Nettle Springs
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No potable water available; campers must bring their own. Limited to 14 consecutive days.
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
Nettle Springs Campground is located at the end of Apache Canyon Road (8N06) in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest, just outside the Chumash Wilderness boundary. At 4,450 feet elevation, this primitive campground offers approximately 8-9 pinyon-shaded sites accessible via a dirt road passable by passenger vehicles and small RVs. The campground is a popular base camp for hunters in the fall season and provides access to OHV trails and wilderness hiking routes. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system and no camping fees. Basic amenities include vault toilets and fire pits at campsites, but no potable water is available. Campers must bring all necessary water supplies. The McPhearson Peak Trail and Aliso Trail begin from this area, providing access to backcountry exploration. The remote location offers scenic views of badlands canyon terrain and serves OHV enthusiasts with nearby trail access.
Directions
Located at the end of Apache Canyon Road (8N06), approximately 9 miles from Highway 33 (Maricopa Highway). The dirt road is passable by passenger vehicles.
Nearby Campgrounds
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 | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (661) 245-3731 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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