Traci from the former blog, Walk Simply, camped overnight at one of the cabins in the Heise Park and wrote this wonderful guest post about the playground for Fun Orange County Parks readers:
William Heise Park is a San Diego County Park. At 4200 ft. above sea level, Heise Park encompasses over 900 acres in the Laguna Mountain Range. The park offers tent, caravan, and cabin camping as well as a day use area, playground, and hiking trails.
My family spent the weekend cabin camping at William Heise Park and visiting the nearby mountain town of Julian, CA. We had fun searching for the wild turkeys that live in the park and hiking the diverse Cedar Trail. Throw in a playground and you have a recipe for weekend fun.
Playground description: The playground equipment has one large main play structure consisting of three slides, a climbing wall with rope, balance beam, a kids zip line (glider), obstacle type climbing apparatus, and bouncing steps. A second structure has four swings. Bark covers the ground and a few benches surround the playground. A small grassy area encompasses the playground and separates the bathrooms and cabins.
Highlights:
- Bathrooms are nearby
- Playground equipment is on the newer side
- Close to the day picnic area
- Located in a beautiful, remote park
Be Aware:
- No shade covering playground area.
- The picnic area nearby is surrounded by trees providing ample shade.
- No baby swings
- No sand or rubber floor. The ground is bark.
- This is a wilderness area. Be prepared.
This is not a destination playground, but rather a place for the kids to play while visiting Julian or camping at William Heise County Park. The drive is about 2-2.5 hours from Orange County.
Fun facts:
- Heise County Park usually receives winter snow at least once each season. The park is open year round and you can rent cabins in the snow.
- In 2003, Over 70 percent of the park burned in the Cedar Fire, but the forest landscape is making an incredible comeback and makes for a wonderful nature lesson for anyone who visits.
Location:
Situated five remote miles from the quaint mountain town of Julian, CA, Heise County Park is a beautiful place to getaway from it all, yet still be close enough Julian to spend some time there as well. The playground is located near the entrance of Heise Park and near two of the fourteen cabins and the day picnic area. Several more camping/cabin loops are further back in the park along with hiking trails and grassy spaces.
Park Address: 4945 Heise Park Road, Julian, CA 92036
Park Information (hours, reservations, cost, phone number, directions, and weather)
County of San Diego: William Heise County Park
About Traci
Traci loves to walk, sometimes with the kids and sometimes without. Walk Simply showcased these walks through writing and photos with the hope of inspiring others to go outside and walk, enjoy the little things, and view the world up close.
She says: "I am elated to write this post for Michele at Fun Orange County Parks. Not only is she a kind, helpful outdoor friend, but I have referred to her blog many times searching for fun Orange County parks. I am grateful to her and excited to share a park my kids played at during a fun weekend getaway."
