Hiking & Camping in Santa Barbara Back Country

I have reserved a spot at the Los Prietos Campground along the Santa Ynez River in Los Padres National Forest for 7/11 Sunday night and 7/12 Monday night. I am putting together a couple of hikes for Monday and Tuesday.

RV, tent or car camping

THE HIKES

MONDAY we'll meet at my spot around 8am and shuttle to trailhead 2 miles away. I will pay the day use fee at that parking lot (Sage Hill group campground) for full cars

This will be the main hike and will cover the following:

Aliso Canyon - a pretty little hike through riparian and chaparral habitats.

Oso Canyon & Santa Cruz Trail to Nineteen Oaks Campground - after Aliso we will follow Oso Canyon through the steep sandstone cliffs of Oso Narrows. The trail parallels Oso Creek up the canyon to the camp located at the base of Little Pine Mountain. The camp sits on a shady knoll in an oak tree grove (with 19 oaks?) with picnic tables and beautiful views down Oso Canyon. This will be appx 8-10 miles.

TUESDAY - check out time is noon. Thus, road conditions permitting, we'll drive up the road 6 miles to the Red Rock trail head parking lot ($10.00 without a pass) and do a 6 mile loop covering Red Rock, Gibraltar Dam -- maybe extend it to 10 miles and include Mercury Mine. Let's plan to get there by 9am

I'll post more info as the days progress

Camp sites are $30/night plus $10.00 for additional vehicle ("Additional fees will be collected for extra vehicles at the campground"). At the time of this writing there are many spots available. I am in Site 002.

See campground map in Photos section https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/31436343/496596101/

"Each site is equipped with a table, campfire ring with grill and a pedestal grill. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Trash collection bins are available throughout the campground."

Reserve a spot here: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234001?tab=campsites

Adventure pass not required

Note: Some of the trails were damaged during the Rey Fire of 2016 and we may have to do some improvising along the official routes.

More campground info:
https://www.campsitephotos.com/campground/ca/los-prietos/

https://campone.com/campground-finder/campground/california/los-prietos-campground