Exploring The Los Padres National Forest
1,257 Miles of Trails on 1,762,400 Acres, with 875,000 Acres of Protected Wilderness to Explore.
Thank you for taking the time to visit the Hike Los Padres Community. This website was created with the mission of being a source of shared information on trails, camps, and locations across the entire Northern and Southern portions of the Los Padres National Forest. The more information we all share and catalog, the better we can track the conditions of the forest network and figure out what sections, trails, and locations are safe to use and which need maintenance.
A good portion of the interior of Los Padres National Forest gets very little use by the public, so any information on these areas will ensure that these places remain accessible for future generations of hikers, backpackers, trail runners, equestrians, O.H.V, hunters, cyclists, and explorers. Many of the trails listed may be unmaintained. Know your level of ability, and always remember to bring extra water.
In partnership with the Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA). The LPFA’s mission is to care for the Los Padres Forest, ensuring it thrives and remains safe and open for the people to use and enjoy. LPFA volunteers work to keep trails open, report and assess forest conditions and provide public education on how to use the forest safely. If you are interested in becoming a member or volunteering, please visit www.lpforest.org to learn more.
Over 1000+ Cataloged Locations
Location specific weather reports, recent camp and trail surveys, water data and much more.
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
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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
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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
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Recent Water Reports
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Latest Camp Reports
Please click on a report below to view the survey
- Mono Campground Survey - 1-1-1936 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: | Mono Campground |
Date: | 1-1-1936 |
Surveyor Name: | Los Padres Forest Association |
Camp Description: | Historic video showing the construction of the Mono Debris Dam from 1936, enjoy!
https://archive.org/details/CCCAtMono1936 |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Sheep Camp Survey - 06-02-2024 - by Tom Koonce
Link: | Sheep Camp |
Date: | 06-02-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Tom Koonce |
Camp Description: |
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Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | Spring flowing 1.5 liters/minute. |
Weather Conditions: | 11 am, light breeze, partly cloudy, 72F. |
- West Fork Lion Camp Survey - 06-01-2024 - by Amy Findlay
Link: | West Fork Lion Camp |
Date: | 06-01-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Amy Findlay |
Camp Description: | The trailhead is closed with a locked gate. We drove back to Rose Valley and backpacked in via the Rose Lion Connector Trail. The trail to West Fork is pretty overgrown, but there’s lots of pink ribbon markers. We only found the first camp. The second seems covered in growth or debris. Camp is in good shape. From camp to the waterfall is a rock scramble, but there’s lots of water and a beautiful waterfall. We encountered two rattlesnakes on the trail. |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | Upper 70’s/low 80’s in day, low 50’s at night. |
- Upper Santa Ynez Camp Survey - 05-31-2024 - by Loren Butler
Link: | Upper Santa Ynez Camp |
Date: | 05-31-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Loren Butler |
Camp Description: | Camp is in generally good shape, though a large oak fell between the camp and the road; if one hadn't been to the camp before, it could be quite easy to miss. The creek is flowing at high volume and water is cold and delicious. |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | Flowing beautifully. |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Mormon Camp Survey - 05-29-2024 - by Jeremy K
Link: | Mormon Camp |
Date: | 05-29-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Jeremy K |
Camp Description: | The trail is in decent condition. Thank you to whom ever hangs the flags and builds the trail markers.
The trail at Mormon Camp does have a 10 foot drop down to the river. |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
- South Fork Camp - Sisquoc Survey - 05-29-2024 - by Jeremy K
Link: | South Fork Camp - Sisquoc |
Date: | 05-29-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Jeremy K |
Camp Description: | The camp is in great condition. Water is flowing |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Happy Hunting Ground Camp Survey - 05-29-2024 - by Jeremy K
Link: | Happy Hunting Ground Camp |
Date: | 05-29-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Jeremy K |
Camp Description: | |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Manzana Narrows Camp Survey - 05-29-2024 - by Jeremy K
Link: | Manzana Narrows Camp |
Date: | 05-29-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Jeremy K |
Camp Description: | |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Sycamore Camp Survey - 05-29-2024 - by Jeremy K
Link: | Sycamore Camp |
Date: | 05-29-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Jeremy K |
Camp Description: | |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Manzana Schoolhouse Camp Survey - 05-29-2024 - by Jeremy K
Link: | Manzana Schoolhouse Camp |
Date: | 05-29-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Jeremy K |
Camp Description: | |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
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Latest Trail Reports
Please click on a report below to view the survey
- Rose Lion Trail Survey - 08-01-2024 - by Neal L
Link: | Rose Lion Trail |
Date: | 08-01-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Neal L |
Trail description: | This trail is in good shape and is easy to follow. There was some minor brush in a few sections, but otherwise just fine. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Good shape and easy to follow |
- Matias Potrero Trail Survey - 06-01-2024 - by Piper
Link: | Matias Potrero Trail |
Date: | 06-01-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Piper |
Trail description: | Very overgrown. Stickers and foxtails destroyed my pants and shoes. Several washouts difficult to walk through. Plenty of water in small and large streams. There was water at the camp as well.
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Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
Condition details: | Washed out and overgrown |
- Monte Arido Trail Survey - 05-31-2024 - by Loren Butler
Link: | Monte Arido Trail |
Date: | 05-31-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Loren Butler |
Trail description: | Hiked the bike from Murrieta Divide up this in order to access Ocean View. Trail is currently in reasonable shape but, aside from the occasional bikepacker, I don't think it sees much traffic. Bit of a grind, but the views from the top and the extraordinary descent down Ocean View to the Ventura River make it entirely worthwhile. |
Mode of transport: | Bicycle |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
Condition details: | Trail is obvious but could use some work |
- Santa Cruz Trail Survey - 05-27-2024 - by Clancy
Link: | Santa Cruz Trail |
Date: | 05-27-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Clancy |
Trail description: | We hiked the entire SC trail from Mission Pine Basin down to Upper Oso. Starting at the top, the trail is easy to follow and clear to where it drops off and starts to switchback. From here down to the creek it is fairly easy to follow for the most part with a few tricky sections. Lots and lots of pushing through waist to shoulder high brush.
From Coche Creek to Santa Cruz Station the trail is pretty easy to follow with plenty of ducking, pushing through, and occasionally crawling through brush. Quite a bit of poison oak in places especially around creek crossings. From SC station to the 40 mile walk is great. The 40 mile walk is generally pretty good. One small washout. The dry grass was slippery and not that fun to walk on though. From the creek at the end of the wall to Alexander Saddle was slower going. Lots of down brush and poison oak. Similar to the upper sections of the trail but more concentrated. One bit of route finding tricky bit on the grassy hillside near Little Pine Spring.
From Alexander Saddle down to Upper Oso is in really nice shape except for lots of grass and a couple slides. The slides are fairly easily passed but would not be recommended for those afraid of heights or not confident in their footing. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
- Blue Canyon Trail Survey - 05-26-2024 - by Piper
Link: | Blue Canyon Trail |
Date: | 05-26-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Piper |
Trail description: | The hill near the junction with Cold Spring and Forbush was in better condition than I expected after the heavy storms this winter. It had a few sketchy sections but was not too death-defying to walk up hill. Could be a little difficult going down hill. Definitely needs work to be safe. Only hiked between Forbush and Cottam so I can't say how the rest of the trail looks.
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Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
Condition details: | The hill near the junction with Cold Spring and Forbush needs work |
- Madulce Trail Survey - 05-24-2024 - by Clancy
Link: | Madulce Trail |
Date: | 05-24-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Clancy |
Trail description: | Hard to find the trail from Madulce Camp. We found the trail 1/10th of a mile later and from there was generally easy to follow up to Buckhorn Rd. Some pushing through brush was needed. Amazing view from the ridge. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
- Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-24-2024 - by Clancy
Link: | Santa Barbara Canyon Trail |
Date: | 05-24-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Clancy |
Trail description: | Generally pretty good by LPF backcountry standards these days. Some downed trees and occasional pushing through brush. Easy to follow for the most part. A little tricky at some of the stream crossings to find the trail again. There is a picnic table on the creek before Chokecherry Canyon and going up Heart Break Hill. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
- Cold Spring Trail - North Survey - 05-24-2024 - by Piper
Link: | Cold Spring Trail - North |
Date: | 05-24-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Piper |
Trail description: | Hiked from Cold Spring trail to Little Caliente. The new high trail was in great condition. The whole trail was in good condition. Some poison oak. Little Caliente was a nice temperature and clean. There was a small cold seep with a collectable pool nearby to the hot spring. The dirt road the last mile to the hot spring from Mono was washed out by a creek that was flowing well. I could not tell if you can even get to Mono camp. Looked like a wall of brush in the way.
I also continued to Big Caliente. The dirt road, Romero Camuesa, was washed out in numerous places. Some washouts were pretty sketchy for a hiker, probably very difficult for someone with a heavy bicycle.
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Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Good shape and easy to follow |
- Blue Canyon Connector Trail Survey - 05-24-2024 - by Piper
Link: | Blue Canyon Connector Trail |
Date: | 05-24-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Piper |
Trail description: | I had to climb down a large washout on Romero Camuesa road to get to the connector. In the washout debris was the forest service sign buried in dried mud. The trail was easy to follow once I saw flagging and crossed the river. When I got in view of Cottam the trail appeared to be cliffed out at the creek. I didn't walk close enough to verify but decided to turn back and just walk in the creek to Cottam.
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Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
Condition details: | Washed out at Romero Camuesa road. Appeared washed out at Cottam. |
- Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 05-19-2024 - by Adam Donald
Link: | Manzana Trail West (Lower) |
Date: | 05-19-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Adam Donald |
Trail description: | It was a beautiful sunny day to walk across the river a bunch of times. I hiked from the Schoolhouse out toward Nira, none of the crossings were more than about shin to knee deep. The trail was in good shape and easy to follow except for a couple sections in the Davis property where I couldn't tell which side to be on so I walked in the water for a few hundred yards. Still so many wildflowers in bloom. Unfortunately also poison oak in many sections, but it is avoidable if you're careful. Lots of people out enjoying their public lands.
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Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Good shape and easy to follow |
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