Los Padres National Forest

Camping and Day Use

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Santa Lucia Ranger District (805) 925-9538

Photos of the district.

Recreation.gov

Please be safe around all bodies of water and at the beach. General Safety Tips When Around Water (19Kb pdf). More Recreational Opportunity Guides are available online for additional information.

The campgrounds in this table are accessible by passenger car. The Forest has numerous other campgrounds which are accessible by hiking, horseback riding, or other means. These campgrounds can be located on our visitor maps.

Please note: Firearms must not be discharged from a road, across a road, across a body of water, or within 150 yards of a campground or inhabited area. Most land in Los Padres National Forest is open to hunting, however, discharge of firearms is prohibited in some areas. Contact the appropriate Ranger District office for information on specific areas.

Recreation Symbol Legend

Name	Sites	Amenities and Activities
American Canyon Seasonal Camp	14
Baja Camp	1
Barrel Springs Camp	6
Bates Canyon Camp	6
Brookshire Camp	2
Buck Spring Camp	2
Catway Day Use	1
CerroAltoCampground	22
Colson Canyon Camp	5
Cumbre Day Use (photo)	1
Davy Brown Campground (photos)	13
Figueroa Campground (photos)	33
Figueroa Lookout Day Use (photos)	2
Friis Camp	3
Hi Mountain Camp	11
Horseshoe Camp	3
La Panza Camp	15
Lazy Camp	2
Miranda Pine Camp	3
Navajo Camp	2
Nira Campground (photos)	11
Pino Alto Day Use (photos)	5
Wagon Flat Camp	3

Santa Maria Area Campsite Descriptions

American Canyon Campground:
Location: Pozo/La Panza Area
Description: Located among oaks and chaparral vegetation.
Number of Sites: 14 units
Directions: From San Luis Obispo: Hwy 101, 8 miles north to Hwy 58, 3 miles east, Pozo Rd. 19 miles east, Pozo-Branch Mtn. Rd. 7 miles southeast, Forest road 30S04 2 miles northeast.
Activities: Hunting, horseback riding, trailhead to Machesna Mountain Wilderness.
Facilities: Vault toilet, RV or trailers no longer than 25', barbecue or fire ring and table.
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site. See Seasonal Use.
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: YES - Open for vehicle access during deer rifle season for 6 weeks, usually 2nd week in August through September, check with district. Campground year-round may be accessed by non-motorized means (hiking) through Machesna Mountain wilderness from Pine Mountain.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Baja Campground:
Location: Rockfront Area
Description: Large oak-shaded camp on the banks of Alder Creek.
Number of Sites: 1 unit
Directions: From Santa Maria: Hwy 166 25 miles east, Branch Creek Rd. 3 miles northwest.
Activities: Hunting, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle opportunities.
Facilities: Pit toilet, table, barbecue or fire ring
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: No fee.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Water not available; bring your own.

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Barrel Springs Campground:
Location: La Brea Area
Description: Adjacent to La Brea Creek. Located in canyon bottom, surrounded by oak trees.
Number of Sites: 6 units
Directions: From Santa Maria: Betteravia Rd. 7 miles east, Mesa Rd. 4.5 miles east, Tepusquet Cyn. Rd. 4.5 miles north, Colson Cyn. Rd. 8 miles southeast.
Activities: Hunting, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle opportunities.
Facilities: Barbecue or fire ring and table, vault toilet
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Seasonal closures, check with Santa Lucia Ranger District (805) 925-9538.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Bates Canyon Campground:
Location: Cuyama Area
Description: Nestled in a grove of large oaks and sycamores.
Number of Sites: 6 units
Directions: From Santa Maria: Hwy 166 50 miles east, Cottonwood Cyn. Rd. 7.5 miles southwest.
Activities: Hunting, access to Sierra Madre Ridge and San Rafael Wilderness.
Facilities: Barbecue or fire ring and table each site, vault toilet
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Brookshire Campground:
Location: Pine Canyon Area
Description: Nestled in the oaks. Provides opportunity for those seeking solitude.
Number of Sites: 2 units
Directions: From Santa Maria: Betteravia Rd. 7 miles east, Mesa Rd. 4.5 miles east, Tepusquet Cyn. Rd. 4.5 miles north, Colson Cyn. Rd. 17.5 miles northeast, Forest Rd.
Activities: Hunting, off-highway vehicle opportunities.
Facilities: Primitive toilet, table, barbecue or fire ring
Special Rules:
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Seasonal Closures, check with Santa Lucia Ranger District (805) 925-9538.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Buckspring Campground:
Location: Off Highway 166 about 2 miles on a dirt road
Description: Off-highway vehicle area. Located among oaks and chaparral vegetation.
Number of Sites: 1 unit
Directions: Take Highway 166, turn onto Forest road 30S022 and travel 2 miles on a dirt road.
Activities: Off-highway vehicle area, hunting.
Facilities: Pit toilet
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site. Check with California Fish and Game for hunting season in the area
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Catway Day Use:
Location: On the Catway Road overlooking Santa Ynez Valley
Activities: Picnicking, pretty vistas, hiking opportunities along the road.
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or or Golden Eagle, Age or Access Passport.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Cerro Alto Campground:
Location: Off Highway 41, northern portion of Santa Lucia District. Morro Bay area.
Description: Nestled in oak and sycamore trees with gentle creek flowing through the campground.
Number of Sites: 22 units
Directions: From Atascadero: Highway 41, 8 miles southwest, campground road, 1 mile south east.
From Morro Bay: Highway 41, 8 miles northeast, campground road ahead 1 mile.
Activities: Camping, hiking, horseback riding.
Facilities: Wheel chair accessible, vault toilets, Barbecue/fire rings, drinking water, picnic table, RV's up to 30 feet
Special Rules:Designated Campfire Use Site
Fees: Concession managed campground, $18.00 a night. Two cars and 6 people maximum per site.
Concession managed by Parks Management Co. (805)434-1996 or (805) 434-9199. Website http://www.campone.com
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Trash service provided. Bring your own water.For information call Park Management Company (805) 434-1996.

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Colson Canyon Campground:
Location: Sisquoc Area, Colson Canyon
Description: Nestled in the oaks. Close to the community of Santa Maria.
Number of Sites: 5 units
Directions: From Santa Maria: Betteravia R. 7 miles east, Mesa Rd. 4.5 miles east, Tepusquet Canyon. Rd. 4.5 miles north, Colson Cyn. Rd. 4.2 miles.
Activities: Hiking, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking
Facilities: Barbecue or fire pit, picnic table
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Cumbre Day Use:
Location: Located among the pines high on Figueroa Mountain
Number of Sites: 1 unit
Activities: Picnicking
Facilities: Primitive toilet
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Davy Brown Campground:
Location: Sunset Valley Area, close to San Rafael Wilderness
Description: Nestled in the oaks. Davy Brown Creek runs through the campground. Davy Brown Fir Canyon Trail starts at the campground and continues to Figueroa Mountain Road; nice day hike.
Number of Sites: 13 units
Directions: From Hwy 154: Armour Ranch Rd./Happy Cyn. Rd. 11 miles northeast to Cachuma Saddle, Sunset Valley Rd. 4 miles north.
Activities: Fishing, hiking, hunting. Near access to San Rafael Wilderness
Facilities: Table, barbecue or fire ring, RV's (maximum 25'), hiking, fishing, vault toilet
Special Rules:Designated Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Nearest supplies and gasoline at Los Olivos. Low water may degrade fishing in summer. Bring your own water.

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Figueroa Campground:
Location: Figueroa Mountain Area
Description: Located in a stand of pine and large Manzanita.
Number of Sites: 33 units
Directions: From Hwy 154: At Los Olivos take Figueroa Mtn. Rd. 12.5 miles northeast.
Activities: Hiking, hunting, scenic views, mountain biking
Facilities: Camping, RV's up to 25', hiking, wheelchair accessible, vault toilets
Special Rules: Designated Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Nearest supplies and gasoline at Los Olivos. Bring your own water.

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Figueroa Lookout Day Use:
Location: Site is located atop Figueroa Mountain adjacent to the fire lookout.
Description: Panoramic view of San Rafael Wilderness and the Santa Ynez Valley.
Number of Sites: 2 units
Activities: Picnicking
Facilities: Primitive toilet
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Friis Campground:
Location: Pozo/La Panza Area
Description: Nestled a large grove of oaks. Fairly isolated campground.
Number of Sites: 3 units
Directions: From Santa Margarita: Pozo County Rd. 22.5 miles east, Forest Rd. 29S02 4 miles northeast, non-designated Forest Rd. 1 mile north.
Activities: Hunting, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle opportunities
Facilities: Primitive toilet, barbecue or fire ring, table
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Hi Mountain Campground:
Location: Pozo/La Panza Area
Description: Nestled in large grove of oaks. Close to the Santa Lucia and Garcia Wildernesses.
Number of Sites: 11 units
Directions: From San Luis Obispo: Hwy 101, 8 miles north, Hwy 58, 3 miles east, Pozo Rd. 16 miles southeast, Forest road 30S05, 4 miles southwest. Alternate route: 10 miles northeast of Arroyo Grande Forest Service Station off Pozo-Hi Mountain Rd.
Activities: Hunting, near access to Santa Lucia and Garcia Wilderness, off-highway vehicle opportunities
Facilities: Table, barbecue or fire ring, vault toilet, trailer up to 16 ft
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: All year, see note under helpful hints.
Helpful Hints: Forest Road 30S05 may be impassable when Salinas River is high, use alternate route noted above. Bring your own water.

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Horseshoe Campground:
Location: Pine Canyon Area
Description: Nestled in large grove of oaks. Campground provides solitude for those seeking that type of experience.
Number of Sites: 3 units
Directions: From Santa Maria: Betteravia Rd. 7 miles east, Mesa Rd. 4.5 miles east, Tepusquet Canyon. Rd. 4.5 miles north, Colson Cyn. Rd. 17.5 miles northeast.
Activities: Hunting, off-highway vehicle opportunities
Facilities: Vault toilet, table, barbecue or fire ring
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Seasonal
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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La Panza Campground:
Location: Pozo/La Panza Area
Description: Nestled in large grove of oaks. Close proximity to off-highway vehicle opportunities and access to Machesna Mountain Wilderness.
Number of Sites: 15 units
Directions: From Santa Margarita: Hwy 58, 3 miles east, Pozo Rd. approximately 26 miles east, Forest road 29S18, 1.5 miles east. Alternate route: Hwy 58, 26 miles east, Navajo Rd. 3 miles south, Pozo Rd. .5 miles east.
Activities: Hunting, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle opportunities, near access to Machesna Mountain Wilderness
Facilities: Vault toilets, barbecue or fire ring, table, RV's (no longer than 16')
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Lazy Campground:
Location: Pozo/La Brea Area
Description: Off-highway vehicle camp. Accessible only by high clearance vehicle. Campground provides solitude for those seeking that type of experience.
Number of Sites: 2 units
Directions: From Santa Maria: Betteravia Rd. 7 miles east, Mesa Rd. 4.5 miles east, Tepusquet Canyon. Rd. 4.5 miles north, Colson Cyn. Rd. 10.2 miles northeast, Forest road 30W29 1 mile east.
Activities: Hiking, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle opportunities
Facilities: Primitive toilet, barbecue or fire ring, table
Special Rules:
Fees: No fee.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Seasonal access.
Helpful Hints: Need high clearance vehicle to access camp. Bring your own water.

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Miranda Pine Campground:
Location: Pine Canyon Area
Description: Nestled in the pines. Nice vistas of the Cuyama Valley.
Number of Sites: 3 units
Directions: From Santa Maria: Hwy 166, 25 miles northeast, Sierra Madre Ridge 10 miles southeast.
Activities: Hunting, mountain biking, scenic views
Facilities: Primitive toilet, barbecue or fire ring, table
Special Rules:
Fees: No fee.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Navajo Campground:
Location: Pozo/La Panza Area
Description: Nestled in large grove of oaks. Good campground for those who are interested in OHV activities.
Number of Sites: 2 units
Directions: From Santa Margarita: Hwy 58 3 miles east, Pozo Rd. 21 miles southeast, Forest road 29S02 4 miles east.
Activities: Hunting, off-highway vehicle opportunities
Facilities: Primitive toilet, table, barbecue or fire ring
Special Rules:
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Nira Campground:
Location: Sunset Area
Description: Nestled in large grove of oaks. Manzana River runs through the campground. Trailhead for San Rafael Wilderness.
Number of Sites: 11 units
Directions: From Hwy 154: Armour Ranch Rd./ Happy Canyon Rd. 11 miles northeast to Cachuma Saddle, Sunset Valley Rd. 6 miles north.
Activities: Fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, major trailhead into San Rafael Wilderness
Facilities: Wheelchair accessible toilet, table, barbecue or fire ring.
Special Rules: Designated Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Open all year.
Helpful Hints: Low water may degrade fishing in summer. Bring your own water.

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Pino Alto Day Use:

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Wagon Flat Campground:
Location: Colson Canyon Area
Description: Adjacent to La Brea Creek. Located in canyon bottom, surrounded by oak trees.
Number of Sites: 3 units
Directions: From Santa Maria: Betteravia Rd. 7 miles east, Mesa Rd. 4.5 miles east, Tepusquet Canyon. Rd. 4.5 miles north, Colson Cyn. Rd. 10 miles northeast.
Activities: Hunting, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle opportunities
Facilities: Primitive toilet, table, barbecue or fire ring
Special Rules: Campfire Use Site
Fees: Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.
Reservations: First come, first served.
Seasonal Use: Seasonal Access, call District Office (805) 925-9538 .
Helpful Hints: Bring your own water.

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Recreation Symbol Descriptions

US Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest
Last Modified: 03/06/08