Los Padres National Forest
 

Welcome to the Los Padres National Forest

[image] one of the lovely views of the ojai ranger district

The Santa Barbara and Monterey National Forests merged in December 1936 to form Los Padres National Forest. This year the Forest celebrates its 75th anniversary of managing these special lands and preserving them for future generations to enjoy. Los Padres National Forest provides Southern California and the Bay Area with a variety of terrain, vegetation, and recreational settings.  There are 1,257 miles of maintained trails which provide both day-use and extended backpacking opportunities. Much of the forest is unroaded and primitive and has 10 congressionally designated wildernesses comprising approximately 875,000 acres or about 48% of the forest. These include the Ventana, Silver Peak, Santa Lucia, Machesna, Garcia, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Sespe, Matilija and Chumash wildernesses.

The forest is divided into five administrative units called "Ranger Districts" with district offices in King City, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Ojai and Frazier Park.

Management of Los Padres National Forest focuses on the following areas:

  • Protecting and enhancing watersheds

  • Providing world-class recreation

  • Providing world-class wilderness opportunities.

  • Promoting use of the forest as a "living laboratory" for ecological diversity and scientific research.

More Information About The Los Padres National Forest 

 [image] los padres national forest headquarters

Forest Headquarters

Contact Us  Maps&Publications  Outdoor Safety  Forest Service History  Tribal Relations  Employment  Volunteering  Partnerships

[picture] Monterey CoastlineMonterey Ranger District 

District Office  Camping  Picnic  Hiking  FireScape  Roads

 

               

[picture] Big FallsSanta Lucia Ranger District

District Office  Camping  Picnic  Hiking  Roads

 

  

[image] Looking towards the Santa Ynez range of mountainsSanta Barbara Ranger District

District Office  Camping  Picnic  Hiking  Roads

 

  

[image] Highway 33Ojai Ranger District

District Office  Camping  Hiking  Roads

 

  

[image] A view from Frazier MountainMt. Pinos Ranger District

District Office  Camping  Hiking  Roads

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent News

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Features

New Mt.Pinos Ranger District Office

[image] Construction of new Chuchupate Ranger Station

In 2009, the Mt. Pinos Ranger District received Recovery Act funding for construction of a new office building. Work began in 2011 and is scheduled to be completed in summer 2012.


New Monterey Ranger District Office

[image] Construction of new Monterey Ranger District Station

Pictoral timeline of the new Monterey Ranger District Office as it is being built.


View More Features

Spotlights

Milpitas Special Interest Area

Milpitas SIA Collaborative Management Plan