Off-highway vehicle area. Located among oaks and chaparral vegetation.

<p>Off-highway vehicle area. Located among oaks and chaparral vegetation.</p>

Bird's eye view of the campground

Buck Spring Campground

Large oak-shaded camp on the banks of Alder Creek.

<p>Large oak-shaded camp on the banks of Alder Creek.</p>

Baja Campground

Large oak shaded camp, Beautiful scenic views.

Area amenities: Tent camping, Picnic tables, Fire rings. High clearance
vehicles recommended to get to campground. Pit toilets. No water.

<p>Large oak shaded camp, Beautiful scenic views.</p><p>Area amenities:&nbsp;Tent camping, Picnic tables, Fire rings. High clearance vehicles recommended to get to campground. Pit toilets. No water.</p>

Paradise Campground

Nestled in large grove of oaks. Campground provides solitude for those seeking
that type of experience.

<p>Nestled in large grove of oaks. Campground provides solitude for those seeking that type of experience.</p>

Horseshoe Springs Campground

Nestled in the pines. Nice vistas of the Cuyama Valley.

<p>Nestled in the pines. Nice vistas of the Cuyama Valley.</p>

The Adventure Pass  or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or
Interagency Access Pass is required for Miranda Pine Campground.

Miranda Pine Campground

Nestled in the oaks. Provides opportunity for those seeking solitude.

<p>Nestled in the oaks. Provides opportunity for those seeking solitude.</p>

The Adventure Pass  or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or
Interagency Access Pass is required.

Brookshire Campground

**Update: August 10, 2023**

There is currently no access to American Canyon Campground via the Avenales
Ranch. A reservation system is being developed and will be in place for next
year's hunting season.

<p><strong>Update: August 10, 2023</strong></p><p>There is currently no access to American Canyon Campground&nbsp;via the Avenales Ranch. A reservation system is being developed and will be in place for next year&rsquo;s hunting season.</p>

Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year), or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior
Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass.

American Canyon Seasonal Campground

Colson Campground closed permanently in April 2021. Please contact the Santa
Lucia Ranger District for more information about the closure.

The following campgrounds are open and can be accessed off Hwy 166: Bates
Campground, Miranda Pine, Rock Front OHV Area (Buck Springs Campground,
Paradise and Baja Campground), Horseshoe and Brookshire.

<p>Colson Campground closed permanently in April 2021. Please contact the Santa Lucia Ranger District for more information about the closure.</p><p>The following campgrounds are open and can be accessed off Hwy 166: Bates Campground, Miranda Pine, Rock Front OHV Area (Buck Springs Campground, Paradise and Baja Campground), Horseshoe and Brookshire.</p>

Colson Campground

## Overview

American Canyon is a small, secluded campground which borders the Machesna
Wilderness. While the campground is accessible through the wilderness, it is a
long and strenuous hike as vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas. The
only motorized entrance is through the Avenales Ranch. This is a working
cattle ranch, and the owners have been generous to grant access to American
Canyon through their ranch. Entrance via the ranch gate is opened only during
deer hunting season, by reservation only on rec.gov and with an issued
combination code provided. The campground is an Adventure Pass site managed by
the Forest Service.

The campground is embedded within beautiful oaks, providing much shade and
cooling during the hot summer days. While the days do have a tendency of
getting rather toasty, ranging between the 90s and 100s, the nights cool down
into the 50s and 60s.

## Recreation

The campground is surrounded by wilderness and private lands, so mountain
biking isn’t practical. Horseback riding, hiking and wildlife viewing isn’t
really recommended during rifle season. This really is a hunting camp.

There are cattle trails in abundance and a rigorous trail (1800’ of elevation
gain) from the campground to the Nunez Potrero and Pine Spring near the top of
the ridge. The American Canyon watershed is dry in deer season.

## Facilities

The American Canyon campground offers 12 campsites for tent and car camping
(no RVs due to size restriction). Each site includes a picnic table, and a
combination fire ring/grill. There are two outhouses with pit toilets in the
campground. No drinking and non-potable water at the site. No trash service,
so pack it in, pack it out.

## Natural Features

The campground is in a grove of mature oaks. The watershed is dry during deer
season. The lower areas are a mix of open grasslands with oak and pine
woodlands. The higher terrain is covered in chaparral, with coulter pines near
the top of the ridges and scattered open grasslands.

## Nearby Attractions

Due to its remoteness, there are only a couple of nearby places that might be
of interest. The Vintage Cowboy Winery in Pozo opens on most weekends. The
Pozo Saloon is also open on some weekends, but not consistently. Both are
approximately 10 miles west of the campground.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>American Canyon is a small, secluded campground which borders the Machesna Wilderness. While the campground is accessible through the wilderness, it is a long and strenuous hike as vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas. The only motorized entrance is through the Avenales Ranch. This is a working cattle ranch, and the owners have been generous to grant access to American Canyon through their ranch. Entrance via the ranch gate is opened only during deer hunting season, by reservation only on <a href="https://rec.gov" rel="nofollow">rec.gov</a> and with an issued combination code provided. The campground is an Adventure Pass site managed by the Forest Service. </p><p>The campground is embedded within beautiful oaks, providing much shade and cooling during the hot summer days. While the days do have a tendency of getting rather toasty, ranging between the 90s and 100s, the nights cool down into the 50s and 60s.</p><h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>The campground is surrounded by wilderness and private lands, so mountain biking isn’t practical.  Horseback riding, hiking and wildlife viewing isn’t really recommended during rifle season.  This really is a hunting camp.</p>
<p>There are cattle trails in abundance and a rigorous trail (1800’ of elevation gain) from the campground to the Nunez Potrero and Pine Spring near the top of the ridge.  The American Canyon watershed is dry in deer season.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>The American Canyon campground offers 12 campsites for tent and car camping (no RVs due to size restriction). Each site includes a picnic table, and a combination fire ring/grill. There are two outhouses with pit toilets in the campground. No drinking and non-potable water at the site. No trash service, so pack it in, pack it out. </p><h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>The campground is in a grove of mature oaks. The watershed is dry during deer season. The lower areas are a mix of open grasslands with oak and pine woodlands. The higher terrain is covered in chaparral, with coulter pines near the top of the ridges and scattered open grasslands.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>Due to its remoteness, there are only a couple of nearby places that might be of interest. The Vintage Cowboy Winery in Pozo opens on most weekends. The Pozo Saloon is also open on some weekends, but not consistently. Both are approximately 10 miles west of the campground. </p>

American Canyon Campground is under the Adventure Pass permit ($5/day or
$30/year).

American Canyon Campground entrance sign.

American Canyon Campground

American Canyon Campground_2

American Canyon Campground_1

## Overview

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.

## 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!

## Facilities

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.

## 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.

## Nearby Attractions

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.

<h2>Overview</h2>
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.<h2>Recreation</h2>
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!<h2>Facilities</h2>
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.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
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.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
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.

LA PANZA CAMPGROUND

La Panza Campground

Nestled in a grove of large oaks and sycamores.

<p>Nestled in a grove of large oaks and sycamores.</p>

The Adventure Pass  or Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or
Interagency Access Pass is required for Bates Canyon Campground.

Bates Canyon Campground

Nestled in large grove of oaks. Close to the Santa Lucia and Garcia
Wildernesses. Recreational vehicles up to 16 feet.

<p>Nestled in large grove of oaks. Close to the Santa Lucia and Garcia Wildernesses. Recreational vehicles up to 16 feet.</p>

The Adventure pass  or Annual Interagency pass (National Parks pass), Senior
Interagency pass, or Interagency Access pass is required for parking at Hi
Mountain Campground. If you are walking in and camping, you do not need a
pass. The pass is for the vehicle. Adventure passes can be purchased at Big 5
Sporting Goods stores. Check with the Big 5 Sporting Goods store nearest you
to find out if they sell Adventure passes. Day passes are $5 and annual passes
are $30 a year. Adventure passes are also sold at REI in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Hi Mountain Campground

Primitive campground with six campsites, 5 have shade structures. Fire rings
and pedestal BBQ grills. Beginners OVH riding area.

Reservations: 5 sites are now on the reservation system: www.recreation.gov or
call 1-877-444-6777.  (1) campsite is on a first-come, first- serve basis.

The Navajo Flat OHV Staging Area with campsites is no longer an Adventure Pass
Campground. This campground is managed by the Parks Management for the Forest
Service. $30/night, $10/extra vehicle fee.

Bring your own water and firewood. Please pack your trash out.

<p>Primitive campground with six campsites, 5 have shade structures. Fire rings and pedestal BBQ grills.&nbsp;Beginners OVH riding area.</p><p>Reservations: 5 sites&nbsp;are now on the reservation system: <a href="http://www.recreation.gov">www.recreation.gov</a> or call&nbsp;1-877-444-6777.&nbsp; (1) campsite&nbsp;is on a first-come, first- serve basis.</p><p>The Navajo Flat OHV Staging Area with campsites is&nbsp;no longer an Adventure Pass Campground. This campground is managed by the Parks Management for the Forest Service. $30/night, $10/extra vehicle fee.</p><p>Bring your own water and firewood. Please pack your trash out.</p>

$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. Day use fee within
campground is $10/day. Extra vehicle parking per night is $10.