A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service campground

White Oaks Campground

Forest Service campground in Los Padres National Forest, Monterey County, California. 4,011 feet. 14.4 miles from Gonzales.

Managed by
Forest Service Los Padres National Forest
Elevation
4,011 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
8 8 standard non-electric
Longest rig
30 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Amid a grove of towering trees, eight campsites create a loop within White Oaks Campground, just off Tassajara Road. In the center of this loop, an enormous berry bush, shrubbery and trees reach up to the sky, creating the visual heart of this intimate setting. Red-tail deer and small animals can be seen eating berries around the middle of the campground, giving campers a memorable sight to see. Each campsite is shaded by the natural growth of the oak and pine trees, creating a sequestered and private atmosphere.

Recreation

The White Oaks Campground is 2.7 miles from the Pine Ridge Trailhead. From the campground, follow the dirt road you drove in onward to China Camp. You are under the coverage of enormous pine trees and shady oaks with a view of hills as far as the eye can see. The Santa Lucia mountain range spreads out as valleys and hilltops that you never get tired of looking at. Once you reach the trailhead, you have 23 miles of trail to explore.

Facilities

Open daily, year-round. There are eight campsites located around a loop in the middle of the facility. While these campsites are mostly enjoyed by tent campers, RVs of 20 ft. or shorter could navigate into a campsite here as well. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings. Pets are allowed. Two vault toilets are located near the campsites. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water onsite. The campsites all have a good amount of space from one another and allow you to have the much-desired privacy and intimacy you want in a camping experience.

Natural Features

A wide variety of shrubbery and trees decorate this beautiful area. The Santa Lucia mountain range graces you with wondrous shades of green, orange and yellow. Canyons and valleys burst with color and the oak woodlands provide important scenic landscapes and wildlife habitats. More than 90 species of birds can be found in this bird watcher's paradise. Deer, bobcats and small animals of all kinds can be seen regularly in this area. Whether they are just passing by or looking for some food to nibble on, they provide an unforgettable experience that can only come from the outdoors.

Nearby Attractions

Hiking trails and mountain biking within 30 minutes. Day trips to the higher elevation and lengthy trails are about 2.7 miles from the campground.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • hiking
  • wildlife viewing

The land around White Oaks Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.