DISCOVER
24 TRAILHEADS
LOS PADRES FOREST
WALK. HIKE. RIDE.
If you love to hike and take nature walks, Pine Mountain Club is the perfect place to live and visit.
In addition to the trailheads that connect to Pine Mountain Club's residential streets—such as the Enchanted Forest Trail, Woodland Waterfall Trail, and San Emigdio Trail—the surrounding Los Padres National Forest offers 24 maintained hiking trails covering 1,257 miles. These trails run through some of the most beautiful, primitive, and protected wilderness areas in the country.
Whether you're visiting Pine Mountain Club for a day hike, bike ride, or an escape back to nature, you can stay as long as you wish. Pine Mountain Club offers all the essentials you need for a longer stay, including lodging, gas, food, stores, and more—making it the ideal place to start and end a day of hiking and exploring.
From dense, primitive mixed-conifer forests to the badland areas of the Chumash Indian wilderness, here is the information you need to explore and enjoy 24 incredible hiking trails just minutes from Pine Mountain Club.
Spectacular views of the surrounding environment are awarded the hardy outdoor enthusiast. On this trail, steep canyons, dense stands of big cone Douglas fir and rugged peaks await the visitor. Water is available from the creek (purify). Nearest supplies are at Gorman, approximately 16 miles.
The Buck Creek Trailhead is located at the southern end of the Hard Luck Campground (which is currently Closed) and Forest Service Rd. 8N24. Parking at the Trailhead is located 3.0 miles away at the locked gate off of Los Alamos Road, located adjacent to the southern portion of Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area.
Jeffrey Pine shaded camp, Recreational Vehicles up to 30 feet. There are 17 campsites. 6-8 people allowed per site. 2-3 small tents. Access to the Vincent Tumameit Trailhead. Beautiful scenic views. Picnic tables, fire rings if you plan to stay.
This is a loop trail in the Sespe Wilderness. Two trailheads exist for this loop. The first trailhead is located right off the Grade Valley Road (FS 7N03) approximately five miles south of Lockwood Valley Road.
This trailhead is located at the end of Mt. Pinos Road at an elevation of 8,360 ft. The trailhead provides non-vehicle access to the Mt Pinos Summit Botanical Area, Mt Pinos Condor Observation Site, the Chumash Wilderness, and the East end of the Tumamait Trail (21W03).
Chumash Wilderness 38,150 acres was established 1992 by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act. The Chumash Wilderness is situated in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District and is also near the town of Pine Mountain Club.
The Deal Trail is a little over 6 miles and easy to follow and heads into the Dick Smith Wilderness area of Ventura County. You'll find the Trailhead starts at Highway 33 and ends at the Rancho Nuevo Trail – 24W03.
The East Tumamait Trailhead (elev. 8800 ft.) is located on the top of Mt. Pinos at the west end of Forest Service Road 9N24. Public vehicle access is prohibited over this road. Trailhead parking is located 2.0 miles away to the east at the Chula Vista paved parking lot at the end of Mt. Pinos Road.
The Fishbowls Trail is a scenic 6 mile trail in the Sespe Wilderness in Ventura County County. The trailhead is located off Grade Valley Road (Mutau OHV Road (7N03.2). The trail connects the Grade Valley Road (Mutau OHV Road (7N03.2) to the Cedar Creek Trail (21W10).
The Frazier Mountain Trailhead (elev. 5400 ft.) is located on the west side of Frazier Mountain Road (8N04) approximately ¾ mile south of Lockwood Valley Road and Forest Service Chuchupate Ranger Station.
Start from the Reyes Creek Trailhead (elev. 4000 ft., with paved parking, vault toilet and small pipe corral) at the end of Forest Service Rd. 7N11 (Camp Scheideck Rd.). The trail ascends an unnamed drainage for 2.5 miles through oak and chaparral until reaching a saddle and then descending 0.5 miles towards Reyes Creek and Upper Reyes camp (elev. 4675 ft.).
The Johnston Ridge Trailhead (elev. 4920 ft.) is located on the southeasterly end of Grade Valley Road (7N03) approximately 13 miles south of Lockwood Valley Road approximately one mile from Mutau Flats.
The Little Mutau Trailhead (elev. 6800 ft.) is located south of Alamo Mountain Loop Road 8N01 on Sewart Mountain Forest Development Road 6N10. There is a dirt parking lot and a vault toilet at the trailhead.
This easy interpretive trail starts across from the restrooms near Group Site 1 in McGill Campground. The trail is paved and 48" wide, allowing accessibility for all. The trail is 0.35 of a mile in length for a round trip of less than ¾ of a mile.
Along this trail, wide vistas are available of Cuddy Valley to the east, and over the San Emidgio Mountains to the north down into the San Joaquin Valley. On a clear day, views of the Tehachapi Mountains can also be seen to the northeast.
Jeffrey Pine shaded camp, Recreational Vehicles up to 26 feet. Beautiful scenic views. Picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets. No water. There are 19 campsites.
This trail is located near the Ozena Fire Station just off of State Highway 33. The trail travels southward to Pine Mountain with a short Spur trail to McGuire Spring.
Rancho Nuevo Camp is a small camp just above a narrows along the Rancho Nuevo Trail. Water in this part of the Dick Smith Wilderness is very seasonal. Don't expect to find good water during the Summer and early Fall months.
Oak and cottonwood shaded streamside camp, Recreational Vehicles up to 22 feet. There are 26 campsites.
The Reyes Creek Campground is no longer an Adventure Pass campground. This site is managed by the Parks Management for the Forest Service.
This picturesque trail is located adjacent to the Sespe Wilderness and follows along Mutau Creek. Access to this trail can be gained by taking the Piru Creek Trail east from Halfmoon Campground, or by taking the Johnston Ridge trail out of Mutau Flat.
Thorn Camp was established in 1961. At the camp there are 3 camp sites with tables and stove, one is across the creek. No water or toilets available. There is a public horse corral. The camp and meadow are located at the start of the steep horse Trail 21 W07 which leads from the end of the right fork of Grade Valley Road. The trails goes up the north tee of the mountain to reach the abandoned Thorn Lookout. The Trail distance is about 3.5 miles.
The Thorn Point trail has interesting rock formations, large pine trees, and views in all directions, the trail is good shape and easy to follow. You'll find a Lookout tower that offers 360 views that are spectacular and best seen in early hours of the morning or at sunset.
From Deal Junction travel trail 24W03 for 5 miles to Upper Rancho Nuevo Camp. This camp is surrounded by pinyon pine, yucca and chaparral in a beautiful secluded canyon. This is a wilderness camp and there are no facilities located at this camp.
The West Tumamait Trailhead (elev. 8080 ft.) is located along Cerro Noroeste Road near the summit of Cerro Noroeste east of Camp Alto Campground. Trailhead parking is along the shoulder of the road.
24 AREA TRAILHEADS
SAFETY
SAFETY TIPS
The best way to enjoy your time hiking and exploring trails in the surrounding Los Padres National Forest is to be well-prepared and prioritize safety. Before heading out on any hiking trail, whether you're going solo or with others, it's essential to let someone know your planned route and estimated return time.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the safety guidelines and tips provided by the National Forest Service to ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure. Always be ready for a range of conditions and events that could arise while hiking in the forest and wildlands.
For more detailed safety information, including tips on what to bring, potential hazards, and more, visit the Los Padres National Forest website:
California State Parks developed a partnership with innovative location technology, what3words. What3words provides dispatchers with state-of-the-art technology to assist visitors to California State Parks in the event they become lost, stranded or who otherwise may need help from emergency services. Visit the California State Park website to learn more about What3Words and how it can benefit you if you get lost or need help.
The What3Words app is FREE and available in many languages to download for both Android and iOS devices.
PRESERVING THE BEAUTY
OF OUR TRAILS
Our trails are not just paths through the forest; they are gateways to nature's wonders, offering breathtaking views and a sense of peace that is hard to find elsewhere.
To keep this experience pure for everyone, we ask that you take a moment to enjoy the beauty around you and leave nothing behind but footprints. Please be mindful of litter, whether it's a water bottle, snack wrapper, or anything else.
By keeping our trails clean, we ensure they stay as pristine and enjoyable for future hikers like you as they are today. Let's all do our part to keep Loa Padres Forest trails as stunning as they are for years to come.
Thank you!