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Sespe River Trail
Sespe River Trail (20W13)
WILDERNESS
Length: 17. 5 miles to Shady Camp
Difficulty: moderate
From Highway 33, travel east on Rose Valley Road to Piedra Blanca Trailhead. After crossing Lion Creek and Sespe Creek, turn right at the junction and head downstream. Bear Creek Camp, 4.3 miles from trailhead, is a wonderful camp located on a large sandbar with a swimming hole and shade from cottonwood trees. Kerr Springs, first year-round water source, is located .8 miles further, on the south side of the river. Continuing towards Hot Springs Canyon, there are several more camps: Oak Flat (7.4 miles from trailhead), Willett (9.8 miles), Hartman (10.9 miles), Coltrell (14 miles) and Shady (17.5 miles). Sespe Hot Springs is located on the Trail #21 and 2 miles north of Coltrell. The entire length of the trail has ten crossings of the Sespe River. Use caution when travelling during the wet season due to the potential of flash flooding. Since this trail is in the wilderness, only hikers and equestrians are permitted.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | Trail use and trail camps are on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations. |
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| Area Amenities: |
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| Fees: | An Adventure Pass is required to park at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead or you can display an America the Beautiful Interagency Senior, Access or Annual Pass in lieu of an Adventure Pass. The Wheeler Gorge, Rose Valley, Middle Lion, Pine Mountain and Reyes Peak campgrounds are manged by the Parks Management Company (PMC) and the fee is $30/night. Wheeler Gorge is $35/night. Advance reservations are strongly recommended and can be made at www.recreation.gov. Each campground has several first-come, first-served sites. Adventure Passes are sold at all Southern CA Big 5 Sporting Goods stores or at the Ojai Ranger Station, Thurs - Saturday from 9:00am - 2:00pm. They are also sold at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00am - 3:00pm. |
| Permit Info: | Los Padres National Forest does not issue backcountry/wilderness permits. A permit is needed for campfires and stoves. The CA Campfire Permit is free. For current fire restrictions please visit the Los Padres National Forest website. Fire restrictions usually go into place during the summer months and extend through December or January. During fire restriction periods, campfires are not allowed in the backcountry. Small camp stoves are allowed with the California Campfire Permit.
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| Usage: | Heavy |
| Best Season: | winter and spring |
| Busiest Season: | spring |
| Restrictions: | There is no disperse car camping in the Ojai Ranger District, except on the Nordhoff Ridge Rd with a permit. The Nordhoff Ridge Rd is open May through early December. Call the Ojai Ranger Station for permit information at 805-646-4348. Overnight camping is prohibited along Hwy 33. |
| Closest Towns: | Ojai (15 miles) |
| Restroom: | Vault toilet at the trailhead |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | The Ojai Ranger Station is open Thursday through Saturday, 9:00am - 2:00pm for walk-in visitation and phone calls. Call 805-646-4348 for more information. Monday through Wednesday, you can call the Forest Headquarters for information at 805-968-6640. |
General Information
Directions:From Ojai, CA, follow Hwy 33 north for approximately 15 miles. Make a right at the signed junction for Rose Valley (and Piedra Blanca). From here, it’s another 5 miles to the trailhead. Follow signs for either Piedra Blanca or Sespe River Trail. It’s a paved road all the way to the parking lot.