Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Los Padres National Forest

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Los Padres National Forest, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that California camping has to offer. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Los Padres National Forest (100)

    1. Sycamore Campground

    7 Reviews
    New Cuyama, CA
    13 miles
    +1 (818) 424-8256

    "Dogs allowed. Easy to access."

    "Great hikes nearby and the beach is just a short walk away! We saw lots of cute animals during our stay. The campsite pass also gets you free parking at pretty much any beach along the PCH."

    2. Mt. Figueroa Campground

    21 Reviews
    Los Olivos, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $30 - $34 / night

    "While visiting Los Padres National forest on a Valentines Weekend, we unfortunately couldn’t do much camping near the higher altitudes due to high wind gusts so we headed toward the other camps, Davy Brown"

    "During our second visit to the forest we settled on a spot we found close to the road but still hidden with a definite moving water source. We ended up making 2 separate campsites."

    3. Bates Canyon Campground

    4 Reviews
    New Cuyama, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 925-9538

    "Don’t know why people are saying it’s remote when there’s a main highway only a few miles away and ranch houses near by and cell Service."

    4. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

    59 Reviews
    Santa Ynez, CA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 686-5055

    "I am a native of Santa Barbara, CA, so I grew up going to Cachuma Lake. Cachuma Lake’s main recreational area is on a bluff overlooking the lake."

    "Fire pit at 409 put in a strange location so that we is located on the back side of our trailer. Really no other way we could have configured it."

    5. Cuyama Oaks Ranch

    1 Review
    New Cuyama, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 258-8561

    $55 - $200 / night

    6. Aliso Park Campground

    1 Review
    New Cuyama, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 925-9538

    "Great hiking around campground. No cell service."

    7. Miranda Pine Campground

    4 Reviews
    Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 968-6640

    "Brought my dogs and they loved it. No real services up here so its especially important to pack out all your trash and follow Leave No Trace ethics."

    "We arrived on Saturday 4th of July and all the sites were taken so we decided to drive another 15 miles up the road to a nice shaded location just right off the road."

    8. Carrizzo Plain National Monument Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Maricopa, CA
    16 miles
    Website

    "At the mentioned location we soon encountered a sign saying the motorized vehicles are prohibited from that point on."

    "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."

    9. Nira Campground

    4 Reviews
    Los Olivos, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $30 - $34 / night

    "Nira is a small, primitive campground in the San Rafael wilderness behind the Santa Ynez Valley."

    "Beautiful drive to get to Nira with stunning views. Had a nice visit having the whole campground to ourselves, although the nearby trailheads had several cars."

    10. The Little Brave House

    1 Review
    Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
    14 miles
    +1 (831) 278-0579

    $125 - $145 / night

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Los Padres National Forest

836 Reviews of 100 Los Padres National Forest Campgrounds


  • Alejandro L.
    Feb. 19, 2021

    Mt. Figueroa Campground

    Make your own camp

    While visiting Los Padres National forest on a Valentines Weekend, we unfortunately couldn’t do much camping near the higher altitudes due to high wind gusts so we headed toward the other camps, Davy Brown and Nina. Only problem was these were all reserved!! Why I hate most camping in California Bc nothing is ever available. Either way I hate these type of campgrounds where there are fire pits, and bathrooms, and typically more humans nearby. So we ditched that and settled on a campsite off the road since the sun was setting. It was off one of the many horse/hike trails and was at least flat and somewhat further from the road and hidden by brush and trees. It was a nice night and enjoyed a quiet night alone on the forest. We only needed to do an overnight since we were doing the wineries and we’re staying at an bed and breakfast the next night. Overall it was nice but rather stay in 2 other spots we found that could make for future camping trips. ☺️⛺️

  • k
    Jul. 18, 2023

    Valle Vista Campground

    Great view

    Nice little campground in the Los Padres National Forest. Gets pretty hot in the summer. Great view of the valley on a nice clear day.

  • Antonio  C.
    Oct. 2, 2019

    Halfmoon Campground

    Nice and lonesome

    Beautiful drive down grade valley to get to this awesome site. We were looking for a more remote place to camp and this site satisfied all our needs. We were the only ones there and the scenery was pleasing. There is access to some nice hiking trails of Los Padres National Forest. There was some water still available in the nearby creek.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 9, 2025

    Paradise Campground

    Only 15 sites - many are FCFS basis. Large shade trees and quiet atmosphere earned 4 stars.

    Needed a one night stay and we came across Paradise Campground in Los Padres National Forest so we took a chance on FCFS availability and loved Site 1 with its beautiful shade trees!

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Rose Valley Campground

    USFS developed campground

    Beautiful area. Spring and early summer water is in the 2 small lakes or hike to the Rose Valley Water falls. Hiking, biking or just hang out. Gateway to some beautiful hikes in the Los Padres National Forest. Plenty of trails to explore.

  • P
    Jun. 19, 2018

    Wheeler Gorge Campground

    Great campground at Wheelers Gorge, Ojai Ca

    A great campground in the Los Padres National Forest. It is well maintained and has a small creek running through it. There are some good shady spot, however, they fill up quick. Toilets are basic but fairly cleaned and stocked. Fire pit, fire restrictions may apply, stand alone grills and picnics tables are encluded.

  • Jeremy F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2018

    Los Prietos

    A beautiful place to camp near Santa Barbara

    This site is in the Los Padres National Forest and is managed by a third party and not the USFS.

    It is a clean and quiet site with lots of shade provided by huge oak trees.

    Each site has a table, bbq, and fire pit. There is running water. There are flushing toilets.

    each site is allowed one car, but there is parking right outside the site along the road.

    The site is near many trails and about 6 miles from the red rock day use area.

    It was 20.00 a night to stay. You can make reservations online but there is a 10.00 charge to do so.

    Dogs are allowed must be on leash.

  • J.Lynn J.
    Aug. 1, 2017

    Hi Mountain Campground

    Almost To The Top!

    There are a handful of parking pads just below the Hi Mountain Lookout. Pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings only. No water. AT&T cell service, but no Verizon (as of Summer 2016). Partial view through the trees out across the Los Padres National Forest, depending on the site selection.

    Higher ground clearance is recommended getting up here! The dirt fire roads can get pretty rutted. AWD/4WD make the trek up a breeze, tho!

    Flies can be INCESSANT in the shade during the hotter months...

  • Margo A.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park

    Camping, Fishing, Boating, and Riding Horses at Santa Margarita Lake

    Santa Margarita Lake is a lovely, quiet medium size lake used for drinking water in San Luis Obispo County, Los Padres National Forest. There are 60 campsites; 54 tent/RV, 2 Boat-in and 4 horse camps. There is a playground and a pool available in summer as swimming in the lake is not allowed. Canoe/boat rentals are available as well as a launch ramp and marina store. This lake is popular with smaller fishing and recreational boats. Amenities include flush toilets in main camp, picnic table, fire pits but no hook ups. Reservations are online except for horse camps which require a phone call to County Parks 805-788-2387, fees run 38$-36$ per night.


Guide to Los Padres National Forest

Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near Los Padres National Forest in California, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a range of amenities for a memorable outdoor experience.

Dog owners appreciate the spacious sites and natural beauty

  • At Mt. Figueroa Campground, campers can enjoy well-spaced sites surrounded by beautiful manzanita trees, perfect for pets to explore.
  • Sycamore Campground features a small, clean campsite with ample room for dogs to roam and enjoy the nearby beach access.
  • Nira Campground offers a serene environment with dispersed sites under oak trees, ideal for pets to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Tips for camping with dogs near Los Padres National Forest

  • Bring plenty of water and food for your pets, as Colson Canyon Campground does not provide drinking water or amenities.
  • Ensure your dog is leashed at all times, especially at Bates Canyon Campground, where wildlife encounters can occur.
  • Pack a pet-friendly first aid kit and be prepared for the rugged terrain at Miranda Pine Campground, which is accessible via a long, unpaved road.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Los Padres National Forest

  • Enjoy hiking trails with your dog at Davy Brown Campground, where you can explore the scenic beauty of the area.
  • Take your pet for a stroll along the beach near Sycamore Campground, just a short walk across the highway.
  • Experience the tranquility of nature while camping at Barrel Springs Campground, where you can teach your dog new skills and enjoy the great outdoors together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Los Padres National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Los Padres National Forest is Sycamore Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Los Padres National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 100 dog-friendly camping locations near Los Padres National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.