How much does camping cost at Los Prietos?

Camping fees at Los Prietos range from $40-$42/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Los Prietos first-come first-served or reservation?

Los Prietos 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 Los Prietos before I book?

Yes! Los Prietos has 3 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. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Los Prietos?

Los Prietos 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 Los Prietos?

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

How many campsites does Los Prietos have?

Los Prietos has 38 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Los Prietos?

Yes, pets are allowed at Los Prietos. 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 Los Prietos?

Los Prietos offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Los Prietos?

Popular activities at Los Prietos include Fishing, Swimming, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Los Prietos

Q: Can I have a campfire at Los Prietos?

Fire policies at Los Prietos: Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.26

334 reviews

5050 PARADISE ROAD, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105, USA

Top 10% in CASpring

Featured in:Camping Near Channel Islands National Park

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

948 ft

Price

$40 - $42/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Los Padres National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

948 ft

Price

$40 - $42/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Los Padres National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Los Prietos

$40.00 - $42.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD ELECTRIC: $40.00 (+$2.00 weekend) (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $40.00 (+$2.00 weekend) (+$2.00 holiday); TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC:...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

805-434-1996parksman@fix.net

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Los Prietos

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Campground Map

5050 PARADISE ROAD, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105, USA

Los Prietos

5050 PARADISE ROAD, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105, USA

Nearby places

Santa Barbara (19 miles, approximately 30-minute drive)

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area (10 miles, approximately 15-minute drive)

Solvang (35 miles, approximately 45-minute drive).

Weather at Los Prietos

Current alerts(5)

Additional fees will be collected for extra vehicles at the campground
Campsite reservation fee covers 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person, per night after 6 people). Maximum number of vehicles per site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night).
Click here for more information on the Los Padres National Forest
In order to contact our offices, please use the email: customerservice@pmcparks.com or view our website: CampOne.Com for answers to frequently asked questions.

Best Time to Camp at Los Prietos

Best season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of mild weather, lush green hillsides, and fuller creeks — ideal for hiking, fishing, swimming, and wildflower viewing. Expect daytime highs around 60–75°F (15–24°C) and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F (4–10°C), which makes daytime activity comfortable and evenings pleasant at camp. Trails are at their most scenic after winter rains, wildlife is active, and crowds are moderate (weekends busier, weekdays quiet). Peak months: April, May, March, June

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 10% in CA

Spring recommended: 60–75°F days, green grass, fewer crowds—best season per overview and reviews.

Planning Tips

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

About Los Prietos

Los Prietos sits in Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara, offering shaded oak-canopy camping along a creek corridor. The mid-sized campground accommodates tents and RVs with flush toilets, potable water, and spacious sites popular with anglers, swimmers, and mountain bikers. Wild turkeys and other wildlife frequent the grounds, and trailheads connect directly to forest paths.

Los Prietos Campground offers tent and RV camping but lacks utility hookups. Group sites are available, and certain sites are secluded or positioned for privacy.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of mild weather, lush green hillsides, and fuller creeks — ideal for hiking, fishing, swimming, and wildflower viewing. Expect daytime highs around 60–75°F (15–24°C) and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F (4–10°C), which makes daytime activity comfortable and evenings pleasant at camp. Trails are at their most scenic after winter rains, wildlife is active, and crowds are moderate (weekends busier, weekdays quiet). Peak months: April, May, March, June

Elevation948 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryOak groves dominate the landscape here, creating dense shade that's unusual for Southern California. The Santa Ynez River flows nearby, feeding the lush understory and supporting populations of wild turkeys and other wildlife. At 948 feet elevation, the campground sits in a relatively wet pocket of the Los Padres ecosystem. The tradeoff for all this greenery: poison oak thrives throughout the area, especially in spring and summer. Campers consistently mention the abundance of flies and wasps.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodgings are available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are described in the source materials.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 14 nights applies.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each campsite covers fees for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Additional charges apply for up to 8 guests total ($10 per person per night, after 6).

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov website and mobile app.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly described in the source materials.

Site SizeSites are described as roomy and capable of accommodating single-family setups. "Some of the sites are nice and roomy" (Karalynn Schneck, 2020).

PrivacyPrivacy is mixed across the campground; certain sites are secluded while others are located near main roads or closely spaced. "Campsite 30 was a good spot for the size of our group with plenty of flat space for tents" (Alex Russomanno, 2017). "Site 26 was secluded with a 40' walk to site" (Martina Gurrola, 2018).

Total Campsites38 campsites

Recommended SitesSites #26 and #28 are secluded, while #30 is suitable for larger groups. Sites #6 and #15 offer shade and proximity to amenities.

Best CampsitesSite 26 offers seclusion with a 40-foot walk-in from parking. Site 30 provides flat tent space suitable for groups. Reviewers mention sites 28 and 30 as cleaner and more private options, though specific details are limited.

Need help booking Los Prietos?

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

No utility hookups are available at the campground.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Los Prietos Campground offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Nearby attractions such as Cachuma Lake Recreation Area provide opportunities for boating and kayaking. Trails such as Snyder Trail and Aliso Loop offer scenic hiking options. Wildlife such as wild turkeys and deer frequently visit the campground.

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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.

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection bins are provided throughout the campground. Recycling facilities are not explicitly mentioned. Some campers note the importance of taking trash out of day-use areas near swimming holes.

Cell CoverageCell phone reception is reportedly inconsistent. Only one camper mentioned reliable service during a hike near Snyder trail.

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.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Los Prietos

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From Booking Sources

4.3

334 reviews

Satisfactory

Los Prietos is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are highly mixed. Positive reviews highlight the beauty of the shaded oak trees, the peaceful environment, and wildlife such as wild turkeys. Negative reviews cite issues with camp hosts, maintenance problems, and overcrowding. "Great area with lots of shade and large campsites" (Ashley C, 2019). "Hosts were very racist and intolerant" (Natalia Tihinscaia, 2018).

Review Summaries

Based on 334 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 334 reviews.

Site 26Loved
Site 26 is secluded with a 40-foot walk.
Site 28Loved
Site 28 is described as spacious and private by multiple reviewers.
Site 13Issues noted
Site 13 has maintenance issues with a broken picnic table and malfunctioning spigots.

What Campers Love

Shady oak trees and wildlife such as wild turkeys are frequent highlights. Reviewers also appreciate the spacious campsites and proximity to hiking trails and water-related activities. "Lovely shaded...

Based on 334 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include inconsistent camp host behavior, overly sloped sites, maintenance issues with toilets and fire pits, and an abundance of poison oak. "Bathrooms were VERY clean with flushing...

Based on 334 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing bug spray due to flies and wasps, and preparing for poison oak by wearing protective clothing. "Bring mosquito repellent or you die here" (Kevin Dang, 2016).

Based on 334 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring is highly recommended due to green grass and fewer crowds. Summer reviews note hot weather and swimming holes as a major advantage. Winter and fall reviews mention fewer visitors but colder...

Based on 334 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Flush toilets, no showers" (Martina Gurrola, 2018). "We had a good time despite the campground being full. It was very quiet at nighttime" (David I, 2021). "Wild turkeys walking around was cool"...

Based on 334 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not described in user reviews.

Based on 334 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are welcomed, and the campground is dog-friendly. "Deer came pretty close to our site and we constantly heard turkeys. Definitely suggest the hike while you are there. The hiking trail is also...

Based on 334 reviews

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Go if

You want oak-shaded sites near Santa Barbara with creek access for fishing, swimming, and biking.

Skip if

You're sensitive to poison oak or need meticulously maintained fire pits and strict quiet-hour enforcement.

Nearby Campgrounds

5050 Paradise Road, Santa Barbara, CA, USA 93105

Paradise Campground sits in the oak-shaded foothills of Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara. Operated by the Forest Service, this small campground offers tent and RV sites with flush toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Visitors hike nearby trails, fish, and swim, with attentive camp hosts maintaining clean facilities and peaceful surroundings under mature oaks.