Campsite for booking · Mission Canyon

Upper Oso Campground

via Recreation.gov Santa Barbara, CA, Mission Canyon, California, United States

Overview

Pitches
19
Pitch types
caravan, motorhome, tent
Season
Not stated: check on Recreation.gov
Check-in / out
15:00 / 12:00

Facilities

  • Dogs allowedListed by Recreation.gov
  • Hardstanding pitchesListed by Recreation.gov

Policies

PetsYes
SmokingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
Instant bookingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
CancellationNot stated: check on Recreation.gov

About this campsite

Overview

Upper Oso Campground provides ample opportunity for exploration of California's coastal mountains. It is a family-friendly campground, equipped with equestrian sites, and is close to a variety of trails and several mountain streams. Recreation

A variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails begin in and around the campground, including the Santa Cruz Trail, which traverses 18 miles north to the San Rafael Wilderness. The 2.5-mile Aliso National Recreation Trail leads through scenic areas to a group campsite.

Off-road vehicle enthusiasts enjoy the Camuesa OHV Route, which loops about 10 miles through the surrounding forest.

Fishing and swimming are available at nearby White Rock Day-Use Area, less than two miles from the campground. The Santa Ynez River is stocked with trout in the springtime.

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, a no-body-contact reservoir, is about 10 miles northwest of the campground. It offers boating, fishing and kayaking. Anglers will find an abundance of annually stocked trout. Carp and bass are also common catches there. Facilities

The campground is open year-round and offers around two dozen sites tent or RV camping. About 10 sites are outfitted with horse corrals and extra long, paved parking spurs. Some additional sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each site is equipped with a table, campfire ring with grill and a pedestal grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided throughout the campground. Firewood is available for purchase from the on-site campground host. Natural Features

The campground is located in the lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area, not far from Santa Barbara. The campground has large sites scattered among plentiful oak trees that provide pleasant shade. It is situated alongside a seasonal creek, at an elevation of 1,040 feet. Nearby Attractions

The campground is located about 25 miles north of the city of Santa Barbara.

Fees: All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people.) Maximum number of vehicles per single site is 2 ($10.00 additional charge for 2nd vehicle per night). Extra vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility.

Managed by a US federal agency. Data source: ridb.recreation.gov.

Description supplied by Recreation.gov.

Where you can stay nearby

Campsites, aires and parking within 30 km, from OpenStreetMap.

  1. 19 Oaks Camp
    Campground · Santa Barbara, California
    1.9 km from the pick-up area
  2. Hidden Potrero Camp
    Campground · Santa Barbara, California
    2.0 km from the pick-up area
  3. Los Prietos Boys Camp
    Campground · Goleta, California
    2.6 km from the pick-up area
  4. Sage Hill Campground
    Campground · Goleta, California
    3.4 km from the pick-up area
  5. Los Prietos Campground
    Campground · Goleta, California
    4.7 km from the pick-up area

Nearest dump station and water

  1. Thousand Trails
    RV dump station · Goleta, California · PaidWaste
    2.3 km from the pick-up area
  2. Water point near Santa Barbara
    Water fill station · Santa Barbara, CaliforniaWater
    14 km from the pick-up area
Pick-up10 kmPlot of OpenStreetMap data
Map of 6 places to stay near Upper Oso Campground. CampsiteFull map

Similar campsites nearby

Sage Hill

Santa Barbara, CA, California · 3.9 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

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  • Dogs allowed
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Los Prietos

Santa Barbara, CA, California · 5.3 km away

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Paradise Campground

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Fremont Campground

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Data: Recreation.gov (RIDB), from ridb.recreation.gov, last updated 13 October 2026. Federal agencies provide this data and are responsible for it; it may be incomplete. Not endorsed by Recreation.gov or the U.S. Government. About this data. Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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