Go if
Deer hunters and self-sufficient backpackers who want a shaded base camp for the 1,800-foot climb to Nunez Potrero. Fall temps in the 60s-80s are genuinely comfortable, and the 12-site limit keeps it quiet on weekdays.
American Canyon Campground
03 reviewsAmerican Canyon Campground
Top 2% in CAFallPeace & Quiet
Real-Time Availability
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Quick Facts
1,581 ftPrice
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Entrance via the Ave...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Real-Time Availability
Select a month, then check for open campsites
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
Quick Facts
1,581 ftPrice
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Entrance via the Ave...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
American Canyon Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
No paid fee categories listed.
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American Canyon Campground
American Canyon Campground
35.2768, -120.3075
Nearby places
Pozo — approximately 10 miles west (site notes Vintage Cowboy Winery and Pozo Saloon about 10 miles west).
Weather at American Canyon Campground
About American Canyon Campground
Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist
Skip if
No water on site and no trash service are the baseline hurdles, but the bigger issue: a few past visitors report an unwelcoming atmosphere toward campers outside the local hunting crowd, so if that's not your scene, this small, isolated camp with no easy exit may not feel comfort
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about American Canyon Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<p><strong>Update: August 10, 2023</strong></p><p>There is currently no access to American Canyon Campground via the Avenales Ranch. A reservation system is being developed and will be in place for next year’s hunting season.</p>
Activities
<p> Hunting, horseback riding, trailhead to Machesna Mountain Wilderness.</p>
- Open Season
- August – September
From Recreation.gov
Official information for American Canyon Campground from the federal Recreation.gov facility record. View official page →
Overview
American Canyon is a small, secluded campground which borders the Machesna Wilderness. While the campground is accessible through the wilderness, it is a long and strenuous hike as vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas. The only motorized entrance is through the Avenales Ranch. This is a working cattle ranch, and the owners have been generous to grant access to American Canyon through their ranch. Entrance via the ranch gate is opened only during deer hunting season, by reservation only on rec.gov and with an issued combination code provided. The campground is an Adventure Pass site managed by the Forest Service.
The campground is embedded within beautiful oaks, providing much shade and cooling during the hot summer days. While the days do have a tendency of getting rather toasty, ranging between the 90s and 100s, the nights cool down into the 50s and 60s.
Recreation
The campground is surrounded by wilderness and private lands, so mountain biking isn’t practical. Horseback riding, hiking and wildlife viewing isn’t really recommended during rifle season. This really is a hunting camp.
There are cattle trails in abundance and a rigorous trail (1800’ of elevation gain) from the campground to the Nunez Potrero and Pine Spring near the top of the ridge. The American Canyon watershed is dry in deer season.
Facilities
The American Canyon campground offers 12 campsites for tent and car camping (no RVs due to size restriction). Each site includes a picnic table, and a combination fire ring/grill. There are two outhouses with pit toilets in the campground. No drinking and non-potable water at the site. No trash service, so pack it in, pack it out.
Natural Features
The campground is in a grove of mature oaks. The watershed is dry during deer season. The lower areas are a mix of open grasslands with oak and pine woodlands. The higher terrain is covered in chaparral, with coulter pines near the top of the ridges and scattered open grasslands.
Nearby Attractions
Due to its remoteness, there are only a couple of nearby places that might be of interest. The Vintage Cowboy Winery in Pozo opens on most weekends. The Pozo Saloon is also open on some weekends, but not consistently. Both are approximately 10 miles west of the campground.
Directions
<p>From Hwy 101, take the Santa Margarita exit, turning off at El Camino Real and across the railroad tracks at the east end of town on Estrada Avenue/Hwy 58. After 1.4 miles Hwy 58 turns left but continue straight on Pozo Road. From where Hwy 58 leaves Pozo Road, follow Pozo Road for almost 20 miles, through the town of Pozo, keeping right at the La Panza Road junction, until you reach the Avenales Ranch Road. Follow Avenales Ranch Road about 5 miles, through a gate (keep closed!) to the sign for American Canyon where you turn left and continue another 2 miles.</p>
- Phone
- (805) 925-9538
