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.
Monterey Ranger District Storm Damage Closure
Due to recent storm damage, recreating in the following areas on Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest is prohibited:Rocky Creek Trail (NFS 4E04)Reliz Canyon Road (NFS road 19S08.2)Additionally, using a motorized vehicle on the following National Forest System roads is…
Roadside Camping Prohibited: Nacimiento-Ferguson Road
For public safety, camping is not allowed within 300 feet of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (Forest Road No. 22S01), from its intersection with State Highway 1 then east for 12 miles. See attached map for details. This Order is effective from September 6, 2025, through September 5, 2027.
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. 19S05), except within a motor vehicle from its intersection with State Highway 1 then continuing west for approximately two and a half miles to its terminus at Pfeiffer Beach Day Use Area, as shown on the attached map.
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. NOTE: Persons with a valid CA Campfire Permit may…
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 Pacific Ocean in Section 16, Township 25 South, Range 6…
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.Over the past…
Winter Storm Watch issued February 14 at 9:27PM PST until February 19 at 9:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches for 3500 to 4500 feet elevation possible, 6 to 12 inches for 4500 to 6000 feet elevation possible, and one to two feet above 6000 feet elevation possible. Wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph through Monday afternoon possible, and as high as 50 mph through Thursday morning possible. * WHERE...Eastern San Gabriel Mountains and Northern Ventura County Mountains. * WHEN...From Monday morning through Thursday morning. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could become treacherous. Visibilities may drop below one-quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There will be a break in the snowfall for Tuesday into Tuesday night, before heavy snow returns by Wednesday. However, blowing and drifting snow producing significant visibility restrictions will continue above 6000 feet elevation, even during the break in snowfall.
Flood Watch issued February 14 at 12:20PM PST until February 16 at 9:00PM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Rock and mud slides are possible near steep terrain. Debris flows are possible on burn scars. * WHERE...A portion of southwest California, including the following areas, most of Central and Southern Los Angeles County, all of Ventura County, and most of Central and Southern Ventura County, including several burn scar areas. * WHEN...From Monday morning through Monday evening. * IMPACTS...Flash flooding is possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of low-lying and flood-prone locations, including creeks and streams. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Extensive street flooding is possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A line of heavy showers and thunderstorms will sweep across the region on Monday, bringing the risk for flash flooding, rock and mud slides, and burn-scar debris flows across the Flood Watch area. After the passage of the line, scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms will continue into Monday evening, prolonging the flooding risk in isolated locations. Flooding and burn-scar debris flows are not expected for areas above the snow level, of approximately 6000 feet to 6500 feet elevation, where snow will fall instead of rain. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
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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