Bates Canyon
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Vault bathrooms are temporarily unavailable. No potable water on-site. Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass required. 14-day stay limit.
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.…
Santa Lucia Ranger District Storm Damage Recovery
To provide for public health and safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Santa Lucia Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest.1. Entering or using the following developed recreation sites or portions thereof, as shown on the attached maps. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b). a.…
About
Bates Canyon Campground sits at 2,820 feet elevation in a beautiful grove of large oaks and sycamores within Los Padres National Forest. The six campsites are arranged in a loop configuration, with good spacing between sites that allows for privacy and a more intimate camping experience. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. This is a primitive, first-come, first-served campground with basic facilities. Two vault toilets serve the campground, though no potable water is available on-site. Campers must bring all their own drinking water. An Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or valid Interagency Pass is required to camp here. The maximum stay is 14 consecutive days. The campground is accessed from Santa Maria via Highway 166 east and Cottonwood Canyon Road. The remote location and modest amenities make this a good choice for campers seeking solitude in the backcountry of Santa Barbara County.
Directions
From Santa Maria: Take Highway 166 east for 50 miles, then turn onto Cottonwood Canyon Road and continue southwest for 7.5 miles to the campground.
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 | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (805) 925-9538 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Bates Canyon Campground | |
| Los Padres NF Alerts |
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