Best Dispersed Camping near Goleta, CA
Los Padres National Forest provides the primary dispersed camping options near Goleta, California. Several primitive sites can be found along Figueroa Mountain Road, though the terrain is often steep and challenging. Sites typically offer no amenities—no water, toilets, or trash collection—and visitors must pack out all waste. Most areas require vehicles to navigate dirt roads, with some sites only accessible by hiking in.
Fire restrictions vary seasonally across Los Padres National Forest, with many areas prohibiting fires entirely. One camper shared that "the site is all up hill and really only has a small area where a few vans can fit." Free camping spots exist, but some areas like the Chorro Grande Trail region have specific restrictions. According to one visitor, "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." For backcountry experiences, Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park offers primitive camping with stunning ocean views, though boat transportation and advance reservations are required.