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

• Cozy Dell Trail
• San Clemente Trail
• Bee Camp Trail
• Rinconada Trail
• Lost Valley Trail Ventana…

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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

• Los Prietos Campground
• Mt Pinos Campground
• Chula Vista Campground
• Manzana Schoolhouse Camp
• Arroyo Seco Campground

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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 52 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 23 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 9 OHV…
• Ballinger Route 53 OHV…
• Horseshoe Springs Spur…

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206 Dirt Roads

• Wheeler Resi - Forest…
• Los Prietos - Forest…
• Piano Box L Ohv - Forest…
• Sierra Madre - Forest…
• Pine Canyon - Forest…

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111 Peaks

• Ventana Cone
• Mount Pinos
• Black Cone Peak
• Sulphur Peak
• Sawmill Mountain

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174 Springs

• Live Oak Spring - Sisquoc
• Rodeo Spring
• Sulphur Spring - Salisbury…
• Buck Cove Spring
• Upper Trough Canyon Spring

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Latest Camp Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Sykes Hot Springs Survey - 10-1-1996 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sykes Hot Springs
Date:	10-1-1996
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	A story about a missed chance at visiting Sykes from 1996. Worth a read: https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2025-03-03/big-sur-wildfire-threat-camping-survival-story-between-a-rock
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Mono Campground Survey - 1-1-2024 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Mono Campground
Date:	1-1-2024
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:

Lion Den Camp Survey - 06-14-2025 - by Hitch

Link:	Lion Den Camp
Date:	06-14-2025
Surveyor Name:	Hitch
Camp Description:	Mountain lion spotted 06;00 on 6/12. He wasn’t interested in me fortunately
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Cottam Camp Survey - 06-08-2025 - by Lisa B

Link:	Cottam Camp
Date:	06-08-2025
Surveyor Name:	Lisa B
Camp Description:	At Cottam there was a trickle, but verging on stagnant.  We actually camped at the rock firepit a 1/4 mile or so west of Cottam proper, and there was a decent trickle behind the camp there.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Forbush Camp Survey - 06-07-2025 - by Lisa B

Link:	Forbush Camp
Date:	06-07-2025
Surveyor Name:	Lisa B
Camp Description:	Filled water here before continuing down blue canyon.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fish Creek Camp Survey - 06-07-2025 - by Dancebymoon

Link:	Fish Creek Camp
Date:	06-07-2025
Surveyor Name:	Dancebymoon
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Rays Camp Survey - 06-07-2025 - by Dancebymoon

Link:	Rays Camp
Date:	06-07-2025
Surveyor Name:	Dancebymoon
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Cottam Camp Survey - 06-07-2025 - by RJ

Link:	Cottam Camp
Date:	06-07-2025
Surveyor Name:	RJ
Camp Description:	Well maintained campground with tools and firepit. Bench is decaying, but still sturdy for sitting and eating. Lots of bugs and mosquitos.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Cottam Creek stagnant upon arrival, slight trickle the following morning. Recommend bringing water
Weather Conditions:	Clear skies, high 70's during day, mid 40's night.

Big Pine Camp Survey - 06-05-2025 - by Flora K

Link:	Big Pine Camp
Date:	06-05-2025
Surveyor Name:	Flora K
Camp Description:	The camp itself is not very inviting. Many downed and damaged trees all around the site. would not want to set up camp there. Picnic table is still usable. the hike 1/4 quarter mile down from buckhorn road is very steep and slippery due to the ground being covered by pine needles. Would have been impossible with our bikes or with lots of stuff.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	the stream is trickling but the well has a good amount of clear cold water
Weather Conditions:

Bluff Guard Station Survey - 06-05-2025 - by Flora K

Link:	Bluff Guard Station
Date:	06-05-2025
Surveyor Name:	Flora K
Camp Description:	Camp is in great shape but SO many flies. Not just regular flies, but the ones that bite. Also a beehive near the tree by the administrative cabin. Cool outhouse with proper camp toilet and even toilet paper!. Flowing water just 20 ft away from the camp sites at indian creek.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Creek flowing with small pools of water
Weather Conditions:

Latest Trail Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 05-30-2025 - by Stephen McDaniel

Link:	Manzana Trail West (Lower)
Date:	05-30-2025
Surveyor Name:	Stephen McDaniel
Trail description:	Took 11 teenage boys on this hike from Lower Manzana Trailhead to the Schoolhouse camp. A whole lot of river crossings along the way. For a while, I tried going from rock to rock to keep out of the water but eventually gave in and got my feet wet. There were probably half a dozen times where there was no easy way to avoid getting my feet wet - most of those about ankle deep but one or two times when it went a bit higher.  The trail was in good shape. We lost the trail for a bit once but that was probably more for not paying enough attention. The very start of the hike is a bit tough being away from the river and rather exposed...but then the rest of the hike is somewhat shaded and there was a nice breeze coming off the water. We came in Friday and only saw one person (the Beeman!) on the trail and none at camp. The next day a few more groups arrived and we saw a few people at each of the camps along the way back (Coldwater and Potrero). Great hike. Can't wait to come back.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Bucksnort Trail Survey - 05-29-2025 - by Holden

Link:	Bucksnort Trail
Date:	05-29-2025
Surveyor Name:	Holden
Trail description:	Not too hard at all, until you go down the big mountain. Pain in the ass from then on, and the trail is a bit scattered and easy to get lost, especially when coming up again. you'll get kind of cut up but it's too hot to put on a shirt or pants. prepare for 2 hours up or down the last big hill.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	Great 'til the Saddle

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-27-2025 - by Brad Marston

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-27-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brad Marston
Trail description:	The trail is generally easy to follow, with one exception being a section of about 100' length where it seems to be in the creek due to a slide and fallen trees.  From about miles 2.5 to 3.5 from the trailhead brushing is needed.  In some parts in that section it is hard to avoid poison oak which mixes in with the wild roses.  The new switchbacks are wonderful!  Thank you for all the hard work building them.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	brushing needed in parts

Madulce Trail Survey - 05-27-2025 - by Brad Marston

Link:	Madulce Trail
Date:	05-27-2025
Surveyor Name:	Brad Marston
Trail description:	Hiked up about 2 miles from Madulce camp.  Very brushy after trail leaves creek to climb the ridge, with whitethorn ceanothus (or similar) jabbing with large needles.  Big downed, smooth, and steeply inclined tree blocked our way further (shown in May 2, 2025 report).
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Brushy with large downed tree blocking way

Lion Canyon Trail Survey - 05-25-2025 - by Omar Eff

Link:	Lion Canyon Trail
Date:	05-25-2025
Surveyor Name:	Omar Eff
Trail description:	The trail is generally great condition from Middle Lion Camp, except for dense vegetation immediately at the trailhead and then again in the last section between Four Points Junction and East Fork Camp. Immediately after the fork, there was a jungle of dense vegetation, with lots of thorns, and then the trail was difficult to follow through dry creek bed.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Clear and easy up until just past the Four Points Junction

Sespe River Trail Survey - 05-25-2025 - by AidLenSel

Link:	Sespe River Trail
Date:	05-25-2025
Surveyor Name:	AidLenSel
Trail description:	Trail is in great shape and easy to follow after the first few river crossings. Just keep an eye out for markers and such. The crossing at Bear Creek Camp was a bit tough to find, but some nearby campers were helpful enough to guide us. Get out there before the water dries up! There are still a few swimmable pools, but it has been a dry winter so I wouldn’t wait. Also, watch out for poison oak by Kerr spring, there’s a whole lot, sometimes coming into the trail.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Red Reef Trail Survey - 05-21-2025 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Red Reef Trail
Date:	05-21-2025
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	Hiked this trail from the ridge down to the Sespe. Overall it is followable but there are places with fallen burned trees and one where I had to take my pack off and crawl underneath. The trail gets brushy at times and is tick heaven. I did not see a Ladybug camp or any place you could camp. I saw no water until where the trail crosses Timber Creek a little above Harris Tunnel. I may have left my pot containing a stove, lighter, spoon and green bandana at the creek on the south side of Harris Tunnel. If anyone finds it and wants to return it, my fist and last name, all one word, at gmail is my email.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Brushy, ric-rack areas sketchy, saw no camps

Franklin Trail North Survey - 05-21-2025 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Franklin Trail North
Date:	05-21-2025
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	I went down to explore the Jameson end of the trail and discovered the old parking area was washed away, the sluice was broken and the start of the trail is not readily apparent. I do not know what the rest of the trail is like but the devastation at the mouth of the canyon doesn't look promising.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	The start of the trail obscured and old parking area washed away

Chorro Grande Trail Survey - 05-17-2025 - by Casey Horgan

Link:	Chorro Grande Trail
Date:	05-17-2025
Surveyor Name:	Casey Horgan
Trail description:	Biked down from Pine Mountain trailhead. Trail was in good shape and easy to follow, but could use brushing and tread work in various locations.
Mode of transport:	Bicycle
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Murietta Trail Survey - 05-17-2025 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Murietta Trail
Date:	05-17-2025
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	I came over Murietta Divide from the Jameson Lake side. The dirt road was washed out in many areas wherever there was a side canyon starting right after the spring. Although I saw a cairn marking the Murietta trail where the upper portion meets the road, I did not have confidence the trail still exists so I did not follow. It did not help that the last trip report here that sounds like anyone went all the way to the road is from 2021. It would be helpful if anyone has hiked the complete trail could let us know if the whole trail is open.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	I did not trust the trail existed