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Established Camping

Middle Lion Campground

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Hwy 33 from Ojai has three scheduled 55-hour Extended-Weekend Closures. During full closures the Los Padres National Forest will only be accessible from State Route 166 The dates are as follows:Closure 1: Friday, August 15 Monday, August 18 Closure 2: Friday, August 22 Monday, August 25 Closure 3: Friday, September 19 Monday, September 22 All extended weekend closures begin on Friday at 10 p.m. and end on Monday at 5 a.m. Please plan accordingly!

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Middle Lion Campground is located in Los Padres National Forest, surrounded by rugged terrain and dense forest. Temperatures can range from 40°F in the cooler months to 90°F during the warmer season. Nearby attractions include the Piedra Blanca Trailhead and the Sespe Hot Springs, offering opportunities for hiking and relaxation.

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Location

Middle Lion Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

Follow Highway 33 north of Ojai for 14.7 miles to the Rose Valley Road turnoff (6N31) which is at mile marker 25.84. Turn right and follow the paved road 4.8 miles. Turn right and go 0.8 miles to Middle Lion Campground. The elevation is 3250 feet. Watch out for the rough sections of road.

Coordinates

34.5494 N
119.1662 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Connectivity

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Pets
  • Fires

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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2 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2016

Pretty Little Sepse Wilderness Campground

We have been camping here for years. I used to go up there to paint landscapes. It's mostly quiet and safe, but we did arrive one Friday evening and found it rampant with thug-like teens, playing loud music and parked everywhere. It was not our idea of an outdoor experience, so we moved further up the 33 to find somewhere else. That said, most of the time, we have found it quiet and beautiful. We have used as a base camp for the Sespe Wilderness and the Sespe River trail. The river has warm hot springs underneath, so it can be a very comfortable temperature and private most of the time. The campground is adequately equipped for our needs, but we did bring water with us. There is a great little hike from the campground to a little waterfall.

  • Review photo of Middle Lion Campground by Warren K., September 6, 2016
  • Review photo of Middle Lion Campground by Warren K., September 6, 2016
Reviewed Apr. 16, 2015

Quiet Car Camping

A great secluded camping spot at the end of an old side road, it gets very little traffic. Two out of the three times I have been there it has been almost deserted. It can become busy on summer weekends however. There are 9 sites here, each with a table/benches, freestanding grill and a fire pit. (Depending on the drought conditions though, fires may or may not be allowed). The only other amenity is a vault restroom. There is no potable water here, but there is a creek with water in it year round that runs along the east side of the campground if you feel inclined to filter your own. Most of the sites are well shaded by large deciduous trees, and the surrounding hills do a great job at blocking most of the wind, making it a very pleasant spot for a weekend of car camping.

All that is required is a forest adventure pass, which can be bought at any near by outdoors store for $5 for a day and a night, or $30 for a year, and can be used at most any site in the forest.

  • Review photo of Middle Lion Campground by Ryan P., April 16, 2015
  • Review photo of Middle Lion Campground by Ryan P., April 16, 2015
  • Review photo of Middle Lion Campground by Ryan P., April 16, 2015
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Middle Lion Campground?

Camping at Middle Lion Campground can cost between $30.00 and $34.00 depending on the site.

What is the max vehicle length at Middle Lion Campground?

Middle Lion Campground allows vehicles up to 20 feet.

Are fires allowed at Middle Lion Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Middle Lion Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Middle Lion Campground have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Middle Lion Campground does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Middle Lion Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is no coverage for AT&T, no coverage for T-Mobile, and no coverage for Verizon.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Middle Lion Campground?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Middle Lion Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Middle Lion Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Middle Lion Campground?

There are 8 campsites at Middle Lion Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts