Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Buellton, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Buellton, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Buellton, CA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
"Picked the first nook from the GPS pin but hiked up road and there are quite a few others, some shaded, some exposed. Bit of highway noise."
"Easy spots to turn around and park. Beautiful views, slight road noise if you’re not in the van but quiet inside. Wouldn’t recommend anything bigger than a extended sprinter or transit"
"At the mentioned location we soon encountered a sign saying the motorized vehicles are prohibited from that point on."
"However the dirt road was slick & minivan, loaded down, was slipping & sliding. Backtracked to a nice spot, camaflouged by a small hill, it'll protect my gear tent. This is open castle range."
"Make sure, you really stay at the place up the hill (coordinates) otherwise the landlord will clarify that you're on private property ;) Great view in the morning, beautiful. Would def come back"
RangerChorma Camp is the first spot you will encounter on the hike south through Cherry Creek. Situated high on a bluff it gets lots of wind, and with very little shelter around to break it, if you camp here you will get the brunt of it.
There are no amenities at any of the campsites in this area, they are all primitive dispersed camp areas.
Continuing on past Chorma if you can make it to Maple it is better campsite down in the valley.
ScoutBeautiful hilly landscape. Despite the absence of trees or bushes for shadow, we had a wonderful evening here, on our way to santa barbara. At the mentioned location we soon encountered a sign saying the motorized vehicles are prohibited from that point on. We drove a bit further down the main road than the gps location suggests, and took the next road to find a spot. The area map with zones for dispersed camping is not too clear, but it seems that you can camp to a certain distance from the main road, and this distance varies. After taking the next road, we found a simple semi-prepared spot. Some warm breezes in the evening, silent night with great views of the night sky.
Guide☆ No target shooting allowed ☆ Arrived on a drizzly day & tried going further down the road to other more secluded camping spots. However the dirt road was slick & minivan, loaded down, was slipping & sliding. Backtracked to a nice spot, camaflouged by a small hill, it'll protect my gear tent. This is open castle range.
GuidePicked the first nook from the GPS pin but hiked up road and there are quite a few others, some shaded, some exposed. Bit of highway noise.
GuideI visited in January on my way to the Bay Area and loved this campsite. I didn’t see anyone else around, nor did I see any wildlife, so it was very quiet and peaceful. The stars were also quite visible with minimal light pollution. The area is hilly and beautiful with enough flatness and openness to pitch a tent without issue.
It was about 15 degrees (F) colder than was forecasted (20 F vs 35 F) at night, so be prepared to be a bit chilly if visiting during the winter.
All in all, great site and I would definitely return if I need a place to camp in the area again.
TravelerEasy spots to turn around and park. Beautiful views, slight road noise if you’re not in the van but quiet inside. Wouldn’t recommend anything bigger than a extended sprinter or transit
LegendThis site is next to chorro grande trail which is about a 9 mile hike. After your long hike of you want to rest go up the mountain site across and it’s an awesome place to camp out. This is dispersed campsite. You will also come across many people parked on the side for those who hike the trails so if you go up the little hill mountain you can camp out peacefully with awesome sunrise and sunsets.
GuideThere is a nice hike-in campsite about 1.5 miles up the Chorro Grande trail called Oak Camp. I think the other review here might be unintentionally implying that camping along the 33 is allowed. It isn't. This is from the district web page:
"Disperse camping is NOT allowed on Hwy 33, the Rose Valley Recreation Area or the Pine Mountain Recreation Area or Matilija Canyon Rd. These are Restricted Use Zones."
TravelerPretty solid! Had great cell service and was a lovely drive to get there. Probably wouldn’t recommend if you have a tent or RV as the spots were a little small and rocky. But I only went a little past where the directions take you, so not sure what else is up there.
Arrived just at sunset and loved the views! It was very peaceful and far enough from the highway. It seemed like the same truck was driving up and down a couple times which was the only downfall.
Overall a good experience.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Buellton, California, where you can enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles, from serene hillside retreats to accessible drive-in locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping near Buellton?
Several dispersed camping options exist near Buellton. Old Sierra Madre offers easy-to-access spots with beautiful views and is suitable for vans and smaller vehicles, though the spots can be somewhat rocky. The road is generally navigable, making it accessible for most drivers. Another option is Morrow Hill Dispersed, which accommodates RVs up to 21 feet, though the access road can be challenging. Be sure to stay at the designated site on the hill to avoid private property issues. Both locations are free and offer a peaceful experience with varying degrees of privacy and scenery.
Is dispersed camping allowed in Los Padres National Forest near Buellton?
Dispersed camping is permitted in Los Padres National Forest near Buellton, but with important restrictions. Los Padres NF - Dispersed Camp provides access to backcountry camping, particularly along trails like Chorro Grande. However, camping directly along Highway 33 and Reyes Creek/Rose Valley Roads is NOT allowed. Oak Camp, located about 1.5 miles up the Chorro Grande trail, offers a legitimate hike-in camping option. At Chorma Camp in Matilija Wilderness, you'll find primitive camping with no amenities in a sometimes windy location. Always check current Forest Service regulations before your trip as rules may change seasonally.
What are the best seasons for dispersed camping around Buellton, California?
The ideal seasons for dispersed camping around Buellton are spring and fall when temperatures are moderate. Spring (March-May) brings wildflowers and green landscapes, especially at Carrizzo Plain National Monument Dispersed, which offers beautiful hilly terrain and excellent stargazing with minimal light pollution. Fall (September-November) provides pleasant temperatures and less crowded conditions. Summer can be extremely hot, particularly in exposed areas like Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout 01, where shade is limited. Winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain, which can make dirt roads slick and potentially impassable for non-4WD vehicles, especially at higher elevations.
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