Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail South Los Padres National Forest
- Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
- Topo Map Link: Big Pine Mountain
- Elevation: 3400 feet
- Wilderness Area: San Rafael
- County: Santa Barbara County
- Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
- Longitude: -119.6980688
- Latitude: 34.74609795
- Water Sources: Sisquoc (seasonal)
- Length of Stay: 14 Days
- Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp
Recent Water Reports:
| Date | Surveyor | Water Report |
| 03-11-2024 | Michael McGurk | Flowing |
| 06-03-2023 | Jimmy Cooper | Flowing |
| 04-25-2023 | Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School | Flowing |
| 04-03-2023 | The Lost Padre | Flowing |
| 05-21-2022 | Addison Jerlow | Flowing |
| 04-24-2022 | Anonymous Surveyor | Flowing |
| 02-05-2022 | Stephen S | Flowing |
| 05-08-2021 | ROUST | Flowing |
| 01-11-2020 | Stephen S | Flowing |
| 10-13-2019 | M. Jones | Flowing |
| 10-12-2019 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 01-03-2019 | Brad Anderson | Flowing |
| 05-19-2018 | Nate | Flowing |
| 04-19-2018 | Daniel J. Hall | Flowing |
| 02-25-2018 | Bastien | Flowing |
| 11-15-2016 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 05-06-2016 | James Wapotich | Flowing |
| 03-29-2016 | Sonia Connors | Flowing |
| 10-04-2015 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 09-26-2015 | Jared Spangler | Flowing |
| 09-06-2015 | LKasko | Flowing |
| 04-04-2015 | Hike Los Padres | Flowing |
| 02-08-2014 | Logan Beckstrand | Trickle |
Description:
Cottonwood Camp is located along the Sisquoc Trail (27W07). It is most frequently accessed from either Santa Barbara Canyon or as part of a longer trip from Nira Campground. There are three camps within Cottonwood: a lower camp, which is across the creek, a main camp and then an upper camp. There is also a pit toilet that was installed in 2013.
The camp has year round water and is close to many of the famous water features that the Upper Sisquoc is famous for.
Cottonwood is a great little camp that promises a true backcountry camping experience. Check it out!
Survey Photos:
Hike Los Padres - 04-04-2015
Sign located just above the main camp
LKasko - 09-06-2015
Cottonwood camp water
LKasko - 09-06-2015
Cottonwood camp water
LKasko - 09-06-2015
Cottonwood camp water flowing well
LKasko - 09-06-2015
Sonia Connors - 03-29-2016
Cottonwood Camp
Sonia Connors - 03-29-2016
Primary Campsite
Sonia Connors - 03-29-2016
Secondary camp
Sonia Connors - 03-29-2016
New reconstructed pit toilet
Brad Anderson - 01-03-2019
M. Jones - 10-13-2019
Camp site under live oaks
M. Jones - 10-13-2019
Rattlesnake falls flowing
M. Jones - 10-13-2019
Sisquoc Organgrinder pool
ROUST - 05-08-2021
Good Water Next to Camp
ROUST - 05-08-2021
The Lost Padre - 04-03-2023
The Lost Padre - 04-03-2023
Submitted Camp Reports
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 03-11-2024 - by Michael McGurkLink: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 03-11-2024 Surveyor Name: Michael McGurk Camp Description: the main fire pit area is in okay repair. The privy seat is broken, There is an abundance of downed limbs in camp. the area could use a lot of work. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: overgrown Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 06-03-2023 - by Jimmy Cooper
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 06-03-2023 Surveyor Name: Jimmy Cooper Camp Description: Main camp is in good shape. Second site near the privy has some down limbs that need to be cleared. The campsite across the river is not in good shape, there are a lot of large downed limbs that need to be sawed-up and cleared. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Plenty of water Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-25-2023 - by Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 04-25-2023 Surveyor Name: Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School Camp Description: This is a sweet camp. There was a huge windstorm along the Sisquoc and there are MANY trees and large limbs down. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-03-2023 - by The Lost Padre
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 04-03-2023 Surveyor Name: The Lost Padre Camp Description: The camps & latrine have large limbs that have fallen all around. Bring a saw!Cottonwood Camp sign & rattlesnake cyn sign are both down. There’s a post hole digger @ Heath camp that’ll take good care of that. I’ll do it next trip if no one gets to it 1stWater Source: Flowing Water Source Details: The river crossing below cottonwood is 3-4’ deep & flowing swiftly! Weather Conditions: 60’s day / 30’s Night Images: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 05-21-2022 - by Addison Jerlow
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 05-21-2022 Surveyor Name: Addison Jerlow Camp Description: Lower camp is really perfect. Nice little swimming hole as well. Lots of water by lower camp, slower flow by upper camp. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: mid 70s, low 50s - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-24-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 04-24-2022 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Attractive camp with two distinct areas. Plenty of water and shade. Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 02-05-2022 - by Stephen S
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 02-05-2022 Surveyor Name: Stephen S Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 05-08-2021 - by ROUST
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 05-08-2021 Surveyor Name: ROUST Camp Description: There are a couple of camp sites here. The one closer to Mansfield is definitely nicer (across the creek). No picnic tables at either. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Great water right next to camp Weather Conditions: Clear, high 70s Images:
Good Water Next to Camp - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 01-11-2020 - by Stephen S
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 01-11-2020 Surveyor Name: Stephen S Camp Description: Camp was in good shape as others have mentioned. The trail to cross the river from the main camp site to the other side of the river to follow the trail or get to the other camp site was starting to get poison oak growing across it.Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: clear skies and low 30s at night - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 10-13-2019 - by M. Jones
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 10-13-2019 Surveyor Name: M. Jones Camp Description: Camp in great condition, the black flies were thick Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Sisquoc about 8" deep and flowing Weather Conditions: Sunny and 80* Images:
Camp site under live oaks
Rattlesnake falls flowing
Sisquoc Organgrinder pool - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 10-12-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 10-12-2019 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Camp looked great and clean as usual. Good water in the Sisquoc. Trails up and down canyon are in good shape as well. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Great water flowing along the Sisquoc Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 01-03-2019 - by Brad Anderson
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 01-03-2019 Surveyor Name: Brad Anderson Camp Description: Good condition. Shovel and handsaw available for use. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Flowing well. Weather Conditions: Images: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 05-19-2018 - by Nate
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 05-19-2018 Surveyor Name: Nate Camp Description: This is a nicer camp than Heath, but both are in good condition. The addition of a toilet was a nice touch, as was the wooden planks used for sitting. It is a more comfortable setup than Heath, and worth the extra mile to get there. saw no hikers while here. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: he river is flowing well at about a foot deep Weather Conditions: Sunny 74F - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-19-2018 - by Daniel J. Hall
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 04-19-2018 Surveyor Name: Daniel J. Hall Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: clean flowing water at a easily crossable depth Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 02-25-2018 - by Bastien
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 02-25-2018 Surveyor Name: Bastien Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 11-15-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 11-15-2016 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Water YES Report LGomesWater Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 05-06-2016 - by James Wapotich
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 05-06-2016 Surveyor Name: James Wapotich Camp Description: Good water flowing in the Sisquoc. Some water in Rattlesnake Falls. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 03-29-2016 - by Sonia Connors
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 03-29-2016 Surveyor Name: Sonia Connors Camp Description: Camp in great shape among beautiful wildflowers and tall grass - even a newly reconstructed pit toilet! Â Two camps with fire pits, grills, and shovels. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Lightly hailing Images:
Cottonwood Camp
Primary Campsite
Secondary camp
New reconstructed pit toilet - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 10-04-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 10-04-2015 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Good drinkable water at Cottonwood Camp Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 09-26-2015 - by Jared Spangler
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 09-26-2015 Surveyor Name: Jared Spangler Camp Description: Fresh bear tracks. Camped under the full moon. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 09-06-2015 - by LKasko
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 09-06-2015 Surveyor Name: LKasko Camp Description: Very nice, large camp with walled-off pit toilet, dug plenty deep. My favorite tentsite was across the stream, west/downstream, where a beautiful sycamore grew. We did not camp here, unfortunately, but left our camp at Heath and dayhiked here and farther downstream. Between here and Mansfield the stream was sometimes dry, sometimes flowing. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Hot and dry, 80's or up to 90. Images:
Cottonwood camp water
Cottonwood camp water
Cottonwood camp water flowing well - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-04-2015 - by Hike Los Padres
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 04-04-2015 Surveyor Name: Hike Los Padres Camp Description: Water is flowing perfectly at Cottonwood Camp. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Images:
Sign located just above the main camp - Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 02-08-2014 - by Logan Beckstrand
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Date: 02-08-2014 Surveyor Name: Logan Beckstrand Camp Description: The campsite needs the fire pit dug outThe table works but would be nice if it was replaced Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: no water right at camp, up the creek 50 yards and then you can find water to filter Weather Conditions: sunny and warm
Leave A Camp Report
Survey / Report Form Last Updated: Tuesday, March 1, 2016
