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

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:

White Ledge Camp - San Rafael Wilderness Survey - 10-23-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	White Ledge Camp - San Rafael Wilderness
Date:	10-23-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Even after two days of rain, only stagnant water here.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lonnie Davis Camp Survey - 10-23-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	Lonnie Davis Camp
Date:	10-23-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Camp Description:	I didn't go down the side trail to the camp, but water is flowing in the creek.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

South Fork Camp - Sisquoc Survey - 10-23-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	South Fork Camp - Sisquoc
Date:	10-23-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Camp Description:	Ranger cabin is unlocked, but very forlorn inside. Creek is flowing.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fish Creek Camp Survey - 10-22-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	Fish Creek Camp
Date:	10-22-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Camp Description:	Manzana Creek at camp was not flowing, but if you followed the social trail from the camp to Fish Creek and walked only a little ways upstream, there was water there.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water on Fish Creek, but not Manzana Creek
Weather Conditions:

Rays Camp Survey - 10-22-2026 - by Andrew Carter

Link:	Rays Camp
Date:	10-22-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew Carter
Camp Description:	Creek was flowing at camp, but then water goes underground until you get to Lost Valley Camp.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Manzana Camp Survey - 10-22-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Manzana Camp
Date:	10-22-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Davy Brown Campground Survey - 10-21-2026 - by Andrew CArter

Link:	Davy Brown Campground
Date:	10-21-2026
Surveyor Name:	Andrew CArter
Camp Description:	There is a creek at Davy Brown Campground which can be used for water. It was flowing well just before the first fall rain.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Latest Trail Reports

Please click on a report below to view the survey

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

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

Big Cone Spruce Trail Survey - 10-03-2026 - by Joel Bockhahn

Link:	Big Cone Spruce Trail
Date:	10-03-2026
Surveyor Name:	Joel Bockhahn
Trail description:	Did a backpacking trip, starting at Nira and the goal was to get to Big Cone Spruce Camp. Trail is pretty good all the way up until we ran into a large amount of deadfall and it was difficult to follow the trail. Lots of brush an PO approximately 34° 44' 3.44" N, 119° 50' 55.17" W. Probably could have made it if we hiked up the creek, but it was getting dark so we turned back. Overall a good trail and if you get to that spot with plenty of light, you probably would have no problem getting around it. For me, it was too hot (somewhere between 90 and 100 degrees, and too late in the evening to risk a very slow last mile or so to the camp.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	Trail is a bit overgrown but not hard to follow

Sespe River Trail Survey - 09-13-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Sespe River Trail
Date:	09-13-2026
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Trail is clear and easy before Bear Creek, but gets a little tougher to follow (especially during river crossings) after that point. It's also overgrown in places, with very tough scratchy plants. Some poison oak, but it's easy to avoid if you're alert. Tons of water at Bear Creek, and intermittent water from there on out. There is some shallow but strongly flowing water at Willett Camp. Hot tub is in great shape, big shout out to whoever maintains that!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Big Cone Spruce Trail Survey - 09-12-2026 - by Dylan

Link:	Big Cone Spruce Trail
Date:	09-12-2026
Surveyor Name:	Dylan
Trail description:	Started from Manazana Creek trail. Slightly overgrown from the start. Water available starting half a mile from the main Manzana Creek trail. Hit an impassable jam of logs and thicket at a creek crossing, about a half mile before Big Cone Spruce Camp. Section I was able to hike did have some nice pools and shade.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	Impassable section

Manzana Trail East (Upper) Survey - 09-12-2026 - by Dylan

Link:	Manzana Trail East (Upper)
Date:	09-12-2026
Surveyor Name:	Dylan
Trail description:	Trail in great shape from Nira trailhead to the Big Cone Spruce junction, just past the Narrows camp. Some slightly sketchy sections that could washout after a storm. Water available from the trailhead to a half mile beyond Lost Valley camp. Creek was dry from there to about a mile prior to Manzana camp (dry at Fish Creek Camp). Plenty of flowing water at Manzana camp and Manzana Narrows camp. Dry at the Big Cone Spruce trail junction.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow