Description

All areas outside the dayuse or campground are OPEN. This includes the Gorge, The Lake and up River from the West end of the dayuse area. This campground is nestled into the hillside, having lots of shrubbery and many large oak trees. Its elevation is 900 ft. in the Los Padres Forest.

You will see many species of wild life; deer, wild turkey, foxes, raccoons and squirrels. There are many wild birds in the area such as humming birds, quail, doves, blue jays, woodpeckers, roadrunners plus butterflies and lots more.

At the entrance gate, a splash of color greets you with lilies and petunias when you arrive. In the spring and fall, the leaves change to all the beautiful shades of green, red, yellow, and orange making a pictorial scene. In the spring, Lupines bloom all around - quite a pretty site.

The day-use area has a river with rocky beaches, a picnic area with flush toilets, and water hydrants throughout. The parking lot is paved with many designated parking spaces and some being handicap accessible. There is a lot of large old oak trees and shade covers where there are no trees.

The Ventana wilderness, which we also call the "Gorge", is available for hiking, backpacking, bicycling, hunting and horse back riding. No motorized vehicles are allowed beyond the gated road and parking lot. There are no designated camping areas up the trails, but the trails are maintained by the forest service. Bring lots of water and be sure to pack out what you take in.

Arroyo Seco offers both modern and primitive sites, and both single and double sites. There are water hydrants throughout the grounds close to all sites, but there are no water, sewer or electrical hookups. RVs are welcome and the sites are level and large enough to accommodate all sizes of RVs. There is no dump station. All roads are paved and each site has a picnic table and pedestal BBQ. In the modern camping area there are very nice modern coin operated showers and flush toilets, that are handicap accessible.

The primitive campground has pit toilets, water hydrants, shade trees and a lot of vegetation. These campgrounds also have picnic tables, at every site (double sites have 2 tables) The sites are not as level, but the roads are paved.

There is a group site that can be reserved that will accommodate 50 people maximum and 10 vehicles, all extra vehicles above 10 are $5.00 each to be paid on arrival. This area has pit toilets, and a water hydrant to fill buckets with for use at site. There are tables, to accommodate family and group gatherings.

There is fishing in the lake for bass and catfish. A fishing license is required if you are over 16 years of age.