How much does camping cost at Colson Campground?

Camping fees at Colson Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Colson Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Colson Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. null

What is the best time to visit Colson Campground?

Colson 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 Colson Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Colson Campground?

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

Are dogs allowed at Colson Campground?

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

What activities can I do at Colson Campground?

Popular activities at Colson Campground include Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Colson Campground

3.20

15 reviews

Quick Facts

2,008 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Closed permanently s...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,008 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Closed permanently s...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Colson Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

null

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

Colson Campground

Nearby places

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Nearby supplies

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Weather at Colson Campground

Best Time to Camp at Colson Campground

Spring(Mar-May)

Not recommended

Closed permanently since April 2021; not applicable for any season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Closed permanently since April 2021.

About Colson Campground

Colson Campground closed permanently in April 2021. It sits at 2,008 feet in Los Padres National Forest, accessible only by rutted roads that require high ground clearance. Before closure, it offered primitive tent sites that were small and often unlevel.

Colson Campground provided minimalistic and primitive camping options before its closure in 2021.

ElevationThe grounds that formerly hosted Colson Campground remain at their natural elevation, a testament to the enduring landscape that outlasts human endeavors.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupied a quiet, secluded position in Los Padres National Forest. Wildlife was active enough that one reviewer specifically mentioned the diversity of species visible from camp. The area's isolation kept it overgrown in its final years.

Geological RegionThe geological foundations that supported Colson Campground for years remain unchanged, a reminder that the Earth's ancient story continues long after human chapters close.

Scenic Viewsnull

Lodging & AccommodationsThere were no lodging facilities such as cabins or lodges at this location before its closure.

Programs & ActivitiesThere were no cultural or educational programs mentioned in the sources.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

Null

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

No group-specific facilities were described in the sources.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutnull

Reservation PlatformsSanta Lucia Ranger District

Walk-in Availabilitynull

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityNo accessibility features were mentioned in the source materials.

Site SizeUser reviews indicate that the sites were small and lacked level ground, making them less suitable for larger setups.

Recommended Sitesnull

Amenities available

Colson Campground is permanently closed as of April 2021. Prior to closure, it was a minimalistic site with no restrooms, potable water, or other standard facilities. User reviews describe it as overgrown and lacking level ground.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Prior to its closure, the campground offered a quiet, out-of-the-way experience with wildlife viewing opportunities. Recreational activities were limited due to the absence of developed facilities.

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our 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.

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

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.2

15 reviews

Mixed Reviews

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

User reviews paint a mixed picture of Colson Campground before its closure. While some appreciated its quiet, secluded setting and wildlife, others criticized its lack of facilities and overgrown conditions.

Review Summaries

Based on 15 reviews

What Campers Love

Some users enjoyed the quiet, out-of-the-way nature of the campground, its proximity to Orcutt/SM, and opportunities for wildlife viewing. One user described it as a "great place to go away for a...

Based on 15 reviews

Common Concerns

Reviews noted the lack of facilities, including restrooms and potable water, and described the campground as overgrown and challenging to navigate. One user specifically mentioned the "very little...

Based on 15 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One user mentioned there were only two sites available, with "very little level ground," emphasizing the limited capacity and challenging terrain.

Based on 15 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

One user advises that a vehicle with high ground clearance is necessary to access the campground due to its rutted roads: "You'll need a vehicle with some ground clearance to make it up there."

Based on 15 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Wildlife activity, including frogs and toads, was noted to increase during and after the rainy season.

Based on 15 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Out of the way, fairly quiet, nice area. A little overgrown sometimes," noted one user, while another stated, "Great place to camp!" before its closure. "Lots of wildlife, especially bob cats and...

Based on 15 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressing accessibility were provided.

Based on 15 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically addressed pet policies or pet-related experiences.

Based on 15 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Historical reference only: before closure, this free primitive spot in Los Padres rewarded patient campers with bobcats, mountain lions, and owls within sight of camp.

Skip if

It's permanently closed. There are no sites, no facilities, and no legal camping here. Plan elsewhere in Los Padres National Forest.

Nearby Campgrounds

0.0

(3)

Horseshoe Springs Campground

: null

Horseshoe Springs Campground sits in a secluded oak grove in the Los Padres National Forest foothills. This very small, primitive campground operated by the Forest Service offers basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables amid natural beauty. The rough access road keeps crowds light, making it ideal for tent campers seeking solitude.

Brookshire Campground

null

Brookshire Campground sits at 3,635 feet in Los Padres National Forest, offering two primitive campsites beneath a canopy of coastal live oaks. Access requires a long drive on fire roads. Some reviewers report 2.5 hours from the nearest paved road. Fees range from $5 to $30 per night. One reviewer couldn't find the campground at all, describing the road as private with no signage.

$5.00 - $30.00 / night

Less Visited

3.8

(26)

Miranda Pine Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Miranda Pine Campground sits at 4,085 feet on a pine-covered ridge in Los Padres National Forest, offering sweeping views of the Cuyama Valley below. The five primitive sites are remote enough that campers often have the place to themselves. Access requires a high-clearance vehicle, and the vault toilet is frequently unmaintained.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Less Visited

3.1

(11)

Buck Spring Campground

Los Padres National Forest

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.

$5.00 - $30.00 / night

/ 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.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Los Padres National Forest

Paradise Campground sits at 1,608 feet in Los Padres National Forest, where large oak trees shade tent sites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. The campground provides vault toilets but no water, so you'll need to pack in everything you drink and cook with. The oak canopy and surrounding forest offer scenic views across the coastal mountain terrain.

Tents

23.806 km

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Less Visited

2.5

(12)

Bates Canyon Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Bates Canyon Campground sits in a natural amphitheater carved into the Los Padres National Forest near Santa Maria, surrounded by steep mountain slopes and old-growth oak trees. The 6 primitive sites run $5-30 per night and require an Adventure Pass. A creek runs through the campground, and there's no potable water or cell service.

$5.00 - $30.00 / night

Frequently Visited

3.7

(166)

Mt. Figueroa Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Mt. Figueroa Campground sits in the oak-studded foothills of Los Padres National Forest near Los Olivos, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The mid-sized campground offers spacious sites with expansive views and dark skies for stargazing, attracting tent campers, RVers, and mountain bikers who explore the surrounding trails. Spring brings wildflower displays and flowing seasonal creeks, though the remote location means no running water and occasional insect swarms during warmer months.

$30.00 - $32.00 / night

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.

$30.00 - $32.00 / night

Frequently Visited

3.9

(110)

Davy Brown Campground

Los Padres National Forest

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.

$30.00 - $32.00 / night

4.2

(47)

Selby Campground

Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308, USA

Selby Campground sits in the foothills near Bakersfield, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Spring wildflower displays draw visitors for hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing across open terrain with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. The campground accommodates tent, RV, and primitive camping with scenic views and reliable solitude.

Aliso Park Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Aliso Park Campground sits in the oak-shaded hills of Los Padres National Forest at 2,808 feet elevation. The campground accommodates RVs up to 28 feet and offers spacious, well-spaced sites with good privacy. Fees range from $5 to $30 per night.

$5.00 - $30.00 / night

Campgrounds

Los Padres National Forest

Colson Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Colson Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>Colson Campground closed permanently in April 2021. Please contact the Santa Lucia Ranger District for more information about the closure.</p><p>The following campgrounds are open and can be accessed off Hwy 166: Bates Campground, Miranda Pine, Rock Front OHV Area (Buck Springs Campground, Paradise and Baja Campground), Horseshoe and Brookshire.</p>