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

• Potrero John Trail
• Gamboa Trail
• Camuesa Connector Trail
• Santa Cruz Trail
• Matilija Canyon 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

• Indian Valley Camp
• Oak Flat Camp
• Alamar Saddle Camp
• Mesa Spring Camp
• Pine Valley 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

• Tower OHV Trail
• Ballinger Route 31 OHV…
• Divide Peak OHV Trail
• Cold Springs OHV Trail
• Ballinger Route 50 OHV…

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206 Dirt Roads

• Arroyo Seco Dua - Forest…
• Monte Arido - Forest…
• 1St Crossing D.U.A. -…
• Charlie Valley - Forest…
• Middle Lion - Forest…

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111 Peaks

• Garcia Mountain
• Cathedral Peak
• Twin Peak
• Post Summit
• Wheat Peak

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174 Springs

• Hot Spring - Cachuma…
• Oak Spring - Rancho Nuevo…
• East Mine Canyon Spring
• La Jolla Spring - Salisbury…
• Upper Branch Canyon Spring

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Latest Camp Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

East Fork Lion Camp Survey - 06-13-2026 - by Liz Rizzo

Link:	East Fork Lion Camp
Date:	06-13-2026
Surveyor Name:	Liz Rizzo
Camp Description:	Headed up for an overnight; our group was 4 adults. Camp was lovely and happy to find some water still flowing! We were able to filter from the creek, and some of our crew made it to the fall and pool at the top, past camp. ***There were lots of large biting flies along the trail and in camp.*** They went to bed the same time we did! A member of our group briefly spotted two large animals far above camp that we believe were mountain lions, but overnight was uneventful except for the feisty foxes snuffling about. Regarding the hike in, the ridge is home to a lot of snakes during the sunny hours, and we definitely saw them on the way in and out. The water crossings were low, but still present. The path is overgrown in places, and we did remove our packs to get under one tree fall. The overgrown area just past the junction of East Fork and West Fork trails is a maze, but thankfully the trail flags can get you through with some faith and experimentation as needed. On the way out, we made a short wrong turn after a water crossing on the way back into Middle Lion and spotted a horizontal log across the path with what I thought must be two large animal scrapings, but looking at the pictures later and after some Googling, it feels unclear if they were from a large animal or perhaps man-made. No scat sightings at all. Really love this overnight and hope it gets some trail maintenance love in the future. There was one tree fall recently cut so you could walk through, and we were grateful for it!
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Enough flow for filtering, but getting low.
Weather Conditions:	80s/90s and sunny

Thorn Meadows Campground Survey - 06-13-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Thorn Meadows Campground
Date:	06-13-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Hiked to camp as road is washed out and tree down after Cedar intersection and another tree down after the stables near the old outhouse.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Middle Camuesa Camp Survey - 06-05-2026 - by Modugno

Link:	Middle Camuesa Camp
Date:	06-05-2026
Surveyor Name:	Modugno
Camp Description:	Access to creek is very overgrown. Nice new tables and fire pits.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing nicely, maybe 6 inches deep.
Weather Conditions:

Pothole Spring Survey - 05-28-2026 - by Holden A. Branch

Link:	Pothole Spring
Date:	05-28-2026
Surveyor Name:	Holden A. Branch
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	flowing nicely tastes fantastic
Weather Conditions:

Log Cabin Camp Survey - 05-28-2026 - by Holden A. Branch

Link:	Log Cabin Camp
Date:	05-28-2026
Surveyor Name:	Holden A. Branch
Camp Description:	icecan stoves are full of dirt but the bbq is in great condition
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Agua Blanca has some great flow but it doesn't go up above ankle level through the Narrows
Weather Conditions:

Big Cone Spruce Camp Survey - 05-26-2026 - by Flying G

Link:	Big Cone Spruce Camp
Date:	05-26-2026
Surveyor Name:	Flying G
Camp Description:	Picnic table is hanging on. Lots of PO in trail from here to Manzana trail.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Coldwater Camp Survey - 05-25-2026 - by Party of Nine

Link:	Coldwater Camp
Date:	05-25-2026
Surveyor Name:	Party of Nine
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	6 crossings between lower Manzana trailhead and Coldwater. Plenty of water for now
Weather Conditions:	70 day - 50 night

Cottam Camp Survey - 05-25-2026 - by Little Dipper

Link:	Cottam Camp
Date:	05-25-2026
Surveyor Name:	Little Dipper
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Algae growing on the edges, but enough clear water for drinking
Weather Conditions:

Coldwater Camp Survey - 05-24-2026 - by Jen

Link:	Coldwater Camp
Date:	05-24-2026
Surveyor Name:	Jen
Camp Description:	Camp in great shape, lots of water flowing in the creek.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	mid-70s, warm and clear during day, cool/cloudy morning

Sheep Camp Survey - 05-24-2026 - by PW

Link:	Sheep Camp
Date:	05-24-2026
Surveyor Name:	PW
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Latest Trail Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

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

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

Pine Mountain Trail Survey - 05-22-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Pine Mountain Trail
Date:	05-22-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	I began from 29S18 (labelled on some maps as an extension of Pine Mountain Rd and some maps as Queen Bee Rd). I drove up 29S18 from Pozo Rd in a 2wd vehicle easily, and probably could have continued driving up the first couple miles of Pine Mtn Trail to Castle Crags Trail. I split off at Castle Crags Trail, but ran into 2 dirt bikers heading up the other way toward Las Chiches. No water on the route, expect temperatures to be similar or higher than the forecast in Pozo. There is a register for the trail at (35.32599, -120.23948) that is sorely in need of a new notebook. If you're into geology, you'll love the views from this trail - it looks like Pinnacles NP from afar but up close you can see all the details in the sedimentary conglomerates and the wind erosion has created some interesting layering effects. See my review for Castle Crags Trail as well.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Castle Crags Trail Survey - 05-22-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Castle Crags Trail
Date:	05-22-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	I began from 29S18 (labelled on some maps as an extension of Pine Mountain Rd and some maps as Queen Bee Rd). I drove up 29S18 from Pozo Rd in a 2wd vehicle easily, and probably could have continued driving up the first couple miles of Pine Mtn Trail to Castle Crags Trail. I split off at Castle Crags Trail, there is a register nearby at (35.32599, -120.23948) that is sorely in need of a new notebook. No water on the route, expect temperatures to be similar or higher than the forecast in Pozo. I followed the trail out to (35.30220, -120.22200) and then tried bushwhacking down to the castle crags formation. I only made it about a half mile before cutting my losses, climbing a tree, and enjoying the view. No ticks, no poison oak, but the flies are evil and will bite you through your clothing.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Easy to follow for the most part, but nonexistent to hike out to the Castle Crags formation itself

Johnston Ridge Trail Survey - 05-18-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Johnston Ridge Trail
Date:	05-18-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Great hike into Sespe Hot Springs.  Stashed 1 gal water 3 mi in, and 1 gal 5 mi in, for the exit grinder hike back up Johnston Ridge Trail from the Hot Springs.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Spruce Creek Trail Survey - 05-17-2026 - by Turbo

Link:	Spruce Creek Trail
Date:	05-17-2026
Surveyor Name:	Turbo
Trail description:	Camp is good condition. Lots of poison oak surrounding the area. Bathroom present but not many using it as there is tp in the bushes
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow