Rancho Nuevo Campground South Los Padres National Forest

• Camp Type: Car Campground - No Reservations, first-come, first-serve walk-in campground
• Topo Map Link: Rancho Nuevo Creek
• Elevation: 3500 feet
• Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
• County: Ventura County
• Ranger District: Ojai Ranger District
• Longitude: -119.3978207
• Latitude: 34.69515192
• Water Sources: Rancho Nuevo Creek flows year round next to the camp BUT the water can be pretty stanky. We suggest bringing in your own water since it is a car-campground.
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Reservations: Car Campground - No Reservations, Walk In

Recent Water Reports:

Date	Surveyor	Water Report
04-29-2023	Duane Waite	Flowing
04-23-2023	Duane Waite	Flowing
01-31-2023	Los Padres Forest Association	Flowing
02-06-2021	Duane Waite	Trickle
02-16-2020	Antonio Calderon	Flowing
07-06-2019	Christopher P. Lord	Flowing
06-29-2019	Scott Williams	Flowing
06-19-2019	Los Padres Forest Association	Flowing
06-13-2019	Los Padres Forest Association	Flowing
04-21-2019	James Wapotich	Flowing
01-06-2018	Anonymous Surveyor	Flowing
11-22-2017	Los Padres Forest Association	Trickle
11-16-2016	Los Padres Forest Association	Trickle
03-26-2016	Geoff	Stagnant
11-22-2015	Chester	Stagnant

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Description:

Located off the Highway 33 near the Highway 166 junction at the end of Forest Service Road 7N04A, Rancho Nuevo Campground has three designated campsites which consist of fire rings and space to park.  The campsites were renovated in fall 2017.  "Rancho Nuevo" means "new camp" or "new ranch" in Spanish. This camp was so named because at one time the land here became the "new ranch" for part of the Reyes family whose home place was near Ozena on the upper Cuyama River.

Rancho Nuevo is managed by the Forest Service and does require an Adventure Pass in order to camp.  The camp is not very popular but does see a lot of use during hunting season.

The Rancho Nuevo Trail starts at the campground making this campground a more popular parking area than an actual campground.  Check it out, sure is a beautiful place to camp and study the nearby cliff faces and canyon walls.

 

Recent Uploads:

Photo By: Antonio Calderon - Website Link

Survey Photos:

• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 11-16-2016
  
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 11-22-2017
  Campsite #2, closed to the trailhead. PLEASE DON"T DESTROY THE CAMP.
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 11-22-2017
  The camp sign, no bullet holes, yet. Utah'esque cliffs in the background.
• 
  Scott Williams - 06-29-2019
  
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 06-13-2019
  Rancho Nuevo Overgrown
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 06-13-2019
  Rancho Nuevo Overgrown
• 
  Christopher P. Lord - 07-06-2019
  
• 
  Christopher P. Lord - 07-06-2019
  
• 
  Christopher P. Lord - 07-06-2019
  
• 
  Antonio Calderon - 02-16-2020
  One of three sites
• 
  Antonio Calderon - 02-16-2020
  Water at camp
• 
  Antonio Calderon - 02-16-2020
  Information at parking area
• 
  Duane Waite - 04-23-2023
  Tent.
• 
  Duane Waite - 04-23-2023
  Creek
• 
  Duane Waite - 04-29-2023
  Campground
• 
  Duane Waite - 04-29-2023
  Campground
• 
  Duane Waite - 04-29-2023
  Concrete crossing 7N04A
• 
  Duane Waite - 04-29-2023
  Washout at gas line. Notice the exposed pipe
• 
  Duane Waite - 04-29-2023
  View of washout from the west.
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 01-31-2023
  

Submitted Camp Reports

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 04-29-2023 - by Duane Waite

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	04-29-2023
Surveyor Name:	Duane Waite
Camp Description:	A more helpful report with descriptions and photos of current conditions: Aside from the current state of road 7N04 at creek crossings, all of which are washed out to a depth of 2-3 feet, the road itself is COMPLETELY washed out at the natural gas pipeline.  7N04A's road bed is not washed out, and all the concrete crossings are in good shape. But the storms dropped several feet of rocks and debris, which will need to be leveled or removed for a vehicle to cross through. As for the camp itself? Rocks and sand are scattered everywhere except for the first site as you enter the camp. A small meadow still exists. Can you set a tent up there? Bring a shovel.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	All crossings 6" to 12" deep and flowing fast
Weather Conditions:	Clear, 40's
Images:	Campground Campground Concrete crossing 7N04A Washout at gas line. Notice the exposed pipe View of washout from the west.

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 04-23-2023 - by Duane Waite

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	04-23-2023
Surveyor Name:	Duane Waite
Camp Description:	The road to the campground is completely impassable, but the trailhead is lush, and there is plenty of room to park and set up a tent. Spent the night of April 22 parked near the big oak tree with my tent pitched nearby, staring up into a moonless night. No animal life could be heard (owls and coyotes are what I usually hear), but the river has a audible flow, with water over a foot deep along the strand nearest to me. Thank you, major storms! Temps in the low 40's, but it warmed up quickly after sunrise. Just lovely.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water is a foot deep, and flowing fast.
Weather Conditions:	Clear, low 40's.
Images:	Tent. Creek

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 01-31-2023 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	01-31-2023
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Photo collected by the USFS showing what the water levels were during the January storm flows. Pretty amazing!
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Lots of water!
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 02-06-2021 - by Duane Waite

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	02-06-2021
Surveyor Name:	Duane Waite
Camp Description:	The gate was closed so I pitched my tent in the parking area a hundred yards off the highway. A surprisingly pleasant night. Very little traffic, and lots of coyotes  and owls (A good thing)! I plan on returning for that reason alone. All the yips and hoots were just what this city addled camper needed!
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Lots of gray foam
Weather Conditions:	Mid 20s at night. Warmed quickly at sunrise.

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 02-16-2020 - by Antonio Calderon

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	02-16-2020
Surveyor Name:	Antonio Calderon
Camp Description:	Road to camp was closed. It’s about a mile and a half walk to reach campground from parking area near highway 33. Camped looked great and clean with nice looking fire rings. Water was flowing right next to camp.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Nice flow with ankle deep water
Weather Conditions:	Low 30s at 730am warmed up to low 60s, sunny and windy
Images:	One of three sites Water at camp Information at parking area

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 07-06-2019 - by Christopher P. Lord

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	07-06-2019
Surveyor Name:	Christopher P. Lord
Camp Description:	Stopped by the Campground Saturday 07/06/2019. The Forest Service did a great job weed whacking all the brush around Camp. Lots of soft sand crossing the Cuyama AWD/4WD is probably best. Once the sun is fully overhead there is no shade, however each site has really nice fire pits with steel cooking grates and water was flowing from Rancho Nuevo Creek.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Sunny 90 degrees
Images:

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 06-29-2019 - by Scott Williams

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	06-29-2019
Surveyor Name:	Scott Williams
Camp Description:	Camp in great shape. Someone did some weed whacking around all three sites. No one camping though. Need to plant some trees for shade and this would be a great camp. High clearance vehicle necessary to get there.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Lots of consistent water all the way up canyon
Weather Conditions:	Sunny 85
Images:

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 06-19-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	06-19-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	The Forest Service performed fire hazard reduction by weed eating the campground.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water is good!
Weather Conditions:

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 06-13-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	06-13-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	June 13, 2019: The campground was overgrown with seasonal grass.   June 19: The Forest Service performed fire hazard clearing by weed eating the campground. Rancho Nuevo Campground is otherwise in good shape with very little trash, good flowing water and the new firepits are holding together. NOTE: There are no bathrooms at this campground.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water flowing nicely down the canyon and through the campground.
Weather Conditions:
Images:	Rancho Nuevo Overgrown Rancho Nuevo Overgrown

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 04-21-2019 - by James Wapotich

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	04-21-2019
Surveyor Name:	James Wapotich
Camp Description:	Great water along the length of Rancho Nuevo Creek. Lots of great wildflowers including fire poppies along the first section through the "gorge". The campground is in good shape and the trail is relatively easy to follow up to Deal Junction.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 01-06-2018 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	01-06-2018
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	This place is nice and the road is in good condition. Gate is open as of yesterday.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Full flow and can be filtered with easily.
Weather Conditions:

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 11-22-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	11-22-2017
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	MPRD installed new signs and 3 designated campsites with fire rings and numbered campsites (1-3).  Camp is looking better than it has in a long long time.  Enjoy!
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Normal unattractive water at Rancho Nuevo Camp filled with tamarisk.
Weather Conditions:
Images:	Campsite #2, closed to the trailhead. PLEASE DON"T DESTROY THE CAMP. The camp sign, no bullet holes, yet. Utah'esque cliffs in the background.

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 11-16-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	11-16-2016
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Rancho Nuevo Camp was in typical RN Camp form with some trash scattered around, not a whole lot of amenities, beautiful scenery and as much solitude as you'd hope for from a designated car-camping campground.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Some water flowing at camp but not very appetizing. Bring your own!
Weather Conditions:	Chilly - freezing until the sun came up.
Images:

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 03-26-2016 - by Geoff

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	03-26-2016
Surveyor Name:	Geoff
Camp Description:	I did not stay here. I only passed through this site. This campground may be closed permanently. However, there are no signs or any information regarding its closure. At least, none that I saw. The only sign I noted was a direction and distance sign to the campground on Hwy 33. There was a very large family camping at the Rancho Nuevo campground/trailhead. There are no restroom facilities at the site. The family had been walking down the start of the Rancho Nuevo trail and openly defecating. There was unburied shit and toilet paper all over the place. There is a little less shit now, because a hiker’s dog who enjoys a shitty treat gulped a bunch of it down. If the campground is closed, then there should probably be a no camping sign installed at the site. Also, the sign on Hwy 33 should indicate that the campground is closed. If the campground is open, then there should probably be a pit toilet or other restroom facility installed to help prevent people from shitting all over the place. Â
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Shallow pools in the creek near the camp.
Weather Conditions:	Sunny, Warm.

Rancho Nuevo Campground Survey - 11-22-2015 - by Chester

Link:	Rancho Nuevo Campground
Date:	11-22-2015
Surveyor Name:	Chester
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Large pools of water in the creek near the camp
Weather Conditions:

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