Bottchers Gap
Closed — Closed indefinitely since July 2016 due to Palo Colorado Road closure. The road was damaged by the Soberanes Fire and subsequent winter storms. Repairs are underway but not expected to be completed until 2027 at earliest. The road is gated and closed to vehicle traffic beyond The Hoist.
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
Bottchers Gap Campground is located at the end of Palo Colorado Road in the northern reaches of Los Padres National Forest, approximately 8 miles inland from Highway 1. Situated at 2,100 feet elevation on a ridge, the campground features 11 campsites shaded by oak trees, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. The location serves as an important trailhead for hikers and backpackers accessing the Ventana Wilderness, with the McPhearson Peak Trail and Aliso Trail beginning at the campground. The campground has historically been a popular hunting camp during fall season and a base for wilderness exploration. Palo Colorado Road winds through a narrow canyon with redwood groves before climbing to the campground. The facility operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations or hookups. Water is not available on-site, so campers must bring their own supply.
Directions
From Highway 1, turn onto Palo Colorado Road approximately 11 miles south of Carmel. Follow Palo Colorado Road east for 8 miles to the campground at the end of the road. Currently closed to vehicle access beyond The Hoist due to road damage.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $20 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (831) 385-5434 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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