Ballinger Campground
Photo · US Forest ServiceThe place
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. Recreation The Ballinger Campground and day use areas are best appreciated by OHV enthusiasts. Keep reading
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. Facilities Open daily and year-round, the campground includes 13 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring. Two vault toilets are located near the campsites. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water onsite. To the left of the fee/information boards is a "staging area" to offload gear. There is no dump station. The campsites have no barriers or boulders, so all sizes of toy haulers, trailers and campers do well here. Natural Features Junipers, lupine and tall scrub and brush surround Ballinger Canyon, just inland of California's Central Coast and regionally bound by the Sierra Madre and Caliente Mountain Ranges. Nearby Attractions Hiking trails, biking and fishing are easily accessed within 30 minutes from Ballinger Campground. Day trips to the higher elevation mountains for snow play in the winter.
The sites · 13
| Loop | Site | Type | Max rig | Electric | ADA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loop 1 | 01 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 02 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 03 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 04 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 05 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 06 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 07 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 08 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 09 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 10 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 11 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 12 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — | |
| Loop 1 | 13 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | — |
Booking
Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.
Book on recreation.govYour representative
This campground sits in CA-24. This member’s public-lands record →