P-BAR FLAT
Closed — The campground was closed from May 23 through September 18, 2025, under a forest order for storm damage recovery and hazard tree removal. Current status should be verified with the Santa Barbara Ranger District.
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.
Forest Order - Special Closure - Storm Damage Recovery
Special Closure - Storm Damage Recovery - Los Padres National Forest - Forest Order NO. 05-07-53-25-07
Dry Canyon Area, Roads and Trails, and Wilderness Closure
Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Dry Canyon Area, Roads, Trails and Wilderness Closure
West Cuesta Fire Use Restrictions
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System (NFS) lands within the West Cuesta Fire Use Restriction Area
Prohibition of overnight camping and campfires at San Carpoforo Beach
The following acts are prohibited on San Carpoforo Beach, which includes all National Forest lands west of Highway 1 to the mean high tide line of the Pacific Ocean in Section 16, Township 25 South, Range 6 East, Mount Diablo Base a
Fire Restrictions for Santa Barbara Front Country
Fire restrictions are still in effect in the Santa Barbara front country. This prohibition will remain in effect through Feb 26, 2026.
About
P-Bar Flat Campground is a small, primitive first-come, first-served campground located in the Santa Ynez backcountry of Los Padres National Forest. The campground features 4 well-spaced walk-in campsites set among oak trees near the seasonal Santa Ynez River. The name comes from the P-Bar brand of the Pendola family, who maintained an adobe home near Pendola Ranger Station and ran cattle in the area before their permit was canceled during the construction of Gibraltar Dam. This backcountry campground is particularly popular with hunters during deer season (mid-August through late September) when it fills on weekends. The campground is accessible only by dirt roads, with Forest Road 5N15 often closed during inclement weather. Big Caliente Hot Springs is located approximately 4 miles from the campground. The setting provides a secluded camping experience in oak woodland habitat with seasonal creek access.
Directions
From Highway 154, take Paradise Road north. Follow signs to Romero-Camuesa Road (5N15). P-Bar Flat is located past Middle Santa Ynez Campground. Access roads are often closed during wet weather.
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 | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (805) 967-3481 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
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