Within Los Padres National Forest, 19 Oaks Camp provides a hike-in camping experience that requires advance planning due to its current temporary closure status. The US Forest Service manages this backcountry site, which combines forested areas with open terrain near a creek. Basic amenities include drinking water and toilets, though the hike-in access means campers must pack accordingly.
The campground's creek-side location offers both wooded and open camping areas within the national forest boundaries. Campers planning future visits to this area can explore places to camp around Goleta while waiting for reopening. Check current forest service updates before planning any trip, as closure status can change seasonally.
Description
For open status, please use the USFS website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lpnf/alerts-notices/?aid=77373
The Santa Cruz Trailhead is Chaparral, shaded by oak trees. Trail follows Oso Creek. It is recommended that visitors do not drink the water found in Oso Creek.
The hike begins at Upper Oso Campground in the Oso Canyon. After going around a locked gate, follow a wide motor cycle road for under three quarters of a mile. The trail is fairly low angle and covered with soft dirt. Unless there are motor cycles on the road, this part of the trail is very pleasant. You are hiking parallel to Oso Creek and in the shade of oak trees. There are a number of side trails leading down to the creeks swimming holes.
At the end of the initial section, the trail to 19 Oaks Camp separates from the motor cycle road and becomes Santa Cruz Trail proper. There are signs pointing you to 19 Oaks and Little Pine Mountain. There is also a box for leaving a note. At this point, the trail drops downhill for a short distance before rising again following Oso Creek. At about one and a half mile point the trail crosses the creek and shortly after crosses it again bypassing a rocky section. Another quarter of a mile, you will reach the turn off point to 19 Oaks marked by a sign. Leave the main trail and hike up a steep section of a trail to a low angle hillside and 19 Oaks in about one quarter of a mile. There are many oak trees, a few benches, fire pits, campsites and a very rustic open-air toilet pit.
Water at the Upper Oso Campground Restroom at the Upper Oso Campground
Reservation Info
No reservations. First-come, first-served only.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public Campground19 Oaks Camp - Temporarily Closed is located in California
Directions
From Hwy 101, 10 miles NW on Hwy 154, 6.7 miles E. on Paradise Road and 1 mile north on the Upper Oso Road to the Santa Cruz trailhead at Upper Oso Campground.
Coordinates
34.572482 N
119.754694 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
Drive Time
- 1 hr 20 min from Santa Maria, CA
- 1 hr 28 min from Oxnard, CA
- 1 hr 47 min from San Luis Obispo, CA
- 2 hrs 58 min from Bakersfield, CA
