Explore Baron Ranch

From the main gate, follow the entrance road into the canyon that forms the Arroyo Quemado Creek watershed. The trail is well marked and follows a network of ranch roads leading through a habitat restoration area and into the backcountry. The main trail is Arroyo Quemado Trail that begins at Calle Real and ends at Camino Cielo — spanning six miles or 12 miles out and back. The Loop Trail is available for those looking for a shorter hike. It is 6.5 miles out and back.

The first mile of the trail is relatively flat and follows the bottom of the canyon. Just beyond the one-mile mark the road transitions into the riparian zone and continues to parallel the creek, it’s here that the trail starts to take on a more wilderness feel.

At 2.1 miles and 2.6 miles, the trail splits to form a loop up into the mountains. The upper portion of the Loop Trail provides some exceptional vistas down the canyon and out towards the ocean with views of the island on a clear day. Views along the canyons open up to reveal the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands. At the top of the loop, the single-track section of the Loop Trail trail connects again to a ranch road and then returns to the beginning of the loop and the main trail.

Just 1/2-mile past the upper creek crossing the Arroyo Quemado Trail forks to the left. The trail follows a newly constructed single track for 3.4 miles up to Camino Cielo in the Los Padres National Forest. Alternatively, turn right and complete the Loop Trail by following a ranch road to a single track path through the upper reaches of the canyon.

The trail is open seven days a week to all trail users. The designated trail is the only area of the Ranch open to the public. The public is prohibited from exploring other areas of the Ranch. These areas, including areas immediately adjacent to the trail, are used for native plant restoration and wildlife conservation.

The Baron Ranch Trails are maintained by the Santa Barbara County Trails Council in partnership with the County of Santa Barbara Community Services Department, Parks Division.