Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Sage Hill Campground South Los Padres National Forest
- Camp Type: Car Campground - Please Make A Reservation
- Topo Map Link: San Marcos Pass
- Elevation: 950 feet
- Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
- County: Santa Barbara County
- Ranger District: Santa Barbara Ranger District
- Longitude: -119.7910186
- Latitude: 34.54605948
- Water Sources: Piped
- Length of Stay: 14 Days
- Reservations: Car Campground - Please Make A Reservation
Recent Water Reports:
| Date | Surveyor | Water Report |
| 10-13-2018 | Pat Fish | Dry |
| 11-18-2017 | Anonymous Surveyor | Dry |
| 11-22-2015 | Anonymous Surveyor | Dry |
| 01-03-2015 | Doug | Dry |
Description:
Overview
Nestled in the Santa Ynez Mountain Range, Sage Hill Campground is a great group camping spot with easy access to the Santa Ynez River. Spend time fishing or take in the epic scenery on one of the trails designed for both hikers and horseback riders. One of the campsites is designed for group equestrian camping and includes 12 corrals and a hitching post.
Natural Features:
The campground sits in a flat area with some sites shaded by oak trees. Sage Hill is near the river, which flows into Cachuma Lake about seven miles west. The Santa Ynez Mountains make up part of the Transverse Range along the Pacific Coast of California. The landscape may become very dry by mid-summer.
Recreation:
Fishermen are likely to find carp, catfish, bluegill and the occasional bass that swim up from Cachuma. The Aliso Canyon Trail begins at the rear of the facility and continues to Upper Oso Campground, which is where the Santa Cruz Trail begins.
The nearby Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is perfect for boating, fishing and kayaking.
Facilities:
Each campsite accommodates up to 50 people, and the group equestrian site accommodates up to 60.
Flush toilets, drinking water and paved roads are included, in addition to an extra large parking area to accommodate horse trailers.
The closest dump station is at Cachuma Lake.
Nearby Attractions:
The campground is half an hour from the thriving beach city of Santa Barbara.
Know Before You Go
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
- All visitors must ford the river to reach the campground
- Heavy rains can make river impassible; as a result, campground may be subject to short term closure; call 805-967-8766 for updates
- Be cautious of snakes in the area
- Limit 10 vehicles per site; a $5 nightly fee is charged for additional vehicles
- No swimming in Cachuma Lake; lake is designed for drinking water and body contact is not allowed
- A boating fee is charged for entrance to lake
- No live music or sound systems
- Vehicles must park on pavement
- For more information on Los Padres National Forest, click here
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Survey Photos:
Anonymous Surveyor - 11-22-2015
Anonymous Surveyor - 11-22-2015
Pat Fish - 10-13-2018
Oso Canyon trail in creekbed
Pat Fish - 10-13-2018
Santa Ynez River at First Crossing
Submitted Camp Reports
Sage Hill Campground Survey - 10-13-2018 - by Pat FishLink: Sage Hill Campground Date: 10-13-2018 Surveyor Name: Pat Fish Camp Description: The river is completely dry now. Sage Hill Camp is clean and nicely maintained and the paddocks at Caballo look intact and in good order. The trail up the Aliso Loop is in good condition except for one washout just above Upper Oso Campground at the other end that can be navigated around with care. The Aliso Canyon trail has a section of collapsed shale that equestrians voted as impassible and hikers also said they turned around and did not attempt. The Canyon trail is a narrow single-track with a steep drop-off and would be difficult to turn a horse on and so should be avoided. Here is a blog post with photos of nearby trails:   http://www.muletrail.com/2018/10/20181013-aliso-loop-and-oso-canyon.html Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Santa Ynez River a dry trail Weather Conditions: bright sunny day 74 degrees Images:
Oso Canyon trail in creekbed
Santa Ynez River at First Crossing- Sage Hill Campground Survey - 11-18-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Sage Hill Campground Date: 11-18-2017 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Sage Hill Campground Survey - 11-22-2015 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Sage Hill Campground Date: 11-22-2015 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: very dry and not a lot of shade. it is very evident that a fire when thru the area, burnt areas. great to see the new growth but still so dry and hot. very few wildflowers. its a challenge and I'm in pretty good shape. took us about 1.5 hours and the trail was about 3.33 miles.bring water!Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: 76 Images: - Sage Hill Campground Survey - 01-03-2015 - by Doug
Link: Sage Hill Campground Date: 01-03-2015 Surveyor Name: Doug Camp Description: Rode the switch back trail (Aliso) to upper oso and back. Stayed on the switch back and did not go through the canyon split. Trail was good, not much storm damage, but vast amount of vegiation lost due to White Fire (spring 2013). Currently Sage Hill and Upper Oso camping closed. Day use parking at Sage Hill / Aliso trail head open. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: No water at trail head on Sage Hill side. Water at Upper Oso Weather Conditions: Cold morning in low 30's warming to low 60s by afternoon
Leave A Camp Report
Survey / Report Form Last Updated: Monday, January 4, 2016
