Ballinger Campground
Federal campground in Los Padres National Forest
Location: Maricopa, CA, CA
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (18 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.The Ballinger Campground and day use areas are best appreciated by OHV enthusiasts.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Dump Station
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/ballinger-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Ballinger offers direct access to 37 off-highway vehicle trails (11 four-wheel drive roads, 12 ATV trails, 14 motorcycle trails) in the high desert badlands of Los Padres National Forest, making it ideal for OHV enthusiasts. Basic amenities including drinking water, dump station, and vault toilets support self-contained camping.
Wildlife alert: California Condor sightings recorded in the area—observe from distance and report any injured birds. Also watch for American Badgers, elk, and Pacific Gopher Snakes.
Insider tips for Ballinger Campground: Book early—it's a federal campground with only 13 sites and known to fill up Bring a self-contained RV; no hookups available, though dump station is on-site OHV trail access is the primary draw—confirm your vehicle class (4WD, ATV, or motorcycle) matches available trails before arrival
Skip Ballinger Campground if: You need RV hookups (water, electric, sewer not available). You're looking for developed campground amenities beyond basic facilities.
Best time to visit Ballinger Campground: Year-round — Campground operates year-round per official data; current NWS forecast shows clear conditions with low around 57°F.
Nearby campgrounds: Campo Alto Campground (Pine Mountain Club, CA), Reyes Creek Campground (Maricopa, CA), Pine Mountain Campground (Maricopa, CA), Reyes Peak Campground (Maricopa, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Ballinger Campground
Cell signal at Ballinger Campground (Maricopa, CA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.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.Open daily and year-round, the campground includes 13 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it's a federal campground with only 13 sites and known to fill up
Bring a self-contained RV; no hookups available, though dump station is on-site
OHV trail access is the primary draw
confirm your vehicle class (4WD, ATV, or motorcycle) matches available trails before arrival
Campground operates year-round per official data; current NWS forecast shows clear conditions with low around 57°F
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Los Angeles: Take I-5 north to 126 west to Santa Paula Hwy 150 exit. Go north on Hwy 150 for 20 miles to the intersection of highway 33. Go north over the mountain, 55 miles to Ballinger Cyn rd. Turn right and proceed 2 miles to the entrance.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Los Padres National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Los Padres National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Ballinger Campground cost per night?+
What season is Ballinger Campground open?+
Does Ballinger Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Ballinger Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Ballinger Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Ballinger Campground?+
What season is Ballinger Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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