China Camp Campground
Open — Currently open as first-come, first-served through May 1, 2026. Reservations open May 1 on a 6-month rolling basis. Campsites 1-5 are open year-round; campsites 6-10 open summer season only. Four-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles recommended due to rough access road.
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
Pleasantly nestled under a large canopy of pine trees at 4,260 feet elevation on Chews Ridge, China Camp Campground is a place where peace and quiet is commonplace. The spacious campsites allow you to set up camp with more than enough space between you and your neighbors. As you drive into the campground you are overtaken by the sweet smell of pine and the natural beauty surrounding the area. The campground offers 10 campsites total, with campsites 1-5 open year-round and campsites 6-10 open only during summer season. Nine sites are reservable through Recreation.gov during the summer season, while one site remains first-come, first-served. The campground is suitable for tent and car camping but is not recommended for RVs over 20 feet due to the rough access road. China Camp is surrounded by oak and pine trees providing ample shade. The Pine Ridge trailhead begins across from the campground bulletin board, offering 23 miles of trail with stunning views of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range covered in towering oak trees. Bobcats, coyotes, and black-tailed deer roam the rolling hills, while red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures soar above. The melody of chirping birds during the day complemented by the sounds of crickets at night provide the textbook balance of unspoiled nature. Tassajara Road is a rough road and four-wheel drive with high clearance vehicles are recommended.
Directions
From Highway 101 north, exit at Arroyo Seco Road near Greenfield and proceed 16.2 miles to the junction of Carmel Valley Road, bear right. Take Carmel Valley Road 17.2 miles to Tassajara Road junction, turn left and go 11 miles to China Camp. From Highway 101 south, exit at Arroyo Seco Road and make an immediate left at Elm Ave. Follow Elm Street for 6 miles, turn left at the T onto Arroyo Seco Road. Proceed 6.5 miles to Carmel Valley Road junction, bear right. Take Carmel Valley Road 17.2 miles to Tassajara Road, turn left and go 11 miles. Four-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles recommended.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 20ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 20ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (831) 385-5434 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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