Upper Oso Campground
Upper Oso Campground provides ample opportunity for exploration of California's coastal mountains. It is a family-friendly campground, equipped with equestrian sites, and is close to a variety of trails and several mountain streams.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 11 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
| Standard, no hookups | 3 |
| Walk-in | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 32 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
19 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 04 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 05 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 06 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | |
| 07 | Walk-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 1 | |
| 11 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 13 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 14 | Equestrian | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 |
| 15 | Equestrian | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people.) Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night). |
The campground is open year-round and offers around two dozen sites tent or RV camping. About 10 sites are outfitted with horse corrals and extra long, paved parking spurs. Some additional sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table, campfire ring with grill and a pedestal grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided throughout the campground. Firewood is available for purchase from the on-site campground host.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | January to December |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 |
| Fees | $30/night, $10/ extra vehicle fee. Concession-managed by the Parks Management Company for the Forest Service. The Interagency Senior and Acess Passes provide pass holders with 50% off of camping fees - not valid for day use within the campground or extra vehicle parking fee. |
| Rules | No more than 8 people per site, 14 day stay limit. Green sticker and approved spark arrestor required on motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles for use on the Buckhorn Rd, Upper Oso Trailhead. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Santa Barbara, travel north on Highway 101. Exit onto Highway 154 and continue northwest for about 10 miles. Turn east onto Paradise Road and travel about 6 miles. Turn north onto Forest Route 5N15 and continue less than two miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Santa Barbara, California |
| Coordinates | 34.5558° N, 119.7539° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Thousand Trails ↗ | 1.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Harder RV Storage ↗ | 8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 10.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Tour & Info Upper Oso Campground Santa Barbara Red Rock Recreation Area
Worth a stop
The campground is located about 25 miles north of the city of Santa Barbara.
- 1.4 mi
- 1.5 mi
- 11.3 miDivide Peak Ohv Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miCamuesa Connector4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miSanta Cruz ↗18.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 1 miRomero Camuesa OHV ↗11.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1 miAliso Loop ↗3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 1.1 miArroyo Burro3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miBuckhorn OHV ↗9.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 1 miUpper Oso OHV Staging Area-Buckhorn-Camuesa OHV Rd ↗Los Padres National Forest · Season January to December
- 2.8 miRed Rock 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 Los Padres National Forest.
- inLos Padres National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,970,265 acres
- 9.1 miSan Rafael Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 191,104 acres
- 9.5 miDick Smith Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 71,275 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is located in the lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area, not far from Santa Barbara. The campground has large sites scattered among plentiful oak trees that provide pleasant shade. It is situated alongside a seasonal creek, at an elevation of 1,040 feet.
Recreation
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails begin in and around the campground, including the Santa Cruz Trail, which traverses 18 miles north to the San Rafael Wilderness. The 2.5-mile Aliso National Recreation Trail leads through scenic areas to a group campsite. Off-road vehicle enthusiasts enjoy the Camuesa OHV Route, which loops about 10 miles through the surrounding forest. Fishing and swimming are available at nearby White Rock Day-Use Area, less than two miles from the campground. The Santa Ynez River is stocked with trout in the springtime. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, a no-body-contact reservoir, is about 10 miles northwest of the campground. It offers boating, fishing and kayaking. Anglers will find an abundance of annually stocked trout. Carp and bass are also common catches there.
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 Upper Oso Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Upper Oso Campground?
All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people.) Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Upper Oso Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Upper Oso Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season January to December.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Upper Oso Campground have?
19 sites, including 11 equestrian sites, 3 tent-only sites, 3 standard sites without power, and 2 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Upper Oso Campground?
The longest site here provides 45 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 Upper Oso Campground?
Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided throughout the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Upper Oso Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Oso Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Upper Oso Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Upper Oso Campground?
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails begin in and around the campground, including the Santa Cruz Trail, which traverses 18 miles north to the San Rafael Wilderness. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Upper Oso Campground?
Santa Barbara, California. The campground is located about 25 miles north of the city of Santa Barbara.
Source: Getting there
What if Upper Oso Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Sage Hill (2.4 mi), Los Prietos (3.3 mi), and Paradise Campground (3.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby