Horseshoe Springs Campground
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations accepted. Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass required. 14-day stay limit applies.
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
Horseshoe Springs Campground is a small, primitive campground located in the Santa Lucia Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest at 1,360 feet elevation. The campground features three well-spaced campsites shaded by large groves of oak trees, offering privacy and a secluded camping experience. Each site includes a picnic table and designated fire ring. One vault toilet serves the campground, but there is no potable water available, so campers must bring their own water and be completely self-sufficient. The campground is popular among OHV enthusiasts, as it serves as the trailhead for the Horseshoe Springs Spur OHV Trail (31W12), which is designated for motorcycle use only. The area is also known as a hunting camp during fall season. The McPhearson Peak Trail and Aliso Trail also begin at this campground, offering hiking opportunities. Access requires traveling on Forest Road 11N04 from Miranda Pines Road. An Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or valid Interagency Pass is required for all visitors. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. A 14-day stay limit applies, and quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Pets are allowed but must be leashed. Fires are permitted only in designated fire rings, subject to current fire restrictions.
Directions
From Santa Maria: Highway 166 to Sierra Madre Road. Sierra Madre Road to Miranda Pines Road. Take Miranda Pines Road to Forest Road 11N04 to Brookshire Campground and Horseshoe Campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
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 | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (805) 925-9538 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Horseshoe Springs Campground | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
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