American Canyon Campground

Los Padres National Forest

American Canyon is a small, secluded campground which borders the Machesna Wilderness. While the campground is accessible through the wilderness, it is a long and strenuous hike as vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas. The only motorized entrance is through the Avenales Ranch. This is a working cattle ranch, and the owners have been generous to grant access to American Canyon through their ranch. Entrance via the ranch gate is opened only during deer hunting season, by reservation only on rec.gov and with an issued combination code provided. The campground is an Adventure Pass site managed by the Forest Service. 

The campground is embedded within beautiful oaks, providing much shade and cooling during the hot summer days. While the days do have a tendency of getting rather toasty, ranging between the 90s and 100s, the nights cool down into the 50s and 60s.

The American Canyon campground offers 12 campsites for tent and car camping (no RVs due to size restriction). Each site includes a picnic table, and a combination fire ring/grill. There are two outhouses with pit toilets in the campground. No drinking and non-potable water at the site. No trash service, so pack it in, pack it out.

Need to Know

• Only Adventure Pass holders can make reservations and enter the campground. There will be a registration fee applied ($8 for online reservations; $9 for call in reservations) managed by Rec.gov.

  For more information on purchasing an Adventure Pass, visit Adventure Pass on the Los Padres National Forest website.

  National Forest Daily Adventure Pass: $5 (valid for 1 day from the date that is scratched off)

  National Forest Annual Adventure Pass: $30 (valid for 12 months from the month of purchase)

  • You can purchase your Daily and Annual Adventure Pass at:

    • Local - San Bernardino National Forest Offices

    • Local Vendors - Choose your vendor from this Vendor Map

    • Online - MyScenicDrives.com

• Reservations can be made three days in advance.

• All single campsite reseravtions cover 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 6. Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 1. Additional person or vehicle are not allowed. 

• Potable and non-potable water not available at the campground. Bring adequate water supply.

• Fireworks are not permitted. See fireworks ban for more information.

• No cell service can be found in the campground.

• Campfires are normally permitted year-round without a California Campfire Use Permit. Under some conditions, wood fires and barbecues may be prohibited in all areas of the national forest. Fires at Campground are only permitted in fire rings provided by the Forest Service. Please check local office for local fire restrictions prior to your arrival.

• Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov

• Know Before You Go

• In campgrounds and picnic areas, dogs must be kept on a leash. Dogs must wear a collar with current tags at all times, as state and county laws apply on National Forest System lands.

• There is no trash service in the campground. Remember Leave No Trace.

  Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled food. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Burning trash is never recommended.

• Click here for more information on the Los Padres National Forest. 

Natural Features

The campground is in a grove of mature oaks. The watershed is dry during deer season. The lower areas are a mix of open grasslands with oak and pine woodlands. The higher terrain is covered in chaparral, with coulter pines near the top of the ridges and scattered open grasslands.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its remoteness, there are only a couple of nearby places that might be of interest. The Vintage Cowboy Winery in Pozo opens on most weekends. The Pozo Saloon is also open on some weekends, but not consistently. Both are approximately 10 miles west of the campground. 

Recreation

The campground is surrounded by wilderness and private lands, so mountain biking isn’t practical. Horseback riding, hiking and wildlife viewing isn’t really recommended during rifle season. This really is a hunting camp.

There are cattle trails in abundance and a rigorous trail (1800’ of elevation gain) from the campground to the Nunez Potrero and Pine Spring near the top of the ridge. The American Canyon watershed is dry in deer season.

Contact Information

Mailing

1616 N Carlotti Dr Santa Maria CA 93454

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: (805) 925-9538

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Hwy 101, take the Santa Margarita exit, turning off at El Camino Real and across the railroad tracks at the east end of town on Estrada Avenue/Hwy 58. After 1.4 miles Hwy 58 turns left but continue straight on Pozo Road. From where Hwy 58 leaves Pozo Road, follow Pozo Road for almost 20 miles, through the town of Pozo, keeping right at the La Panza Road junction, until you reach the Avenales Ranch Road. Follow Avenales Ranch Road about 5 miles, through a gate (keep closed!) to the sign for American Canyon where you turn left and continue another 2 miles.

Available Campsites

• Site 11, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 5, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 6, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 8, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 2, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 1, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 10, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 3, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 7, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 9, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 4, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 12, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric

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