Established Camping
Navajo Flat Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
Los Padres National Forest
Overview
Navajo Flat Campground, off-highway vehicle (OHV) Trailhead and day use area is an ideal location for OHV enthusiasts to enjoy the many trails in the surrounding area. A multi-use trail system that includes routes designated for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is located adjacent to this campground, known as a mecca for motorized fun.
Recreation
Navajo Flat Campground, OHV trailhead and day use area is best appreciated by true OHV enthusiasts. ATVs, quad runners, dual sports and single track riders will find easy access to 45 miles of marked and rated trails all accessible from your campsite. There is also a kid's track/beginner track located within the facility boundary. Motorized access leads to a wide variety of non-motorized activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting and equestrian trails.
Facilities
Open daily and year-round, Navajo Flat Campground has six campsites, five of which include a shaded canopy structure, all include a fire ring and picnic table. There is one vault toilet. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water (drinking water) or electricity onsite. There is no dump station. This facility is "Pack it in. Pack it out."
Natural Features
Oak, conifer and various chaparral trees dot the landscape in this rider's paradise. The terrain is mostly rocky and hard packed. The views of the coastline and the Sierra Mountains on clear days can be enjoyed from the higher peaks such as Pozo Summit. Navajo Flat Campground, OHV trailhead and day use area includes a kiosk outlining information about the ecosystem, Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace ethics, as well as an OHV trail map of the area.
Nearby Attractions
Hiking trails, hunting, mountain biking, fishing and shopping are all within 29 miles of the campground.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Pozo La Panza OHV staging campground
We didn't stay at this campground, but we walked over and checked it out while disperse-camping up the road.
This campground has 6 sites, and is $20/night and $10 additional for each extra vehicle. There is a $10/day fee for day use.
5 campsites are reservable through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777, and 1 site is first come first served.
There is zero ATT, Verizon, or T-Mobile signal at this campground, but the Los Padres forest area as a whole is very spotty - you can go from zero to good reception for all 3 carriers as you move from area to area.
No water or any amenities here other than vault toilets. Fire is allowed in the fire rings at each site, no fire permit required here (but fire permits are required elsewhere in the National Forest). There were a couple of garbage cans by the toilets. Sites have 2 picnic tables, a shade structure, fire ring, and a grill.
There is no signage directing you to the campground, so download the map ahead of time if you need directions. From 58 you take Red Hill Rd/Forest Rte 29S15 and turn left at the dead end at Fernandez Rd. Keep going straight until you see the campground on your right. There is a road turning right at the cattle guard, but keep going straight.
Campground is fairly large with wide open spaces to turn around, so bigger rigs should be fine. The roads coming in from Hwy 58 -- Red Hill Rd and Fernandez Rd -- are ok, they are compacted dirt / DG with some washboarding and a few ruts. There are people who live in this area and travel these roads in regular sedans, so it's definitely doable for most vehicles, but I'd imagine large class A's would have a tough time.
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Great place to get away from reality
If you want to escape, this is the place. No signal, hardly ever see any other people and tons of open space and trails for motorcycles and quads. Dry camping only. No water available but there is a vault toilet and picnic tables.
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Location
Navajo Flat Campground is located in California
Directions
From Santa Margarita, CA, head northeast on H St toward Margarita Ave. Turn right onto CA-58 E 1.4 miles, then turn left to stay on CA-58 E for 22.9 miles. Turn right onto Forest Rte 29S15/Red Hill Rd. Turn left onto Red Hill Rd. Turn left onto Forest Rte 28S02/Red Hill Rd. go 0.5 miles. Navajo Flat Campground, 11156 Red Hill Rd, Santa Margarita, CA.
Coordinates
35.3689 N
120.3125 W