Los Padres Forest Association

Helping the Los Padres Forest and Forest Users Since 1979

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Latest News…

LPFA Spring Volunteering & Forest 411 February 25, 2026
HikeLosPadres & LPFA February 4, 2026
HikeLosPadres, Volunteering & Forest 411 January 22, 2026
Los Padres – It’s New Years! December 31, 2025

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Los Padres Forest Association

Los Padres Forest Association

Collaborating with the Los Padres Forest to provide volunteer trail maintenance support, community outreach projects and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Los Padres Forest Association is at Los Padres National Forest.

2 days ago

We can’t get enough of all the great water still flowing across the LP and those seldomly visited pools / falls too. Get out and explore while the gettings good…..#lospadresnationalforest #farfromadashedline #getoutandexplore #staysafe #besmartoutthere ... See MoreSee Less

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Los Padres Forest Association is at Los Padres National Forest.

1 week ago

LOS PADRES STINGRAYSWhile the influx of rattlesnake sightings has made headlines this spring, scientists have been baffled by the recent discovery of the ocellate river stingray within Los Padres waters. The river stingray (Potamotrygon motoro) is a diadromous species most commonly found in the Amazon regions of Peru and Brazil. Experts believe river stingrays have moved north over recent years due to changes in global temperatures. While river stingrays were known to have migrated into portions of the Pacific Coast of Mexico, scientists were shocked when a river stingray was recently discovered within the Santa Ynez River. It is believed that a combination of abnormally high summer 2025 sea temperatures and the large fall rains enabled these stingrays to expand further north and up into the Los Padres rivers and creeks. River stingrays regularly grow to 5ft in length and can weigh up to 45lbs. They tend to swim through rougher waters in search of calmer sandy bottom pools. The river stingray is also capable of delivering a painful sting which ranks in the Schmiddy scale of top 10 most painful stings and bites. Should you be stung, immerse the sting location in hot water and expect the pain to last about 4 hours. It is recommended that people do the stingray shuffle when entering any Los Padres creek or river. The International Organization of River Stingray Dispersal, Tracking, Relocation & Management Foundation of Central Western California (www.SloofLirpa.org) is asking for help if anyone sees a stingray within the LPNF. As of April 1, river stingrays have been discovered in at least four locations across the Los Padres National Forest, most notably any body of water which is being overused, trashed or is in need of less visitation.#lospadresnationalforest #riverstingray #stingrayshuffle #yesitsaprilfoolsagain ... See MoreSee Less

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Los Padres Forest Association

4 weeks ago

POTRERO JOHN TRAIL, MAR 14 & 21LPFA will be spending TWO DAYS brushing the Potrero John Trail and we need some VOLUNTEERS!We try not to pick favorites, but this canyon makes that difficult. Jagged rock formations, a perennial creek, bigcone douglas-fir and views up toward Haddock Peak make for an incredibly scenic day of trail workin’.We’ll be meeting at the Cozy Dell Trailhead at 8am to carpool, and back to the cars around 2-3pm. Please follow the volunteer events link in our bio or at LPForest.org to get the details and SIGN ON UP!#lospadresnationalforest #lpfa_trailvolunteers #venturabackcountry #highway33 #trailstewardship ... See MoreSee Less

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Los Padres Forest Association is at Los Padres National Forest.

1 month ago

SANTA PAULA CANYON CLEANUP, MAR 7It’s been HOT and Santa Paula Canyon is already as busy as it gets. With more visitation, we’re seeing more trash and graffiti each week. So, let’s get after it.Join LPFA and @santapaulacanyon on SATURDAY, MARCH 7th for a full scale cleanup of the canyon! We need all the help we can get. We’ll walk the length of the trail and stop at swimming holes to pick up what others unfortunately left behind. Should be a nice warm day with lots of water flowing….Details and sign up are on LPForest.org or at the link in our bio!PC: @caleb_grabendike #lospadresnationalforest #santapaulacanyon #lpfa_trailvolunteers #keepitclean #influencerswya ... See MoreSee Less

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Los Padres Forest Association is at Los Padres National Forest.

1 month ago

BUSY TRAIL DAY(s)!LPFA has been busy! And between scheduled projects and post-storm trail sweeps, we may have had our busiest back-to-back trail days ever last week. Over Friday and Saturday, LPFA Trail Crew and Volunteers worked on: Pothole Trail, Horn Canyon Trail, Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail, Cold Spring Trail, Hot Springs Trail, Buena Vista Trail, Romero Trail and Tunnel Trail. Plus a trash cleanup on East Camino Cielo with @iv.srfrdr. 2 days, 8 trails, and a cleanup!A big thank you to our volunteers, Trail Crew, our partners at @montecitotrailsfoundation and @runners4publiclands, and support from @lospadresnationalforest and @cityofsb. Spring has sprung folks, and the busy season is just getting started. Come out and support clear and open trails with LPFA! Visit lpforest.org to sign up to volunteer or donate today….#lospadresnationalforest #lpfa_trailvolunteers #lpfa_trailcrew #venturacounty #santabarbaracounty ... See MoreSee Less

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Los Padres Forest Association
PO Box 1282
Goleta, CA 93116

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