Piedra Blanca Trailhead (Rose Valley Area) Ojai

Area Status: Open
Piedra Blanca is an area of huge white rock outcroppings on the Los Padres National Forest

Piedra Blanca Trailhead is a major paved trailhead facility on the Ojai Ranger District.  It is at the end of the Sespe River Road, also known as Rose Valley Road.  The trailhead is open all year.

This trailhead serves three popular trails:

  1. Sespe River Trail (20W13) goes east from the trailhead and is a popular access point for two hot springs.  It is also a key access trail for the Sespe Wilderness;
  2. Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail (22W03) goes north from the trailhead and climbs the major mountain range to the north called Pine Mountain; and
  3. Middle Sespe Trail (22W04) goes westerly from the trailhead and terminates at Highway 33 north of the Rose Valley junction.

All three of these routes share the first 0.4 miles in common before the first trail junction. 

An Adventure Pass is required to park at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead.

There are 55 parking spaces, 4 picnic sites and horse corrals with water troughs (bring own water)

At a Glance

Operational Hours: Open year-round 
Reservations: No reservations for parking at the trailhead. First-come, first-serve. 
Area Amenities:
  • Interpretive Site: Yes - interpretive signage
  • Picnic tables: Yes
  • Toilets: Vault Toilet
  • Parking: Yes - 55 parking sites
  • Drinking water: No
Fees: A valid recreation pass is required on each parked vehicle at the trailhead.  This can be an Adventure Pass for $5 per day or $30 annually, an Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass. 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.
Usage: Medium-Heavy
Best Season: Spring/Winter/Fall
Busiest Season: Spring/Summer
Restrictions: No overnight camping in trailhead area. Camping is only allowed in nearby Middle Lion or Rose Valley Campgrounds (both campgrounds are concession-managed for the Forest Service by the Parks Management Company). Reservations on weekends are recommended through www.recreation.gov. There are few first-come, first-serve sites at each campground. $20/night. There is also camping at Wheeler Gorge Campground.
Closest Towns: Ojai, approximately 21 miles
Water: No
Restroom: Vault
Operated By: Los Padres National Forest - Ojai Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From Highway 33/150 junction in Ojai, turn north on Highway 33 and continue 15 miles.  Turn right into Rose Valley Recreation Area on Forest Road 6N31.  This is also known as the Sespe River Road or Rose Valley Road.  Continue ahead for 6 miles to the trailhead. 


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Day Hiking

Backpacking

Picnicking

4 picnic sites

Corrals with water troughs (bring own water)

55 parking spaces

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
34.5604

  Longitude : 
-119.1658