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: | |
- South Fork Camp - Sisquoc Survey - 03-14-2024 - by Michael McGurk
Link: | South Fork Camp - Sisquoc |
Date: | 03-14-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Michael McGurk |
Camp Description: | South fork needs some repairs but is serviceable. The surrounding area still has many downed limbs that would be great to strip down and leave as firewood if someone were there for a longer time. |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | good condition |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Upper Bear Camp Survey - 03-13-2024 - by Michael McGurk
Link: | Upper Bear Camp |
Date: | 03-13-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Michael McGurk |
Camp Description: | There is now a stream running through main are of camp and the camp has debris that needs to be cleared from flooding. |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | water running through camp |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Mansfield Camp Survey - 03-11-2024 - by Michael McGurk
Link: | Mansfield Camp |
Date: | 03-11-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Michael McGurk |
Camp Description: | there are many small downed limbs in camp but is serviceable. the approach from the north is a bit of a steep cut from the river. |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | decent condition |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 03-11-2024 - by Michael McGurk
Link: | 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: | |
- Oak Camp Survey - 03-10-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Oak Camp |
Date: | 03-10-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Camp Description: | 3 sites are in good condition. A shovel would be nice at the large firepit since it’s quite full. Several small creek crossings on the way to camp |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Bear Creek Camp Survey - 03-10-2024 - by sbhikergirl
Link: | Bear Creek Camp |
Date: | 03-10-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | sbhikergirl |
Camp Description: | High water flow with some thigh deep crossings. Trail is in good shape. Camp was a little flooded out but still doable. |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | 60s with high clouds |
- Chorro Grande Camp Survey - 03-09-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Chorro Grande Camp |
Date: | 03-09-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Camp Description: | Best flow that I’ve seen in years. Patches of snow |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Chorro Grande Camp Survey - 03-09-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Chorro Grande Camp |
Date: | 03-09-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Camp Description: | |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | Lots of water next to campsite. |
Weather Conditions: | 34 at night, bring hand warmers. We had the fire going but it felt super cold in the tent. Double socks and jackets, beanie and gloves for sure. |
- Blue Canyon Camp Survey - 03-09-2024 - by Casey Hall
Link: | Blue Canyon Camp |
Date: | 03-09-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Casey Hall |
Camp Description: | Romero trail down to camp is steep, washed up, and overgrown in several places. 2 wet crossings between Blue Canyon trail junction and the site. Site is pleasant and secluded.
|
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | River is full and flowing quickly. |
Weather Conditions: | High 50s, low 60s. |
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Latest Trail Reports
Please click on a report below to view the survey
- Sweetwater Trail Survey - 03-17-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Sweetwater Trail |
Date: | 03-17-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Trail description: | The lower portion coming up from Sweetwater creek is pretty faint and occasionally overgrown. The upper portion on the ridge is pretty wide and well maintained. There is no water other than Sweetwater creek at the very beginning and very little shade. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
- Jackson Trail Survey - 03-17-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Jackson Trail |
Date: | 03-17-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Trail description: | Tons of cows at the top and the very bottom of the trail at the sisquoc is hard to find because of erosion but the trail as a whole is in pretty nice shape other than some steep sloping tread. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Good shape and easy to follow |
- Fremont Trail Survey - 03-17-2024 - by ECduzit
Link: | Fremont Trail |
Date: | 03-17-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | ECduzit |
Trail description: | I think this trail gets overlooked and doesn’t get much use. Started hiking from Fremont campground. The trail has no trailhead sign, it would be hard to find without a GPS. The trail starts off nice then we encountered a few downed oak trees. Someone has started to clear them, but more trees need to be cleared. The trail goes through private land but I assume the trail has an easement? After a creek crossing and a meadow. The trail becomes a dirt road. The dirt road is fine but steep in some sections. We only made it about 65% up the trail and had to turn around due to time constraints so I don’t have a report for the upper portion of the trail. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
Condition details: | Singletrack needs work dirt road is fine |
- Big Cone Spruce Trail Survey - 03-17-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Big Cone Spruce Trail |
Date: | 03-17-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Trail description: | Significant brush for most of the trail. Trail is faintly visible most of the time but occasionally disappears at key junctures or water crossings. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
- Romero Trail South Survey - 03-16-2024 - by Adam Donald
Link: | Romero Trail South |
Date: | 03-16-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Adam Donald |
Trail description: | Lots of water in the various creeks the trail crosses. The whole trail is in great condition from the trailhead all the way up to Romero Saddle. Nice to have this trail open again.
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Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Good shape and easy to follow |
- Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 03-11-2024 - by Michael McGurk
Link: | Sisquoc Trail Upper |
Date: | 03-11-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Michael McGurk |
Trail description: | The trail is very rough from alamar saddle to halfway between lower bear and heath. it is flagged and easy to follow. there are numerous blowdowns and log jams. the worst section of the Sisqouc is from the Sisqouc falls drainage to .75 miles before South fork. Classic Los Padres Bushwack and backpacker tetris blowdowns. a lot of crawling through brush. Needs a lot of work and im not sure if walking the river would be faster. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Hard to follow |
- Chorro Grande Trail Survey - 03-11-2024 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: | Chorro Grande Trail |
Date: | 03-11-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Los Padres Forest Association |
Trail description: | Trail report and article by Dan McCaslin:
https://www.noozhawk.com/dan-mccaslin-hiking-the-chorro-grande-trail-past-oak-camp-in-winter/?utm_medium=email |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
- Chorro Grande Trail Survey - 03-09-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Chorro Grande Trail |
Date: | 03-09-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Trail description: | Trail is in good condition all the way to Chorro Grande camp. Some brushy spots |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Good shape and easy to follow |
- Arroyo Seco Trail Survey - 03-08-2024 - by Corey
Link: | Arroyo Seco Trail |
Date: | 03-08-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Corey |
Trail description: | Trail well maked and easy to find. About 100 yds came across two downed trees, one very hard to cross. The water level is so high the first water crossing was impassible. So beautiful right now, but need to wait until snow melt and the storms calm down. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
- Pine Ridge Trail Survey - 03-07-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Pine Ridge Trail |
Date: | 03-07-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Trail description: | Trail Alert, March 4, 2024: The section of the Pine Ridge Trail between Barlow Flat Camp and Sykes Camp is IMPASSABLE due to a new slide. The only access to Sykes Camp is via a reroute through Barlow Flat Camp. However, that route requires a crossing of the Big Sur River which may be life threatening during times of rain. Visitors planning to visit the Pine Ridge Ridge Trail and Sykes Camp SHOULD NOT attempt to cross the new slide. Doing so could be fatal and/or put Monterey County Search and Rescue personnel at risk if a rescue/extraction is required. Visitors taking the reroute through Barlow Flat Camp SHOULD NOT attempt to cross the Big Sur River (or any Wilderness stream) during high water. If a visitor falls in the water, even a light current may sweep them downstream where they risk drowning or impact with rocks. There is no estimated date of repair to the damaged section of trail. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Non existent |
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