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Colson Canyon Campground

6 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Reaching Colson Canyon Campground requires a high-clearance vehicle and patience. The unpaved road into this Los Padres National Forest site is rugged enough that reviewers strongly advise against bringing RVs or trailers, and the drive from camping near Santa Maria runs 30 to 45 minutes. Go slow. Residents along Colson Canyon Road appreciate it.

The campground itself is bare-bones by design. A handful of fire rings and picnic tables are spread across well-spaced sites, with flat ground suitable for tents and truck camping. There are no toilets and no water hookups, so campers must pack in their own water or filter from the creek on-site. The canyon includes oak trees, caves, and stream access, giving the area a distinctly old-growth character. Crowd levels stay low outside of hunting season and summer, which means self-contained campers often have the place to themselves.

No reservations are taken here. It's first-come, first-served, with no site numbers. Campfires and pets are permitted. "Basic, fun, old school camping," notes Jeannette P., which sums up what this site delivers and what it doesn't. One reviewer flagged a closure in late 2021, so checking current status with the Forest Service before heading out is worth the extra step.

Campers who want hookups or facilities nearby might consider Lazy Campground or Wagon Flat Campground, both within a few miles to the southeast and east.

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Map & DirectionsColson Canyon Campground is located in California near Santa Maria

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From Santa Maria: Betteravia R. 7 miles east, Mesa Rd. 4.5 miles east, Tepusquet Canyon. Rd. 4.5 miles north, Colson Cyn. Rd. 4.2 miles.

Coordinates

34.9543122 N
120.16983767 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Colson Canyon Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

17%
33%
17%
0%
33%

3.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

A basic primitive campground offering quiet, spaced-out sites with fire rings and tables but no water or restrooms. Campers regularly cited the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful canyon setting, though the facility was permanently closed as of 2021.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Mar. 16, 2021

Colson Canyon Campground

Colson is basic, fun, old school camping. This place has been here forever. I'm sure in its day it was packed but now it's always quiet. Beautiful area to get away but close enough, you don't have to go far. No bathrooms. Bring water. But 100% recommend.

Reviewed Sep. 15, 2019

Great place for a quick get away

Clean site Areas are well spaced out First compound of campsites are the best end of the road are the trails to hike and only able to fit 3 trucks up there comfortably Bring your own toilet amenities and water

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2017

Rugged Camp

This is a nice bare-bones campground with a few tables and fire rings. You will need a truck to get here, but Colson Canyon is a beautiful area that has streams, caves and plenty of oak trees. Just know that there is no faucets or toilets here, so you will need to filter water from the creek and/or pack it in. There are few that use this camp, so you can have this camp to yourself outside of hunting and summer seasons. I would not try to bring any type of RV or trailer here, as the road is very rugged. There are no reservations or camp site numbers--first come first served.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Colson Canyon Campground by Nathan M., August 22, 2017
  • Review photo of Colson Canyon Campground by Nathan M., August 22, 2017
  • Review photo of Colson Canyon Campground by Nathan M., August 22, 2017
  • (15) View All
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Colson Canyon located and how do I access the campground?

Colson Canyon Campground is located approximately 30-45 minutes from Santa Maria, California in the Los Padres National Forest. Access requires driving on a dirt road, and a truck or high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended as the road can be rough in places. When traveling to the campground, drive slowly through the canyon to respect local residents. The campground is situated in a beautiful area with oak trees and streams, making the journey worthwhile despite the challenging access. Before heading out, verify current status and road conditions with the Los Padres National Forest office.

Is shooting allowed at Colson Canyon and what are the regulations?

Colson Canyon Campground is located within a National Forest area where shooting regulations follow standard Forest Service rules. While the campground itself is not a designated shooting area, target shooting may be permitted in specific areas of the surrounding forest with proper precautions. Always check with the Los Padres National Forest office for current regulations before planning any shooting activities. Remember to practice safe shooting by using proper backstops, being aware of other visitors, and packing out all shells and targets. The area is used by various recreational visitors, so shooting activities should be conducted with extreme caution.

What camping facilities and amenities are available at Colson Canyon?

Colson Canyon offers a bare-bones, primitive camping experience with minimal facilities. The campground features a few picnic tables and fire rings with several flat spots suitable for setting up tents. There are no water faucets or toilet facilities, so campers must bring their own water or filter from the creek, and pack in all necessary bathroom amenities. The first compound of campsites is considered the best area, while the end of the road provides access to hiking trails but has limited space (comfortably fitting only about 3 vehicles). This is classic old-school camping with beautiful surroundings but no modern conveniences.

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