Upper OsoTrailhead

Facility · California ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Los Padres National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1,176 ft
Elevation

The site is located on the Camuesa Road, 1 mile from Paradise Road.

Upper Oso Trailhead is a paved and located just past Upper Oso Campground. The trailhead has three separate parking areas and serving hikers, equestrians, and OHV trail uses. The facility has drinking water, flush toilets, trash, and picnic tables.

There are 20 single vehicle spaces available for trailhead parking and extended spaces for truck-trailer parking for off-highway vehicles (OHV's). There are an additional 20 spaces for parking close to the equestrian facilities. There is a horse trough at the trailhead.

The Santa Cruz trail (27W09) provides access to the San Rafael Wilderness. The Camuesa OHV route (5N15) provides motorcycle and ATV riding opportunities on the Camuesa and Buckhorn (9N11) OHV routes.

The trailhead is open all year. However, during high river flows Paradise Road is closed to motorized traffic.

**As of November 1, 2016, the Upper Oso Trailhead Parking Area will no longer be an Adventure Pass recreation site. Iinteragency passes will not be accepted.

This trailhead parking area will be managed by the Parks Management for the Forest Service. $10 per vehicle or you can purchase and use the Parks Management Annual Day Use Pass for $50. Pass can be purchased from the PMC at www.campone.com or by calling 805-434-1996 or purchased from the campground hosts at Paradise Campground, Upper Oso Campground or Sage Hill Campground.

Getting there

34.55730, -119.77140 · 34°33'26.3"N 119°46'17.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 96°F in Aug, down to 64°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F666770768088949691837364
Low °F363638414649555451454034
Precip in7.17.64.71.60.70.10.10.00.11.11.54.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Upper OsoTrailhead

Can you reserve a site at Upper OsoTrailhead?
No. Upper OsoTrailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Upper OsoTrailhead

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.