How much does camping cost at Davy Brown Campground?

Camping fees at Davy Brown Campground are $30 - $32/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Davy Brown Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Davy Brown Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Davy Brown Campground before I book?

Yes! Davy Brown Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve.

What is the best time to visit Davy Brown Campground?

Davy Brown Campground is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Davy Brown Campground?

Davy Brown Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Davy Brown Campground have?

Davy Brown Campground has 13 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Davy Brown Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Davy Brown Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Davy Brown Campground?

Davy Brown Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Davy Brown Campground?

Popular activities at Davy Brown Campground include Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Davy Brown Campground

3.90

110 reviews

Top 10% in CAFall

Seasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

CReport Card

Peace & QuietSwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

2,165 ft

Price

$30 - $32/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

2,165 ft

Price

$30 - $32/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Davy Brown Campground

$30.00 - $32.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $30.00 (+$2.00 weekend) (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Provider

805 434 1996

I manage this campground

Ask Camp Sage about Davy Brown Campground

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Campground Map

Davy Brown Campground

34.7579, -119.9518

Nearby places

Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton are mentioned as being within an hour's drive from the campground.

Weather at Davy Brown Campground

Current alerts(15)

$10 fee for each extra vehicle.
2-night minimum stay on weekends.
3-night minimum stay on holidays.
Avoid hiking alone. Tell someone where you plan to go and then stick to your plans.

Best Time to Camp at Davy Brown Campground

Best season: fall. Fall delivers the best balance of comfortable weather, lower crowds, and active wildlife — expect crisp, sunny days in the 60s–70s°F and nights in the 40s–50s°F. Trails are dry and stable after summer, the creek still runs periodically after early autumn storms, and deer season and raptor migration make wildlife viewing excellent. Weekdays and mid‑October to November weekends are pleasantly quiet compared with summer, so you’ll have a more solitary mountain experience while still enjoying warm, Peak months: October, November, April, March

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 10% in CA

Fall cited as best season: comfortable temps, lower crowds, flowing water and active wildlife.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Davy Brown Campground

Davy Brown Campground sits in the Los Padres National Forest foothills, operated by Parks Management Company with tent, RV, and primitive sites along a seasonal creek. The small campground offers vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, with biking access and swimming holes when water flows. Visitors come for the seclusion and dark skies, though trail maintenance and poison oak are persistent issues.

Davy Brown Campground supports standard nonelectric camping. It caters to both tent and RV campers, with limitations on RV length (25 ft max). Group sites are not explicitly mentioned, and no glamping options are available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall delivers the best balance of comfortable weather, lower crowds, and active wildlife — expect crisp, sunny days in the 60s–70s°F and nights in the 40s–50s°F. Trails are dry and stable after summer, the creek still runs periodically after early autumn storms, and deer season and raptor migration make wildlife viewing excellent. Weekdays and mid‑October to November weekends are pleasantly quiet compared with summer, so you’ll have a more solitary mountain experience while still enjoying warm, Peak months: October, November, April, March

Elevation2165 ft above sea level

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryThe creek is the centerpiece here. It tumbles over small waterfalls and pools into swimming holes, audible from most sites. Valley oaks, blue oaks, live oaks, and gray pines form a thick canopy, with manzanita, coffeeberry, and redberry filling the understory. Privacy depends on which site you choose. Some are tucked into dense tree cover, others sit in partial shade with more exposure. Poison oak grows thick along trails and near some sites, especially #9. One camper noted "the poison oak was lush and ubiquitous." Long sleeves and pants aren't optional here.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo formal lodging options such as cabins or lodges are present; the campground only supports tent and RV camping.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Camping fee includes one vehicle and one tent, trailer, or RV.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe vault toilets are wheelchair accessible, but other parts of the campground, such as trails and certain campsites, may not be suitable for individuals with disabilities due to the rugged terrain.

Site SizeThe sites can accommodate RVs up to 25 ft long and are described as spacious by some reviewers.

PrivacyThe level of privacy varies by site. Some are described as secluded and surrounded by trees, while others offer partial shade and less privacy.

Total Campsites13 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid site 9 due to poison oak and mud. Site 12 is ideal for families due to proximity to water features.

Best CampsitesSites #5, #6, and #12 get consistent praise. #12 is spacious and close to a swimming hole and waterfall. #5 and #6 work well for groups. Avoid #9, which sits in mud and poison oak. Site privacy varies widely across the loop.

Need help booking Davy Brown Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

There is no drinking water at this site; please bring your own water. Davy Brown Campground can accommodate RVs up to 25 ft. long; hook-ups are not available.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Davy Brown Campground

Visitors to Davy Brown Campground can enjoy a range of nature-focused activities. Highlights include hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, and seasonal creek swimming. Hunting is also popular during deer season. Wildlife observation is a key attraction, with a variety of birds often spotted.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Steller's jays, kingfishers, warblers noted; wildlife observation and deer hunting highlighted.

Biking3.0/5

Mountain biking access noted but limited detail on trails or difficulty; access roads rough.

Winter Activities2.0/5

Water Sports

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Waterfalls, pools, oak canopy, wildlife and dark skies offer varied photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsThe campground has no flush toilets. There are two vault toilets available, described as wheelchair accessible and spaced strategically throughout the campground.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

Rate Davy Brown Campground

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From Booking Sources

3.9

110 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Davy Brown Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Most reviews highlight the campground's quiet and remote nature, as well as its natural beauty, including the soothing creek and surrounding wildlife. However, road access is described as challenging, and the lack of amenities such as potable water and cell service is a recurring complaint.

Review Summaries

Based on 110 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 110 reviews.

Site #12Loved
Site #12: Spacious and next to the creek with a waterfall..
Site #13Loved
Site #13: Secluded with good creek access.
Site #9Issues noted
Site #9: Avoid due to poison oak and muddy conditions..

What Campers Love

Visitors praise the peaceful environment, clean campsites, and proximity to a creek with swimming holes. Many enjoy the seclusion and opportunities for stargazing.

Based on 110 reviews

Common Concerns

Criticisms include rough and narrow access roads, overgrown trails, poison oak, lack of potable water, and unclean or poorly maintained facilities. Bugs (gnats, mosquitoes, flies) are consistently...

Based on 110 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring bug spray, water, and long sleeves/pants for hiking. Avoid site #9 due to poison oak and mud. Sites #5, #6, and #12 are highly recommended for their size and access to the creek.

Based on 110 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and early fall are highlighted as the best times to visit due to fewer bugs, moderate temperatures, and flowing water in the creek. Summer is noted for heat and dry conditions, while winter...

Based on 110 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'We had a wonderful experience at site 12. It’s the biggest site I have ever been to and is along a creek just steps away from a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole.' 2. 'The bugs were horrible....

Based on 110 reviews

Accessibility Features

Noted as difficult for individuals with mobility issues. Trails and the campground terrain are rugged, and the vault toilets are the only wheelchair-accessible feature.

Based on 110 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are not specifically mentioned in the reviews or policies.

Based on 110 reviews

Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Davy Brown Campground

$30.00 - $32.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $30.00 (+$2.00 weekend) (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

805 434 1996

Go if

You want peaceful, off-grid camping with seasonal creek access and don't mind rustic conditions or navigating poison oak.

Skip if

You need well-maintained trails and facilities or want to avoid dense poison oak and inconsistent upkeep.

Nearby Campgrounds

Los Padres National Forest

Nira Campground sits in the oak woodlands of Los Padres National Forest, operated by PMC Parks as a seasonal retreat in the foothills. The small campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, drawing visitors who value solitude and wildlife over modern conveniences. Manzana Creek flows nearby during wetter months, and the area provides access to hiking and biking trails through the backcountry.

Davy Brown Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Davy Brown Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Davy Brown Campground

Current alerts(15)

Best Time to Camp at Davy Brown Campground

Planning Tips

About Davy Brown Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Davy Brown Campground?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Davy Brown Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

How campers graded it

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Ask Camp Sage about Davy Brown Campground

Current alerts(15)

Best Time to Camp at Davy Brown Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Davy Brown Campground?

Amenities available

Things to do at Davy Brown Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns