Middle Lion Campground
Leave the city vibe behind as you meander down a winding, partially paved, narrow road that leads you into wooded Middle Lion Campground and day use area. Relax next to the running creek, take a refreshing dip, or hike the nearby trails. Tucked away in a canyon encased by chaparral and wildflower covered mountains, Middle Lion Campground is particularly beautiful in the spring and fall, but camping is great year-round.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 8 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
8 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Springs | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 02 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Springs | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 03 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Springs | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 04 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Springs | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Springs | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Springs | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 07 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Springs | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 08 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Springs | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
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 | 20 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Middle Lion has eight campsites. They are located along a single loop, close to a creek. While tent camping is best enjoyed in this cozy campground, there is room for RVs under 20 feet. Tables and fire rings are provided in each site. There is a vault toilet in the campground. There is no drinking water at this site, so bring your own water.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| 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 extra vehicle parking fee. |
| Rules | For current fire restrictions, please visit the Los Padres website. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Follow Highway 33 north of Ojai for 14.7 miles to the Rose Valley Road turnoff (6N31) which is at mile marker 25.84. Turn right and follow the paved road 4.8 miles. Turn right and go 0.8 miles to Middle Lion Campground. The elevation is 3250 feet. Watch out for the rough sections of road.
| Coordinates | 34.5494° N, 119.1662° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBryson
37 mi from the campground · 200 acres · 0% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Ojai Valley Surplus ↗ | 8 mi |
| Dump station | Lake Casitas Recreation Area ↗ | 13.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Harder RV Storage ↗ | 34.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Hiking trails, biking, fishing are all within 30 minutes from the campground. Day trips to the higher elevation mountains for snow play are an opportunity in the winter. One mile away on the Rose Valley Road (6N31) is the Piedra Blanca trailhead where there are three trails to explore. All trails are located across Sespe Creek. The Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail (22W03) in the Sespe Wilderness will lead you to nearby massive white rocks, called Piedra Blanca! It is an easy walk for the first three miles. A principal attraction to this section of the Sespe is Rose Valley Falls. This trail to the falls begins just before you enter Rose Valley Campground. Follow it for a short half-mile and you will be at the base of the falls. The cliffs at the falls are arkosic sandstone and crumble easily, so tread lightly. Rose Valley Falls is the tallest waterfall in the range and while it is an easy hike to the base of the 100-foot tall lower tier of the waterfall (0.8 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain), it is adventure to reach the more impressive upper tier. Please do not climb around on steep sections or get close to the edge.
- 1.4 mi
- 7.5 miFishbowls Trailhead - 21W05 ↗Trailhead
- 9 miJohnston Ridge Trailhead - 20W12 ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miLion Canyon ↗6.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miGene Marshall-Piedra Blanca ↗18.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.8 miSespe River ↗16.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1 miMiddle Sespe ↗7.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miRose Lion1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miRose Valley Falls0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.8 miPiedra Blanca Trailhead (Rose Valley Area) Ojai ↗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 Sespe Wilderness.
- inSespe Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 219,209 acres
- 9.8 miMatilija Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 29,207 acres
- 13.3 miChumash Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 37,793 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
- Charles M. Pratt HouseBuilding · Ojai · 7.9 mi
- Isis TheaterBuilding · Ojai · 8.4 mi
- St. Thomas Aquinas ChapelBuilding · Ojai · 8.4 mi
Natural features
Middle Lion Campground is surrounded by chaparral covered mountains, shaded by cottonwood trees and is next to a peaceful stream near the Sespe Wilderness area. As the trees seasonally change color, you will find yourself surrounded by vibrant yellow hues!
Recreation
The Lion Canyon Trail (22W06) starts at the back of the campground. After 1.3 miles you will reach the Rose Lion Connector Trail (22W16) on the right. After 0.6 miles you can take side trails to East Fork Lion Camp, which is within the Sespe Wilderness, or West Fork Lion Camp. The main trail continues 3.6 miles to Nordhoff Ridge for spectacular views. No mountain bikes are allowed in the wilderness.
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 Middle Lion 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 Middle Lion Campground?
$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 extra vehicle parking fee.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Middle Lion Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Middle Lion Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Middle Lion Campground have?
8 sites, including 8 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Middle Lion Campground?
The longest site here provides 20 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 pets allowed at Middle Lion Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Middle Lion Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Middle Lion Campground?
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. For current fire restrictions, please visit the Los Padres website.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Middle Lion Campground?
The Lion Canyon Trail (22W06) starts at the back of the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Middle Lion Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Rose Valley Campground (1.5 mi), Thorn Meadows Campground (6.1 mi, first-come), and Wheeler Gorge (6.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby