Point Sal
Point Sal is a 77-acre promontory on the coast of northern Santa Barbara County near the north end of Vandenberg Air Force Base. It is a fragile area, with sandy soil and a unique blend of wildlife.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Outdoors
Hiking near Santa Maria
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Santa Maria, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Within 30 miles (2)
Navajo Flats Campground
Navajo Flat Campground, off-highway vehicle (OHV) Trailhead and day use area is an ideal location for OHV enthusiasts to enjoy the many trails in the surrounding area.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (19)
Saucito Ranch
The El Saucito Ranch house is the oldest standing house in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, dating back to circa 1878. This is the only ranch house in the monument to have been occupied from the pioneer period to modern day.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Painted Rock
The sandstone formation at Painted Rock has long drawn the attention of Carrizo Plain National Monument visitors. About 3,000 - 4,000 years ago, Native Americans began to paint their sacred images with the alcove of the rock.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Selby Campground
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis. Thirteen campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, horse corrals and a wheelchair accessible vault toilet. Electricity and drinking water is not available.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Soda Lake Boardwalk
A walk along the boardwalk offers solitude and beauty among the different plants. Even in summertime, the area has a special beauty with numerous white dust devils spinning across the dusty alkaline playas.
- Hiking
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Reservoir, formed by Bradbury Dam , offers a prime recreational opportunity for the south central coast area of California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
- Nature education
Cerro Alto Campground
Cerro Alto Campground is a well-known hiking and mountain biking paradise. It is located a short distance from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, where visitors enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water sports
KCL Campground
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis--we do not take reservations. The campground has 12 campsites, 3 with elevated tent pads. There is an accessible vault toilet, along with picnic tables and fire rings.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Wallace Creek
Here you are standing on the San Andreas Fault. At this location it runs northwest to southeast a the base of the hills.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Paradise Campground
Paradise Campground is a beautiful place to enjoy California's westernmost national forest. It provides access to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding and more.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Sage Hill
Nestled in the Santa Ynez Mountain Range, Sage Hill Campground is a great group camping spot with easy access to the Santa Ynez River.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Swimming
Van Matre Ranch
The Van Matre family owned several farm properties throughout the plain. This property, known to them as "The Camp" was orginally homesteaded by Jerry Hagerty in 1930.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Traver Ranch
The Traver Ranch was established in the 1940's when the family purchased approximately 800 acres and began building the large block house that still stands along the edge of Soda Lake Road.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Upper Oso Campground
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.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Swimming
Temblor Recreation Area
Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December 2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed forms of…
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Los Padres National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Lake Casitas
Lake Casitas is formed by Casitas Dam , which is a feature of the Ventura Project . Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers one of the nations best bass fishing areas.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources.
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Snorkeling
Stockdale Mountain
Private property surrounds Stockdale Mountain. Do not enter through private gates or fences.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Kern National Wildlife Refuge
For thousands of years, California's Central Valley has provided habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland dependent species.
- Hiking
- Hunting
75 miles and farther (2)
Curry Mountain
Parking access onto nearly 1,800 acres of Bureau of Land Management property in this area is provided through an easement from the California Department of Fish and Game.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Williams Hill
Located in southern Monterey County, and standing over 2,700 feet in elevation, Williams Hill offers great views of the surrounding Salinas Valley.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Santa Maria. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near Santa Maria
- Camping near Santa Maria
- Fishing near Santa Maria
- Boating and kayaking near Santa Maria
- Biking and mountain biking near Santa Maria
- Picnic spots near Santa Maria
- Horseback riding near Santa Maria
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Santa Maria
- Swimming holes and lakes near Santa Maria
- Parks in Santa Maria
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Santa Maria?
Point Sal (Bureau of Land Management), about 14 miles west of Santa Maria as the crow flies. Next are Navajo Flats Campground (30 mi) and Saucito Ranch (34 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Santa Maria?
Based on Santa Maria’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.