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Los Padres National Forest Camping

3 reviews
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Los Padres National Forest - Damian Gadal
Photo: Damian Gadal
Los Padres National Forest - ccreitz
Photo: ccreitz
Los Padres National Forest - uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs
Photo: uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs
Los Padres National Forest - uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs
Photo: uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs
Los Padres National Forest - Bonnie Moreland (free images)
Photo: Bonnie Moreland (free images)

Campgrounds

Campgrounds in Los Padres National Forest

Arroyo Seco

Los Padres National Forest

Ballinger Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Campo Alto Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Cerro Alto Campground

Los Padres National Forest

China Camp Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Chuchupate Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Davy Brown Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Escondido Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Fremont Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Holiday Group Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Kirk Creek Campground

Los Padres National Forest

La Panza Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Los Prietos

Los Padres National Forest

Mcgill Campground And Group Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Memorial Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Middle Lion Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Mt Figueroa Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Mt Pinos Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Navajo Flats Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Nira Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Paradise Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Pine Mountain Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Plaskett Creek Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Ponderosa Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Reyes Creek Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Reyes Peak Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Rose Valley Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Sage Hill

Los Padres National Forest

Turkey Flat Ohv Staging Area

Los Padres National Forest

Upper Oso Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Wheeler Gorge

Los Padres National Forest

White Oaks Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Overview

A brief introduction to Los Padres National Forest

The Dick Smith Wilderness is a wilderness area in the mountains of eastern Santa Barbara County, California, United States, with a portion in Ventura County. It is completely contained within the Los Padres National Forest, and is northeast of the city of Santa Barbara and north of the city of Ojai. It is most easily accessible from two trailheads off State Route 33, which runs north from Ojai. It is adjacent to the large San Rafael Wilderness on the west and the Matilija Wilderness on the south. Across Highway 33 to the east, and also in the Los Padres National Forest, is the large Sespe Wilderness.
The wilderness is named after Santa Barbaran Dick Smith, who was a reporter, photographer, historian and pioneer in environmental journalism for the Santa Barbara News-Press. Smith spent more time in these remote regions of Santa Barbara County than anyone, covering the area on horseback and accompanied by his dog. In recognition of Dick's personal pursuit to preserve the wild back country the area was named in his honor, and the U.S. Congress created the wilderness in 1984 as part of the California Wilderness Act.

Read more about Los Padres National Forest at Wikipedia

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Other nearby parks

Open to camping at other nearby parks? Here are a few other parks you'll find in the vicinity.

Reviews

Camper reviews for Los Padres National Forest

Aka Raccoon Creek

We loved our time at Kirk Creek, and thanks to Campnab we were able to book Halloween weekend. We had site 7, one of the premium sites on the grassy bluff overlooking the ocean. It was peaceful and the weather was perfect. The only reason it gets 4 stars is because we’ve never seen a camp so overrun by raccoons. They were very humanized and came right up to my tailgate when I was cooking. They weren’t afraid of the dogs either.

Brittany kirkland
Brittany kirkland reviewed Los Padres National Forest
on November 21st, 2023

The very best of Big Sur

We had the most incredible experience staying at this campground. The views from every site are second to none. The campground is relatively small, which keeps it quiet and very peaceful. An absolutely epic road (Naciamento-Fergusson Rd) directly above the campground serves as a hefty climb for road bike enthusiasts. There is no water at the campground, so be sure to bring your own. No wifi or cell service nearly anywhere in Big Sur or along that stretch of HWY 1, so plan ahead. Diesel can also be scarce, so fill up before you get there.

Jen Rose
Jen Rose reviewed Los Padres National Forest
on May 31st, 2023

Most Beautiful Campsite Ever!

This hidden gem of a small central California coast campground was absolutely the most picturesque I’ve ever seen, with pretty much every campsite having stellar rugged Pacific coastline views. Our campsite #22 was particularly beautiful because of it’s direct overlook of the beach below and a huge tree providing shade and privacy. Great for tent or small trailer camping, as well as for day sojourns to Big Sur and Carmel - my wife and I cherished the ocean sunsets and stunning scenery.

Jeffrey P Jones
Jeffrey P Jones reviewed Los Padres National Forest
on May 13th, 2023

Map

View a map of Los Padres National Forest

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