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

• Kirk Creek Trail / Vicente…
• Hurricane Deck Trail
• Munch Canyon Connector…
• Marble Peak Trail
• San Ysidro Trail

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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

• Pelch Camp
• Colson Campground
• Manzana Schoolhouse Camp
• La Panza Campground
• Hartman Camp

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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

• Tinta OHV Trail
• Ballinger Route 39 OHV…
• Bear Canyon Loop OHV…
• Ballinger Route 53 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 54 OHV…

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206 Dirt Roads

• Church - Forest Rd 19S04
• Cachuma Mtn - Forest…
• Jolla - Forest Rd 32S09
• Buckhorn - Forest Rd…
• East Camino - Forest…

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111 Peaks

• McKinley Mountain
• Hopper Mountain
• Little Pines Mountain
• Chews Ridge
• Snowy Peak

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174 Springs

• Cold Spring - Ventana
• Quail Spring
• Balloon Spring
• Big Spring - Cuyama
• Blue Oak Spring

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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:

Manzana Schoolhouse Camp Survey - 04-21-2024 - by Turbo

Link:	Manzana Schoolhouse Camp
Date:	04-21-2024
Surveyor Name:	Turbo
Camp Description:	Camp is grassy and lumpy. Most fire rings have grass in them. Toilet needs some work-missing boards.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	1-3’
Weather Conditions:

Manzana Schoolhouse Camp Survey - 04-20-2024 - by James Downey

Link:	Manzana Schoolhouse Camp
Date:	04-20-2024
Surveyor Name:	James Downey
Camp Description:	Really gorgeous walk from Lower Manzana TH to the school house. Flowers in full bloom and lush grass everywhere. Hurricane deck equally as beautiful. Hot and exposed with tons of elevation gain, but lovely hike nonethe less. Took about 5 hours to hike out from Manzana School House.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Fast flow of river, deepest river crossing was just above knee deep (I'm 5'10")
Weather Conditions:	75 and sunny

Twin Forks Camp Survey - 04-20-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Twin Forks Camp
Date:	04-20-2024
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Roughly 7 river crossings to camp where 4 were knee, thigh and waist deep. Annoying gnats on the trail. Poison oak and ticks around the campsite.  Firepit had left over wood, but you need saw to break them down to smaller pieces.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	An abundance flow.
Weather Conditions:	Mid 70s and low 50s

Three Peaks Camp Survey - 04-19-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Three Peaks Camp
Date:	04-19-2024
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Accessible from the Coast Ridge Road by an OHV, Three Peaks Camp is right next to a small, flowing creek. Main camp can handle 3-4 tents and there is a smaller site 75m upstream that can handle 1-2 tents. Both have fire rings. Only the lower camp has the same dilapidated bench pictured from 2022.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	flowing well after spring rains
Weather Conditions:	clear and 65 degrees

Alder Creek Camp - Silver Peak Wilderness Survey - 04-16-2024 - by Rob

Link:	Alder Creek Camp - Silver Peak Wilderness
Date:	04-16-2024
Surveyor Name:	Rob
Camp Description:	Accessible by a rutted forest road, Alder Creek camp is a large camp at the junction of two creeks in a large draw. It has shade and 4 large spots, each big enough for 3-4 tents and each with a picnic table.  Main site had a tree fall in the middle of it; picnic table missing one side bench (pic).
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	both creeks flowing well after spring rains
Weather Conditions:	Clear, 70 degrees

Fish Creek Camp Survey - 04-13-2024 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fish Creek Camp
Date:	04-13-2024
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Recent McCaslin article about the Manzana and Fish Camp. Enjoy.... https://www.noozhawk.com/dan-mccaslin-fish-creek-canyon-lures-hikers-for-spring-backpacking
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Mucho WATER!
Weather Conditions:

Madulce Camp Survey - 04-11-2024 - by Red

Link:	Madulce Camp
Date:	04-11-2024
Surveyor Name:	Red
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

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

Big Cone Spruce Camp Survey - 04-10-2024 - by Daniel O'Shea

Link:	Big Cone Spruce Camp
Date:	04-10-2024
Surveyor Name:	Daniel O'Shea
Camp Description:	The trek from Manzana Narrows here was a little grueling. Lots of poison oak, downed trees, erosion, bushwhacking. So this place was a great lunch spot on my way up to McKinley Peak!
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good strong flow but a little tricky to get to
Weather Conditions:	70 and sunny

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

Lost Valley Trail Ventana Wilderness Survey - 04-21-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lost Valley Trail Ventana Wilderness
Date:	04-21-2024
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	I tried to hike on this trail from Escondido Camp to Fish Camp (so that I could pass by pothole slide waterfall, near Fish Camp). After hiking 1 mile from Escondido Camp and reaching the arroyo seco river, the trail became very difficult to follow. It was overgrown with bushes, poison oak, and obstructed by downed trees. At no point was there simply soil underfoot, we were hiking over grass and shrubs. At times I was not even sure I was following the original trail. After a half mile of that we turned back around. I think it would be fun to come back with some strong hikers and machetes and clear the way, but that was an effort I was not prepared for this time around.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Non existent

Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-21-2024 - by Turbo

Link:	Manzana Trail West (Lower)
Date:	04-21-2024
Surveyor Name:	Turbo
Trail description:	Trail is in great shape. Flagging is pretty easy to follow. Trail is pretty well defined. No tick or snake sightings
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-21-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Manzana Trail West (Lower)
Date:	04-21-2024
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Most crossings were thigh deep or less. Trekking poles were helpful for the deeper crossings
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Manzana Trail East (Upper) Survey - 04-21-2024 - by Erin Carroll

Link:	Manzana Trail East (Upper)
Date:	04-21-2024
Surveyor Name:	Erin Carroll
Trail description:	South Fork to White Ledge can be a bit rough in some areas with a few downed trees, brushy sections, etc, but totally passable. White Ledge to Nira it is clear how much work LPFA has put into the trail. Bravo! My favorite section is White Ledge to Manzana Narrows. That is a special piece of trail. Some of the crossings are a little sketchy right now due to the strong water current.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Manzana Trail East (Upper) Survey - 04-20-2024 - by Daniel J. Hall

Link:	Manzana Trail East (Upper)
Date:	04-20-2024
Surveyor Name:	Daniel J. Hall
Trail description:	Went only from NIRA to Rays Camp.  Trail in good shape and easy to follow.  There were, however, a few minor brush and tread problems developing, primarily in the last mile before Rays Camp.  Backpacked it April 16 - 18, only 3 to 5 days after the latest storm, and Manzana Creek was still running high and fast in places.  However, the water was clear and there was lots of bright green grass on the mountainsides.  Lost Valley, Fish and Rays Camps were all in good shape.   For more detail see the captioned photos at https://tinyurl.com/23qymttq
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-20-2024 - by Erin Carroll

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-20-2024
Surveyor Name:	Erin Carroll
Trail description:	I have a lot of respect for Michael McGurk completing this entire trail earlier this year.  We wanted to make it up to Alamar from South Fork, but we only made it about 1 mile upstream of South Fork before we gave up.  We did see some brush trimmings after climbing up out of south fork, so someone has been trying to do a little work in that section. Then we crossed the river where we saw a pink flag, but no trail anywhere near the flag. We spent about 30 minutes in that location and then we hiked up a secondary stream bed and found the trail again. We crossed the river one more time and found the trail.  Then the crossing after that also had a flag but it was just nothing but overgrown poison oak and I didn't see any sign of the trail.  My legs are all red from the poison oak as I write this (and I was wearing long pants and long sleeve shirt). Even my dog got poison oak! I might have gone further up this trail if I was by myself  but I had my dog with me and my friend who was hiking with me didn't want to go further and I couldn't fault him for that decision. We turned around and hiked back to Nira instead of doing the bigger loop we had planned to do. Sometimes you have to know when to cut your losses and turn around.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Non existent
Condition details:	Needs a massive amount of work. Tons of poison oak.

Sisquoc Trail Lower Survey - 04-19-2024 - by Erin Carroll

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Lower
Date:	04-19-2024
Surveyor Name:	Erin Carroll
Trail description:	I am not sure how to review this trail, so I am giving it good shape and easy to follow rating, but that's not entirely true. It can be confusing at times and you might just end up hiking along the edge of the river and walking off trail.  The trail itself (when you are not crossing the river) doesn't need much work except maybe some weed wacking.  This is one of the coolest trails I have ever hiked. Everyone needs to do it at least once in their lifetime. So remote, amazing views and a stunning river. Some of the crossings right now are chest to head high and potentially dangerous. We had to hike around one crossing that was head high and try and find a better crossing upstream. The lower Sisquoc is a true adventure right now with all the water flowing! This area blew my mind and is WOW WOW WOW right now!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-18-2024 - by Erin Carroll

Link:	Manzana Trail West (Lower)
Date:	04-18-2024
Surveyor Name:	Erin Carroll
Trail description:	Mostly good trail and easy to follow, but prepare to have wet feet.  There was one section of trail where the trail is above the private road, right before the Schoolhouse that was really funky and needs work. Downed oak tree, etc. One crossing was a little sketchy with my dog and the water current was strong.  Beautiful out there right now. The turtle and the donkeys were awesome!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Buckeye Trail Survey - 04-17-2024 - by Rob

Link:	Buckeye Trail
Date:	04-17-2024
Surveyor Name:	Rob
Trail description:	Started on the buckeye trail in the north from alder creek camp heading south towards Cruickshank Camp. This single track trail has lots of shade, but is a little overgrown, and I had to spend about 15 minutes clearing a large fallen tree branch from the path. The trail is mostly clear and passable, with some encroaching poison oak and other vegetation. Mostly downhill, following the creek until after you cross it and enter the silver peak wilderness. There are some great views of the ocean after crossing the creek that make the whole hike worth it. After the ocean views, expect undergrowth and deadfall to get moderately worse and take a few short detours around various obstacles.  For the Buckeye Trail, leading South out of villa Creek, I have two words: poison oak. It’s encroaching the trail for a mile at least. North Buckeye camp has a brand new picnic table and room for about three or four tents; water in nearby creek was flowing. The open grassy field nearby is beautiful. The campsite just to the south of the Buckeye flats overlooks the ocean and has the perfect place to watch the sunset. The trail from Buckeye to the salmon creek trail head is clear and well traveled, but encroached by poison oak at a few spots; needs a trim. Lots of shade leaving out of the camp. View to the south of the Hearst headlands and Piedras Blancas is gorgeous and the terrain opens up as we lose the shade for a little while. Several creeks on the way were flowing in late April, with a couple of really nice waterfalls. The last mile to the closed ranger station is mostly coastal scrub, no trees, no shade. Recommend hiking this portion of the trail in the morning or the late  afternoon.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Poison Oak and deadfall