Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Halfmoon Campground South Los Padres National Forest
- Camp Type: Car Campground - No Reservations, first-come, first-serve walk-in campground
- Topo Map Link: Lockwood Valley
- Elevation: 4700 feet
- Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
- County: Ventura County
- Ranger District: Mt. Pinos Ranger District
- Longitude: -119.0685759
- Latitude: 34.65085892
- Water Sources: None
- Length of Stay: 14 Days
- Reservations: Car Campground - No Reservations, Walk In
Recent Water Reports:
| Date | Surveyor | Water Report |
| 10-18-2025 | Jason Miller | Dry |
| 07-17-2020 | NPHighview | Trickle |
| 06-12-2019 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 10-21-2018 | Christopher P. Lord | Dry |
| 05-27-2017 | Anonymous Surveyor | Flowing |
| 03-29-2016 | Shaddus Maximus | Flowing |
| 09-27-2015 | Los Padres Forest Association | Dry |
| 05-23-2015 | Erin C. | Flowing |
| 04-19-2015 | Hike Los Padres | Flowing |
Description:
Jeffery Pine shaded camp near creek. Dirt road to camp normally accessible by 2 wheel drive vehicle.
| Current Conditions: | Closes for the winter season. Will reopen in May, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Quiet Hours: 10:00pm – 6:00am |
| Reservations: | none |
| Fees | Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass. |
| Permit Info: | Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass. |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Restrictions: | No vehicle travel in Piru Creek, except on Piru Creek Trail. |
| Closest Towns: | Frazier Park |
| Water: | None |
| Restroom: | Pit |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Mt. Pinos Ranger District (661) 245-3731 |
General Information
Directions: Take the Grade Valley-Mutau Road (FS 7N03) to the end of the road, approximately 9 miles south of the Lockwood Valley/Grade Valley Road junction
Recent Uploads:
Photo By: Christopher P Lord - Website Link
Survey Photos:
Erin C. - 05-23-2015
Christopher P. Lord - 10-21-2018
Christopher P. Lord - 10-21-2018
Christopher P. Lord - 10-21-2018
Christopher P. Lord - 10-21-2018
Christopher P. Lord - 10-21-2018
Christopher P. Lord - 10-21-2018
Los Padres Forest Association - 06-12-2019
NPHighview - 07-17-2020
Wind Cave just north of Half Moon
Submitted Camp Reports
Halfmoon Campground Survey - 10-18-2025 - by Jason MillerLink: Halfmoon Campground Date: 10-18-2025 Surveyor Name: Jason Miller Camp Description: Wife and I originally wanted to camp here for her first tent camping trip to the Los Padres, but then I read the USFS web page about the trailhead: no camping. We chose to camp at Pine Springs up the road. Imagine our surprise when we drove by Fishbowls Trailhead on our way to the Cedar Creek trailhead (at the road closure) when we saw scores of people camping at Fishbowls trailhead! Most appeared associated with hunters, but some were not. Is this 'no camping' rule commonly flouted at Fishbowls Trailhead? If the federal government weren't shut down, I'd ask a ranger.Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: No water source found Weather Conditions: - Halfmoon Campground Survey - 07-17-2020 - by NPHighview
Link: Halfmoon Campground Date: 07-17-2020 Surveyor Name: NPHighview Camp Description: Normally-deserted campground was full!  Must be the pandemic... Old outhouse replaced with new, very nice concrete vault toilet.Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Entry had ~12†of water, but further up the road water was 3’ deep, barely passable by Subaru Forester. Weather Conditions: Sunny, clear, ~80 degrees. Images:
Wind Cave just north of Half Moon - Halfmoon Campground Survey - 06-12-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Halfmoon Campground Date: 06-12-2019 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Halfmoon was Halfmoon. Road was open into the campground but a little dicey for 2wd at the water crossings. One camper. Nice breeze. Pine trees. Great stuff. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Nice water flowing through camp. Weather Conditions: low 80's and perfect! Images: - Halfmoon Campground Survey - 10-21-2018 - by Christopher P. Lord
Link: Halfmoon Campground Date: 10-21-2018 Surveyor Name: Christopher P. Lord Camp Description: Was Passing through so figured I would stop and have a look. Camp seemed nice however very crowded and felt like the wild west with the D13 zone hunting in full swing. Bathrooms could use some sprucing up, other than that seemed like a fine place to stay the night. Piru creek crossing was a big puddle I did not attempt to drive my low clearance vehicle beyond that point. No water at this car campground. Some standing water pools could be found along piru creek if really needed. https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Sunny with temps in the high 60's to Low 70's by midday Images: - Halfmoon Campground Survey - 05-27-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Halfmoon Campground Date: 05-27-2017 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Halfmoon Campground Survey - 03-29-2016 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Halfmoon Campground Date: 03-29-2016 Surveyor Name: Shaddus Maximus Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Halfmoon Campground Survey - 09-27-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Halfmoon Campground Date: 09-27-2015 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: A few extremely stagnant puddles covered in cow poo, for all purposes it was a dry camp. Â The road to Halfmoon is recommended high clearance vehicle. Â Amazingly, there was cell reception way out there as well. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Halfmoon Campground Survey - 05-23-2015 - by Erin C.
Link: Halfmoon Campground Date: 05-23-2015 Surveyor Name: Erin C. Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Piru creek is flowing well around Halfmoon as well. Weather Conditions: Images: - Halfmoon Campground Survey - 04-19-2015 - by Hike Los Padres
Link: Halfmoon Campground Date: 04-19-2015 Surveyor Name: Hike Los Padres Camp Description: Good flowing water in Piru Creek. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions:
Leave A Camp Report
Survey / Report Form Last Updated: Thursday, March 12, 2015
