Dispersed camping near Santa Barbara provides opportunities for primitive stays in Los Padres National Forest and Channel Islands National Park. Los Padres spans over 1.75 million acres with elevations ranging from sea level to 8,800 feet, creating diverse camping environments from coastal chaparral to alpine forest. The area experiences significant seasonal variations with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F while winter nights at higher elevations can drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Santa Paula Canyon contains several natural water features accessible from Big Cone Camp. A visitor reports, "This is a fairly easy hike through what would not be considered a typical hike. It starts off going through Thomas Aquinas College, winding through horse property and oil fields, before finally opening up into Santa Paula Canyon."
Wildlife observation: Santa Cruz Island offers opportunities to view endemic island foxes. According to a camper at Del Norte Backcountry, "My friends and I took the cruise to Santa Cruz Island for a simple 1-night backpacking trip. Saw lots of island foxes - so cute!"
Stargazing: The remote location of Carrizzo Plain provides excellent night sky viewing. One visitor at Carrizzo Plain National Monument Dispersed noted, "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."
What campers like
Remote solitude: The limited number of backcountry sites on Channel Islands creates a secluded experience. A camper shared, "Shared the campground with one other group. Only 4 campsites total. Great place to camp for solitude."
Cross-island exploration: Hiking between harbors and campsites offers comprehensive views of Santa Cruz Island's terrain. A visitor at Santa Cruz Island - Del Norte Backcountry mentioned, "Hiked from Scorpion Harbor cross-island to Del Norte Camp, great way to see the island."
Open landscapes: The rolling terrain at Carrizzo Plain provides unobstructed views. One camper described it as, "Beautiful hilly landscape. Despite the absence of trees or bushes for shadow, we had a wonderful evening here, on our way to santa barbara."
What you should know
Pack in all water: There are no water sources at most dispersed sites. At Del Norte Backcountry Camp, a visitor emphasized, "Note that there are gear restrictions for the cruise (check the website). Also you have to PACK YOUR OWN WATER."
Weather preparation: Coastal fog and temperature variations can be significant. A camper at Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout 01 warned, "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."
Road conditions: Access roads to many rustic camping sites near Santa Barbara require careful driving. At Morrow Hill Dispersed, a visitor cautioned, "We had a great and quiet night up there in our 21ft RV. But the road is a little tricky and we almost wouldn't have driven there."
Tips for camping with families
Trail difficulty assessment: Santa Paula Canyon offers family-accessible hiking options. A visitor at Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon shared, "It is one of my favorite spots simply because it is close and when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there."
Food storage precautions: Wildlife protection measures are essential at all sites. A camper noted, "Food storage locker provided to protect food from sneaky foxes."
Distance planning: Factor in hiking distances when planning backcountry trips with children. A visitor to Del Norte Camp advised, "It's only 4-miles from harbor to campsite, but it's mostly uphill. My friends were beginner backpackers so it was a bit tiring, but it was over quick and I still think it's a great trip for beginners."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Finding level spots for larger vehicles requires advance scouting. At Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout, a camper observed, "The site is all up hill and really only has a small area where a few vans can fit. But the views are awesome."
Private property awareness: Verify boundaries when accessing dispersed camping areas. One RVer at Morrow Hill Dispersed warned, "Make sure, you really stay at the place up the hill (coordinates) otherwise the landlord will clarify that you're on private property."
Reservation confusion: Some areas that appear to permit dispersed camping actually require reservations. A visitor to Alamo Creek reported, "Most of the spots are reservation only. There are a few that look like you could just pull up and camp. But they all tend to lead to hike and biking trails. I wouldn't risk camping here."
