Bates Canyon Campground South Los Padres National Forest

Submitted Camp Reports

Bates Canyon Campground Survey - 06-14-2025 - by Christopher L

Link:	Bates Canyon Campground
Date:	06-14-2025
Surveyor Name:	Christopher L
Camp Description:	Drove jeep to Bates Campground which was in surprisingly good condition although the road to get there was rough and not recommended for low clearance vehicles. Stopped briefly at the campground and it had restrooms, picnic tables, shade trees, and parking. The well faucet is capped off but there was running water in the creek next to the campground.  Restrooms and the campground in general were well-maintained.  From there, drove a 4WD Jeep up Bates Canyon road up to Sierra Madre Road on the ridge.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Bates Creek had good water flow but campground faucet was capped off.
Weather Conditions:	Sunny and hot
Images:	Restrooms in good shape. Faucet capped off. Water flowing in creek Campground well maintained Picnic Tables in the shade of large oaks

Bates Canyon Campground Survey - 06-18-2023 - by Adam Donald

Link:	Bates Canyon Campground
Date:	06-18-2023
Surveyor Name:	Adam Donald
Camp Description:	Campsite is in mostly good condition, but the door to one of the two outhouses has been broken in half and taken off.  I only stopped here a few minutes because there were clouds of biting flies.  Road is in good condition up to Sierra Madre Rd at the ridge.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Creek is flowing well below the camp
Weather Conditions:	Sunny 80s
Images:

Bates Canyon Campground Survey - 04-17-2023 - by Nate e Poo

Link:	Bates Canyon Campground
Date:	04-17-2023
Surveyor Name:	Nate e Poo
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Lots of green. Some flowers. Creeks flowing.
Weather Conditions:

Bates Canyon Campground Survey - 02-27-2022 - by Nancy Aguilar

Link:	Bates Canyon Campground
Date:	02-27-2022
Surveyor Name:	Nancy Aguilar
Camp Description:	I road up Bates Canyon and it was so beautiful. The trail winds up to Sierra Madre Ridge. Most of the trail up is in a canopy of trees. There were still patches of snow on the north facings. The campground area was so pretty. 2 bathrooms. I did not use them but the area was very clean.
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	no water in the creek
Weather Conditions:	60's

Bates Canyon Campground Survey - 04-19-2021 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Bates Canyon Campground
Date:	04-19-2021
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Camp sites clean. Road to Sierra Madre Ridge was open at the bottom but did not drive to the top to see if both ends open.  Not a terribly interesting campground unless you just want to get away from people.
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	Water taps are all capped off
Weather Conditions:	High 70’s and sunny during day, high 40’s at night

Bates Canyon Campground Survey - 07-03-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Bates Canyon Campground
Date:	07-03-2017
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Few snakeÂ
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Dry, Sunny. 100F/65F
Images:	Snake tracks

Bates Canyon Campground Survey - 08-25-2016 - by Jack Owen, Jr

Link:	Bates Canyon Campground
Date:	08-25-2016
Surveyor Name:	Jack Owen, Jr
Camp Description:	Bates Canyon Road is repaired and now open from the campground up to Sierra Madre Road.
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Bates Canyon Campground Survey - 08-11-2016 - by Jack Owen, Jr

Link:	Bates Canyon Campground
Date:	08-11-2016
Surveyor Name:	Jack Owen, Jr
Camp Description:	The campground is open and available.  Bates Canyon Road from camp up to Sierra Madre Road is impassable and CLOSED.  It has washed out in numerous places.  You can walk the road, but no vehicle access is possible. Forest Service personnel have told me they don't know when it will be fixed as it needs a major amount of work.  some portions of the road are completely washed away (GONE!) and it is going to be a major project.
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

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