Nira Campground
Closed — Open year-round. Reservations available through Recreation.gov on a 6-month rolling window. Three sites available first-come, first-served (cash only). 14-day stay limit.
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
Nira Campground is a beautiful site covered in oak trees and located along Manzana Creek in the Los Padres National Forest. The campground offers 12 campsites surrounded by oak-covered mountains, where Manzana Creek runs through providing opportunities for fishing and swimming. Whether you come to cast a line in the creek, camp and relax, ride horses, mountain bike, or hike, Nira offers a scenic location with diverse recreation activities. The campground serves as a popular starting point for backpacking and hunting expeditions into the San Rafael Wilderness. The nearby trailhead provides access to the Upper Manzana Creek Trail leading to the Manzana Narrows. Birdwatchers will find abundant opportunities to spot kingfishers, juncos, Stellar jays, white-breasted nuthatches, warblers, and many other species that flourish in this section of the forest. While tent camping is best enjoyed in this cozy campground, there is room for small RVs under 20 feet. Sites 1-3 are tent and car camping only due to size restrictions. Each site includes a picnic table and barbecue grill or fire ring. Nine sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, while three sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Directions
From Highway 154, take Armour Ranch Road/Happy Canyon Road 11 miles northeast to Cachuma Saddle, then Sunset Valley Road 6 miles north.
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 | $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 24ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 24ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (805) 925-9538 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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