Santa Barbara Campground

About

Santa Barbara Campground occupies a prime location at 8,900 feet in Carson National Forest, nestled in a mixed conifer forest of spruce, fir, and aspen at the gateway to Pecos Wilderness. The campground borders Rio Santa Barbara, designated as Red Chile Water for native Rio Grande cutthroat trout conservation, making it an excellent fishing destination. The campground offers 15 single sites, 2 double sites, 1 triple site, and 2 quad sites, all equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. Three vault toilets and potable water spigots serve the area. This is the primary staging area for wilderness access to Jicarita Peak and North Truchas Peak via the Middle Fork Santa Barbara, Jicarita Creek, and Indian Creek trails. Wilderness permits are not required for day hiking or backpacking in the Pecos Wilderness. Horseback riders can use trailer parking in the day-use area, though horses are not permitted within the campground proper. The campground sees heavy use on holiday weekends and throughout July, with lighter traffic most other times during the open season. Bears frequent the area, so proper food storage is required.

Directions

From the junction with State Road 75, follow SR 73 for 1.4 miles to Santa Barbara Road. Turn left onto Santa Barbara Road and travel 6.2 miles to the campground. Santa Barbara Road becomes Forest System Road 116 when the pavement ends.