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

• Cozy Dell Trail
• San Clemente Trail
• Bee Camp Trail
• Rinconada Trail
• Lost Valley Trail Ventana…

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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

• Los Prietos Campground
• Mt Pinos Campground
• Chula Vista Campground
• Manzana Schoolhouse Camp
• Arroyo Seco Campground

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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

• Ballinger Route 52 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 23 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 9 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 53 OHV…
• Horseshoe Springs Spur…

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206 Dirt Roads

• Wheeler Resi - Forest…
• Los Prietos - Forest…
• Piano Box L Ohv - Forest…
• Sierra Madre - Forest…
• Pine Canyon - Forest…

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111 Peaks

• Ventana Cone
• Mount Pinos
• Black Cone Peak
• Sulphur Peak
• Sawmill Mountain

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174 Springs

• Live Oak Spring - Sisquoc
• Rodeo Spring
• Sulphur Spring - Salisbury…
• Buck Cove Spring
• Upper Trough Canyon Spring

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Latest Camp Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Sykes Hot Springs Survey - 10-1-1996 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sykes Hot Springs
Date:	10-1-1996
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	A story about a missed chance at visiting Sykes from 1996. Worth a read: https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2025-03-03/big-sur-wildfire-threat-camping-survival-story-between-a-rock
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

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:

Llly Meadows Camp Survey - 06-01-2025 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Llly Meadows Camp
Date:	06-01-2025
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Ant Camp Survey - 05-29-2025 - by Holden

Link:	Ant Camp
Date:	05-29-2025
Surveyor Name:	Holden
Camp Description:	Did it from Dough Flats, there and back wore shirts and no shirt and carried a 50 pound pack. Mind the trail going up to the saddle, however, it's quite easy to get lost. Tried and failed to get to Saddle Skirt. Will come back one day to get there. There are thousands of feet of irrigation, still in good condition if anyone wants.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good flow and will be at least a trickle for probably the whole summer
Weather Conditions:

Matias Potrero Camp Survey - 05-26-2025 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Matias Potrero Camp
Date:	05-26-2025
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	Stock up on water either from the Santa Ynez or a side drainage about 1/2 mile west of camp
Weather Conditions:

Beartrap Camp Survey - 05-26-2025 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Beartrap Camp
Date:	05-26-2025
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Bear Trap camp was great. Large, lots of shade, lots of room to spread out though we were the only campers. The creek was flowing, the water was cold. We could even see some trout in the deeper pools.  Conditions of the trail coming from Reyes Campground/Trailhead varied. Overgrown in many places. Some areas of concern were narrow, exposed and made of loose gravel. Particularly heading beyond BearTrap camp the trail is thick and difficult to follow at times. We tried to take a day hike beyond Bear Trap but only made it ~0.5 miles before reaching a section that we weren't interested in risking. The trail sloped down towards a steep drop and was made of real loose gravel. I would advise finding an alternate paths at those points if possible, especially if weighted down with packs.  We experienced lots of ticks of course, fresh bear scat but a big surprise was a sunbathing rattlesnake on the trail. This made us more aware of the need for trail maintenance as we noticed it was real hard at times to see the trail through the brush.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Highs of 80s, lows in the 40s.

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-25-2025 - by LC

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-25-2025
Surveyor Name:	LC
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	low-ish volume, but good clean flow.
Weather Conditions:

Lower Camuesa Camp Survey - 05-25-2025 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Lower Camuesa Camp
Date:	05-25-2025
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	Water can be found in the creek about 0.5-1 mile above Lower Camuesa Camp.
Weather Conditions:

East Fork Lion Camp Survey - 05-25-2025 - by Omar Eff

Link:	East Fork Lion Camp
Date:	05-25-2025
Surveyor Name:	Omar Eff
Camp Description:	Enjoyed a great overnight trip: two adults, two 10-yo.  One of the two fire rings had intact stove. Great flow in the creek. We had lots of fun hiking up the creek to the falls, swimming in the pool beneath and scrambling up the rocks to higher points. Lots of fish (some bigger than 6") in the creek, including adjacent to campsite. Also saw several aquatic garter snakes. The trail between the Four Points Trail Junction and campsite is dense with thorny vegetation and then difficult to follow in dry creek bed.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Sunny and warm during the day; not too cold at night

Middle Lion Campground Survey - 05-25-2025 - by Omar Eff

Link:	Middle Lion Campground
Date:	05-25-2025
Surveyor Name:	Omar Eff
Camp Description:	Stopped briefly before and after overnight hike to East Fork Lion Camp. Lots of water in the creek and some nice pools to wade and play in, including up the creek near the first crossing along the Lion Canyon Trail.  Sites were full on Sunday night but all emptied out on Monday (holiday).
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Mostly sunny and warm

Latest Trail Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Bucksnort Trail Survey - 05-29-2025 - by Holden

Link:	Bucksnort Trail
Date:	05-29-2025
Surveyor Name:	Holden
Trail description:	Not too hard at all, until you go down the big mountain. Pain in the ass from then on, and the trail is a bit scattered and easy to get lost, especially when coming up again. you'll get kind of cut up but it's too hot to put on a shirt or pants. prepare for 2 hours up or down the last big hill.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	Great 'til the Saddle

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-27-2025 - by Brad Marston

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-27-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brad Marston
Trail description:	The trail is generally easy to follow, with one exception being a section of about 100' length where it seems to be in the creek due to a slide and fallen trees.  From about miles 2.5 to 3.5 from the trailhead brushing is needed.  In some parts in that section it is hard to avoid poison oak which mixes in with the wild roses.  The new switchbacks are wonderful!  Thank you for all the hard work building them.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	brushing needed in parts

Madulce Trail Survey - 05-27-2025 - by Brad Marston

Link:	Madulce Trail
Date:	05-27-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brad Marston
Trail description:	Hiked up about 2 miles from Madulce camp.  Very brushy after trail leaves creek to climb the ridge, with whitethorn ceanothus (or similar) jabbing with large needles.  Big downed, smooth, and steeply inclined tree blocked our way further (shown in May 2, 2025 report).
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Brushy with large downed tree blocking way

Lion Canyon Trail Survey - 05-25-2025 - by Omar Eff

Link:	Lion Canyon Trail
Date:	05-25-2025
Surveyor Name:	Omar Eff
Trail description:	The trail is generally great condition from Middle Lion Camp, except for dense vegetation immediately at the trailhead and then again in the last section between Four Points Junction and East Fork Camp. Immediately after the fork, there was a jungle of dense vegetation, with lots of thorns, and then the trail was difficult to follow through dry creek bed.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Clear and easy up until just past the Four Points Junction

Sespe River Trail Survey - 05-25-2025 - by AidLenSel

Link:	Sespe River Trail
Date:	05-25-2025
Surveyor Name:	AidLenSel
Trail description:	Trail is in great shape and easy to follow after the first few river crossings. Just keep an eye out for markers and such. The crossing at Bear Creek Camp was a bit tough to find, but some nearby campers were helpful enough to guide us. Get out there before the water dries up! There are still a few swimmable pools, but it has been a dry winter so I wouldn’t wait. Also, watch out for poison oak by Kerr spring, there’s a whole lot, sometimes coming into the trail.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Red Reef Trail Survey - 05-21-2025 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Red Reef Trail
Date:	05-21-2025
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	Hiked this trail from the ridge down to the Sespe. Overall it is followable but there are places with fallen burned trees and one where I had to take my pack off and crawl underneath. The trail gets brushy at times and is tick heaven. I did not see a Ladybug camp or any place you could camp. I saw no water until where the trail crosses Timber Creek a little above Harris Tunnel. I may have left my pot containing a stove, lighter, spoon and green bandana at the creek on the south side of Harris Tunnel. If anyone finds it and wants to return it, my fist and last name, all one word, at gmail is my email.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Brushy, ric-rack areas sketchy, saw no camps

Franklin Trail North Survey - 05-21-2025 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Franklin Trail North
Date:	05-21-2025
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	I went down to explore the Jameson end of the trail and discovered the old parking area was washed away, the sluice was broken and the start of the trail is not readily apparent. I do not know what the rest of the trail is like but the devastation at the mouth of the canyon doesn't look promising.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	The start of the trail obscured and old parking area washed away

Chorro Grande Trail Survey - 05-17-2025 - by Casey Horgan

Link:	Chorro Grande Trail
Date:	05-17-2025
Surveyor Name:	Casey Horgan
Trail description:	Biked down from Pine Mountain trailhead. Trail was in good shape and easy to follow, but could use brushing and tread work in various locations.
Mode of transport:	Bicycle
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Murietta Trail Survey - 05-17-2025 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Murietta Trail
Date:	05-17-2025
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	I came over Murietta Divide from the Jameson Lake side. The dirt road was washed out in many areas wherever there was a side canyon starting right after the spring. Although I saw a cairn marking the Murietta trail where the upper portion meets the road, I did not have confidence the trail still exists so I did not follow. It did not help that the last trip report here that sounds like anyone went all the way to the road is from 2021. It would be helpful if anyone has hiked the complete trail could let us know if the whole trail is open.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	I did not trust the trail existed

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-03-2025 - by Ian Jackson

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-03-2025
Surveyor Name:	Ian Jackson
Trail description:	Hiked from Madulce down to the trailhead and the trail is in pretty great shape.  - The new switchback section on heartbreak hill is amazing with excellent tread and clearance. - Middle section of the trail has some brushy spots but to be expected with how much time it spends along the creek bottom.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow