Recreation

Forest Order - Special Closure - Public Health and Safety

Forest order 05-07-00-23-15 is in effect October 31, 2023 through January 31, 2024

Open and closed areas, roads, trails, campgrounds, day use areas, and OHV riding areas by ranger district

Current Fire Restrictions

In response to the increasing potential for a wildland fire start, fire restrictions will be implemented throughout the Forest effective August 1. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials, and internal combustion engines, and will remain in effect until January 31, 2024.

Effective August 1, the following restrictions will be in effect:

No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites (list attached), even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit, which can be obtained free-of-charge at any Forest Service office or by visiting the Ready For Wildfire website. Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person always attends the stove during use.
Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester.
Fireworks – even the “safe and sane” variety – are not permitted at any time or in any location within the Forest.
Recreational target shooting is prohibited within Los Padres National Forest except for the Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club that operate under special use permits.

Target Shooting

Target shooting is currently prohibited in Los Padres National Forest.

Firearms Prohibition Forest Order: Effective February 15, 2023 through December 31, 2024

Forest Order 05-07-00-23-04 Firearms Prohibition

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name	Status	Area Conditions
Alder Creek Trail - 20W11	Open	Dough Flat Rd is open to the trailhead
Aliso Canyon Trail	Open	The Upper Oso Connector Loop is closed off of the Aliso Trail. Check with the SB Ranger District for more information (805) 724-0079
Aliso Park Campground	Open	Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass needed to camp overnight. First-come, first-served only
American Canyon Seasonal Campground	Closed	There is currently no access to American Canyon Campground via the Avenales Ranch. A reservation system is being developed and will be in place for next year’s hunting season.
Arroyo Seco Campground	Closed	Closed by Forest Order 5-07-00-23-11
Arroyo Seco Day use Picnic Area	Closed	Closed by Forest order 5-07-00-23-11
Arroyo Seco Trailhead	Closed	Closed - No access due to the closure of Arroyo Seco Rd - Closure order 5-07-00-23-11
Ballinger Campground	Open	By reservation or first-come, first-served
Ballinger Canyon OHV Day Use Riding Area	Open
Buckeye Trail	Open	Open
Buckhorn Road	Closed	Closed by Forest Order 05-07-00-23-11 through October 30, 2023
Caballo Campground	Open
Campo Alto Campground	Open	Open. $30/night. Reservations or first-come, first-served
Cedar Creek / Fishbowl Loop - 22W10	Open
Cerro Alto Campground	Open	Reservations strongly recommended or first-come, first-served
China Camp Campground	Closed	Tassajara Rd is closed by Monterey County due to hazardous conditions and storm damage
Chuchupate Campground	Closed	Closed until further notice due to hazard tree removal in campground
Chula Vista Walk-in Campground	Open
Cold Springs Trails - West Fork	Open
Cold Springs Trial - East Fork	Open
Cone Peak Lookout - 4E12	Open	Accessible only by hiking on the Vicente Flat Trail to the Cone Peak Rd to the Cone Peak Trail
Cruickshank Trail	Open	Open
Davy Brown Campground	Open	First-come, first-served or by reservation, www.recreation.gov, $30/night
Davy Brown Trail - Figueroa Mountain Rec Area	Open
Davy Brown Trailhead	Open
Divide Peak OHV Trailhead	Open	Open
Dome Springs Campground	Closed	Closed
Dough Flat Trailhead - Alder Creek Trail	Open	Dough Flat Rd is open to the trailhead
Dutchman Campground	Open	Open. Adventure Pass of America the Beautiful Pass required to camp overnight
Escondido Campground	Closed	Closed indefinitely. The road to the campground is damaged and there is currently no access at this time
Figueroa Campground	Open	First-come, first-served or by reservation, www.recreation.gov, $30/night
Figueroa Lookout Day Use	Open
Figueroa OHV Recreation Area	Open	OHV Roads 8N16 and 8N32 (East Pinery Rd) are open
First Crossing Day Use Picnic Area	Open	First Crossing Day Use Picnic Area is open. $10/parking
Fishbowls Trailhead - 21W05	Open	Open
Frazier Mountain Trailhead - 20W03	Open	Open
Fremont Campground	Open	First-come, First-served or by reservation, www.recreation.gov $40/night
Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca (Reyes Creek TH)	Open	Open. Park at the trailhead located in the back of the Reyes Creek Campground
Goldhill Camping Area	Open	Open
Halfmoon Campground	Open	Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required to camp overnight
Hi Mountain Campground	Open	Open Sepember 1, 2023. Adventure Pass required for camping overnight
Horn Canyon Trail- 22W08	Open	Horn Canyon Trail is accessible from McAndrew Rd. Approximately half mile walk to primary access point.Thacher School has placed signage indicating how to access the trail
Jesusita Trail	Open
Johnston Ridge Trailhead - 20W12	Open	Open
Kings Campground	Open	Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required to camp overnight
Kirk Creek Campground	Open	By reservation. www.recreation.gov $45/night
Kirk Creek Trail - 4E17	Open	Open
La Panza Campground	Closed	Closed by Forest Order 05-07-00-23-11
Los Prietos Campground	Closed	Temporarily closed until further notice. Closed by Forest order 5-07-00-23-11
Manzana Creek to Manzana Schoolhouse WEST (Lower)	Open
Manzana Trailhead EAST (Upper) Nira	Open
Marian Campground	Open
McGill Campground	Closed	Closed until further notice due to hazard tree removal in the campground
McGill Group Campground	Closed	Closed until further notice due to hazard tree removal in the campground
McKinley Trail	Open
McKinley Trailhead	Open
Memorial Park Campground	Open	Open - reservations or first-come, first-served, $30/night
Middle Lion Campground	Closed	No access due to Hwy 33 closure and Forest closure order 5-07-00-23-15
Mill Creek Day Use	Open
Miranda Pine Campground	Open	Adventure Pass Campground or you can use an America the Beautiful pass to camp overnight
Monterey Ranger District Office (Ranger Station)	Open	Mon-Fri, 8-430, (831) 385-5434 ext. 0
Mt. Pinos Campground	Open	Open. $30/night. reservation or first-come, first-served
Nacimiento Campground	Closed	Temporarily closed through October 30, 2023 by Forest order 05-07-00-23-11
Navajo Flat OHV Staging Area and campsites	Open	First-come, first-served camping or by reservation. www.recreation.gov. $30/night
Nineteen Oaks Camp on the Santa Cruz Trail	Open	The Santa Cruz Trail is open only up to 19 Oaks Camp. Park at the First Crossing Day Use Area. $10/day to park. Hike three miles on the road to the trailhead
Nira Campground	Open	First-come, first-served or by reservation, www.recreation.gov, $30/night
Nordhoff Ridge Road	Closed	Closed to vehicles by Forest Order 05-07-00-23-15 and no access due to Hwy 33 closure
North Fork Matilija - 23W07	Closed	Closed by Forest order 05-07-00-23-15 and no access due to Hwy 33 closure
Ojai Ranger District Office (Ranger Station)	Open	The Ojai Ranger Station is now open to in-person visitation Thurs - Sat, 9:00am - 2;00pm. Call (805) 646-4348. America the Beautiful passes are currently not sold/issued at this office
Paradise Campground	Open	First-come, first-served or by reservation, www.recreation.gov, $40/night
Pfeiffer Beach Day Use	Open	Open daily. $15/day parking
Piedra Blanca Trailhead (Rose Valley Area) Ojai	Closed	Temporarily closed - No access due to Hwy 33 closure
Pine Mountain Campground	Closed	No access due to Hwy 33 closure and closed by Forest closure order 5-07-00-23-15
Pine Ridge Trail from China Camp	Open	The Pine Ridge trail is inaccessible due to the Tassajara Rd Closure by Monterey County
Pine Ridge Trailhead from Big Sur	Open	The Pine Ridge Trail from the Big Sur Station parking lot is open
Pino Alto Day Use Picnic Area	Open
Plaskett Creek Campground	Open	By reservation. $45/night/www.recreation.gov
Plaskett Creek Group Campground	Open	By reservation only. www.recreation.gov
Ponderosa Campground	Closed	Temporarily closed through October 30, 2023. Forest order 05-07-00-23-11
Pothole Trail - 18W04	Open	Open
Pozo - La Panza OHV Area	Open	Some trails, roads and campgrounds have re-opened. Some remain closed due to storm damage
Pratt - 23W09	Open	The Pratt Trail is open on the Ojai front country
Rattlesnake Canyon Trail Santa Barbara	Open
Red Reef Trail Sisar Ridge Rd to Nordhoff Ridge Rd	Open
Red Rock	Open	Closed by Forest Order 05-07-00-23-11 through October 30, 2023
Red Rock Trailhead	Open	Open
Reyes Creek Campground	Open	$30/night. By reservation or first-come, first-served
Reyes Peak Campground	Closed	No accesss due to Hwy 33 closure and closed by Forest closure order 5-07-00-23-15
Rock Front OHV Area	Closed	Closed by Forest Order 05-07-00-23-11 through October 30, 2023
Romero Canyon trail	Open	Frontside of Romero Canyon Trail is closed. Backside portion of trail is open
Rose Valley Campground	Closed	Closed by Forest Order 05-07-00-23-15 and Hwy 33 closure
Rose Valley Falls Trail	Closed	Temporarily closed due to Hwy 33 closure
Sage Hill Group Campground	Open	Reservations through www.recreation.gov
Salmon Creek Trail	Open	Open
San Ysidro Trail	Open	San Ysidro Trail is open to where the single track trail begins. The single track trail is closed
Sand Dollar Beach Day Use	Open	Picnic Day Uses Area is open. $10/parking. Trail to the beach is closed due to storm damage
Santa Barbara Ranger District Office (Los Prietos)	Open
Santa Cruz Trail - Upper Oso Trailhead	Open	Only open to 19 Oaks Camp. Upper Oso Rd is not open to vehicles. Park at the First Crossing Day Use Area and walk three miles to trailhead. $10/day to park
Santa Lucia Ranger District Office(Ranger Station)	Open	Mon-Fri 8-430, (805) 623-0328
Santa Paula Canyon (Last Chance) - 21W11 / 21W09	Open	Open
Sespe River Trail	Closed	No access due to Hwy 33 closure
Silver Peak Wilderness	Open
Snyder Trail	Open
Supervisor's Office in Solvang (Headquarters)	Open	Call (805) 968-6640 for Forest information
Tunnel Trail	Open	The frontside of Tunnel Trail is open. The backside is closed by Forest order 5-07-00-23-11
Upper Oso Campground	Closed	Temporarily closed until further notice. Closed by Forest order 5-07-00-23-11
Upper OsoTrailhead	Open	The Santa Cruz Trail is only open to 19 Oaks Camp. Park at First Crossingn Day Use Area and walk three miles to trailhead. $10/day to park
Valle Vista Campground	Open	Open year-round. Adventure Pass is required to camp or you can use an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass
Vicente Flat Trail	Open	Open - parking for this trailhead is along Hwy 1. There is room for about 10 cars
West Camino Cielo Rd - Santa Barbara RD	Open
Wheeler Gorge Campground	Closed	No access due to Hwy 33 closure and Forest closure order 5-07-00-23-15
Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center	Closed	Temporarily closed due to Hwy 33 closure
White Oaks Campground	Open	Tassajara Rd is closed by Monterey County
White Rock Day Use Picnic Area	Open
Willow Creek Beach Day Use	Open	Open. $10/day parking
Zaca Ridge Rd/Catway Rd - 8N02	Open