USDA Forest Service · California
Upper Oso Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 19
- Hookups
- 17 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to November 30
- Max RV length
- 32 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,264 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Los Padres National Forest
- Nearest town
- SANTA BARBARA
- Address
- 5050 PARADISE RD., SANTA BARBARA, CA, 93105
- Phone
- 805-434-1996
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horse Rentals, Mountain Biking, Swimming
19 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Upper Oso Campground provides ample opportunity for exploration of California's coastal mountains. It is a family-friendly campground, equipped with equestrian sites, and is close to a variety of trails and several mountain streams.
Recreation
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails begin in and around the campground, including the Santa Cruz Trail, which traverses 18 miles north to the San Rafael Wilderness. The 2.5-mile Aliso National Recreation Trail leads through scenic areas to a group campsite.
Off-road vehicle enthusiasts enjoy the Camuesa OHV Route, which loops about 10 miles through the surrounding forest.
Fishing and swimming are available at nearby White Rock Day-Use Area, less than two miles from the campground. The Santa Ynez River is stocked with trout in the springtime.
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, a no-body-contact reservoir, is about 10 miles northwest of the campground. It offers boating, fishing and kayaking. Anglers will find an abundance of annually stocked trout. Carp and bass are also common catches there.
Facilities
The campground is open year-round and offers around two dozen sites tent or RV camping. About 10 sites are outfitted with horse corrals and extra long, paved parking spurs. Some additional sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each site is equipped with a table, campfire ring with grill and a pedestal grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided throughout the campground. Firewood is available for purchase from the on-site campground host.
Natural Features
The campground is located in the lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area, not far from Santa Barbara. The campground has large sites scattered among plentiful oak trees that provide pleasant shade. It is situated alongside a seasonal creek, at an elevation of 1,040 feet.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is located about 25 miles north of the city of Santa Barbara.
Fees
All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people.) Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night). Extra vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60° | 45° | 36° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| February | 58° | 43° | 33° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| March | 59° | 44° | 33° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 65° | 48° | 38° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 71° | 52° | 45° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 79° | 60° | 47° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 84° | 65° | 56° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 65° | 57° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 79° | 61° | 48° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 75° | 55° | 41° | 89° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 67° | 50° | 40° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 63° | 46° | 35° | 77° | 0 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Sage Hill · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Sage Hill · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 5 sites
- Los Prietos · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 38 sites
- Paradise Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 15 sites
- Fremont Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 15 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.