About this campground
Open in Spring/Summer/Fall and is within the Winter seasonal closure between November 1st and April 30th The Johnston Ridge Trailhead (elev. 4920 ft.) is located on the southeasterly end of Grade Valley Road (7N03) approximately 13 miles south of Lockwood Valley Road approximately one mile from Mutau Flats. There is a parking area with 5 parking spurs, with hitching rails for horses, and a vault toilet at the trailhead. The signed trail starts from the east side of the parking lot. There is no overnight camping allowed at the trailhead, but camping is permitted at Halfmoon and Thorn Meadows Campgrounds located along Grade Valley Road. This trailhead provides access to Stonehouse Trail (20W35), Little Mutau Trail (20W10), Sespe Hot Springs and Sespe Creek.
Activities
- HIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Cedar Creek / Fishbowl Loop - 22W10Los Padres National Forest3 mi
- Fishbowls Trailhead - 21W05Los Padres National Forest3 mi
- Little Mutau Trailhead 20W10Los Padres National Forest5 mi
- Goldhill Camping AreaLos Padres National Forest8 mi
- Ojai Ranger DistrictLos Padres National Forest8 mi
- Mt. Pinos Ranger DistrictLos Padres National Forest10 mi
Explore more California camping
Johnston Ridge Trailhead - 20W12 doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby California campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse California camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.