Los Padres National Forest
Ideal for first-timers
Trek into the wilderness and sleep in the backcountry
A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Perfect for families with young kiddos
Pups are welcome at camp and on hiking trails
Trip · 3-day backpacking trip
For · Friends and first-time backpackers
Vibe · Moderate and fun
Distance · 21 miles and 2,592 feet of elevation gain
Permits · You won't need a wilderness permit, but apply for a CA campfire permit online and buy an Adventure Pass to park at Piedra Blanca Trailhead
Drive · 2.5 hours from LA
Ideal dates · January to May (before it gets too hot!)
Pets · Welcome on trails and campgrounds!
Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) boasts a whopping ten wilderness areas: Ventana, Silver Peak, Santa Lucia, Garcia, Machesna, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Matilija, Sespe, and Chumash. In total, the forest has a mind blowing 1.75 million acres. This trek takes you through Sespe Wilderness. The trailhead is accessible by driving along highway 33, a portion of which is considered a National Forest and State Scenic Byway. So whether it's the road trip or the hike itself, you'll witness beautiful natural landscapes in LPNF.
Official National Forest Website
Hike Los Padres Sespe River Trail Description
Main image credit: Yvonne Leow
All campsites in LPNF are first-come, first-serve, but even on the weekends (barring that it's not a holiday weekend), there are plenty of awesome backcountry campsites. Oak Flat has several established campsites, some are closer to Sespe River than others, but the one we recommend is a spacious group campsite further away from the river and closer to the mountain side.
Why? Because it has two picnic tables, plenty of shade, space for multiple tents, wooden benches, and a giant fire pit. It is an equestrian campsite so you have to deal with a bit of horse poo on the outskirts, but the picnic tables and benches are perfect for larger groups.
The name Sespe can be traced back to a Chumash Indian village, called Cepsey, Sek-pe or S'eqpe' ("Kneecap") in the Chumash language
Sespe Wilderness is also home to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. It's not open to the public, but it was established to protect one of the most endangered animals in the world. What's a major threat to condors? Microtrash (i.e. bottle caps, broken glass).
California has the second largest number of wilderness areas in the country (Alaska has the most)
This small play tent will keep your kids busy and your main sleeping tent clean.
Essential Items
Shelters
Bugs be gone with this rechargeable and refillable mosquito repeller.
Essential Items
Self-care
A fun camping cot for siblings to share and sleep in overnight.
Sleep
Sleep
We can confirm that these camp tables withstand hot bevvies and rock collections.
Shared Gear
Bezzi's Picks
This spacious loveseat is designed for cuddling with loved and furry ones at camp.
Essential Items
A fancy stove for campers who want compact, portability, and performance all in one.
Kitchen
A popular and reliable dual-burner camp stove that stays hot in windy conditions.
Kitchen
It's sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and a tad pricier than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.
Shared Gear
Elevate your sleep system (literally) with this heavy-ish but easy to set up cot.
Essential Items
Sleep
Enjoy the small town charm and enchanting wilderness in Idyllwild for this beginner camping trip.
