Hardluck
Closed — Permanently closed to camping. Vehicle access is blocked by a locked gate approximately 3.6 miles from the campground on Hard Luck Road. The area can be accessed on foot or bicycle via the gated forest 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
Hardluck Campground sits along Piru Creek in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest, near Pyramid Lake at approximately 2,800 feet elevation. The campground once served as a base for exploring the surrounding Black Mountain area and accessing the Buck Creek Trailhead at its southern end. This remote site was accessible via Forest Road along Piru Creek in a rugged section of Ventura County. The campground is located in non-wilderness terrain, though it provides access to wilderness hiking opportunities. The area features creek access and oak woodland typical of the Southern Los Padres. Historically, campers could reach the site by vehicle before the access road was permanently closed. Vehicle access to Hardluck Campground has been permanently eliminated with a locked gate on Hard Luck Road approximately 3.6 miles from the campground. The site can only be reached on foot or by bicycle via the gated forest road, making it a long approach for those wishing to visit the former campground area and Buck Creek Trailhead.
Directions
Exit I-5 at Smokey Bear Road and head south on East Valley Road. Turn onto Hard Luck Road. A locked gate is located approximately 3.6 miles before the campground, just beyond Los Alamos Campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Los Alamos Group Campground 2.3mi
- Los Alamos Campground 2.4mi
- Hungry Valley Svra Honey Valley Group Campground 5.5mi
- Kings Campground 5.0mi
- Pyramid Lake - Emigrant Landing Day Use Area 5.3mi
- Pyramid Lake - Los Alamos Campground 5.3mi
- Goldhill Camping Area 5.3mi
- Dutchman Campground 7.5mi
- Oak Flat Campground 9.4mi
Amenities
| Water | — |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | — |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (661) 245-3731 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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