3 Forests to Explore in Ventura County

Checkout places to visit in Ventura County

Ventura County

Historically inhabited by the Chumash people, with their presence dating back 10,000-12,000 years. Known for their rock paintings and for their great basketry, the Chumash were hunter-gatherers, fishermen, and also traders with the Mojave, Yokuts, and Tongva Indians.

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Forests to Explore in Ventura County

Chumash Wilderness

A 38,150 acres of Wilderness is situated in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District and is also near the town of Frazier Park. It includes Mt. Pinos which was an integral part of Chumash life and is still extremely important to the local Chumash residents. The vegetation is mainly pine forests in the northern portion and a combination of badlands and chaparral in the south. Hiking and camping are among the many recreational opportunities. Snow in the winter provides opportunities for winter recreation.

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest is a United States national forest in southern and central California. The forest is approximately 1,950,000 acres in area, of which 1,762,400 acres or about 88% are public lands; the rest are privately owned inholdings.This is a very popular area for hiking, with 323 miles (520 km) of hiking trails and 11 campgrounds.

Sespe River Trail

A 9 mile round-trip hike along the Sespe Creek to a shaded riverside campground. The Trail starts at the end of a long, paved mountain road in clear sight of the impressive Piedra Blanca sandstone formation to the north. A National Recreation Trail splits north here and heads through the formation and into some deep canyons, but our trail followed the lowered but still flowing Sespe Creek into a nearly-shadeless chaparral brushland.

Map of Forests to explore in Ventura County