Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco Campground is a semi-rustic, but developed facility in California's westernmost national forest. It offers a great escape from bustling city life, into the mountain air and provides access to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.
The group site has its own page: Arroyo Seco Group Campground.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 21 |
| Tent-only | 14 |
| Walk-in | 3 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
39 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS1 | ARRO | Group | Paved | Partial | 50 / 10 | Yes | |||
| 001 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 16 / 4 | Yes | |
| 003 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 4 | Yes | |
| 009 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 4 | Yes | |
| 011 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 012 | MCML | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 4 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 003, 004, 005 and 9 more are listed accessible |
The campground offers sites that are both modern and more primitive, for single and double-family occupancy. Campsites are available for tent or RV camping, however utility hookups are not provided and there is no dump station. Some sites are level and large enough to accommodate most RVs. Roads are paved throughout the campground. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Campsites in the first loop offer accessible flush toilets, coin-operated showers and drinking water. In the more primitive area of the campground, vault toilets are provided, as well as drinking water. Some sites are fully accessible. A group campsite is available for reservations and can accommodate up to 50 people and 10 vehicles. It provides tables and a campfire circle, as well as vault toilets and drinking water.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | This is a concession-managed campground. You can make reservations through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Fees | By reservation only. $125.00/night. Additional vehicles - $10.00/vehicle. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Coming from the south on Highway 101 to Greenfield, take the first exit (Arroyo Seco) into town. Turn left on Elm Street and go west to Arroyo Seco Road and turn left. Arroyo Seco Road dead-ends at the campground. Coming from the north on Highway 101, just past Soledad, turn west onto Arroyo Seco Road and continue to the campground.
| Nearest town | Greenfield, California |
| Coordinates | 36.2397° N, 121.4786° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireTimber
13 mi from the campground · 25,350 acres · 97% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 18.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Treadmill ↗ | 31.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 59.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Arroyo Seco Campground Los Padres National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
The city of Monterey provides a variety of tourism opportunities and is located about 50 miles from the campground. The west side of the Pinnacles National Monument is about 30 miles from the campground. The monument and surrounding area is popular among rock climbers during the spring and fall.
- 0.6 miArroyo Seco Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miRocky Creek2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miCamp Cawatre2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miSanta Lucia ↗14.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miMarble Peak ↗13 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miHorse Pasture ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miSanta Lucia Connector0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miArroyo Seco Trailhead ↗Los Padres National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Ventana Wilderness.
- inVentana Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 236,726 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Los Coches RanchoSite · Soledad · 14.4 mi
Natural features
The campground offers views of the Ventana Wilderness mountain peaks and one small lake (water levels depend on the season). It is nestled into the hillside, surrounded by abundant shrubbery and large oak trees. It is situated next to the Arroyo Seco River at an elevation of about 1,200 feet. A variety of birds and wildlife make their home in the area. A splash of color greets visitors at the entrance gate, where a variety of plants in bloom. In the spring and fall, the leaves on the trees change to beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange, creating a beautiful scenic landscape. In the springtime, lupines bloom all around.
Recreation
The small non-body contact lake near the group campsites gives campers an edge on mountain fishing and small non-motorized boating. Anglers will find mostly bass and catfish in the lakes, and other species on occasion. A fishing license is required for visitors over 16 years of age. The nearby river offers a small beach where campers and day use visitors may wade and swim. All nearby bodies of water are dependent upon seasonal rain for levels to rise. The Ventana Wilderness, also known as "the gorge," provides ample opportunities for hiking, swimming, backpacking, hunting and horseback riding. No motorized vehicles are allowed (unless prior permission is granted by the Forest Service) beyond the gated road and parking lot. The 15.5-mile Santa Lucia Trail is available for hiking and horseback riding and provides access to the surrounding wilderness and a variety of other trails.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Arroyo Seco?
Sites at Arroyo Seco are reservable on Recreation.gov. This is a concession-managed campground. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Arroyo Seco?
By reservation only. $125.00/night. Additional vehicles - $10.00/vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Arroyo Seco?
Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Arroyo Seco open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Arroyo Seco have?
40 sites, including 21 standard sites without power, 14 tent-only sites, 3 walk-in sites, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Arroyo Seco?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Arroyo Seco?
Campsites are available for tent or RV camping, however utility hookups are not provided and there is no dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Arroyo Seco?
Yes, pets are allowed at Arroyo Seco. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Arroyo Seco?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Arroyo Seco?
Sites 001, 003, 004, and 005 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 13 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Arroyo Seco?
The small non-body contact lake near the group campsites gives campers an edge on mountain fishing and small non-motorized boating. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Arroyo Seco?
Greenfield, California. The city of Monterey provides a variety of tourism opportunities and is located about 50 miles from the campground.
Source: Getting there