Santa Ynez is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Santa Ynez is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"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"
$15 / night
"Food storage locker provided to protect food from sneaky foxes. No water anywhere near the campsite. About 4 miles from Prisoners Harbor ferry landing. Shared the campground with one other group."
"You have to set up a boat trip here and back so do your homework because it takes some coordinating. We picked site 1 unknowingly and it turned out to be the best!"
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 Santa Ynez, California, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. This area offers a variety of locations perfect for those seeking a more rustic camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping areas in Santa Ynez?
Dispersed camping options near Santa Ynez include Los Padres NF - Dispersed Camp along the Chorro Grande trail, offering convenient pullouts for overnight stays. Morrow Hill Dispersed provides quiet spots suitable for smaller RVs (up to 21ft), though the access road can be challenging. Be careful to stay within designated public land areas to avoid trespassing issues. Other options include Figueroa Mountain Road pullouts and Old Sierra Madre Road. Most dispersed sites in this region require proper waste management as there are no facilities, and many have fire restrictions depending on the season. Always check current regulations with Los Padres National Forest before your trip.
Is glamping available in Santa Ynez as an alternative to dispersed camping?
While traditional dispersed camping is more common in the Santa Ynez area, glamping alternatives do exist nearby. For a unique experience that combines comfort with natural beauty, consider Santa Cruz Island - Del Norte Backcountry in Channel Islands National Park. Though technically backcountry camping, its spectacular ocean views and island setting offer a premium experience worth the boat trip and coordination. For those preferring to stay on the mainland, Carrizzo Plain National Monument Dispersed provides stunning landscapes and star-gazing opportunities that can be enhanced with your own glamping setup. Several private ranches and vineyards in Santa Ynez Valley also offer upscale camping experiences with amenities like furnished tents and outdoor showers.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Santa Ynez, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Santa Ynez, CA is Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout 01 with a 1-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Santa Ynez, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Santa Ynez, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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