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Upper Oso Campground provides ample opportunity for exploration of California's coastal mountains. It is a family-friendly campground, equipped with equestrian sites, and is close to a variety of trails and several mountain streams.
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails begin in and around the campground, including the Santa Cruz Trail, which traverses 18 miles north to the San Rafael Wilderness. The 2.5-mile Aliso National Recreation Trail leads through scenic areas to a group campsite.
Off-road vehicle enthusiasts enjoy the Camuesa OHV Route, which loops about 10 miles through the surrounding forest.
Fishing and swimming are available at nearby White Rock Day-Use Area, less than two miles from the campground. The Santa Ynez River is stocked with trout in the springtime.
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 there.
The campground is open year-round and offers around two dozen sites tent or RV camping. About 10 sites are outfitted with horse corrals and extra long, paved parking spurs. Some additional sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each site is equipped with a table, campfire ring with grill and a pedestal grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided throughout the campground. Firewood is available for purchase from the on-site campground host.
The campground is located in the lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area, not far from Santa Barbara. The campground has large sites scattered among plentiful oak trees that provide pleasant shade. It is situated alongside a seasonal creek, at an elevation of 1,040 feet.
The campground is located about 25 miles north of the city of Santa Barbara.
In Santa Barbara, CA, take State Rt. 154 north 12 miles to Santa Ynez Recreation Area sign (Paradise Rd.). Turn right at sign onto Paradise Rd. and go 6 miles to campground sign (Forest Rt. 5N15). Bear left at sign onto Rt. 5N15 and go 1.5 miles to campground.
All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people.) Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night). Extra vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility.
Good: The mountain landscape, flush toilets (not too grimy), drinking water, hiking trails
BAD: Experience with camp host Bob! He pointed us twice in the wrong direction to set up our tent- the first time he came around AFTER we set up and said that area's reserved (ok we should have known, it had a grill and it's own parking spot). The second time, I asked him where was NOT reserved, and he pointed downhill to a patch of grass without amenities, so we walked down there and set up, he passed by and it seemed fine.
The next morning, I went to ask him if we could use a grill to boil water and he said we were lucky not to have gotten a fee overnight- WHAT? He told us the area we camped in was for day use only, and if the ranger had seen, we'd have gotten a ticket... So he chose not to tell us that until the next day? So I asked him where did he want us to go, and he SHRUGGED. I explained that we had gotten two day passes, and he said oh okay, that's fine then...
Except that 15 minutes later he came by and yelled "You people are illegally camping, I won't tell you again!"- so I have no idea what his problem was, and why he couldn't be clear with us as to where to go/what he wanted from us. He was so abrupt and talking with him was so frustrating we left immediately rather than struggle to get any kind of help!
Ensure you have a reservation so you don't have to deal with Bob!
Great camping. Great hiking trails. Very courteous staff and host. Enjoyable scenery all around. Only reason for 4 stars is the bathrooms were a bit gross. 1 of them being locked, meaning almost always having to wait. If you go here, make sure to note there are no showers. We brought a Ozark trail two room shower tent with a portable shower and portable toilet so wasn't as inconvenient for us. Also, lots of ants all over. But hey, that's camping :)
Gorgeous canyon and campground. There are two trails out from there, both of which are dog friendly! Only downside is that one of the trails allows motor vehicles so it got loud in the morning.
Great secluded spot, not many trees on sites but excellent camp hosts. There are many horse, hiking, and ATV trails nearby.
It is much more isolated than other campgrounds in the area and not along the side of the road. They also have an ATV road at the back of the campsite and a trail. Not sure if you are supposed to walk on the ATV trail but it has really pretty views of the mountains. The toilets were fine, for a campground they were pretty good! It got COLD at night, my car said it was 37 degrees! the stars were INCREDIBLE and I highly recommend going on a night with a new moon!
