Baja
Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No reservations required. Limited to 14 consecutive nights.
Gifford Fire Closure Order
Gifford Fire Closure Order 05-07-53-25-21 supersedes Order 05-07-53-25-20 executed on August 24, 2025.
Sespe Condor Sanctuary Closure
The Los Padres National Forest will prohibit entry by the public to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary to support ongoing Condor recovery efforts. This special closure order supports the overall survivorship and sustained population increase of the California Condor species.
Special Closure - SBRD Storm Damage Recovery
Closure of developed recreation sites, roads, and trails in the Santa Barbara Ranger District impacted by storm damage and some roads restricted to non-motorized use.
Special Closure - SLRD Lake Fire Post-Burn Public Safety
Closure of developed recreation sites and roads on the Santa Lucia Ranger District impacted by the Lake fire.
Dry Canyon Area, Roads and Trails, and Wilderness Closure
Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Dry Canyon Area, Roads, Trails and Wilderness Closure
Road Use Restriction - Sycamore Cyn Rd to Pfeiffer Beach
Prohibits being on Sycamore Canyon Road (Forest Road No.
West Cuesta Fire Use Restrictions
Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the West Cuesta Fire Use Restriction Area. Reference the description of the area and attached map for details.
San Carpoforo Beach Prohibition of Overnight Camping and Campfires
Prohibits overnight camping and building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire on San Carpoforo Beach, which includes all National Forest lands west of Highway 1 to the mean high tide line of the 
Santa Barbara Front Country Fire Use Restrictions
Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the Fire Use Restriction Area which is the front country of Santa Barbara. Reference the description of the area and the attached map for details.
About
Baja Campground is a primitive single-site campground nestled under large oak trees on the banks of Alder Creek in the Los Machos Hills area of Los Padres National Forest. Located in the Rockfront OHV area of the Santa Lucia Ranger District, this small campground offers a secluded camping experience in San Luis Obispo County. The campground provides basic amenities including one picnic table, a fire ring or barbecue, and a pit toilet. No drinking water, trash service, or modern facilities are available, so campers must come fully self-sufficient. The site operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required and no fees charged. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days. The location is popular with OHV enthusiasts due to its proximity to off-highway vehicle trails in the Rockfront OHV area. It also serves as a hunting camp during fall season. The campground is accessed by traveling 25 miles east on Highway 166 from Santa Maria, then approximately 3 miles northwest on Branch Creek Road. The oak-shaded setting provides a peaceful retreat along Alder Creek.
Directions
From Santa Maria: Travel east on Highway 166 for 25 miles, then northwest on Branch Creek Road for approximately 3 miles.
Nearby Campgrounds
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 | $0 |
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 | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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