Gold Hill Campground South Los Padres National Forest

In 1889, John L. Henderson made a claim just west of his property here. In 1895 The Antelope Valley Water Company filed for a right of way for a water canal which was never built and the right of way was withdrawn in 1910. From 1910 until 1921, the Sespe Light and Power Company filed, but again the company never did any ground construction. It was just all on paper.
Several camp locations are scattered on a flat at the top of a steep bluff that forms the north bank of the Piru Creek. All along the bluff are signs of gold placer mining. The camp and surrounding area receives a lot of motorcycle use. No facilities of any kind available.
This area was once mined for gold. Evidence of such operations includes a shaft located about 1,000 feet east of Gold Hill. However, before one succumbs to gold fever at this or any other location with a history of mining activity, it may be wise to remember mark Twain's admonition, "A mine is a hole in the ground owned by a damned liar," thereby keeping the whole picture in perspective.