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: | |
- Espinosa Camp Survey - 03-23-2024 - by Patrick Morgan
Link: | Espinosa Camp |
Date: | 03-23-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Patrick Morgan |
Camp Description: | the water source is about a quarter of a mile past the camp, along the trail. It is flowing fast and strong right now. |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | strong and clear |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Vincente Flat Camp Survey - 03-23-2024 - by Patrick Morgan
Link: | Vincente Flat Camp |
Date: | 03-23-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Patrick Morgan |
Camp Description: | Beautiful camp among the redwoods and pines. It rained all night, but the trees helped cover us from the worst of it. Many spacious campsites with log benches and fire rings spread all over the Flat. Other surveys say the creek is usually dry through camp, but it was flowing fast and clear across the ground. A beautiful backcountry camp. The trail past the camp was difficult to find, though we were not planning to go further. Good thing, too, because the trails up canyon (Stone ridge and the trail to Cone Peak Road) looked overgrown. The camp is the perfect distance for a nice overnight trip. Great times with friends! |
Water Source: | Flowing |
Water Source Details: | strong and clear |
Weather Conditions: | |
- Lion Den Camp Survey - 03-18-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: | Lion Den Camp |
Date: | 03-18-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Anonymous Surveyor |
Camp Description: | |
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 |
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Latest Trail Reports
Please click on a report below to view the survey
- Hurricane Deck Trail Survey - 03-25-2024 - by Casey Horgan
Link: | Hurricane Deck Trail |
Date: | 03-25-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Casey Horgan |
Trail description: | Trail was in better shape than I was expecting and was easy to follow apart from a few locations. Briefly lost the trail once. The trial was generally overgrown with moderate bushwhacking needed in spots. Some mud in locations also made the tread slick. Don't recommend hiking immediately following large storms. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
Condition details: | Hiked east portion of Hurricane Deck from White Ledge to Lost Valley Trail on 3/23 |
- Buckeye Trail Survey - 03-25-2024 - by Kaylynn OCurran
Link: | Buckeye Trail |
Date: | 03-25-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Kaylynn OCurran |
Trail description: | A lot of poison oak and ivy during the first half mile of this trail, to the point that it is impossible to not brush up against it. I suggest not bringing animals as bringing my dog resulted in her getting poison oak. We had about 6 or 7 ticks on us. Lots of flowing water and maybe 4 or 5 downed trees that you have to crawl over or under. Trail isn't too overgrown at all, only in the very beginning. Not muddy really at all. Beautiful weather we got and gorgeous views at Buckeye Camp! Really great experience and conditions overall. |
Mode of transport: | Array |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
Condition details: | Lots of poison oak and ivy and ticks! |
- Kirk Creek Trail / Vicente Falt Trail Survey - 03-23-2024 - by Patrick Morgan
Link: | Kirk Creek Trail / Vicente Falt Trail |
Date: | 03-23-2024 |
Surveyor Name: | Patrick Morgan |
Trail description: | The trail is beautiful and in mostly good condition. Up to Espinoza camp, the trail is well marked, graded, easy to follow. After Espinoza, there are a number of down trees. The water source along the trail after Espinoza is difficult to access because of one. Most are passable, but there is one, about a quarter mile before Vicente Flat, that was very difficult to cross. It required some climbing and creativity, but it was possible. Bushwhacking might be necessary for some on that section. |
Mode of transport: | Hike |
Trail condition: | Needs some work |
Condition details: | downed trees |
- 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.
|
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 |
View All Trail Reports