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.
National Forest System Roads
Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads
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.…
Los Padres Fire Use and Firearm Restrictions
Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, on the Los Padres National Forest System lands, except in the Designated Campfire Use Sites. Reference the sites listed in Exhibit A.NOTE: Only persons with a valid CA Campfire Permit are exempt from this Order…
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
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!