Santa Barbara Ranger District
Santa Barbara Ranger District offers camping, day hiking, backpacking, fishing, horse riding and camping, mountain biking, hunting, OHV riding and camping, swimming in the Santa Ynez River and beautiful wildflower displays in the spring.
There are no cabins. Campgrounds only.
Passes & Permits
The parking fee at day use picnic areas and trailheads in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation area is $10 a day. This recreation area is managed by the Parks Management Company (PMC) for the Forest Service. PMC sells an annual day use pass that can be used for day use parking in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation area. For more information about the PMC Annual Pass, go to: www.campone.com.
Recreation Sites
Sage Hill Group Campground
Site Open
There are 5 group campsites. Flat area, next to river, some sites are shady, oak trees, paved roads. Tables, group barbecues, firepits, water faucets, flush toilets, R/V - no hookups. Closest dump…
Sandstone Day Use Area
Site Closed
Sandstone Day Use Area is located along the Santa Ynez River on Paradise Road, 9.5 miles from Highway 154. There is paved parking for approximately 30 vehicles. There is one trash bin located at the…
Santa Barbara Ranger District Office (Los Prietos)
Site Open
The Santa Barbara Ranger District Office (Los Prietos Ranger Station) is located at 3505 Paradise Road in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area.Note: As of April 8, 2024, The Los Prietos Ranger…
Santa Cruz Creek
Site Open
Camping facilities along the Santa Cruz Creek are undeveloped and primitive.
Santa Ynez River
Site Open
The Forest Service maintains several camping and day use areas within the Santa Ynez Recreation Area
Upper Oso Campground
Site Closed
There are 10 campsites open at the Upper Oso Campground. They are currently first-come, first-served only. No reservations until May 15, 2022. The remaining 14 campsites (mostly equestrian…
Upper Oso OHV Staging Area-Buckhorn-Camuesa OHV Rd
Site Closed
10/1/2024 - The Upper Oso OHV Staging Area- Buckhorn Camuesa Rd is only open to non-motorized vehciles at this time. Closed to motorized vehicles by Forest Order 5-07-54-24-19.The site is located on…
West Camino Cielo Rd - Santa Barbara RD
Site Open
This road is a scenic ridgeline access road exceeding 4,000 feet, that traverses the Santa Ynez Mountain Range, one of the few east to west-oriented mountain ranges in the country, and offers amazing…
White Rock Day Use Picnic Area
Site Open
Many oak trees. 27 picnic sites. Flush toilets, barbecues, tables, garbage bins, accessible. Barbecues or fires only permitted in the day use area; not permitted along the river. Watch out for poison…