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Rays Camp South Los Padres National Forest

  • Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
  • Topo Map Link: San Rafeal Mountain
  • Elevation: 2380 feet
  • Wilderness Area: San Rafael
  • County: Santa Barbara County
  • Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
  • Longitude: -119.888821
  • Latitude: 34.743199
  • Water Sources: Manzana Creek - Water can be usually found at this point of the creek year-round.
  • Length of Stay: 14 Days
  • Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date Surveyor Water Report
09-08-2024Robert PearigenFlowing
04-28-2024Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
04-10-2024Daniel O'SheaFlowing
12-03-2023Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
09-13-2023T26 SMFlowing
05-29-2022James WapotichFlowing
05-07-2022Rich SchollFlowing
04-22-2022Ojai Valley School Lower CampusFlowing
04-15-2022bebesFlowing
04-10-2022wsizooFlowing
06-29-2021BrentTrickle
06-07-2021Savage GuydTrickle
05-01-2021Davide BisiFlowing
03-14-2021Troop 37 - Jonathan RocqueFlowing
01-19-2021Antonio CalderonFlowing
01-11-2021Patrick MorganFlowing
12-27-2020Claira CastilloFlowing
12-15-2020LitehikerguyFlowing
12-06-2020John BorstelmannFlowing
11-21-2020Stephen SDry
10-31-2020Nate BatesStagnant
10-27-2020James WapotichTrickle
08-23-2020Kevin VargaStagnant
07-29-2020Paul CronshawFlowing
06-16-2020CuyahogaFlowing
05-16-2020Mary FahningFlowing
04-28-2020Jeff WheelwrightFlowing
03-28-2020Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
01-25-2020Shaddus Maximus Flowing
11-08-2019Paul CronshawFlowing
11-01-2019Michael FosterFlowing
09-30-2019MSchlessFlowing
05-11-2019Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
05-04-2019Bradley PirmanFlowing
01-01-2019Jonathan RocqueFlowing
11-17-2018Paul CronshawDry
09-02-2018Anonymous SurveyorDry
05-17-2018SeaSampsonFlowing
03-17-2018SteveFlowing
01-27-2018AndrewFlowing
12-31-2017Shaddus MaximusFlowing
12-10-2017Shaddus Maximus Flowing
11-24-2017Tom HinshawFlowing
10-06-2017CahikerchickFlowing
04-02-2017M SchlessFlowing
01-01-2017Shaddus MaximusTrickle
06-15-2016Amanda GrandfieldTrickle
05-01-2016Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing

Description:

Ray's Camp is a small camp located on the Manzana Trail 5.5 miles upstream from NIRA beneath the shade of a few oaks next to Manzana Creek. This section of creek is where alder trees first start to appear and the camp is typically the first camp where you'll find water during the drier months. The camp contains a picnic table, fire ring, and room for a few tents beneath the oaks, with another sunny camp closer to the creek.

Ray's Camp exists thanks to good friends Dave Weaver and Joe Duran and is named after Ray Ford.  Thanks to Joe Duran and Dave Weaver from the Santa Lucia District, the VWR, and a host of volunteers, the metal grate was installed in 2015. Susie Thielman packed in the table with her mules and a camp sign was installed. Joe and Dave were even able to get it added to the newest version of the LP Forest map, so it is now an officially sanctioned camp.

Survey Photos:


  • Tom Hinshaw - 11-24-2017
    camp site on side of trail away from creek

  • Tom Hinshaw - 11-24-2017
    this pool is just east of the campsite

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 03-28-2020

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 03-28-2020

  • Cuyahoga - 06-16-2020
    Decent flow. Pools still deep enough to soak in

  • Litehikerguy - 12-15-2020

  • Antonio Calderon - 01-19-2021

  • T26 SM - 09-13-2023

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 12-03-2023

  • Daniel O'Shea - 04-10-2024
    established site!

  • Daniel O'Shea - 04-10-2024
    maybe there was something here before?

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 04-28-2024

Submitted Camp Reports

Rays Camp Survey - 09-08-2024 - by Robert Pearigen
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 09-08-2024
Surveyor Name:Robert Pearigen
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Flowing clear and well.
Weather Conditions:partly cloudy. Hot
Rays Camp Survey - 04-28-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 04-28-2024
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:Camp is in good condition. Creek crossing is calf to thigh deep depending on the spot
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Rays Camp Survey - 04-10-2024 - by Daniel O'Shea
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 04-10-2024
Surveyor Name:Daniel O'Shea
Camp Description:Is a nice spot to stay if you are looking to go a little further than Fish Camp! I could only find one established spot and it is right next to river which is very nice.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:NIce spot!
Weather Conditions:70 sunny
Images:

established site!

maybe there was something here before?
Rays Camp Survey - 12-03-2023 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 12-03-2023
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:Medium size campsite.  Easy access to water if you select the campsite next to creek.  Water is flowing nicely.  One shovel for use.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Rays Camp Survey - 09-13-2023 - by T26 SM
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 09-13-2023
Surveyor Name:T26 SM
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Rays Camp Survey - 05-29-2022 - by James Wapotich
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 05-29-2022
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:good flow
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 05-07-2022 - by Rich Scholl
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 05-07-2022
Surveyor Name:Rich Scholl
Camp Description:plenty of water, camp in good shape.  2 fire rings, 1 table, no outhouse
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 04-22-2022 - by Ojai Valley School Lower Campus
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 04-22-2022
Surveyor Name:Ojai Valley School Lower Campus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Cute camp with steady flow of water in the creek.
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 04-15-2022 - by bebes
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 04-15-2022
Surveyor Name:bebes
Camp Description:Camp clean. Some poison oak around. Not much firewood.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 04-10-2022 - by wsizoo
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 04-10-2022
Surveyor Name:wsizoo
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Plenty of flowing water
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 06-29-2021 - by Brent
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 06-29-2021
Surveyor Name:Brent
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:more than a trickle, less than flowing. "Pumpable" and clean pools.
Weather Conditions:high 90s-low 100s
Rays Camp Survey - 06-07-2021 - by Savage Guyd
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 06-07-2021
Surveyor Name:Savage Guyd
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:More than a trickle, few inches deep, not heavy flow, water in the pools
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 05-01-2021 - by Davide Bisi
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 05-01-2021
Surveyor Name:Davide Bisi
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 03-14-2021 - by Troop 37 - Jonathan Rocque
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 03-14-2021
Surveyor Name:Troop 37 - Jonathan Rocque
Camp Description:Camp was clean and greened up in the last few weeks.  Great weekend to be on the trail.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Great water flow
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 01-19-2021 - by Antonio Calderon
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 01-19-2021
Surveyor Name:Antonio Calderon
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Cloudy windy 55F
Images:

Rays Camp Survey - 01-11-2021 - by Patrick Morgan
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 01-11-2021
Surveyor Name:Patrick Morgan
Camp Description:Nice flow, small pools with little fish.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Nice strong flow
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 12-27-2020 - by Claira Castillo
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 12-27-2020
Surveyor Name:Claira Castillo
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Great flow, large pools of water
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 12-15-2020 - by Litehikerguy
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 12-15-2020
Surveyor Name:Litehikerguy
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Clear and Flowing
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Rays Camp Survey - 12-06-2020 - by John Borstelmann
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 12-06-2020
Surveyor Name:John Borstelmann
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 11-21-2020 - by Stephen S
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 11-21-2020
Surveyor Name:Stephen S
Camp Description:
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:Looked dry at a quick glance
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 10-31-2020 - by Nate Bates
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 10-31-2020
Surveyor Name:Nate Bates
Camp Description:
Water Source:Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 10-27-2020 - by James Wapotich
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 10-27-2020
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Pools of standing water, but good water starting at Manzana Camp and at Manzana Narrows
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 08-23-2020 - by Kevin Varga
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 08-23-2020
Surveyor Name:Kevin Varga
Camp Description:
Water Source:Stagnant
Water Source Details:Pools upstream from camp
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 07-29-2020 - by Paul Cronshaw
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 07-29-2020
Surveyor Name:Paul Cronshaw
Camp Description:Packet out 6 cans left in the fire place. Nice overflow camp spot under the oak tree across from main camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Clean, flowing water with shallow pools
Weather Conditions:70s and Sunny
Rays Camp Survey - 06-16-2020 - by Cuyahoga
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 06-16-2020
Surveyor Name:Cuyahoga
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Upper 80s nice breeze (day); 50s windy with large gusts at night
Images:

Decent flow. Pools still deep enough to soak in
Rays Camp Survey - 05-16-2020 - by Mary Fahning
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 05-16-2020
Surveyor Name:Mary Fahning
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Good flow
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 04-28-2020 - by Jeff Wheelwright
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 04-28-2020
Surveyor Name:Jeff Wheelwright
Camp Description:This camp is overused and I think trashed. The description is inviting, but the proximity to NIRA means that groups that fail to get to the Narrows or Manzana end up crashing here and having big campfires. Do the wilderness a favor and pass Ray's by.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 03-28-2020 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 03-28-2020
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:Camp is in great shape. River can be rock hopped to cross
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:River is flowing
Weather Conditions:
Images:


Rays Camp Survey - 01-25-2020 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 01-25-2020
Surveyor Name:Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 11-08-2019 - by Paul Cronshaw
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 11-08-2019
Surveyor Name:Paul Cronshaw
Camp Description:Camp os in great condition with table and shovel.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Good flow with pools
Weather Conditions:60s and Dark; night hiking.
Rays Camp Survey - 11-01-2019 - by Michael Foster
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 11-01-2019
Surveyor Name:Michael Foster
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 09-30-2019 - by MSchless
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 09-30-2019
Surveyor Name:MSchless
Camp Description:Good flow between Narrows and Rays. Goes underground somewhere between Rays and Fish.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:70s
Rays Camp Survey - 05-11-2019 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 05-11-2019
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 05-04-2019 - by Bradley Pirman
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 05-04-2019
Surveyor Name:Bradley Pirman
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 01-01-2019 - by Jonathan Rocque
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 01-01-2019
Surveyor Name:Jonathan Rocque
Camp Description:This is a great camp with an upper and lower section.  The lower portion has great creek access.  I day hiked through it and would definitely make it a destination for an overnight backpacking trip.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Water had heavy flow through the creek
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 11-17-2018 - by Paul Cronshaw
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 11-17-2018
Surveyor Name:Paul Cronshaw
Camp Description:The table has been moved from the fire pit to the trail area.  I brought in a new fire shovel to replace the missing one.  This camp needs a toilet.
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:70s and Sunny
Rays Camp Survey - 09-02-2018 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 09-02-2018
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:No water. Pack heavy.
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 05-17-2018 - by SeaSampson
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 05-17-2018
Surveyor Name:SeaSampson
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Flowing, good enough for a swim in one spot
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 03-17-2018 - by Steve
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 03-17-2018
Surveyor Name:Steve
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:chilly
Rays Camp Survey - 01-27-2018 - by Andrew
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 01-27-2018
Surveyor Name:Andrew
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 12-31-2017 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 12-31-2017
Surveyor Name:Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 12-10-2017 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 12-10-2017
Surveyor Name:Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Excellent clear pools with flow right there at Ray's Camp.
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 11-24-2017 - by Tom Hinshaw
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 11-24-2017
Surveyor Name:Tom Hinshaw
Camp Description:Two sites on either side of the trail, one with a picnic table and fire ring near the creek. The other is more open under oak trees but no table or fire ring.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Sone pools 3 feet deep, nice flow
Weather Conditions:
Images:

camp site on side of trail away from creek

this pool is just east of the campsite
Rays Camp Survey - 10-06-2017 - by Cahikerchick
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 10-06-2017
Surveyor Name:Cahikerchick
Camp Description:Stayed here on first night as it was the first water source we encountered. Beautiful camp, with an upper and lower area.  We camped higher and kept the food in the tree at the lower spot.  Lots of fresh bear scat along the trail from Fish Camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:very good moving flow.
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 04-02-2017 - by M Schless
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 04-02-2017
Surveyor Name:M Schless
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 01-01-2017 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 01-01-2017
Surveyor Name:Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:While there's but a trickle of water at Ray's, there are big, clear pools to filter from.
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 06-15-2016 - by Amanda Grandfield
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 06-15-2016
Surveyor Name:Amanda Grandfield
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Rays Camp Survey - 05-01-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Rays Camp
Date: 05-01-2016
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Someone stole the sign for the camp.

BOO, HISS........
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

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Last Updated: Wednesday, March 15, 2023

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