Welcome To Hike Los Padres!
User Log In or Sign Up

Dick Smith Wilderness - Hiking and Backpacking Trails

Backpacking and Hiking Trails in the Dick Smith Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest


The Dick Smith Wilderness is a wilderness area in the mountains of eastern Santa Barbara County, California, USA, with a portion in Ventura County. It is completely contained within the Los Padres National Forest, and is northeast of the city of Santa Barbara and north of the city of Ojai. It is most easily accessible from two trailheads off State Route 33, which runs north from Ojai. It is adjacent to the large San Rafael Wilderness on the west and the Matilija Wilderness on the south. Across Highway 33 to the east, and also in the Los Padres National Forest, is the large Sespe Wilderness.

The wilderness is named after Santa Barbaran Dick Smith, who was a reporter, photographer, historian and pioneer in environmental journalism for the Santa Barbara News-Press. Smith spent more times in these remote regions of Santa Barbara County than anyone, covering the area on horseback and accompanied by his dog. In recognition of Dick's personal pursuit to preserve the wild back country the area was named in his honor, and the U.S. Congress created the wilderness in 1984 as part of the California Wilderness Act.

A total of (10) trails are currently available in the Dick Smith Wilderness ×
Alamar Trail - 8.70 Miles
26W06 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Santa Barbara County
The Alamar trail begins at Alamar Saddle Campground (5673 feet) which is on the Buckhorn Road (Forest Route 9N11), the trail is located in the Dick Smith Wilderness. No water at the trail head except at Bear Camp…
Deal Trail - 6.10 Miles
24WO4 • Dick Smith • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Deal Trail is a 6 mile trail that is partially in the Dick Smith Wilderness, in Ventura County. The trail begins from Highway 33 and the completes at the Rancho Nuevo Trail (24W03).
Don Victor Trail - 4.82 Miles
25W03 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Ventura County
The Don Victor Trail is a very rough 5 mile trail in the heart of the wild Dick Wilderness, located in Ventura County. The trail connects the Puerto Suelo Trail (3E08) and the Loma Victor Road (7N05). There are two ways to access this trail, one option…
Indian Trail - Dick Smith - 2.78 Miles
26W08 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Santa Barbara County
One of the most enjoyable trails in the back country. It starts at Bluff Camp and descends along the creek of the same name until the creek joins Mono Creek a short distance up stream from the Santa Ynez River. A beautiful section from Pens Camp down to just above Indian Creek Camp was, thankfully,…
Madulce Peak Trail - 2.00 Miles
28W09 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Santa Barbara County
The Dick Smith Wilderness - Hiking and Backpacking Trails is a 0.1 mile trail in the Non Wilderness Area Wilderness in . The trail connects the Madulce Trail (28W09) and Madulce Peak. On the 1905 topographic map, the peak is called Strawberry Peak because…
Madulce Trail - 3.51 Miles
28W09 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Santa Barbara County
The Dick Smith Wilderness - Hiking and Backpacking Trails is a scenic 0.1 mile trail in the Non Wilderness Area Wilderness in . The trail connects the Buckhorn Road (9N11.3) to 3 Dick Smith Wilderness trails, the Don Victor Trail (25W03), the Santa Barbara…
Poplar Trail - 6.50 Miles
26W16 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Santa Barbara County
The Dick Smith Wilderness - Hiking and Backpacking Trails is a senic 0.1 mile trail in the Non Wilderness Area Wilderness in County. The trail follows the Indian Creek and connects the Mono-Alamar Trail (26W07) and the Bluff Guard Station (4,480 feet).…
Puerto Suelo Trail - Dick Smith - 3.05 Miles
26W20 • Dick Smith • Santa Barbara Ranger District • Ventura County
The Dick Smith Wilderness - Hiking and Backpacking Trails is a remote 0.1 mile trail in the Non Wilderness Area Wilderness in . The trail connects the Don Victor Trail (25W03) and the Alamar Trail (26W06). This trail has been flagged in 2015 but has not be maintained in a very long time. Please let us know if you have…
Rancho Nuevo Trail - 5.26 Miles
24W03 • Dick Smith • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Ventura County
The Dick Smith Wilderness - Hiking and Backpacking Trails is a senic 0.1 mile trail in the Non Wilderness Area Wilderness in . In 1889 Ramon Ortego received a homestead Patent for property on the Potrero that he had been living on for a number of years. Ramon was a descendent of Jose Ortego who came with the Portola expedition…
Santa Barbara Canyon Trail - 6.92 Miles
25W02 • Dick Smith • Mt. Pinos Ranger District • Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara Canyon heads south from the trailhead at the old Willow Flat Campground.  The trailhead is marked by a turnout on the righthand side of the road next to a juniper tree.  The trail starts there, crosses the creek and immediately enters the Dick Smith Wilderness.  The trail meanders along…