Upper Oso Campground
Los Padres National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: SANTA BARBARA, CA, CA
Price: From $40 per night
Price range: $40–$45 per night
Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (27 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Camp Host, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-oso-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Upper Oso Campground is a family-friendly, secluded campground offering access to extensive hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails including the 18-mile Santa Cruz Trail. Campers praise the excellent camp hosts, isolation from roadside traffic, and scenic surroundings.
Wildlife alert: Mountain Lion and Western Bobcat present in area; also expect American Beaver, Common Raccoon, Northern Pygmy-Owl, and snake species including Two-striped Garter Snake and Coast Mountain Kingsnake
Insider tips for Upper Oso Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with only 19 sites Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available Excellent hiking and horseback riding trails start directly from the campground
Skip Upper Oso Campground if: You need RV hookups — none available at most sites. You require full bathroom facilities — some campers reported cleanliness issues.
Best time to visit Upper Oso Campground: Year-round — Campground operates year-round according to verified data.
Nearby campgrounds: Sage Hill (SANTA BARBARA, CA), Los Prietos (SANTA BARBARA, CA), Fremont Campground (SANTA BARBARA, CA), Davy Brown Campground (Los Olivos, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Upper Oso Campground
Cell signal at Upper Oso Campground (SANTA BARBARA, CA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 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.
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.
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
this is a popular federal campground with only 19 sites
Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available
Excellent hiking and horseback riding trails start directly from the campground
Campground operates year-round according to verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Santa Barbara, travel north on Highway 101. Exit onto Highway 154 and continue northwest for about 10 miles. Turn east onto Paradise Road and travel about 6 miles. Turn north onto Forest Route 5N15 and continue less than two miles to the campground.
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 Upper Oso Campground cost per night?+
What season is Upper Oso Campground open?+
Does Upper Oso Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Upper Oso Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Upper Oso Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Upper Oso Campground?+
What season is Upper Oso Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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