Open Year-round
Yes
Reservations possible?
No
RV Hookups
No
Potable water
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Middle Santa Ynez Campground is a first come first serve backcountry campground in Los Padres National Forest. This large campground is located off of Romero Camuesa Road which is about 75 minutes southeast of Santa Barbara, California. The campground features shaded campsites, river access, and trail access to the Caliente Hot Springs. 

Middle Santa Ynez Campground is one of four campgrounds that are just a few miles from the Big and Little Caliente Hot Springs. The hot springs themselves are day use only so visitors who wish to spend the night must camp in one of the four campgrounds. The other campgrounds include,Rock Camp, P-Bar Flats, and Mono Campground. 

Middle Santa Ynez Campground offers multiple individual and group campsites that may be accessible by motorized vehicles. However, the dirt roads may or may not be accessible to cars depending on the weather, specifically wet weather may cause the roads to be closed and gates to be locked. Additionally, as of January 2022 the campground is closed to vehicles but accessible for hikers and bikers. 

Potable water is not available and the reliability of the flowing water depends on the season and may vary from year to year. For updated information please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lpnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5307964

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Fall
Summer
Spring

Congestion

Occasionally full

Parking Pass

National Forest Pass

Price per night (basic site)

0.00 $ (0.00 €)

Pros

Shaded. River Access. Hot Spring Access.

Cons

Watch out for poison oak!

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Managed by

Santa Barbara Ranger District

Features

Wildlife
Vault toilet
Picnic tables
Near lake or river
Bird watching
Wildflowers

Access

Vehicle

Total number of sites

12

Lodging type

Yurt

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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