Connectivity
- AT&TLTESome coverageVerified by 2 campers · Oct 18, 2026
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Ballinger Campground
Los Padres National Forest, California
About this campground
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.
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.
Hiking trails, biking and fishing are easily accessed within 30 minutes from Ballinger Campground.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 34.883900° N
- Longitude
- 119.445200° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Showers
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Sanitary dump
- Pull-through sites
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 70 ft
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Overview
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.
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.
Recreation
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.
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.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Camping
- Biking
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- No potable waterThe official facility record directs campers to carry water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- Dump station
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
13 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 70 ft
- Check-in
- 3:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Holiday-weekend minimum
- 3 nights
- Weekend minimum
- 2 nights
- Reservation cutoff
- 8 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 6 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 1 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 3:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Food storage
- The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific food-storage rule. Check posted rules before leaving food, trash, toiletries, or scented items unattended.
- Fire and stove use
- Ballinger Campground's official facility record states: Open daily and year-round, the campground includes 13 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Apr 18, 2027
- Next release
- Oct 19, 2026, 7:00 AM PDT
- Next book-through date
- Apr 19, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Oct 18, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- In order to contact our offices, please use the email: customerservice@pmcparks.com or view our website: CampOne.Com for answers to frequently asked questions. @ballingercampgroundohv on Instagram and Facebook.com/BallingerOHV
- Camping fee includes 1 vehicle and 1 tent, trailer or RV. $10 fee for each extra vehicle.
- No drinking water is available.
- No public showers in the region.
- Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings. Always check local fire restrictions prior to your visit.
- Pets are allowed. Please keep dogs on a leash at all times.
- Please bring garbage bags. This facility is 'Pack it in. Pack it out.'
- The nearest stores and gas are 15 miles in New Cuyama or 25 miles in Maricopa.
- Sporadic cell service can be found in the campground but a connection can be made at Hwy 33 a few miles from the entrance.
- Don't ride alone. Tell someone where you plan to go and then stick to your plans.
- Don't take unnecessary chances -- help for emergencies is miles away.
- Make sure you have a first aid kit and other safety gear with you when riding.
- Bring your gnat/mosquito repellent in spring/summer/fall
- Spark arrestors and Off-highway vehicle registration required (green sticker or red sticker required). Red sticker open riding dates Nov. 1 - March 15
- 2 night minimum stay on weekends.
- 3 night minimum stay on holidays.
- Click here for more information on Los Padres National Forest
- Please Do Not Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Getting there & contact
Official directions
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.
Facility contact
805-434-1996