente County Park is a 910 acre park just west of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in eastern San Diego County.
Schedule
Sunday 3/1/26
2 PM - Check in after 2 PM
5 PM - “Happy hour” - Come say hi to follow campers and enjoy the waning hours of sunset. Bring your own meal/beverage of choice.
6-9 PM - Adult only mineral pool time!
9 PM - Group Bonfire
Monday 3/2/26
Breakfast - on your own
9 AM - Optional hike(s). Bring a packed lunch. The hike specifics will be determined as the trip gets closer and we have a better sense for where the best viewing will be. Other hike(s) or outings may also be offered depending on interest levels and degree of difficulty of hikes, i.e., easy, moderate, strenuous. Some possibilities include Mud Caves, Domelands and Wind Caves, Ghost Mountain, Cold Canyon or other regional gems.
3 PM - Time in the pools at camp
5 PM - Sunset Social Hour - Bring your own meal/beverage of choice.
6-9 PM - Adult only mineral pool time!
9-11 PM - Group Bonfire
12 AM - Optional Scorpion Hunt
2-4 AM - Full Lunar Eclipse (3-4am, with 3:30am peak)
Tuesday 03/16/25
Breakfast - on your own
10 AM - Time for another dip in the pools or a short hike - and packing and cleaning up the camp sites.
12 PM - Check Out.
Campground Rules and Regulations
A complete listing of campground rules and regulations may be found here:
http://www.sdparks.org/content/dam/sdparks/en/pdf/BrochuresMiscellaneous/2017_Agua_Caliente_Campground_Handout_FINAL.pdf
Here are some of the more common rules:
Pets - Are permitted if they are quiet, properly restrained and under the control of the owner. Dogs must be licensed, restrained on a leash not longer than six feet, and attended at all times. Dogs are not allowed in cabins or on trails. There is a $1 per night fee for each pet, which is not included in your GOSD registration payment. It is payable upon check-in at the campground.
Quiet Hours- 10 PM - 8 AM
Campfires – Completely Extinguished by 11 PM
Smoking- Is not allowed in Agua Caliente County Park.
Alcohol - Alcoholic beverages are permitted provided the alcohol content does not exceed 20%.
What to Bring
- Quarters for showers
- Pool gear (towel, swimsuit and water shoes)
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunblock, lip block)
- One bundle of firewood
Contact - If you have any questions not addressed by the information above or on our registration page, please feel free to contact the trip leaders:
Tyler Roosden @ 651.497.1611 or Michael Millan @ [email protected]
*Note on the 10 essentials - The 10 essentials are a collection or system of items that significantly increase your safety on any hike or outdoors trip. This is not an exhaustive list of anything you could ever need. You can visit the link included
Here.
Cancellation and Refunds
You may cancel your reservation and receive a full refund up to 3 weeks before the trip start date, unless your spot is replaced with another camper.
Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement
Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please contact GOSD to explore accommodations including equipment available for lend or sponsorships for events.
Health Problems/Allergies
It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with a trip leader if you wish.
For full Agua Caliente County Park information - View the Agua Caliente County Park brochure or map at the following links:
http://www.sdparks.org/content/dam/sdparks/en/pdf/BrochuresMiscellaneous/AguaCalienteBrochure.pdf
http://www.sdparks.org/content/dam/sdparks/en/pdf/BrochuresMiscellaneous/2016%20Agua_Caliente_Campground_Handout_FINAL_9_13_16.pdf
