NIRA CAMPGROUND
Los Padres National Forest, CANira Campground sits in an oak grove along Manzana Creek, where the sound of running water mixes with the chatter of Stellar jays and white-breasted nuthatches. It's an equestrian camp that doubles as a solid base for wilderness access, fishing, and anyone who doesn't mind packing in their own water for the shade and creek access.
Campground Details
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 12
- 💵Fee per Night
- $30
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 1,800 ft
- 📍GPS
- 34.77048, -119.93777
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 805 434 1996
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
Twelve sites spread through oak-covered terrain, each with the standard setup: picnic table, fire ring or barbecue grill, and shared vault toilets. Sites 1-3 are car camping only — too tight for RVs — while the others can squeeze in small rigs under 20 feet. The oak canopy provides decent shade, and Manzana Creek runs right through camp for easy water access and swimming holes.
No drinking water on site, so plan accordingly. The equestrian designation means you'll share space with horses and their gear, but the trails and creek access make it work for hikers and mountain bikers too.
Trailhead Access
The real draw here is the San Rafael Wilderness trailhead. Multiple trails head up and down Manzana Creek from camp, giving you options for day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips. Davy Brown Creek meets Manzana just downstream, adding to the trail network. Deer hunters use this as a staging area during season.
Creek fishing and swimming provide the low-key entertainment between trail days. The birding is solid year-round — kingfishers work the creek while juncos and warblers move through the oaks.
What to Know
Reservations required, and at $30 per night, it's pricier than some backcountry options but includes the developed amenities. The hour drive to Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, or Solvang means you can resupply or grab a meal in wine country if the wilderness experience needs a break.
The combination of creek access, wilderness trailheads, and oak shade makes this more appealing than roadside camping, assuming you don't mind hauling water and sharing with the horse crowd.