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Santa Lucia Ranger District

The Santa Lucia Ranger District offers a diversity of outdoor opportunities. These lands are yours - to visit, to care for, but most of all, to enjoy. What are you waiting for? Pack up your family and friends and head for adventure in America's Great Outdoors. The Santa Lucia Ranger District offers a variety of recreational opportunities... hiking and backpacking, trail riding by horse, mountain biking, off-highway vehicles, hunting, camping and picnicking, and don't forget vibrant wildflower displays each spring especially in the Figueroa Recreation Area.

Recreation passes are required for use of certain recreation sites and areas in the forest, and for certain facilities and services. 

Parks Management Concession Company

For more information about concession-managed campgrounds and day use areas in the Los Padres National Forest, please visit: www.campone.com.

Adventure Pass

On the Santa Lucia Ranger District, the Adventure Pass is only required at the following campgrounds: Hi Mountain, Miranda Pine, Horseshoe, Bates, Brookshire and American Canyon (deer hunting season only). Contact the Santa Lucia Ranger District office for more information about purchasing and using the Adventure Pass at (805) 925-9538 or contact your nearest Big 5 Sporting Goods Store.

Disperse Camping

Contact the ranger station for dispersed camping information: (805) 925-9538 Mon-Fri, 8:00-4:30pm.

Recreation Sites

Showing: 1 - 10 of 98 results

Adobe Trail 31W03
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
This trail has sustained damage from the 2025 Gifford Fire.The Adobe trail is a gentle trail and is in good shape for hiking and stock. From the trail head you climb up a grassy knoll via switch…

Adobe Trailhead
Site Temporarily Closed
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
The site is located on Hwy #166. 20 miles east of Santa Maria.Adobe Trailhead has one large parking area and serving hikers, equestrians. No motorized use allowed.  The facility has no drinking…

Alejandro Trail 31W15
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
The trail gently follows Alejandro Creek, meandering across it for approximately two miles before arriving at Alejandro Camp. The camp is situated under some old oak trees and is enclosed by a horse…

American Canyon Campground
Site Temporarily Closed
Hiking
American Canyon is a small, secluded campground which borders the Machesna Wilderness. While the campground is accessible through the wilderness, it is a long and strenuous hike as vehicles are not…

American Canyon Trail 16E03
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
This trial starts from the American Canyon Campground and leads into the Machesna Mountain Wilderness. It ends at the junction of Castle Crags Trail 16E01.Connects to the following trail:Castle Crags…

Avenales Trail 16E06
Garcia WildernessThe Avenales Trail 16E06 is a scenic 3.35-mile connector trail in the Garcia Wilderness in San Luis Obispo County. The trail climbs from the old Avenales Station over Garcia Ridge to…

Baja Campground
Site Temporarily Closed
Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
This is a large oak-shaded camp on the banks of Alder Creek. There are two (2) campsites located here, with each site including a picnic table and fire ring/grill. Fires are allowed only in…

Bates Canyon Campground
Site Open
Nestled in a grove of large oaks and sycamores.There are six campsites located around a loop in the middle of the facility. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fires are allowed only in…

Bear Canyon Loop OHV Trail 31W13
Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Black Diamond. Most Difficult. Open to Motorcycles only.The steep narrow trail leaves the Buckhorn Ridge OHV route and drops down towards Bear Camp where it connects to the Bear Canyon Trail,…

Bear Canyon Trail 31W05
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
The Bear Canyon Trail starts off with a relatively steep incline for the first half mile before it gradually ascends to the end of the trail. It follows up the Bear Canyon and is partially shaded…

Last updated April 16, 2026

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