How much does camping cost at Buck Spring Campground?

Camping fees at Buck Spring Campground range from $5-$30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Buck Spring Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Buck Spring Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. "Get there early, there is only one official camp site." - User review by Dan W.

What is the best time to visit Buck Spring Campground?

Buck Spring Campground is open null. 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 Buck Spring Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Buck Spring Campground?

Fire policies at Buck Spring Campground: null. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Buck Spring Campground have?

Buck Spring Campground has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Buck Spring Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Buck Spring Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Buck Spring Campground?

Buck Spring Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Buck Spring Campground

3.11

11 reviews

Quick Facts

1,585 ft

Price

$5 - $30/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,585 ft

Price

$5 - $30/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Buck Spring Campground

$5.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for this site

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

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I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Buck Spring Campground

35.1349, -120.1180

Nearby places

null

Nearby supplies

null

Weather at Buck Spring Campground

Best Time to Camp at Buck Spring Campground

Fall is the sweet spot here. Daytime temperatures settle between 55 and 80°F, with mornings dropping to the mid-40s or low 50s. The heat of summer has passed, fire restrictions often ease earlier in the season, and the trails are less dusty. Winter brings cooler, wetter conditions. Spring can be pleasant but unpredictable. Summer afternoons push into the mid-80s, and the chaparral gets tinder-dry.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Overview: 'Fall is the sweet spot' with daytime temps 55–80°F noted.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open daily, year-round. Open 24 hours/ day

About Buck Spring Campground

Buck Spring Campground sits in a remote corner of Los Padres National Forest at 1,585 feet elevation, offering a single official campsite favored by off-road vehicle enthusiasts. The site has a picnic table and fire ring, with open space for parking trucks and ATVs. Fees range from $5 to $30 per night. Access requires a 4x4 vehicle, and there's no potable water on-site.

The campground caters to a specific niche of campers, primarily off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. It provides minimal facilities and is situated in a secluded location.

Weather and SeasonsFall is the sweet spot here. Daytime temperatures settle between 55 and 80°F, with mornings dropping to the mid-40s or low 50s. The heat of summer has passed, fire restrictions often ease earlier in the season, and the trails are less dusty. Winter brings cooler, wetter conditions. Spring can be pleasant but unpredictable. Summer afternoons push into the mid-80s, and the chaparral gets tinder-dry.

ElevationNestled at a comfortable elevation that provides natural cooling breezes and stunning vistas, Buck Spring Campground offers campers a chance to rise above the everyday while remaining accessible to adventurers of all skill levels.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits beneath a canopy of oaks that provide shade during warm afternoons. Chaparral covers the surrounding slopes, a scrubby ecosystem adapted to the region's dry summers and occasional winter rains. The elevation keeps things slightly cooler than the low-desert floor. Views extend over forested ridges typical of the coastal ranges, where Mediterranean climate and California geology meet.

Geological RegionSet within the rugged beauty of Los Padres National Forest, Buck Spring Campground showcases the region's characteristic blend of ancient oaks and resilient chaparral. This diverse ecosystem represents millions of years of geological evolution, where Mediterranean climate meets California's coastal ranges, creating a unique landscape that supports both hardy desert-adapted plants and shade-loving oak groves.

Scenic Viewsnull

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no mention of hotel-style lodging within the park.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

The campground has a 14-day stay limit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

No designated group camping facilities are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutnull

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in AvailabilityGet there early, there is only one official camp site." - User review by Dan W.

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityNo details are provided regarding accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.

Site SizeThe campground features plenty of open space suitable for tents and parking, as noted in user reviews.

PrivacyDescribed as clean, isolated, and secluded based on user feedback.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesGet there early, there is only one official camp site.

Best Campsitesnull

Amenities available

The Buck Spring Campground is a basic setup located in a secluded area among oaks and chaparral vegetation. The campground is tailored to meet the needs of off-highway vehicle enthusiasts and includes minimal infrastructure. User reviews indicate the presence of limited facilities such as picnic tables and fire pits, but potable water is explicitly not available. Restroom information remains unclear, though one review mentions a pit toilet.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Buck Spring Campground's main attraction is its off-highway vehicle (OHV) opportunities. The campground is positioned along the Branch Creek [17E09] OHV trail, making it a prime spot for OHV enthusiasts.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"Potable water is not available at this site."

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

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.1

11 reviews

Mixed Reviews

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

Reviews consistently highlight the campground’s utility for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, its secluded location, and its basic amenities such as picnic tables and a fire pit. Some users emphasize the need for a 4x4 vehicle for access.

Review Summaries

Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

Key strengths include its isolation, cleanliness, suitability for OHV enthusiasts, and presence of shade trees, picnic tables, and a fire pit.

Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

Limited facilities, including the lack of potable water, and the need to bring a 4x4 vehicle for access were noted.

Based on 11 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

"Get there early, there is only one official camp site." (Dan W.)

Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early as there is only one official campsite. Bring sufficient water and supplies, including a 4x4 vehicle for access.

Based on 11 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No specific seasonal trends are provided in the reviews, but the secluded nature of the campground may make it more appealing during off-peak times for a quieter experience.

Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

"There is plenty of open space for parking, tents, and day activities. This is a secluded location but not too rustic to include three picnic tables and a fire pit." (Dan W.) "Bring a 4x4 to get...

Based on 11 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dogs must be leashed and tagged at all times in accordance with state and county regulations.

Based on 11 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

OHV riders hitting the Branch Creek 17E09 trail will find this their most logical basecamp. Fall temps between 55-80°F make it genuinely comfortable, and the isolation reviewers describe is real. Bring every drop of water you'll need.

Skip if

One site, first-come-first-served, no potable water, and 4x4 access required. Car campers or anyone without a high-clearance rig will be turned back before they arrive.

Nearby Campgrounds

/ Branch Creek Rd, Los Padres National Forest, California

Baja Campground is a single-site dispersed camping spot in Los Padres National Forest, sitting at 1,365 feet elevation along Alder Creek. The site is free, accommodates 4-5 vehicles, and draws OHV riders who want legal camping close to trails. Oak woodland surrounds the creek, which creates a cooler riparian corridor through otherwise dry terrain.