Gold Hill Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Highlights: Gold Hill Campground is a car camping destination on Piru Creek that offers a steep-walled granite gorge of interest to kayakers and rock climbers.

Directions: The drive takes about one hour from Bakersfield.

• Follow I-5 south to Gorman and take the exit for the Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area (ORV) onto Forest Service Road 8N01. Although there is supposed to be a fee to enter here, a ranger is seldom there to collect it.
• Continue south on 8N01, for about 5 miles, looking for signs saying "Gold Hill Campground" and "Piru Creek".
• Turn right (west) onto Forest Service Road 18N01, and continue another 5 miles, or so, on 18N01 to a junction.
• Turn right (west) and continue 1/4 mile to the campground.

Trailhead:

Maps: xx 7½ minute topographic quadrangle

Cautions:

Attractions: