Wagon Flat
Open — The campground is open but accessible only by foot, bike, or horseback. The vehicle access road was destroyed by floods in 2011 and has not been repaired. Motor vehicle access remains closed.
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
Wagon Flat Campground occupies a scenic location along La Brea Creek in the Santa Barbara Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest. Originally developed as a car-accessible campground, Wagon Flat has transformed into a remote, primitive camping destination following natural disasters that reshaped the landscape and access. The campground's history is marked by the 2009 La Brea Fire, which burned through the area, followed by devastating floods during the heavy winter of 2011. These floods destroyed the access road where it crossed La Brea Creek multiple times, washing out the roadbed at crossings and along lower benches. The Forest Service has not repaired the road since then, and the area remains closed to motor vehicle access. As a result, Wagon Flat is now reached only by foot, bicycle, or horseback, making it a true backcountry experience. The campground sits in characteristic Los Padres terrain featuring grassy hillsides dotted with valley oak trees, with La Brea Creek running nearby (though the creek flows only intermittently). The remote nature of the site means it receives very few visitors, offering solitude for those willing to make the journey. The surrounding area provides opportunities for hunting, mountain biking, hiking, and wildlife viewing, including wild turkey that inhabit the oak woodlands. The campground maintains basic facilities including campsites with tables and fire pits, though the primitive nature and walk-in access mean campers should be prepared for a backcountry camping experience.
Directions
From Santa Barbara, take Highway 154 north. Access requires traveling toward the La Brea Creek area southeast of Buckhorn Ridge in the Santa Barbara Ranger District. The vehicle access road is closed due to flood damage, so the campground must be reached by foot, bicycle, or horseback from the nearest accessible road or trailhead.
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 |
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