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

• Big Falls Trail
• Stone Ridge Trail
• Santa Lucia Creek Connector…
• Johnston Ridge Trail
• San Emigdio Mesa Springs…

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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

• White Ledge Camp - Red…
• Jackson Camp
• San Carpoford Camp
• Friis Campground
• Matias Potrero 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

• Ballinger Route 48 OHV…
• Tinta OHV Trail
• Tejon OHV Trail
• Ballinger Route 25 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 28 OHV…

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206 Dirt Roads

• Snyder Ridge - Forest…
• Powerline Road
• Three Sisters - Forest…
• Bates Canyon - Forest…

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111 Peaks

• Whiteacre Peak
• Alamo Mountain
• Post Summit
• Marble Peak
• Porter Peak

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174 Springs

• Ben Willow Spring
• Pepper Spring
• Richardson Spring
• Monjas Spring
• Upper Trough Canyon Spring

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Latest Camp Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Bear Creek Camp Survey - 11-10-2026 - by Max Stern

Link:	Bear Creek Camp
Date:	11-10-2026
Surveyor Name:	Max Stern
Camp Description:	Bear Creek Camp is in generally good shape. It is located in a large clearing fully visible from the Sespe River Trail. I counted eight sites with fire rings, so a large group could set up here. Some sites are quite rocky and a couple of the fire rings are in poor shape, but there is great river access and some of the sites have good tree cover. Peak fall foliage in early November.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Stagnant near camp but flowing in other areas
Weather Conditions:	Sunny, ~70F mid-morning

Oak Flat Camp Survey - 11-10-2026 - by Max Stern

Link:	Oak Flat Camp
Date:	11-10-2026
Surveyor Name:	Max Stern
Camp Description:	Oak Flat Camp is in great shape. It is a bit difficult to access because it requires a river crossing and some route finding. There are five sites that I noticed. The first site is almost immediately visible upon diverging from the Sespe River Trail, and it consists of a fire ring under several cottonwood trees near the river. The second site you encounter is a decent sized fire ring in a dirt clearing. Past that, a path will take you to the third site, which is a very small fire ring in a grass clearing under some oak trees. Keep going past that site to get to the primary site, which consists of a very large fire ring with great log seating and two large tables (though one table is half broken). This site is ideal because there is plenty of tent place and shade from the large oak tree. There is a fifth site with a small fire pit if you take a right at the first site instead of continuing towards the main site. There are a couple of tools here available for use. Approaching peak fall foliage in early November.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Sunny, ~75F noon

Willet Camp Survey - 11-10-2026 - by Max Stern

Link:	Willet Camp
Date:	11-10-2026
Surveyor Name:	Max Stern
Camp Description:	Willett Camp is in great shape. I took note of 6 sites along the path that separates from the Sespe River Trail, all of which I will consider part of Willett Camp. The first site one encounters is just west of the path, and it has a small fire ring with a log to sit on. A bit further up the trail is site 2, which is located in a clearing and consists of just a small fire ring without much shade. After one passes the Willet Hot Springs Trail, the third site will be encountered under a grove of cottonwood trees. This one has a very large fire ring and logs for seating. After these makeshift camps are the main attractions of Willett Camp. Site 4 is located in front of the first of several abandoned buildings, and site 5 is located just past that around an abandoned concrete foundation area, and it features a picnic table. Site 6 is less of a campsite and more of a small cabin with two bunk beds (enough for 4 people), some tools and supplies, a stove, and a fire pit and uneven picnic table directly in front. I don’t know of anywhere else in the surrounding backcountry where this kind of camping is possible, making camping here a very unique and memorable experience. The adjacent hot springs are in similarly excellent condition.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Sunny, ~75F day, ~50 night

Manzana Narrows Camp Survey - 11-07-2026 - by Vince Mrstik

Link:	Manzana Narrows Camp
Date:	11-07-2026
Surveyor Name:	Vince Mrstik
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Manzana Camp Survey - 11-07-2026 - by Vince Mrstik

Link:	Manzana Camp
Date:	11-07-2026
Surveyor Name:	Vince Mrstik
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Big Cone Spruce Camp Survey - 11-07-2026 - by Vince Mrstik

Link:	Big Cone Spruce Camp
Date:	11-07-2026
Surveyor Name:	Vince Mrstik
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Alcove Camp Survey - 11-07-2026 - by Vince Mrstik

Link:	Alcove Camp
Date:	11-07-2026
Surveyor Name:	Vince Mrstik
Camp Description:	two pools about 150 below camp:  non-flowing water
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Log Cabin Camp Survey - 10-25-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Log Cabin Camp
Date:	10-25-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	I Accessed Log Cabin camp from the Agua Blanca trail, not Pothole trail. The trail was a bit spotty at the beginning, had a few sections that were fairly easy to follow, which sped up the pace, but other sections where the trail is completely no existent. for the las 3/4 of a mile before "Devil's Gate" I opted to rock hop and trudge through the creek. Once you get to the Pothole trail split it is pretty easy to find Log Cabin Camp with just one stream crossing from the split. there are 3-4 Campsites, some old ice stoves, and grills, with some makeshift fire rings. Agua Blanca had a healthy flow thanks to some rain we got 2 days prior. I looped back via the Pothole trail and it was covered in unavoidable poison oak for about 1/2 mile, but was very beautiful.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	High of 79 mid day

Lost Valley Camp Survey - 10-24-2026 - by backpackingrat

Link:	Lost Valley Camp
Date:	10-24-2026
Surveyor Name:	backpackingrat
Camp Description:	Intended to camp at Fish Creek, but seeing no water in the riverbed further up the trail, backtracked to Lost Valley, where there was water. Really lovely campsite, and we were visited by several toads over the course of the evening.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Slow and shallow, but flowing.
Weather Conditions:

Happy Hunting Ground Camp Survey - 10-23-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	Happy Hunting Ground Camp
Date:	10-23-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Camp Description:	Even after two days with rain, there were only stagnant pools here.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Latest Trail Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Agua Blanca Trail Survey - 11-01-2026 - by Alan Coles

Link:	Agua Blanca Trail
Date:	11-01-2026
Surveyor Name:	Alan Coles
Trail description:	Our crew worked the trail from the ranch to Devils Gateway clearing brush and fixing tread.  Trail is in good condition most of the way but there are some false trails where hikers missed the trail at stream crossings.  If you are not familiar with the trail, be sure to take your time at stream crossings to find the correct trail on the other side usually marked by orange flagging.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Trail maintenance

Blue Canyon Trail Survey - 10-26-2026 - by N

Link:	Blue Canyon Trail
Date:	10-26-2026
Surveyor Name:	N
Trail description:	Trail is a lot clearer now from Cottam Camp west for about 0.7 mi. One of the fallen trees has been cleared, and the second one can be easily ducked under.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Manzana Trail East (Upper) Survey - 10-26-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	Manzana Trail East (Upper)
Date:	10-26-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Trail description:	For the Los Padres NF, this trail is in good shape, although growth is beginning to impinge on the trail between White Ledge Camp and Lonnie Davis Camp.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Pothole Trail Survey - 10-25-2026 - by Dusty Ham

Link:	Pothole Trail
Date:	10-25-2026
Surveyor Name:	Dusty Ham
Trail description:	From the trail head going up Pothole it's very well maintained for the first 3 mile or so. After that it becomes very overgrown. Before dropping down into a meadow around 6 miles in, the trail is quite thick and overgrown with a bit of a sketchy drop-off, but totally manageable. The old cabin is still standing and is a perfect spot to take a rest and eat some food in the shade. If you choose to continue on towards Agua Blanca/Log Cabin Camp be aware that as you drop into the canyon you'll encounter about 1/2 mile of THICK unavoidable poison oak.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 10-24-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	10-24-2026
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	The Santa Barbara Canyon Trail is thoroughly clipped for 1.7 miles from the TH parking area at Willow Camp.  At 1.7 miles, the clipping stops, but the trail remains good, with occasional light brush.  Near the water-crossings, there is poison oak and wild rose bushes that could use some maintenance.  At Mile 3 is a very nice, new camp with picnic table and fire ring.   Just past the 5-mile mark there are five blowdowns.  None of them is larger than a man’s thigh.  The re-routed trail up to Heartbreak Hill is in very good condition.  At the end of the new section the short steep trail that has not been given switchbacks is gullied, but not very badly.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Madulce Trail Survey - 10-24-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Madulce Trail
Date:	10-24-2026
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	The two-mile Madulce Trail from the Madulce Guard Station up to the turnoff for the spur trail to Madulce Peak, the trail is in bad shape.  It is heavily overgrown, making pathfinding difficult.  And there are many blowdowns, some of them large and quite tedious to climb across.  We slowed to a one-mile-per-hour pace.  This section of trail needs significant work.   We dropped packs at the junction of the Madulce Trail with the Madulce Peak Trail, thinking we would dash up to the peak.  But the many blowdowns got progressively worse.  The buckthorn was heavy in places, but it was the blowdowns that were especially exhausting.  After .75 mile (with ~1.25 mile to go), and with shortening daylight, we gave up on summiting Madulce Peak.  We returned to the Madulce Trail, retrieved our packs, and enjoyed the excellent one-mile trail leading us out to Big Pine Road.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow

Madulce Peak Trail Survey - 10-24-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Madulce Peak Trail
Date:	10-24-2026
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	We dropped packs at the junction of the Madulce Trail with the Madulce Peak Trail, thinking we would dash up to the peak.  But the many blowdowns got progressively worse.  The buckthorn was heavy in places, but it was the blowdowns that were especially exhausting.  After .75 mile (with ~1.25 mile to go), and with shortening daylight, we gave up on summiting Madulce Peak.  We returned to the Madulce Trail, retrieved our packs, and enjoyed the excellent one-mile trail leading us out to Big Pine Road.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Non existent

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 10-23-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	10-23-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Trail description:	For the Los Padres NF, this trail is in good shape, although growth is beginning to impinge on the trail between White Ledge Camp and Lonnie Davis Camp.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 10-23-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	10-23-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Trail description:	Disregard previous report. It was for the Manzana Trail. Sadly the Sisquoc Trail is being lost to overgrowth every time the trail crosses over to the south side of the creek. The north side of the creek sections are ok for a Los Padres NF trail. I was planning to hike the whole length of the Sisquoc Trail from South Fork Camp to Alamar Camp. I abandoned my hike after reaching what I presume was the location of the old Skunk Camp (just before Mansfield Camp). I was worried about more trouble ahead. This is so sad. I've twice hiked the Sisquoc Trail before, most recently in 2020, with no problems.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow

Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 10-21-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	Manzana Trail West (Lower)
Date:	10-21-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Trail description:	Ignore trail condition selection. I did not hike this trail. I wanted to report that at the trailhead near Nira CG, Manzana Creek was not flowing, but Brown Creek was flowing.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow