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

• Big Falls Trail
• Stone Ridge Trail
• Santa Lucia Creek Connector…
• Johnston Ridge Trail
• San Emigdio Mesa Springs…

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

• White Ledge Camp - Red…
• Jackson Camp
• San Carpoford Camp
• Friis Campground
• Matias Potrero Camp

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

• Ballinger Route 48 OHV…
• Tinta OHV Trail
• Tejon OHV Trail
• Ballinger Route 25 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 28 OHV…

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206 Dirt Roads

• Snyder Ridge - Forest…
• Powerline Road
• Three Sisters - Forest…
• Bates Canyon - Forest…

View All 206 Roads →

111 Peaks

• Whiteacre Peak
• Alamo Mountain
• Post Summit
• Marble Peak
• Porter Peak

View All 111 Peaks →

174 Springs

• Ben Willow Spring
• Pepper Spring
• Richardson Spring
• Monjas Spring
• Upper Trough Canyon Spring

View All 174 Springs →

Latest Camp Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Lost Valley Camp Survey - 09-07-2026 - by Backpackin' bros

Link:	Lost Valley Camp
Date:	09-07-2026
Surveyor Name:	Backpackin' bros
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Stagnant pools with a small trickle that can be used with effort
Weather Conditions:

Sheep Camp Survey - 09-06-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Sheep Camp
Date:	09-06-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Decent flow rate
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Potrero Camp Survey - 09-05-2026 - by Backpackin' bros

Link:	Potrero Camp
Date:	09-05-2026
Surveyor Name:	Backpackin' bros
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Easily accessible with a pump or a bag
Weather Conditions:

Coldwater Camp Survey - 09-05-2026 - by Backpackin' bros

Link:	Coldwater Camp
Date:	09-05-2026
Surveyor Name:	Backpackin' bros
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Heavy flow with deep pools
Weather Conditions:

Nira Campground Survey - 09-05-2026 - by Backpackin' bros

Link:	Nira Campground
Date:	09-05-2026
Surveyor Name:	Backpackin' bros
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Still usable but getting sluggish
Weather Conditions:

Fish Creek Camp Survey - 09-05-2026 - by Backpackin' bros

Link:	Fish Creek Camp
Date:	09-05-2026
Surveyor Name:	Backpackin' bros
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	Damn trees took it all. All of it!!
Weather Conditions:

Beartrap Camp Survey - 09-02-2026 - by Kevin H

Link:	Beartrap Camp
Date:	09-02-2026
Surveyor Name:	Kevin H
Camp Description:	Camp is clean and in good condition.  Trail from Upper Reyes needs brushing.  Trail to Haddock is overgrown in many places.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Beartrap creek has good flow at the main camp and upstream towards Haddock camp.
Weather Conditions:

Upper Reyes Camp Survey - 09-02-2026 - by Kevin H

Link:	Upper Reyes Camp
Date:	09-02-2026
Surveyor Name:	Kevin H
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Reyes creek has good flow at the Upper Reyes camp.
Weather Conditions:

Haddock Camp Survey - 09-02-2026 - by Kevin H

Link:	Haddock Camp
Date:	09-02-2026
Surveyor Name:	Kevin H
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	I couldn't find water in the usual spots. There was water last month about a half mile from camp toward Three Mile camp but I didn't check there this time.
Weather Conditions:

Sheep Camp Survey - 08-30-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Sheep Camp
Date:	08-30-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Latest Trail Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Little Falls Trail Survey - 09-06-2026 - by @jungleperry

Link:	Little Falls Trail
Date:	09-06-2026
Surveyor Name:	@jungleperry
Trail description:	I left my tools in my car. But had I known the trail was in such a poor condition I would have brought my loppers, a saw, and my pruners. And not set about to do the whole Little Falls, Big Falls loop from Rinconada trailhead, but down to the Upper Lopez Creek and turn around, there and back. I think 4 people would make the job doable basically in one day, but it's very difficult to traverse in its current state, and just one person (me, possibly) could not do all of that in one day. Some of the erosion is scary severe vertical taking half of the trail tread with it. Those kind of situations take more people and someone would be bringing a hoe or a shovel and another person would be bringing a pick.  I had a new hiking partner with me and didn't want her to feel overwhelmed and also I didn't want to feel overwhelmed as well, so I suggested we cancel the Little Falls Big Falls loop trip and do another loop instead. Turned around went back. I think we had done a mile and a little over 1000 feet elevation in the heat.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	Poor condition, hard to follow, too much erosion and deadfalls aplenty

Cold Spring Trail - North Survey - 08-15-2026 - by N

Link:	Cold Spring Trail - North
Date:	08-15-2026
Surveyor Name:	N
Trail description:	Hiking down from Camino Cielo, the trail is in good shape until at least the Emerald Pool. Then it gets a bit brushy around waist-high (grass and thorns) for the last half mile before the Santa Ynez River. After following the flags to cross the river (still enough of them to find your way), the tread is in good shape to the Mono campsite - though poison oak is encroaching. Some more waist high grass and thorns on Camuesa Road to the Little Caliente turnoff.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail Survey - 07-13-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail
Date:	07-13-2026
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA has brushed and restored tread on most of this nice little loop trail. It's in great shape, enjoy!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Little Mutau Trail Survey - 06-13-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Little Mutau Trail
Date:	06-13-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Trail was evident but loose and bushes encroaching. Only made it . 5 miles in with my dog before calling it as the thought of 3+ more miles of that condition seemed impossible if it was so bad that early on.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Piedra Blanca Trail Survey - 06-08-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Piedra Blanca Trail
Date:	06-08-2026
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA completed a 10-day Volunteer Working Vacation to work the trail from Pine Mountain Lodge Camp toward Haddock Camp. We completed 3.3 miles of work, including brushing, restoring sketchy tread and the slide between 3 Mile and Haddock Camps, defining the route through creek crossings, and cutting out 13 downed logs blocking the trail. It is still brushy with a few downed trees the remaining .7 miles to Haddock Camp, but easy to follow. Looking good out there!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Red Reef Trail Survey - 06-06-2026 - by Andrew

Link:	Red Reef Trail
Date:	06-06-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew
Trail description:	Red Reef trail from Topa Topa to Sespe River. The tread is in good shape except for 2-3 wash-outs, so the trail is easy to follow. However, it frequently requires pushing through thick foliage. A good brushing would go a long way. Found Ladybug Camp by following a side trail that looks more like a washout, campsite is in great shape with several clear tent sites and running water.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Potrero John Trail Survey - 06-01-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Potrero John Trail
Date:	06-01-2026
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA spent several days this spring brushing the trail from the trailhead to Potrero John Camp. The trail is in great shape!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

San Ysidro Trail Survey - 05-29-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	San Ysidro Trail
Date:	05-29-2026
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	MTF and the LPFA Trail Crew brushed the upper section of the trail. It's in great shape!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Agua Blanca Trail Survey - 05-28-2026 - by Holden A. Branch

Link:	Agua Blanca Trail
Date:	05-28-2026
Surveyor Name:	Holden A. Branch
Trail description:	"Camp Agua Blanca" (end of road, start of trail) to Log Cabin is in good condition, it's a beautiful walk. However, you really gotta look at the map all the time because the trail goes up on the ridges of the river bank. it's marked, however it's easy to get off if you're rockhopping, and when you go astray it's not fun. Pothole trailhead up the road is not a fun walk. Be prepared to take shoes off for that section.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Sespe River Trail Survey - 05-27-2026 - by Daniel J. Hall

Link:	Sespe River Trail
Date:	05-27-2026
Surveyor Name:	Daniel J. Hall
Trail description:	Nothing new and worthwhile to add beyond the preceding two surveys, except that the Forest Service recently installed a vending machine at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead from which you can purchase an Adventure Pass.  No cash accepted; only credit cards.   Photo hopefully above, or at https://tinyurl.com/227vctt5
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow