Ballinger Campground
Campground · 13 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Los Padres National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 13
- Bookable sites
- 70 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 6
- People per site
- 3,120 ft
- Elevation
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.
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.
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 facts
- 13 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 70 ft
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: Loop 1
Site types
- 13 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, shade.
13 campsites at Ballinger Campground
Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 02 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 03 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 04 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 05 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 06 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 07 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 08 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 09 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 10 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 11 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 12 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 13 | Loop 1 | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Moderate | 70 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
Getting there
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.
34.88390, -119.44520 · 34°53'2.0"N 119°26'42.7"W
Typical weather
Typically 95°F in Jul, down to 61°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 61 | 62 | 66 | 71 | 80 | 88 | 95 | 94 | 89 | 78 | 68 | 61 |
| Low °F | 33 | 34 | 37 | 40 | 45 | 51 | 57 | 56 | 52 | 43 | 36 | 32 |
| Precip in | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 14.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Ballinger Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Ballinger Campground?
- Yes, Ballinger Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Ballinger Campground have?
- 13 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Ballinger Campground?
- 70 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Ballinger Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Ballinger Campground.
- Are campfires allowed at Ballinger Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Ballinger Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Ballinger Campground
- Campo Alto Campground 14.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Reyes Creek Campground 16 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ballinger Canyon 0.1 mi · Facility
- Nettle Springs Campground 10.3 mi · Campground
- Toad Springs Campground 12.4 mi · Campground
- Marian Campground 13 mi · Campground
- Rancho Nuevo Campground 13.3 mi · Campground
- Campo Alto Group Campground 14.1 mi · Facility
- West Tumamait Trailhead - 21W03 14.3 mi · Facility
- Dome Springs Campground 14.7 mi · Campground
- Reyes Creek Group Campground 16.2 mi · Facility
- Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca (Reyes Creek TH) 16.2 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 805-434-1996
- Book Recreation.gov
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.
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