La Panza Campground
La Panza Campground is full of opportunities to relax or explore the forest. Nearby is Machesna Mountain Wilderness where hiking, hunting and horseback riding are popular. Off-high vehicle (OHV) recreation is also plentiful in the area.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 7 |
Site guide
7 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Loop 2 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Loop 2 | Pull-through | 30 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Loop 2 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 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 |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This campground is open daily and year-round. There are 15 single and spaciously situated campsites ideal for tenting, and moderate RVs under 16 ft. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water (drinking water) or electricity onsite. There is no dump station. This is a "dry" campground with five vault toilets. The road into the campground ends cul-de-sac style, but with adequate turn around.
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 by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations need to be made 8 days in advance. |
| Fees | La Panza Campground is managed by the Parks Management for the Forest Service. $30/night, $10/extra vehicle fee. Interagency Senior and Acess Passes provide pass holders with 50% off of camping fees - not valid for day use or extra vehicle parking fee. |
| Rules | 14 day stay limit. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Directions from Santa Margarita, CA: Travel Highway 58, 3 miles east, Pozo Road approximately 26 miles east, Forest Road 29S18, 1.5 miles east. Alternate route: Highway 58, 26 miles east, Navajo Road 3 miles south, Pozo Road half a mile east.
| Coordinates | 35.3533° N, 120.2600° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Moondoggie's Beach Club ↗ | 23.3 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 26.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | California RV Outlets ↗ | 26.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Lakes, trails, beautiful views, biking, hiking and off-road vehicle riding are all within minutes of the campground. The nearest shopping is 29 miles in Santa Margarita.
- 12.8 miRinconada Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.4 miBig Falls Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miLa Panza Bypass OHV1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 0.7 miQueen Bee OHV1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 0.9 miLas Chiches Cutt-Off OHV2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1 miBurnout OHV ↗8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 1.7 miMare Spring OHV3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2 miPine Mountain OHV ↗6.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
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
Los Padres National Forest begins about 0.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.1 miLos Padres National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,970,265 acres
- 1.6 miMachesna Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 18,278 acres
- 5.4 miGarcia Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 13,987 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
Natural features
La Panza Campground is situated in a canyon setting, encompassed by a gathering of established oak trees, and accented by a seasonal creek. Fox, coyote, road runner, deer, wild pig, jack rabbit, quail, and very rare black bear, all visit this area.
Recreation
La Panza Campground is best enjoyed by campers who prefer a rugged outdoor experience. The Pozo La Panza 18,867-acre area has approximately 44 miles of routes that vary from sandy washes to a ridgeline route including a section known to expert OHV riders as the Stair Steps. With proximity to OHV trails, this spot will keep the adrenaline junkies enthused as well as the avid hiker. Bring your bikes, motorcycles, ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles to enjoy the amazing trail experience!
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 La Panza Campground?
Sites at La Panza Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at La Panza Campground?
La Panza Campground is managed by the Parks Management for the Forest Service. $30/night, $10/extra vehicle fee. Interagency Senior and Acess Passes provide pass holders with 50% off of camping fees - not valid for day use or extra vehicle parking fee.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at La Panza Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is La Panza 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 La Panza Campground have?
7 sites, including 7 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to La Panza Campground?
La Panza Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at La Panza Campground?
There is no dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at La Panza Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at La Panza Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at La Panza Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. 14 day stay limit.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at La Panza Campground?
La Panza Campground is best enjoyed by campers who prefer a rugged outdoor experience. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if La Panza Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Navajo Flat OHV Staging Area and campsites (2.2 mi), Navajo Flats Campground (3.1 mi), and Turkey Flat OHV Staging Area (5.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby