
We get a lot of questions from new and seasoned backpackers alike about where they should go for their first (or dozenth) trip in the Los Padres. Depending on your goals, the options are virtually endless, but we find ourselves gravitating towards some trails and camps time and time again. This page describes a few of those locations to help inform your time in the backcountry.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand your individual skill and comfort levels in the backcountry. Know your limits, and pay attention to weather predictions before embarking on any trip. Make sure you understand any current trail closures, as well as fire restrictions. If you have questions about those, ask us at INFO@LPForest.org. If you plan to use a stove or have a campfire, be sure to have a valid California Campfire Permit. And make sure to ALWAYS practice Leave No Trace Principles anywhere in the forest. That means packing out your trash (including toilet paper!) and treating wildlife and other trail users with respect.
HikeLosPadres.com is an incredibly valuable resource when planning your Los Padres adventures. This site includes descriptions of every official trail and camp in the forest. And, most importantly, in contains user-submitted data on water, trail and camp conditions across the forest dating back over 10 years for many locations. What better way to estimate water quality than to check back through multiple years of reports? If you use this site to plan your trip, don’t forget to submit a report when you return! The more data we compile, the better the site works for everyone.
Santa Barbara Ranger District
Cold Spring Trail to Forbush Camp – 1.7 miles one-way
This route begins at Cold Spring Saddle on East Camino Cielo high above the City of Santa Barbara and is an awesome first trip to the Los Padres. The trail descends steeply through mixed oak and chaparral woodland offering views of the upper Santa Ynez Valley and Dick Smith Wilderness. Forbush Camp will be at your first junction to the left and offers a large meadow and tree-covered flat with room for several groups, as well as year-round water in all but the driest years. From there, those looking for a larger trip can explore east on the Blue Canyon Trail to its three overnight camps, or further down the Cold Spring Trail to the Santa Ynez River and beyond. A more ambitious trip might include the Mono or Indian Canyon Trails.
Santa Cruz Trail to 19 Oaks Camp – 3.3 miles one-way
This route begins at First Crossing on Paradise Road and is another awesome first overnight in the Los Padres. A parking pass is required and can be purchased at the Day Use Area. When the gate at First Crossing is open, you can also drive to Upper Oso Campground and park there for a 2 mile one-way trip. After walking to the trailhead, the trail follows Oso Creek up Oso Canyon for a little over a mile through riparian areas and meadows with varied geology. 19 Oaks Camp is a large, grassy, oak-studded mesa with views down canyon toward the Santa Ynez Mountains and up towards Little Pine Mountain. A more ambitions thru-hike might include the Mission Pine Basin Trail. **Note: Santa Cruz Trail is closed indefinitely beyond 19 Oaks Camp due to failing crib walls and dangerous shale slides pending Forest Service funding to repair them. See how it’s going.**
Santa Lucia Ranger District
Manzana Trail, upstream from NIRA – as little as 1.1 miles one-way
The Manzana Trail out of NIRA Campground at the end of Sunset Valley Road is the gateway to the San Rafael Wilderness and one of the busier backcountry trailheads in the forest. Lost Valley Camp is located 1.1 miles upstream from the trailhead. The trail follows Manzana Creek through beautiful riparian areas with inviting pools and cobbles while offering glimpses up-canyon toward the San Rafael Mountains. Lost Valley Camp is a great first trip destination, but hikers can also continue further to Manzana Narrows Camp for a 7 mile one-way hike with numerous creek crossings, deep pools, canyon views, and shaded narrows, or stop at any of the other camps en-route. Those looking for a longer and more ambitious loop might explore the Sisquoc River Trail.
Manzana Trail, downstream from NIRA – as little as 1.3 miles one-way
The lower Manzana Trail begins a half mile before NIRA Campground on Sunset Valley Road and provides access to the San Rafael Wilderness via the lower Manzana Creek drainage. Potrero Camp is located just 1.3 miles from the trailhead, and the upper camp does not require a creek crossing. This is a charming, grey pine and oak-shaded camp along Manzana Creek and the perfect first overnight in the Los Padres. The trail continues downstream through shaded alder channels and manzanita-filled flats, passing several other camps and crossing the creek nearly 30 times in the 8.2 miles to Manzana Schoolhouse Camp. The Manzana Schoolhouse is a Santa Barbara County Historic Landmark and popular overnight destination for new and returning hikers alike. A fun and strenuous loop hike might include the Potero Trail and a portion of the Hurricane Deck Trail.
Ojai Ranger District
Piedra Blanca Trail to Piedra Blanca Camp – 2.9 miles one-way
The Piedra Blanca Trail begins at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead at the end of Rose Valley Road off of Highway 33. This trailhead provides access to the Sespe Wilderness and is one of the most popular trailheads for backcountry access in the Los Padres. The trail to Piedra Blanca Camp crosses Sespe Creek and ascends to the Piedra Blanca Rock formation, a popular day hiking destination for locals and visitors. It then descends and follows Piedra Blanca Creek through numerous meadows and oak flats before reaching Piedra Blanca Camp. The camp is large enough for several groups and sits under a massive Live-Oak beside the perennial Piedra Blanca Creek. Those looking for a challenge could hike the Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca Trail as thru-hike to its terminus at Reyes Creek Campground. **Note: an Adventure Pass is required to park at Piedra Blanca Trailhead and can be purchased at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center, Ojai Ranger Station, or several outdoor stores in Ventura County.**
Sespe River Trail to Bear Creek Camp – 4.3 miles one-way
The Sespe River Trail also begins at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead, and is actually the same as the Piedra Blanca Trail until you cross Sespe Creek. From that junction, bear right and follow the well-maintained and relatively flat route across chaparral-covered mesas along the Wild and Scenic Sespe Creek. Bear Creek Camp is on a large sand flat before the trail crosses the creek again and has ample room for a few groups, as well as water and pools in Sespe Creek. The Sespe River Trail continues another 13 or so miles before meeting the Alder Creek Trail deep in the Sespe Wilderness. Along its length are numerous other overnight camps and trails for hikers looking for a larger trip to explore. An ambitious loop hike might include the Red Reef and Lion Canyon Trails. **Note: an Adventure Pass is required to park at Piedra Blanca Trailhead and can be purchased at Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center, Ojai Ranger Station, or several outdoor stores in Ventura County.**
Mount Pinos Ranger District
Tumamait Trail to Sheep Camp – 4.3 miles one-way
The Tumamait Trail begins atop Mount Pinos and is accessed from the parking area at the end of Mount Pinos Road. The first half of this route follows a service road over Mount Pinos (the tallest point in the Los Padres Forest, and a popular day hike) before reaching the Tumamait Trail and entering the Chumash Wilderness. The trail follows the ridge connecting Mount Pinos and Cerro Noroeste through mixed conifer forest, boasting epic views of the southern Los Padres and the Cuyama and Central Valleys. Sheep Camp is a short distance down the North Fork Trail and contains a perennial spring in all but the driest years. Those looking for a longer thru-hike could take the trail to its terminus or drop down the North Fork or Mesa Springs Trails.
Cedar Creek Trail to Cedar Creek Camp – 2.4 miles one-way
The Cedar Creek Trail begins near the end of Grade Valley Road, a dirt road that is usually open seasonally from May to December depending on the winter weather. High clearance vehicles are recommended. The hike remains relatively flat as it follows Cedar Creek through open Ponderosa Pine forest and sage brush-dotted meadows all the way to Cedar Creek Camp. This camp is shaded by large conifers with room for multiple groups and has a perennial stream in all but the driest years. A larger but still relatively mild loop might include the Fishbowls Trail and a stop at Fishbowls Camp. One could also take the Cedar Creek Trail all the way to the Piedra Blanca Trail for a longer through-hike.
Monterey Ranger District
Salmon Creek Trail to Spruce Creek Camp – 1.8 miles one-way
The Salmon Creek Trailhead is located on Highway 1 at the southern end of the Big Sur Coast and is a popular trailhead for day hikers and backpackers entering the Silver Peak Wilderness. Like all of the trails beginning on Highway 1, it does ascend rather steeply at first due to the rugged terrain. Follow the trail past the popular Salmon Creek Falls and ascend through potreros and mixed chaparral before dropping to the redwood-shaded Spruce Creek Camp at the confluence of Spruce and Salmon Creeks. The camp offers space for several groups and year round water. Those looking for a larger, multi-day loop might explore the Cruickshank and Buckeye Trails.
Pine Ridge Trail to Ventana Camp – 4.9 miles one-way
The Pine Ridge Trailhead is located at Big Sur Station on Highway 1 and is likely the most popular backcountry trailhead in the Los Padres. A parking pass is required and can be purchased at the lot, or in Big Sur Station during operating hours. From the trailhead, descend briefly through Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground before climbing steadily up the Pine Ridge Trail as it follows the Big Sur River into the Ventana Wilderness. The hike takes you through mixed chaparral and redwood forest, boasting epic views back toward the Pacific and up toward Ventana Cone and Double Cone. Follow the spur trail down to the spacious Ventana Camp which sits beneath redwoods on the edge of the Big Sur River near the confluence of Ventana Creek. Those searching for a larger loop might explore the Terrace Creek and Big Sur Trails
We always recommend further research and a good backcountry guide, as well as some form of GPS navigation. All of these guides are made with waterproof, tear-resistant paper and include mileages and topographic lines. They are excellent aids in trip planning and inspiration:
Recreation Area | Map Suggestion |
---|---|
Sespe Wilderness, Ojai Frontcountry, Grade Valley | Tom Harrison – Sespe Wilderness |
Chumash Wilderness | Trails Illustrated – Los Padres East |
Dick Smith Wilderness, Matilija Wilderness, Santa Barbara Frontcountry, Santa Ynez Recreation Area | Bryan Conant – Matilija and Dick Smith Wilderness (at SBRD Office, ORD Office and Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center) |
San Rafael Wilderness | Bryan Conant – San Rafael Wilderness |
Machesna Mountain, Santa Lucia, Garcia Wildernesses | Trails Illustrated – Los Padres West |
Ventana and Silver Peak Wildernesses | Green Trails Maps – Big Sur Ventana Wilderness or Trails Illustrated – Big Sur Ventana Wilderness |