Explore Upper Oso Campground in 360°

This campground has a full virtual tour with interactive campsite markers. Walk through every loop, inspect individual sites, and see the views before you book.

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What campers say

Upper Oso Campground is a relatively secluded, scenic canyon site with direct access to hiking, horse and ATV/dirt‑road trails. Many sites have little tree cover but include fire rings and nearby parking; corrals make it convenient for horses. Visitors commonly praise helpful hosts. Facilities are basic: flush toilets are present but reports cite inconsistent cleanliness, limited running water and no showers. The area is dry and shows burn-scar landscape in places, with limited shade; nights can be cold and stargazing excellent. Expect typical desert/southern‑California wildlife and insects. If you value quiet trail access over lush campsites, it’s a good fit.

Our summary of 39 traveler reviews.

✅ Amenities & Features

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📖 About This Campground

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. 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. 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.

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