Bates Canyon
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Adventure Pass required ($5/day or $30/year). 14-day stay limit.
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.
Forest Order - Special Closure - Storm Damage Recovery
Special Closure - Storm Damage Recovery - Los Padres National Forest - Forest Order NO. 05-07-53-25-07
Dry Canyon Area, Roads and Trails, and Wilderness Closure
Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Dry Canyon Area, Roads, Trails and Wilderness Closure
West Cuesta Fire Use Restrictions
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System (NFS) lands within the West Cuesta Fire Use Restriction Area
Prohibition of overnight camping and campfires at San Carpoforo Beach
The following acts are prohibited 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 East, Mount Diablo Base a
Fire Restrictions for Santa Barbara Front Country
Fire restrictions are still in effect in the Santa Barbara front country. This prohibition will remain in effect through Feb 26, 2026.
About
Bates Canyon Campground is a small, established campground nestled in a grove of large oak and sycamore trees in the Santa Lucia Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest. The campground features 6 campsites arranged around a central loop, each with good spacing to provide privacy. Every site includes a picnic table and fire ring, with fires allowed only in designated fire rings. Located at 2,820 feet elevation along Cottonwood Canyon Road off Highway 166, the campground is accessible from Santa Maria and serves as a gateway to backcountry trails including the McPherson Peak Trail and Aliso Trail. The area is popular with hunters during fall season and offers access to the Sierra Madre Ridge and San Rafael Wilderness areas. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis year-round with no reservations. Visitors must possess an Adventure Pass or valid Interagency Pass for parking. There is no potable water available, so campers must bring all water needed for their stay. Two vault toilets serve the campground. Pets are permitted but must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet.
Directions
From Santa Maria: Highway 166 east for 50 miles, then Cottonwood Canyon Road southwest for 7.5 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 | $5 |
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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