Barrel Springs

Closed — The campground is accessible year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No water is available at the site; campers must bring their own water supply. Limited to 14 consecutive days.

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

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.Over the past…

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.

Monterey Ranger District Storm Damage Closure

Due to recent storm damage, recreating in the following areas on Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest is prohibited:Rocky Creek Trail (NFS 4E04)Reliz Canyon Road (NFS road 19S08.2)Additionally, using a motorized vehicle on the following National Forest System roads is…

Roadside Camping Prohibited: Nacimiento-Ferguson Road

For public safety, camping is not allowed within 300 feet of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (Forest Road No. 22S01), from its intersection with State Highway 1 then east for 12 miles. See attached map for details. This Order is effective from September 6, 2025, through September 5, 2027.

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. 19S05), except within a motor vehicle from its intersection with State Highway 1 then continuing west for approximately two and a half miles to its terminus at Pfeiffer Beach Day Use Area, as shown on the attached map.

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. NOTE: Persons with a valid CA Campfire Permit may…

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 Pacific Ocean in Section 16, Township 25 South, Range 6…

About

Barrel Springs is a rustic trail camp situated in the Tepusquet Canyon area of Los Padres National Forest's Santa Lucia Ranger District. Originally a car campground, it is now accessible only by hiking or mountain biking, making it a more secluded destination for adventurous campers. The campground is located east of Santa Maria via Tepusquet Road, Colson Canyon Road (11N04), and Barrel Springs Road (10N06). The camp features several tables and fire rings set in a canyon bottom surrounded by oak trees near La Brea Creek. However, campers should be aware that the spring that gave the campground its name is no longer functioning, and there is no accessible water at the camp unless La Brea Creek is flowing. The area offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicle use on surrounding roads. Standard 14-day stay limits apply.

Directions

Located east of Santa Maria via Tepusquet Road, Colson Canyon Road (11N04), and Barrel Springs Road (10N06). The camp is now accessible only by hiking or biking, no longer by vehicle.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets
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 None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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