Established Camping
American Canyon Campground — Los Padres National Forest
Description
USDA Forest Service
Los Padres National Forest
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 isnt practical. Horseback riding, hiking and wildlife viewing isnt 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.
Fee Info
American Canyon Campground is under the Adventure Pass permit ($5/day or $30/year).
Location
American Canyon Campground — Los Padres National Forest is located in California
Directions
From Hwy 101, take the Santa Margarita exit, turning off at El Camino Real and across the railroad tracks at the east end of town on Estrada Avenue/Hwy 58. After 1.4 miles Hwy 58 turns left but continue straight on Pozo Road. From where Hwy 58 leaves Pozo Road, follow Pozo Road for almost 20 miles, through the town of Pozo, keeping right at the La Panza Road junction, until you reach the Avenales Ranch Road. Follow Avenales Ranch Road about 5 miles, through a gate (keep closed!) to the sign for American Canyon where you turn left and continue another 2 miles.
Coordinates
35.27681554 N
120.3075311 W
Access
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
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Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 34 min from San Luis Obispo
- 2 hrs 1 min from Santa Maria
- 3 hrs 5 min from Hanford
- 3 hrs 20 min from Bakersfield