Can you reserve a site at Nira Campground?

Yes, Nira Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Nira Campground?

24 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Nira Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Nira Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Nira Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Nira Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Nira Campground — 12 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Nira Campground is a beautiful site covered in oak trees and located along Manzana Creek. Whether you come to cast a line in the river, camp and relax, ride horses, mountain bike or hike, Nira offers a scenic location with a variety of recreation activities.

Recreation

Along with hiking, mountain biking, fishing and swimming, Nira Campground is a great starting point for backpacking and deer hunting expeditions into the San Rafael Wilderness. Located on Manzana Creek just upstream from the mouth of Davy Brown Creek, a trailhead provides access for various trails up and down Manzana Creek that enter the San Rafael Wilderness.

Facilities

While tent camping is best enjoyed in this cozy campground, there is room for small RVs under 20 feet. Nira has 12 campsites, each site includes a picnic table, barbecue grill and/or a fire ring. Sites 1-3 are tent and car camping sites only (no RVs due to size restrictions). There is a vault toilet in the campground. There is no drinking water at this site.

Natural Features

Nira Campground is surrounded and shaded by oak tree- covered mountains. Whether you're a beginner in the art of birdwatching, or an experienced birder, Nira will not disappoint. A bounty of birds such as king-fishers, juncos, Stellar jays, white-breasted nuthatches, warblers and many more flourish in this section of the Los Padres National Forest.

Nearby Attractions

The Manzana River runs through the campground where swimming and fishing are favorite activities. The trailhead for San Rafael Wilderness is easily accessible. Los Olivios, Santa Ynez, Solvang and Buelton are all within a one hour's drive.

The facts

Season: January – December — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
12 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 24 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: Loop 1, Loop 2

Site types

12 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

12 campsites at Nira 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	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
02	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
03	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
04	Loop 1	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
05	Loop 2	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
06	Loop 2	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
07	Loop 2	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
08	Loop 2	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
09	Loop 2	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
10	Loop 2	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
11	Loop 2	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
12	Loop 2	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

To get there from Hwy 154: Armour Ranch Rd./ Happy Canyon Rd. 11 miles northeast to Cachuma Saddle, Sunset Valley Rd. 6 miles north.

34.77050, -119.93750 · 34°46'13.8"N 119°56'15.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 93°F in Aug, down to 67°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	67	68	71	76	80	86	92	93	91	84	75	67
Low °F	34	35	38	39	43	45	48	49	47	43	38	33
Precip in	4.9	5.3	3.6	1.3	0.5	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.8	1.2	3.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 13.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Nira Campground

Can you reserve a site at Nira Campground?: Yes, Nira Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Nira Campground have?: 12 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Nira Campground?: 24 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Nira Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Nira Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Nira Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Nira Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Nira Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Nira Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Concession-managed campground by the Parks Management Company for the Forest Service. $30/night, $10/extra vehicle fee per night. Interagency Senior and Acess Passes provide pass holders 50% off of camping fees - not valid for day use or extra vehicle parking fee. $10 parking fee per day at the Nira

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Nira Campground

Davy Brown Campground 1.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
MT. Figueroa Campground 3.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fremont Campground 17.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lower Manzana Trailhead 0.4 mi · Facility
Davy Brown Trailhead 1.3 mi · Facility
Munch Canyon Trailhead 1.3 mi · Facility
White Rock Trailhead 2.5 mi · Facility
McKinley Trailhead 3.2 mi · Facility
Figueroa OHV Recreation Area 3.2 mi · Facility
Cumbre Day Use 3.6 mi · Facility
La Jolla / Ballard Trailhead 4.3 mi · Facility
Santa Lucia Ranger District 7.7 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 805 434 1996
Book Recreation.gov

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

Nira Campground