American Canyon
Closed for the season. The campground opens only during A Zone deer hunting season, typically August through September. Reservations become available through Recreation.gov with a 6-month rolling window.
National Forest System Roads
Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Los Padres Fire Use and Firearm Restrictions
Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, on the Los Padres National Forest System lands, except in the Designated Campfire Use Sites. Reference the sites listed in Exhibit A.NOTE: Only persons with a valid CA Campfire Permit are exempt from this Order…
About
American Canyon Campground is a remote, primitive camping area situated at 3,200 feet in Los Padres National Forest, directly adjacent to the Machesna Wilderness. The 12 shaded campsites are nestled beneath a canopy of beautiful oaks that provide relief from summer temperatures that can reach the 90s and 100s during the day before cooling into the 50s and 60s at night. Access to the campground is exclusively through Avenales Ranch during A Zone deer hunting season, typically August through September. Campers must hold a valid Adventure Pass and make reservations through Recreation.gov, which provides a gate combination code for entry. The watershed is dry during hunting season, so there is no potable water available. Facilities are minimal: each site has a picnic table and fire ring/grill, and the campground has two vault toilets. There is no trash service, so campers must pack out all waste. RVs are not permitted due to road and site size restrictions. Cell service is unavailable. Hiking and wildlife viewing during rifle season is not recommended for safety reasons.
Directions
From San Luis Obispo: Take Highway 101 north 8 miles to Highway 58, then 3 miles east to Pozo Road, 19 miles east on Pozo-Branch Mountain Road, 7 miles southeast on Forest Road 30S04, then 2 miles northeast. Access is through Avenales Ranch gate with reservation code.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $5 - $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (805) 925-9538 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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