Established Camping
Paradise Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
Los Padres National Forest
Overview
Paradise Campground is a beautiful place to enjoy California's westernmost national forest. It provides access to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding and more. Mountain lakes and rivers in the area offer campers plentiful fishing, boating and swimming opportunities.
Recreation
The Santa Ynez River is popular for a variety of water-related recreation and can be accessed at White Rock Day-Use Area, less than half a mile from the campground. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, a no-body-contact reservoir, is about 10 miles northwest of the campground. It offers boating, fishing and kayaking. Anglers will find an abundance of annually stocked trout. Carp and bass are also common catches. Visitors enjoy a variety of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. The Aliso National Recreation Trail is a popular, 2.5-mile loop that begins near the campground. Also nearby is the 18-mile Santa Cruz Trail, which provides access to a variety of other trails in the area. The Camuesa OHV Route and its connecting trails are available within 10 miles of the campground.
Facilities
The campground offers just over a dozen sites for single and double-family tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with a table, campfire ring with grill and a pedestal grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Utility hookups are not provided. Parking spurs are paved and can accommodate most RVs. Firewood can be purchased from the campground host. The nearest fee dump station is about 11 miles away at Cachuma Lake County Park off State Route 154.
Natural Features
The developed campground is located in the Santa Ynez Mountains at an elevation of about 1,000 feet. The Santa Ynez River can be accessed through a tunnel beneath adjacent Paradise Road. The campground is nestled in an oak tree woodland that provides ample shade in most sites. Lush greenery blankets the campground and an open, level playing field allows for games and exploration.
Nearby Attractions
The city of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean are about 18 miles from the campground.
Fee Info
All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle.<br/> Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people.)<br/> Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night.<br/><br/> Double Sites<br/> All Double campsite reservations are good for 12 people and 2 vehicles<br/> Maximum number of people per double site is 16 ($10.00 additional charge person per night after 12 people)<br/> Maximum Number of vehicles per double site is 4 ($10.00 additional charge per vehicle per night after 2 vehicles)<br/> Extra Vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility<br/>
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiFair
- VerizonGood
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
GuideNice but Worn
I was at this campground in March and it was the only one open along Paradise road. I’ve camped here over ten years ago, but it seemed like it hadn’t been maintained that well and needs some updating. Most of the facilities (day use areas, trailheads) along Paradise seemed run down. They charge $10 for parking so I don’t know where the funds are going.
There are 15 campsites, but two were closed. Most sites are in the shade of lovely Oak Trees. They are spaced well apart. There was flush toilets and water available. Reservations are a must as it was full every night.
TravelerGorgeous campground!!
I came in late at night, and there was hardly any one there. The sites are stunning. $30 each tho, which I think is a little steep, but seems standard around here.
ScoutA nice campground, but...
I was looking for a campsite where we could actually book a reservation and since most places were booked and only offering first-come-first-serve spots, I reserved this one. The pluses:
- Nice location, far away from cities, right in the forest.
- Large campground
- Lots of open space for kids to bike, run, etc.
- Each campsite has a dedicated grill and firepit
- Many taps strewn across the campground for easy access to water
The minuses:
- "Developed" is a stretch of the imagination.
- The bathrooms were clean, but goodness knows when the septic tanks had been emptied. The smell was unbearable.
- No sinks or showers. One of the toilets was leaking the whole time we were there, and had been leaking for who knows how long.
- The camp hosts never showed up.
- The place is infested with flies and mosquitoes. (We went to a nearby campground at Lake Cachuma where there were no flies).
Location
Paradise Campground is located in California
Directions
From Santa Barbara, take Highway 154 for approximately 9 miles to Paradise Road. Turn right and continue on Paradise Road to the campground.
Address
5050 PARADISE ROAD
Santa barbara, CA 93105
Coordinates
34.5422222 N
119.8127778 W