Open terrain and limited shade define this Los Padres National Forest campground, where several spacious sites accommodate RVs up to 70 feet. The unpaved access road remains manageable for most vehicles, making Ballinger a practical base for off-road trail access in the surrounding forest.
Basic amenities include toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, with pets welcome year-round. The $30-34 nightly rate includes reservation options through the Forest Service. Campers planning extended forest exploration will find dog-friendly camping around Los Padres National Forest throughout the region.
Description
Overview
Tucked away in the high desert, surrounded by scenic views of the badlands in the Los Padres National Forest, Ballinger Campground and day use area offers the perfect getaway for those looking to access off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails. Explore 11 four-wheel drive roads, 12 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails, and 14 motorcycle trails, which include loose dirt, hard pack, sand, steep hills, and a few jumps and berms.
Recreation
The Ballinger Campground and day use areas are best appreciated by OHV enthusiasts. ATVs/Quad Runners/Dual Sports/Single track, will find access to 68 miles of marked and rated trails that range from novice-friendly hard packed trails, twisty sand washes, open play areas to steep and rugged black diamond, all accessed from your scenic high desert camping spot.
Facilities
Open daily and year-round, the campground includes 13 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring. Two vault toilets are located near the campsites. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water onsite. To the left of the fee/information boards is a "staging area" to offload gear. There is no dump station. The campsites have no barriers or boulders, so all sizes of toy haulers, trailers and campers do well here.
Natural Features
Junipers, lupine and tall scrub and brush surround Ballinger Canyon, just inland of California's Central Coast and regionally bound by the Sierra Madre and Caliente Mountain Ranges.
Nearby Attractions
Hiking trails, biking and fishing are easily accessed within 30 minutes from Ballinger Campground. Day trips to the higher elevation mountains for snow play in the winter.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundBallinger Campground is located in California
Directions
From Los Angeles: Take I-5 north to 126 west to Santa Paula Hwy 150 exit. Go north on Hwy 150 for 20 miles to the intersection of highway 33. Go north over the mountain, 55 miles to Ballinger Cyn rd. Turn right and proceed 2 miles to the entrance.
Coordinates
34.8839 N
119.4452 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/16/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/16/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 1 hr 7 min from Bakersfield, CA
- 1 hr 19 min from Santa Maria, CA
- 1 hr 39 min from San Luis Obispo, CA
- 1 hr 44 min from Oxnard, CA
