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

• Little Sur Trail
• Santa Paula Canyon Trail
• Red Reef Trail
• Santa Lucia Peak Trail
• Raspberry 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

• Roque Camp
• Big Cone Spruce Camp
• Willet Camp
• Tassajara Creek Camp
• Fremont 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

• Burnout OHV Trail
• East Tecuya Ridge OHV…
• Howards Hill OHV Trail
• Ballinger Route 18 OHV…
• Quatal Wash OHV Trail

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206 Dirt Roads

• Reyes Peak - Forest Rd…
• Redrock Dua - Forest…
• Falls Dua - Forest Rd…
• Happy Canyon - Forest…
• Sunset Valley - Forest…

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111 Peaks

• Brown Mountain
• Snowy Peak
• Little Pines Mountain
• Junipero Serra
• San Rafael Peak

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174 Springs

• Double Springs
• Blue Oak Spring
• Mare Spring
• Little Pine Spring
• Cold Spring - San Rafael…

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:

Manzana Schoolhouse Camp Survey - 01-04-2025 - by Tom Maccianti

Link:	Manzana Schoolhouse Camp
Date:	01-04-2025
Surveyor Name:	Tom Maccianti
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Moderate flow at the schoolhouse. The sisquoc is flowing as well and has many pools down river of the schoolhouse
Weather Conditions:

Forbush Camp Survey - 01-03-2025 - by Omar Eff

Link:	Forbush Camp
Date:	01-03-2025
Surveyor Name:	Omar Eff
Camp Description:	Quick overnight with my 9yo kid. Hiked down from trailhead in just under 1 hour. New pit toilet is great addition.  Explored uplifted rocks along Forbush-Mono trail for fossilized shells and took a quick 1.2 mi hike to Emerald Falls for quick lunch before returning to trailhead (2.6 mi roundtrip).  Somewhat busy weekend. One other hiker at 2nd campsite and encountered several other backpackers/hikers along nearby trails
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Shallow pools, but generally flowing near camp
Weather Conditions:	Chilly at night, occasional wind gusts, on the cooler side during the day.

Middle Camuesa Camp Survey - 01-03-2025 - by Surly One

Link:	Middle Camuesa Camp
Date:	01-03-2025
Surveyor Name:	Surly One
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Spring box in camp had a couple of inches of stagnant water in it.
Weather Conditions:	Clear low 70s

Middle Santa Ynez Campground Survey - 01-03-2025 - by Surly One

Link:	Middle Santa Ynez Campground
Date:	01-03-2025
Surveyor Name:	Surly One
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water flowing in the river,
Weather Conditions:	Clear, high around 70 low 40ish overnight.

Upper Santa Ynez Camp Survey - 01-02-2025 - by R. Zukor

Link:	Upper Santa Ynez Camp
Date:	01-02-2025
Surveyor Name:	R. Zukor
Camp Description:	Camp is in good shape.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good clean flow.
Weather Conditions:	Clear and mild

Mission Pine Springs Camp Survey - 01-02-2025 - by Brian D'Amour

Link:	Mission Pine Springs Camp
Date:	01-02-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brian D'Amour
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Still flowing strong
Weather Conditions:

Upper Caliente Camp Survey - 01-01-2025 - by Antonio Calderon

Link:	Upper Caliente Camp
Date:	01-01-2025
Surveyor Name:	Antonio Calderon
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Mansfield Camp Survey - 01-01-2025 - by Brian D'Amour

Link:	Mansfield Camp
Date:	01-01-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brian D'Amour
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Very good flow in river near camp
Weather Conditions:

Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 01-01-2025 - by Brian D'Amour

Link:	Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date:	01-01-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brian D'Amour
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Very good flow in river near camp
Weather Conditions:

Latest Trail Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 01-05-2025 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	01-05-2025
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Hiked from trailhead to picnic table at Chokecherry. Trail was easy to follow.  Had a handful of ticks from just North of Chokecherry Canyon.  Light water flowing on a about half of the crossings.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Lost Valley Trail San Rafael Wilderness Survey - 01-01-2025 - by Kevin w

Link:	Lost Valley Trail San Rafael Wilderness
Date:	01-01-2025
Surveyor Name:	Kevin w
Trail description:	Hiked to the view of Sulphur Spring Canyon, 15 miles round-trip from NIRA. Took 7 hours at a decent pace for young folks. A lot of the trail is shaded this time of year, otherwise it would already be a little hot. Views are some of the best in the forest. Vulture spring has good flow. Once you get on the ridge the trail didn't seem so bad. Picked off 300+ ticks from the dogs.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	past twin oaks the brush gets even thicker but it's difficult to get lost. a few slide outs on the way to the ridge, but if you made it that far you're ok

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 01-01-2025 - by Brian D'Amour

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	01-01-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brian D'Amour
Trail description:	Started at South Fork at 6:30.  Trail past Skunk and to Mansfield was generally in good shape with minimal river crossings.  Between Mansfield and Heath, travel was slow due to some issues relocating trail after river crossings and not wanting to hike in the river.  There is a trail, you just have to work to find it sometimes.  After Heath, the trail became easier to follow again at crossings.  This was a really great stretch of forest.  Water in river all the way up to the falls but not above.  Upper Bear had water flowing from the springs.  Made it to Alamar Saddle at 12:30.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Hiked entire trail on 1/1/25. Good flow in river all the way up to the falls.

Mission Pine Trail Survey - 01-01-2025 - by Brian D'Amour

Link:	Mission Pine Trail
Date:	01-01-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brian D'Amour
Trail description:	Hiked westward from the Buckhorn Road.  Trail is generally easy to follow and in great shape all the way.  The only section that could use some work is a small stretch about a mile east of Mission Pine Basin.  There are some moments where you really have to push through the brush to continue along the trail.  Also, if you are travelling east be aware that there is a trail junction just past Mission Pine Basin, with a Trail sign pointing north.  Don't follow the trail in the direction of the sign as it will take you off the ridge as it leads down to the Sisquoc at Mansfield Camp. Stayed near Mission Pine Springs (still flowing) on 1/1 and hiked out to Cachuma Saddle on 1/2.  Great sunset and sunrise from the trail this time of year.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Trail is mostly in great shape. Some areas between West Big Pine and Mission Pine Basin need to be trimmed.

Tequepis Trail Survey - 12-30-2024 - by Dan Reynolds

Link:	Tequepis Trail
Date:	12-30-2024
Surveyor Name:	Dan Reynolds
Trail description:	This is a challenging trail with great rewards.  The first mile is along the creek that still has running water. Very nice to see.  Once you are out of the trees along the creek the trail gets steep. There are many switchbacks that take a little of the steepness out of the uphill hike.  The views also distract from steep uphill hike.  Push yourself to get to the top. It is very rewarding with a feeling of accomplishment.  The trail is easy to follow. The creek crossings are very manageable. The trail has been maintained recently.  See my YouTube video here of my hike that was filmed over three visits to the trail:  Tequepis Trail-Los Padres National Forest  Get out there and enjoy!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Blue Canyon Trail Survey - 12-27-2024 - by Zachary Caipang

Link:	Blue Canyon Trail
Date:	12-27-2024
Surveyor Name:	Zachary Caipang
Trail description:	We started off on the Cold Spring Trail going north from East Camino Cielo. After a steady mile and a half decline through a mixture of forested and chaparral trail, we hit the fork at Forbush Flat Camp, where we turned east to head down onto the Blue Canyon Trail towards Cottam Camp. The trail took us to overgrown switchbacks that scaled the side of a cliff until we eventually made it into the canyon floor. The stream bed appeared to be dry on our trek along the canyon floor. We only made it 2 miles along the Blue Canyon Trail until we hit an overgrown section of trail right before the Cottam Camp, which was heavily covered with poison oak. It was at this point when we decided to turn back and head back to East Camino Cielo. The temperatures for this hike were perfect as the mountains were shrouded with fog. This unfortunately covered up a lot of the spectacular views of the Santa Barbara backcountry.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	The trail was overgrown, especially on the approach to Cottam Camp, where we encountered poison oak. There's also sections of the switchbacks descending into Blue Canyon, where the trail is slightly blown out.

Johnston Ridge Trail Survey - 12-23-2024 - by Brian Clark

Link:	Johnston Ridge Trail
Date:	12-23-2024
Surveyor Name:	Brian Clark
Trail description:	So happy to see this trailhead open for the Christmas break!  Trail is in good condition but a bit overgrown. Water is flowing at Matu Creek crossing and at the end of the trail at the bottom of the canyon. I stashed some extra water that I did not need in two places along the trail if anyone is in need, at 2 miles and 5 miles starting from the bottom of the canyon. They should both be obvious. One was opened (1 L in a gallon jug) and the other (1.5 L) is unopened. This hike can be really difficult if its not nice and cool out. So, be careful and bring extra water!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Buckeye Trail Survey - 12-21-2024 - by Rich Scholl

Link:	Buckeye Trail
Date:	12-21-2024
Surveyor Name:	Rich Scholl
Trail description:
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Salmon Creek Trail Survey - 12-21-2024 - by Rich Scholl

Link:	Salmon Creek Trail
Date:	12-21-2024
Surveyor Name:	Rich Scholl
Trail description:
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

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