La Panza Campground
Open year-round. Road erosion requires high-clearance vehicles only; no cars or trailers. Of the 7 sites, 5 are reservable through Recreation.gov and 2 are first-come, first-served. No potable water available.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Order with Exceptions
To provide for public safety, the Timber and Plaskett Fire Area are closed, including roads and trails described in Exhibit A and shown on the Exhibit B Map.This Forest Order No. 05-07-51-26-11 supersedes Forest Order No. 05-07-51-26-10.
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. Effective from September 16, 2026, through September 15, 2027.
About
La Panza Campground is a small, primitive campground tucked into a canyon in Los Padres National Forest's Santa Lucia Ranger District. Surrounded by mature oak trees and accented by a seasonal creek, the campground provides a quiet base for exploring the nearby Machesna Mountain Wilderness and Pozo La Panza OHV area. Wildlife including fox, coyote, deer, wild pig, quail, and occasional black bear frequent the area. The Pozo La Panza OHV area offers approximately 44 miles of routes ranging from sandy washes to challenging ridgeline terrain, including the expert-level section known as the Stair Steps. Bring motorcycles, ATVs, or four-wheel drive vehicles to take advantage of the trail system. Hiking and horseback riding are also popular in the adjacent wilderness. Access requires a high-clearance vehicle due to road erosion. Cars and trailers cannot reach the campground. All sites include fire rings and picnic tables. No potable water is available, and campers must pack out all trash.
Directions
From Santa Margarita, CA: Take Highway 58 east for 3 miles, then Pozo Road approximately 26 miles east, then Forest Road 29S18 for 1.5 miles east. Alternate route: Highway 58 east 26 miles, Navajo Road south 3 miles, Pozo Road east half a mile.
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 | $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 16ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| customerservice@pmcparks.com | |
| Phone | +1 (805) 434-1996 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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