USDA Forest Service · California
Ballinger Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 13
- Hookups
- 13 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Max RV length
- 70 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 3,110 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BALLINGER CYN. (NFSR 9N10.1) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Los Padres National Forest
- Nearest town
- Maricopa
- Phone
- 805-434-1996
- Activities
- Biking, Camping
About
Overview
Tucked away in the high desert, surrounded by scenic views of the badlands in the Los Padres National Forest, Ballinger Campground and day use area offers the perfect getaway for those looking to access off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails. Explore 11 four-wheel drive roads, 12 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails, and 14 motorcycle trails, which include loose dirt, hard pack, sand, steep hills, and a few jumps and berms.
Recreation
The Ballinger Campground and day use areas are best appreciated by OHV enthusiasts. ATVs/Quad Runners/Dual Sports/Single track, will find access to 68 miles of marked and rated trails that range from novice-friendly hard packed trails, twisty sand washes, open play areas to steep and rugged black diamond, all accessed from your scenic high desert camping spot.
Facilities
Open daily and year-round, the campground includes 13 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring. Two vault toilets are located near the campsites. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water onsite. To the left of the fee/information boards is a "staging area" to offload gear. There is no dump station.
The campsites have no barriers or boulders, so all sizes of toy haulers, trailers and campers do well here.
Natural Features
Junipers, lupine and tall scrub and brush surround Ballinger Canyon, just inland of California's Central Coast and regionally bound by the Sierra Madre and Caliente Mountain Ranges.
Nearby Attractions
Hiking trails, biking and fishing are easily accessed within 30 minutes from Ballinger Campground. Day trips to the higher elevation mountains for snow play in the winter.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58° | 42° | 31° | 76° | 1 of 11 |
| February | 57° | 41° | 26° | 78° | 3 of 11 |
| March | 60° | 44° | 27° | 88° | 1 of 11 |
| April | 67° | 48° | 35° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 79° | 58° | 43° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 88° | 66° | 46° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 95° | 75° | 62° | 104° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 93° | 73° | 61° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 85° | 66° | 53° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 77° | 56° | 40° | 91° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 67° | 47° | 36° | 80° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 60° | 41° | 31° | 73° | 1 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
- Valle Vista Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Nettle Springs · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi
- Toad Springs · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi
- Caballo Campground · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi
- Marian · USDA Forest Service · 13 mi
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.