Exploring The Los Padres National Forest

Over 1000+ Cataloged Locations

Location specific weather reports, recent camp and trail surveys, water data and much more.

Hiking Trails

Explore the hiking trails of the Los Padres National Forest. Combine trails to make loop trips, discover new trails for backpacking, or find new areas to explore.

205 Hiking Trails

• Fremont Trail
• San Antonio Trail
• Middle Sespe Trail
• Chorro Grande Trail
• Santa Cruz Trail

View All 205 Trails →

Camps and Campgrounds

This updated list on camps enables you to find a new camp to visit anytime; we have included all car campgrounds and trail camps in this section.

293 Camps

• Last Chance Camp - Sespe
• Hard Luck Campground
• Valley View Camp
• Big Pines Camp - Ventana…
• Cottonwood Campground

View All 293 Camps →

O.H.V. Trails

We got you covered on the O.H.V areas, including Google maps view of all trails, slope gains and losses, so you can be prepared for your next off road adventure.

56 OHV Trails

• Cold Springs OHV Trail
• Ballinger Route 29 OHV…
• Mare Spring OHV Trail
• Yellowjacket OHV Trail
• La Panza Bypass OHV Trail

View All O.H.V. Trails →

206 Dirt Roads

• Plaskett Ridge - Forest…
• Frazier Mtn - Forest…
• Sand Dollar Dua - Forest…
• Quatal Canyon - Forest…
• Squaw Flat - Forest Rd…

View All 206 Roads →

111 Peaks

• Miller Mountain
• Three Peaks
• Topatopa Peak
• Shell Peak
• Nordhoff Peak

View All 111 Peaks →

174 Springs

• Pine Spring - San Guillermo…
• Peach Tree Spring
• Willett Hot Springs
• Cold Spring - Ventana
• Sulphur Spring - Branch…

View All 174 Springs →

Latest Camp Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Mono Campground Survey - 1-1-2024 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Mono Campground
Date:	1-1-2024
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Historic video showing the construction of the Mono Debris Dam from 1936, enjoy! https://archive.org/details/CCCAtMono1936
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Miller Camp Survey - 12-20-2024 - by Will

Link:	Miller Camp
Date:	12-20-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:	Several sections of trail between Sycamore and Miller were washed out or difficult to find.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Lots of water in river near camp.
Weather Conditions:

Manzana Schoolhouse Camp Survey - 12-19-2024 - by Will

Link:	Manzana Schoolhouse Camp
Date:	12-19-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Lots of Water in both Sisquoc and Manzana.
Weather Conditions:

Water Canyon Camp Survey - 12-18-2024 - by Will

Link:	Water Canyon Camp
Date:	12-18-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Lots of water in river near camp.
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 12-18-2024 - by Will

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	12-18-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:	Much of the trail between Miller and Mormon is washed out where it crosses the creek. Found it easiest to hike up the creek for much of this section.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Plenty of water in river next to camp.
Weather Conditions:

Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 12-18-2024 - by Will

Link:	Abel Canyon Camp
Date:	12-18-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Lots of water in river near camp.
Weather Conditions:

Sycamore Camp Survey - 12-17-2024 - by Will

Link:	Sycamore Camp
Date:	12-17-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:	Trail was well marked with Cairns and streamers at every creak crossing between Sycamore and South Fork.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Plenty of water in river next to camp.
Weather Conditions:	Mid 70s and sunny.

White Ledge Camp - San Rafael Wilderness Survey - 12-16-2024 - by Will

Link:	White Ledge Camp - San Rafael Wilderness
Date:	12-16-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Steady trickle enough to filter 1/4 mile before the camp.
Weather Conditions:

South Fork Camp - Sisquoc Survey - 12-16-2024 - by Will

Link:	South Fork Camp - Sisquoc
Date:	12-16-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Plenty of water in river next to camp.
Weather Conditions:	Low 70s during the day mid 40s at night.

Upper Santa Ynez Camp Survey - 12-14-2024 - by Antonio Calderon

Link:	Upper Santa Ynez Camp
Date:	12-14-2024
Surveyor Name:	Antonio Calderon
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	65 F, Drizzle

Latest Trail Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Pratt Trail Survey - 12-19-2024 - by bardley

Link:	Pratt Trail
Date:	12-19-2024
Surveyor Name:	bardley
Trail description:	from the trailhead at stewart debris basin, following the single track to the end of foothill road, the trail is in open without obstruction and in good condition. cozy dell road, from the end of foothill road to the cozy dell road / pratt trail single track junction, is open without obstruction. above this junction pratt trail's single track has several issues to be aware of. crossing the "slide" has been remedied by a series of 4x4 pressure-treated wooden steps hold the dirt steps in place. above the turn off to valley view camp there are two inside corners that have narrow treads - use caution here. and above valley view turnoff the single track is encroached by vegetation. opposing sides have not yet touched.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	good shape and easy to follow - needs some work

Madulce Peak Trail Survey - 12-07-2024 - by Antonio Calderon

Link:	Madulce Peak Trail
Date:	12-07-2024
Surveyor Name:	Antonio Calderon
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Lion Canyon Trail Survey - 11-30-2024 - by Jeremy Scarlett

Link:	Lion Canyon Trail
Date:	11-30-2024
Surveyor Name:	Jeremy Scarlett
Trail description:	Beautiful day on the Lion Canyon trail. Have done this one many times, but fall is so pretty with the leaves changing. Did the West Falls this time, found 3 of the 4 camps. Saw no one on the trail. Little brushy in spots but the tread was easy to follow. Wear pants and long sleeves for the ticks. Saw some good sized fish in the main pool. Was fun to explore above the falls.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Pothole Trail Survey - 11-30-2024 - by Alan Coles

Link:	Pothole Trail
Date:	11-30-2024
Surveyor Name:	Alan Coles
Trail description:	Crew of 7 worked the trail from upper stream crossing to Devils Potrero. Cleared brush, fallen trees and improved the tread.  Restored original tread near cabin.  There are still 4 logs to clear but easy to get over/around.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Trail crew

Toad Springs OHV Trail Survey - 11-30-2024 - by Molly T.

Link:	Toad Springs OHV Trail
Date:	11-30-2024
Surveyor Name:	Molly T.
Trail description:	Ran this trail from the Toad Springs side to San Emigdio Mesa Springs Trail junction and then up to Mesa Springs Camp.  Wasn't sure what to expect with only old reports, but this trail is being maintained and was in great shape. Some of the tread is a bit narrow, but otherwise clear and easy to follow. There seems to be a reroute around the slide that I had read about because I did not have to cross a slide. Super quiet out there, didn't see anyone until just before Mesa Springs Camp!
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Santa Paula Canyon Trail Survey - 11-27-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Santa Paula Canyon Trail
Date:	11-27-2024
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	The hike through the lower canyon is fine if you follow the spray painted black diamonds, but it is occasionally confusing.  There's not much actual trail for the 1st 2.5 miles before you climb out of the canyon towards big cone camp, mostly rocks and river crossings (9 each way).  Great shape from there all the way to cross camp.  The trail above cross camp is quickly disappearing and getting damaged.  The brush is impassible in some places, leading people to go off trail and cause significant trail damage.  I've seen the occasional person up there trimming brush, but it's going to be completely impassible soon.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Good to cross camp, disappearing above cross camp

Alder Creek Trail Survey - 11-25-2024 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Alder Creek Trail
Date:	11-25-2024
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA volunteers completed 7 days of work on the Alder Creek Trail as part of a Working Vacation at Cow Spring Camp. The trail is now completely brushed from the trailhead until shortly before it reaches the East Fork of Alder Creek (34.57797, -118.93143), as well as a few slides cleared. The trail after this point is still in rough shape and will be the focus of a Spring 2025 LPFA Working Vacation based at Alder Creek Camp. Check out lpforest.org for more volunteer events!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Great shape from the trailhead until where LPFA stopped work, hard to follow after that point.

Pothole Trail Survey - 11-10-2024 - by Alan Coles

Link:	Pothole Trail
Date:	11-10-2024
Surveyor Name:	Alan Coles
Trail description:	Our crew of 10 went in on the AB and cleared the Pothole Trail up to the high crossing of Pothole Spring.  There are still several trees and fallen branches to clear but the section from AB up to the cabin is in much better shape and easy to follow.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Trail crew

Lost Valley Trail San Rafael Wilderness Survey - 11-09-2024 - by Erin C

Link:	Lost Valley Trail San Rafael Wilderness
Date:	11-09-2024
Surveyor Name:	Erin C
Trail description:	I remember this trail being pretty good back in 2018 which was the last time I did it.  Not anymore!  Trail is overgrown in quite a few sections, although there are also still a few sections that are just fine. There is one very dangerous section that is located about 1.8 miles from the junction of Manzana Trail. I didn't have a heavy backpack on and it was still very sketchy because there is only a very small area to put your feet and there is nothing solid to hold onto on the uphill side, so there is a high potential to fall into the creek and injure yourself (or worse).  This trail should probably be closed right now for public safety until this area is fixed. The good news is there is a small amount flowing water in the creek in a few areas where the trail crosses the creek. I didn't even make it to Vulture Springs, so I am not sure if there is water there.d
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Lost Valley Trail San Rafael Wilderness Survey - 11-09-2024 - by Charlie A.

Link:	Lost Valley Trail San Rafael Wilderness
Date:	11-09-2024
Surveyor Name:	Charlie A.
Trail description:	Hiked from Nira to Twin Oaks camp. Trail was in solid condition if not a tad overgrown for the first two miles. Very quickly it becomes difficult to follow and as some points dangerous, with sections of the trail completely washed out on the hillside making it incredibly easy to slip and fall from quite a distance onto the riverbed below. The safer option for those sections is to climb down and follow the river bed until you can meet back up with the trail once it flattens out again. Beyond that there are a few riverbed crossings in which it is difficult to find the trail had it not been for some kind rock stacks leading the way. No water in the majority of the riverbed, there were a few small puddles here and there on the hike. Twin Oaks was dry. Twin Oaks camp is surprisingly well maintained, little overgrowth, the bench looks good and there is a shovel for the fire pit.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow