Mount San Jacinto State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount San Jacinto State Park |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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Rock formation and trees seen from Round Valley trail in winter
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 Mount San Jacinto State Park
Location in California
Mount San Jacinto State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Riverside County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Idyllwild, California |
| Area | 14,000 acres (5,700 ha) |
| Established | 1927 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Mount San Jacinto State Park is a beautiful natural area in California, United States. It's located in the San Jacinto Mountains, which are part of a larger group of mountains called the Peninsular Ranges. Most of this park is also part of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. This park is a great escape for people living near the big cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.
Exploring Mount San Jacinto's Heights
This state park is home to the mighty Mount San Jacinto. This mountain reaches an amazing 10,834 feet (3,302 m) above sea level! That makes it the second highest peak in all of Southern California. Imagine standing on top of such a tall mountain!
You can reach the top of Mount San Jacinto in a fun way: by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This tramway lifts you high above the desert floor, offering incredible views. The park is also a part of the famous Pacific Crest Trail, a very long hiking path that stretches across the western United States.
Who is Newton B. Drury Peak Named After?
Inside Mount San Jacinto State Park, there's another peak called Newton B. Drury Peak. This peak is named after a very important person, Newton B. Drury. He was the fourth director of the U.S. National Park Service, which is the group that manages many of America's national parks. He also spent a long time leading the Save the Redwoods League, an organization that helps protect giant redwood trees.
Understanding Park Closures: The 2011 Budget Crisis
Sometimes, even state parks face challenges. In 2011, Mount San Jacinto State Park was one of 48 state parks in California that were almost closed. This happened because the state government was facing a big money problem, called a "state deficit." A deficit means the government didn't have enough money to pay for everything it needed.
Back in 2008, the governor at the time, Arnold Schwarzenegger, first suggested closing parks to save money. Later, during a tough time for the state's money (the 2008–10 California budget crisis), the state's lawmakers (called the "legislature") looked closely at how state parks were funded. In 2011, the legislature and Governor Jerry Brown passed a new law. This law, called Assembly Bill 95, meant that the park had to close temporarily on certain days to save money. Luckily, the park is now fully open for everyone to enjoy!
