For information on camping outside designated campgrounds, call the Los Prietos Ranger Station. Picnicking The Santa Ynez Recreation Area is a nice place to spend the day. It is adjacent to the Santa Ynez River, which is the largest stretch of free-flowing river accessible to the public in Southern California. All sites have tables, barbecues, and restrooms. Although overnight camping is not permitted in these picnic areas, there are four family campgrounds that are available for overnight use.
All sites have tables and restrooms, but none have drinking water.
Camping The nine developed family campgrounds in the Santa Barbara Ranger District are grouped in three general areas. The four high-service campgrounds in the Santa Ynez Recreation Area have trash bins, piped water, fire pits, toilets, and paved roads. There is a picnic table and a stove at every site, and some sites have extra-long parking spurs to accommodate trailers. Paradise Campground is on the National Reservation System so any of the 15 sites can be reserved. Upper Oso Campground has 5 sites with corrals available for reservation by equestrians only.