Park
Los Padres National Forest
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Campgrounds
60
Trails
60
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Los Padres National Forest
California · Central California Coastal watershed
About this park
Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest is located in the central coast region of California. It is a vast and diverse forest that covers over 1.75 million acres and stretches from Big Sur to Ventura.
There are plenty of good reasons to visit Los Padres National Forest, including its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and abundant wildlife. The forest offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and mountain biking.
One of the main points of interest in the forest is the Santa Lucia Mountains, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The forest also has several rivers and streams that are great for fishing and swimming.
Los Padres National Forest is home to a variety of wildlife species, including black bears, mountain lions, and deer. It is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, with over 400 species of birds that call the forest home.
Some interesting facts about the forest include that it was established in 1936 and is named after the padres who founded the California missions. The forest also contains some of the oldest and largest living trees in the world.
The best time of year to visit Los Padres National Forest is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. However, visitors should be aware that the forest can get very busy during peak season in the summer months.
There are plenty of good reasons to visit Los Padres National Forest, including its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and abundant wildlife. The forest offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and mountain biking.
One of the main points of interest in the forest is the Santa Lucia Mountains, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The forest also has several rivers and streams that are great for fishing and swimming.
Los Padres National Forest is home to a variety of wildlife species, including black bears, mountain lions, and deer. It is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, with over 400 species of birds that call the forest home.
Some interesting facts about the forest include that it was established in 1936 and is named after the padres who founded the California missions. The forest also contains some of the oldest and largest living trees in the world.
The best time of year to visit Los Padres National Forest is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. However, visitors should be aware that the forest can get very busy during peak season in the summer months.
StateCalifornia
WatershedCentral California Coastal
Latitude35.7942°
Longitude-121.1850°
In the park
Streamflow in Los Padres National Forest
Live USGS discharge at streamgauges inside the park boundary.
In the park
Trails in Los Padres National Forest
Named trails whose route falls inside the park.
Agua Blanca Trail
12.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Arroyo Seco Trail
4.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Baron Ranch Trail
4.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Battles Road Multi-Purpose Trail
1.5 mi · Biking
Bear Basin Trail
1.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Big Sur Trail
8.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Bill Roalman Bicycle Boulevard
0.1 mi · Biking
Blue Canyon Trail
5.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Buck Creek Trail
11.1 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
California Coastal Trail
0.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Carmel River Trail
10.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Carrizo Trail
5.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Cathedral Peak Trail
1.4 mi · Hiking
Cedar Creek Trail
6.1 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Cherry Creek Road
11.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Chimney Canyon Road
3.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Church Creek Trail
5.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Condor Trail
97.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Divide Peak Ohv
13.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Franklin Trail
10.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Gamboa Trail
1.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Gridley Canyon Road
0.8 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Hale Creek Road
3.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Hi Mountain Lookout Road
9.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Historic Olive Grove Loop Trail
0.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Horse Pasture Trail
4.5 mi · Hiking, Running
La Brea Canyon Road
13.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Lost Valley Trail
10.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Marble Peak Trail
8.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Middle Sespe Trail
7.8 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Nordhoff Road
11.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
North Coast Ridge Trail
1.5 mi · Hiking, Running
North Poly View Drive
0.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Ojai - Ventura Bike Path
0.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Pine Ridge Trail
21.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Piney Creek Road
6.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Poplar Trail
6.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Powerline Road
4.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Prewitt Loop Trail
10.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Red Dog
1.4 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Red Reef Trail
16.6 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Reservoir Canyon Road
4.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Roadrunner Roundabout
0.7 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Rocky Creek Trail
2.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Rodeo Flat Trail
2.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Root Cellar Trail
0.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Rose Valley Falls Trail
0.4 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
San Antonio Trail
2.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Santa Lucia Peak Trail
2.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Santa Lucia Trail
13.9 mi · Hiking, Running
South Coast Ridge Road
19.7 mi · Hiking, Running
South Hills Trail
1.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Sycamore Creek East Loop Trail
0.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Sycamore Creek West Loop
0.1 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Tassajara Path
0.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Tony Trail
3.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Tower Trail
1.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Trinidad
1.9 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Upper Dolan Ridge Trail
2.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Upper River Loop Trails
1.8 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
In the park
Camping in Los Padres National Forest
Campgrounds inside the park, with today's conditions score.
Detailed forecast
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Hourly detail
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
Loading hourly forecast…
Deep dive
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
Long-term outlook
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Loading 15-day outlook…
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Los Padres National Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
FAQ
About Los Padres National Forest
What can I do at Los Padres National Forest?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Los Padres National Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Land designation
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.