Best Dispersed Camping near Summerland, CA
Dispersed camping options near Summerland, California include several primitive sites within Los Padres National Forest and Channel Islands National Park. Chorma Camp in Matilija Wilderness provides a basic hike-in experience but campers should prepare for significant wind exposure due to its bluff-top location. Los Padres National Forest offers limited dispersed camping opportunities, though important restrictions apply. Santa Cruz Island's Del Norte Backcountry campground features just four primitive sites accessible only by boat and hiking.
Permits are not required for most Los Padres dispersed sites, but camping along Highway 33 is strictly prohibited as it falls within a Restricted Use Zone. According to ranger bulletins, dispersed camping is only permitted in designated areas. Several campers noted that Chorma Camp "gets lots of wind, with very little shelter around to break it," making Maple Camp further down the valley a potentially better option. Fire restrictions vary seasonally but are common throughout the region, particularly during dry months.
Water sources are extremely limited or nonexistent at all dispersed sites. Santa Cruz Island's Del Norte Backcountry requires visitors to pack in all water, with no sources available near the campsites. Food storage lockers are provided to protect supplies from island foxes. Access to most Los Padres sites requires hiking, with Chorma Camp accessible via Cherry Creek Trail and Big Cone Camp reached by a moderate hike through Santa Paula Canyon. The latter rewards hikers with access to waterfalls and swimming holes known as the "punch bowls," though visitors should pack out all trash as these accessible areas see heavy use.
