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Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail South Los Padres National Forest

  • Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
  • Topo Map Link: Big Pine Mountain
  • Elevation: 3400 feet
  • Wilderness Area: San Rafael
  • County: Santa Barbara County
  • Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
  • Longitude: -119.6980688
  • Latitude: 34.74609795
  • Water Sources: Sisquoc (seasonal)
  • Length of Stay: 14 Days
  • Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date Surveyor Water Report
03-11-2024Michael McGurkFlowing
06-03-2023Jimmy CooperFlowing
04-25-2023Matt Inman - Ojai Valley SchoolFlowing
04-03-2023The Lost PadreFlowing
05-21-2022Addison JerlowFlowing
04-24-2022Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
02-05-2022Stephen SFlowing
05-08-2021ROUSTFlowing
01-11-2020Stephen SFlowing
10-13-2019M. JonesFlowing
10-12-2019Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
01-03-2019Brad AndersonFlowing
05-19-2018NateFlowing
04-19-2018Daniel J. HallFlowing
02-25-2018BastienFlowing
11-15-2016Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
05-06-2016James WapotichFlowing
03-29-2016Sonia ConnorsFlowing
10-04-2015Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
09-26-2015Jared Spangler Flowing
09-06-2015LKaskoFlowing
04-04-2015Hike Los PadresFlowing
02-08-2014Logan BeckstrandTrickle

Description:

Cottonwood Camp is located along the Sisquoc Trail (27W07).  It is most frequently accessed from either Santa Barbara Canyon or as part of a longer trip from Nira Campground.  There are three camps within Cottonwood: a lower camp, which is across the creek, a main camp and then an upper camp.  There is also a pit toilet that was installed in 2013.

The camp has year round water and is close to many of the famous water features that the Upper Sisquoc is famous for.  

Cottonwood is a great little camp that promises a true backcountry camping experience.  Check it out!

Survey Photos:


  • Hike Los Padres - 04-04-2015
    Sign located just above the main camp

  • LKasko - 09-06-2015
    Cottonwood camp water

  • LKasko - 09-06-2015
    Cottonwood camp water

  • LKasko - 09-06-2015
    Cottonwood camp water flowing well

  • LKasko - 09-06-2015

  • Sonia Connors - 03-29-2016
    Cottonwood Camp

  • Sonia Connors - 03-29-2016
    Primary Campsite

  • Sonia Connors - 03-29-2016
    Secondary camp

  • Sonia Connors - 03-29-2016
    New reconstructed pit toilet

  • Brad Anderson - 01-03-2019

  • M. Jones - 10-13-2019
    Camp site under live oaks

  • M. Jones - 10-13-2019
    Rattlesnake falls flowing

  • M. Jones - 10-13-2019
    Sisquoc Organgrinder pool

  • ROUST - 05-08-2021
    Good Water Next to Camp

  • ROUST - 05-08-2021

  • The Lost Padre - 04-03-2023

  • The Lost Padre - 04-03-2023

Submitted Camp Reports

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:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 06-03-2023 - by Jimmy Cooper
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 06-03-2023
Surveyor Name:Jimmy Cooper
Camp Description:Main camp is in good shape. Second site near the privy has some down limbs that need to be cleared. The campsite across the river is not in good shape, there are a lot of large downed limbs that need to be sawed-up and cleared.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Plenty of water
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-25-2023 - by Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 04-25-2023
Surveyor Name:Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School
Camp Description:This is a sweet camp. There was a huge windstorm along the Sisquoc and there are MANY trees and large limbs down.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-03-2023 - by The Lost Padre
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 04-03-2023
Surveyor Name:The Lost Padre
Camp Description:The camps & latrine have large limbs that have fallen all around. 
Bring a saw!
Cottonwood Camp sign & rattlesnake cyn sign are both down. There’s a post hole digger @ Heath camp that’ll take good care of that. I’ll do it next trip if no one gets to it 1st

Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:The river crossing below cottonwood is 3-4’ deep & flowing swiftly!
Weather Conditions:60’s day / 30’s Night
Images:


Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 05-21-2022 - by Addison Jerlow
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 05-21-2022
Surveyor Name:Addison Jerlow
Camp Description:Lower camp is really perfect. Nice little swimming hole as well. Lots of water by lower camp, slower flow by upper camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:mid 70s, low 50s
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-24-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 04-24-2022
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Attractive camp with two distinct areas. Plenty of water and shade.
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 02-05-2022 - by Stephen S
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 02-05-2022
Surveyor Name:Stephen S
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 05-08-2021 - by ROUST
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 05-08-2021
Surveyor Name:ROUST
Camp Description:There are a couple of camp sites here.  The one closer to Mansfield is definitely nicer (across the creek).  No picnic tables at either. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Great water right next to camp
Weather Conditions:Clear, high 70s
Images:

Good Water Next to Camp


Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 01-11-2020 - by Stephen S
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 01-11-2020
Surveyor Name:Stephen S
Camp Description:Camp was in good shape as others have mentioned. 

The trail to cross the river from the main camp site to the other side of the river to follow the trail or get to the other camp site was starting to get poison oak growing across it.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:clear skies and low 30s at night
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 10-13-2019 - by M. Jones
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 10-13-2019
Surveyor Name:M. Jones
Camp Description:Camp in great condition, the black flies were thick
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Sisquoc about 8" deep and flowing
Weather Conditions:Sunny and 80*
Images:

Camp site under live oaks

Rattlesnake falls flowing


Sisquoc Organgrinder pool
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 10-12-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 10-12-2019
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Camp looked great and clean as usual.  Good water in the Sisquoc.  Trails up and down canyon are in good shape as well.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Great water flowing along the Sisquoc
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 01-03-2019 - by Brad Anderson
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 01-03-2019
Surveyor Name:Brad Anderson
Camp Description:Good condition. Shovel and handsaw available for use.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Flowing well.
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 05-19-2018 - by Nate
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 05-19-2018
Surveyor Name:Nate
Camp Description:This is a nicer camp than Heath, but both are in good condition. The addition of a toilet was a nice touch, as was the wooden planks used for sitting. It is a more comfortable setup than Heath, and worth the extra mile to get there.  saw no hikers while here.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:he river is flowing well at about a foot deep
Weather Conditions:Sunny 74F
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-19-2018 - by Daniel J. Hall
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 04-19-2018
Surveyor Name:Daniel J. Hall
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:clean flowing water at a easily crossable depth
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 02-25-2018 - by Bastien
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 02-25-2018
Surveyor Name:Bastien
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 11-15-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 11-15-2016
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Water YES

Report LGomes
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 05-06-2016 - by James Wapotich
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 05-06-2016
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:Good water flowing in the Sisquoc. Some water in Rattlesnake Falls.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 03-29-2016 - by Sonia Connors
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 03-29-2016
Surveyor Name:Sonia Connors
Camp Description:Camp in great shape among beautiful wildflowers and tall grass - even a newly reconstructed pit toilet!  Two camps with fire pits, grills, and shovels.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Lightly hailing
Images:

Cottonwood Camp

Primary Campsite


Secondary camp

New reconstructed pit toilet
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 10-04-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 10-04-2015
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Good drinkable water at Cottonwood Camp
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 09-26-2015 - by Jared Spangler
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 09-26-2015
Surveyor Name:Jared Spangler
Camp Description:Fresh bear tracks. Camped under the full moon.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 09-06-2015 - by LKasko
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 09-06-2015
Surveyor Name:LKasko
Camp Description:Very nice, large camp with walled-off pit toilet, dug plenty deep. My favorite tentsite was across the stream, west/downstream, where a beautiful sycamore grew. We did not camp here, unfortunately, but left our camp at Heath and dayhiked here and farther downstream. Between here and Mansfield the stream was sometimes dry, sometimes flowing.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Hot and dry, 80's or up to 90.
Images:

Cottonwood camp water

Cottonwood camp water


Cottonwood camp water flowing well

Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 04-04-2015 - by Hike Los Padres
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 04-04-2015
Surveyor Name:Hike Los Padres
Camp Description:Water is flowing perfectly at Cottonwood Camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Sign located just above the main camp
Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail Survey - 02-08-2014 - by Logan Beckstrand
Link: Cottonwood Camp - Sisquoc Trail
Date: 02-08-2014
Surveyor Name:Logan Beckstrand
Camp Description:The campsite needs the fire pit dug outThe table works but would be nice if it was replaced
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:no water right at camp, up the creek 50 yards and then you can find water to filter
Weather Conditions:sunny and warm

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Last Updated: Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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