Where is los padres national forest

National Forest Campground Directory. The Web site is full of pictures and detailed descriptions to help you plan your next trip. If you want to experience a guided recreation trip in a National Forest, visit Adventure Vacation to learn about whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, hiking and fishing trips.

Visit the National Forest Store to see what maps are available for this Forest and others you may want to visit. Our Forests Find A Forest. As a result of massacres, conflicts, forced labor, and the importation of European diseases, the Chumash and other first peoples in the region were either removed from their land or killed.

Today, the Chumash Nation has a small reservation known as the Santa Ynez Reservation of just acres After the creation of this larger forest, though, local residents demanded that the name be changed to better reflect its vast area. The region is highly susceptible to fires, which are a natural part of its ecology. Indeed, some of the largest fires in California history, including the Marble Cone Fire, the Basin Complex Fire, and the Thomas Fire, have burned hundreds of thousands of acres within the Los Padres National Forest, alone.

To mitigate the risk to human life, parts of the forest are closed during peak fire season between June and mid-November. The Los Padres National Forest covers a huge expanse of land and is home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Here are some of the most popular areas to hike:. The region is fairly easy to access from either the Santa Ynez or Cuyama Valley.

There are a few good, yet overgrown, hiking trails in the area, including one that walks along Hurricane Deck and one to Sweetwater Canyon. The Garcia Wilderness is a small protected area of some 22 square miles 57 sq. The Garcia Wilderness was formally designated in in an attempt to protect the Salinas and Santa Maria Rivers, in addition to the California condor.

It is known for its lush vegetation, particularly around streambeds, as well as an abundance of waterfalls. There are a number of trails and campgrounds within the wilderness, which are popular with locals from San Luis Obispo.

It is known for its very steep terrain, which rises up from the Pacific Ocean. In the springtime, the wilderness is quite popular among visitors who come to see some of the beautiful waterfalls in the region, particularly Salmon Creek Falls. This region is best known for its rugged terrain and the massive American Canyon. The forest forms the hub of a vast matrix of public lands in central California, including the Carrizo Plain National Monument, the California Coast National Monument, three national wildlife refuges, a national marine sanctuary, and other public wildlands.

It is here that the marine coastline meets three other ecological regions to form one of the richest varieties of ecosystems in the world, including sea coast and marine habitats, redwood forest, mixed conifer forest, oak woodland, grassland, pinon-juniper woodland, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and semi-desert. The forest provides habitat for species of wildlife and over 1, plant species, including over 90 species at risk of extinction, more than any other national forest in the state.

The Los Padres contains ten wilderness areas totaling , acres, nearly half of the total Los Padres land base. The San Rafael Wilderness contains the Sisquoc Condor Sanctuary, and was the first-ever primitive area designated as wilderness. The Ventana Wilderness contains the southernmost stands of ancient coast redwoods, and is one of only a few coastal wilderness areas in the nation. The Los Padres was originally established to protect the pristine water sources for the coastal communities surrounding the forest.

Today, the Los Padres encompasses 1, miles of rivers and streams, providing water for urban and agricultural use, habitat for rare and at-risk species, and exciting recreation opportunities. Many areas of the Los Padres have cultural and spiritual significance to Native peoples.

About one hundred prehistoric rock art sites are found in the Los Padres. These fragile and unique sites represent one of the richest records of prehistoric rock art in the world, and are part of an estimated 20, cultural sites in the forest, including the remains of ancient villages, burial sites, rock shelters, and ceremonial locations. Certain peaks and other landforms continue to provide spiritual and cultural value to Native American communities.

In addition, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance maintains online reports of hiking trail conditions that are frequently updated.

Hunting is permitted in many areas of the Los Padres National Forest. However, lead bullets are banned. California Department of Fish and Game regulations apply. Consult the US Forest Service's Los Padres National Forest website to learn which areas are open for hunting, and the California Department of Fish and Game website for information on hunting seasons, licenses and fees.

Fishing is permitted in many lakes, rivers and ocean areas of the Los Padres National Forest.