HomeOutdoor7 Spots that Will not Break the Financial institution

7 Spots that Will not Break the Financial institution


This text about free tenting Santa Barbara is dropped at you by Banner & Oak. Their hats will hold you shaded at these sunny southern California campgrounds.


Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara affords the proper mixture of journey actions for out of doors fans. Whether or not you’d quite hit the seaside along with your surfboard or trek by way of some beautiful wilderness trails on foot, this area of California has all of it.

The very best half is you’ll be able to take pleasure in all Santa Barbara and surrounding areas have to supply with out breaking the financial institution. Try these 7 lovely websites without cost tenting in Santa Barbara.

poodle looking at sushi on a table

Picture from The Dyrt camper MementoMori C.

In case you’re on the lookout for a free tenting spot in your strategy to or from Santa Barbara, Arroyo Hondo Vista Level is the proper location for an in a single day cease that gained’t minimize into your street journey’s finances.

You’re restricted to a single evening keep attributable to an 8-hour parking restrict, however you’ll take pleasure in entry to the water since this spot is true on the coast. It is a nice possibility for van lifers on the lookout for a short tenting break with lovely views and cell reception. There aren’t any facilities, so that you’ll must be self-contained to take pleasure in Arroyo Hondo Vista Level.

“Straightforward to seek out, proper on the freeway one, another campers had been there. It’s not a spot to remain for too lengthy, however for spending one evening it’s excellent, we stayed for about 12 hours.”Hannah.

Campground Particulars:

  • Value: Free
  • Variety of websites: Casual (no set variety of websites)
  • RV websites: Sure
  • Fires allowed: No
  • Pets allowed: Sure

RV parked at campsite

Picture from The Dyrt camper Raf A.

Simply over a half-hour drive from Santa Barbara, Lake Casitas Recreation Space is a shocking location without cost tenting. They’ve numerous websites to accommodate tent campers or these touring in RVs. The largest draw for this dispersed tenting web site is the whole immersion in nature, only a stone’s throw away from a bustling metropolis. Some websites are positioned proper on the water, whereas others are tucked amongst the bushes.

In case you’re staying for a number of days, you may make use of a fenced, dry storage facility for kayaks and canoes. Facilities are minimal, and the websites are first-come, first-serve. Campers can have entry to Wi-Fi, and water faucets are positioned all through the campsite. Needless to say not all campsites at Lake Casitas are dispersed, free tenting websites.

“Certainly one of our first tenting journeys was to Lake Casitas recreation space. We had been in a position to again as much as the lake and actually fish off our rear bumper. I might suggest this place, and it’s best to add it to your record.”Clete B.

Campground Particulars:

  • Value: Free
  • Variety of websites: 400+
  • RV websites: Sure
  • Fires allowed: Sure
  • Pets allowed: Sure

Need an journey of your personal? Discover free tenting close to you

Do you know that the majority states within the US have free tenting? 

Though, a few of it’s not-so-great and will be laborious to seek out.

There may be a neater means:

  • Hand-picked free campsites 
  • Pre-saved to your cellphone
  • The very best in all 50 states

It’s the one hand-picked record of 5,000 free tenting places that you can find anyplace. 

It comes with a bunch of different options like last-minute tenting texts, offline maps, and so on.

You may test it out without cost immediately by beginning a free 7-day trial. After the 7-day trial, the membership is simply $35.99 for a full 12 months of entry — properly price it in case you camp greater than 2 occasions per 12 months.


van parked in trees at sunset

Picture from The Dyrt camper MementoMori C.

Figueroa Campground is positioned within the Los Padres Nationwide Forest close to Santa Barbara, making this the proper wilderness getaway inside an hour of town. Whereas this campground does have some paid websites, it additionally affords dispersed tenting for these trying to expertise the good outside on a finances. Facilities are extraordinarily restricted, with no water or electrical hookups for RVs, although a sanitary dump is offered.

Pets are welcome, and fires are allowed, permitted you employ native firewood to keep away from bringing invasive species to the realm.

“This campsite with its attractive Manzanita Timber and forestry landscapes left us feeling at peace with nature. It was quiet and felt like we had been 1,000,000 miles from house (we stay 2 hrs away). I extremely suggest this web site, and the hosts are fabulous.”Allison A.

Campground Particulars:

  • Value: Free
  • Variety of websites: 33
  • RV websites: Sure
  • Fires allowed: Sure
  • Pets allowed: Sure

tent dishelved by wind

Picture from The Dyrt camper robherr

The truth is that free tenting in Santa Barbara is proscribed, however in case you’re prepared to enterprise an hour and a half away from town, you’ll be able to take pleasure in a broad vary of dispersed tenting choices, together with the Chorma Camp in Matilija Wilderness.

For the adventurous backpacker, these dispersed tenting spots deep within the Los Padres Nationwide Forest are accessible by mountaineering path and provide a possibility to be absolutely surrounded by untouched nature. With no facilities onsite, you’ll should be okay with “roughing it” to reap the advantages of free tenting at this location.

“There aren’t any facilities at any of the campsites on this space, they’re all primitive dispersed camp areas.”robherr.

Campground Particulars:

  • Value: Free
  • Variety of websites: Unknown
  • RV websites: No
  • Fires allowed: No
  • Pets allowed: Sure

rocks and mountains at sunset

Picture from The Dyrt camper Stephanie W.

Simply over an hour from Santa Barbara, Murietta Campground is one in all 4 undeveloped, primitive dispersed campgrounds alongside the Matilija Creek Higher North Fork. Websites are solely for tent tenting with no entry for RVs or different automobiles. It is a incredible expertise for the adventurous hiker who doesn’t thoughts a scarcity of facilities in change for beautiful views and no charges.

“We occurred upon this campsite late at evening, however the views the following morning had been beautiful, want we may have stayed longer. There have been bogs however didn’t see showers.”Stephanie W.

Campground Particulars:

  • Value: Free
  • Variety of websites: 3
  • RV websites: No
  • Fires allowed: No
  • Pets allowed: Sure

3 men on the peak of mount pinos

Picture from The Dyrt camper John B.

In case you’re prepared to drive additional away from Santa Barbara, Chula Vista Campground at Mount Pinos affords beautiful views, epic mountaineering trails, and an out of doors expertise distinctive from the remainder of the area. Situated at Mount Pinos, hikers who desire a difficult trek will love the excessive altitude and cooler temperatures this campsite affords.

Mount Pinos is the tallest level in Ventura County, with its summit elevation measuring 8,848 toes. Chula Vista Campground is the proper basecamp for exploring this space and scaling a mountain in California. Although it’s a 2-hour drive from Santa Barbara’s metropolis middle, it is a free tenting expertise you’ll be able to’t get anyplace else within the area. Spots are first-come, first-serve, and whereas facilities are restricted, there are bogs onsite.

“Like it that it’s a stroll in campground so no automobiles or RVs. Numerous mountaineering trails close by. It’s loads cooler up right here, so it’s a pleasant strategy to get away from the summer season warmth. Superior space for stargazing.”Antonio C.

Campground Particulars:

  • Value: Free
  • Variety of websites: 12
  • RV websites: No
  • Fires allowed: No
  • Pets allowed: Sure

grass field at sunset

Picture from The Dyrt camper Tommy B.

KCL Campground is positioned a two and half hour drive outdoors Santa Barbara’s downtown core and affords scenic views of distant mountains on BLM land. To reap the benefits of one of the best free tenting in Santa Barbara, chances are you’ll must journey a bit farther outdoors town than you’d for paid tenting, however the financial savings and views are properly price it.

This campground affords 12 websites, 2 of that are ADA accessible. There are restricted facilities with no electrical energy, water, or rubbish disposal service, however campers can take pleasure in fireplace pits, picnic tables, and even horse corales.

Hikers and horseback riders alike will love the views, trails, and huge open areas for strolling or using. From KCL Campground, you’re only a 20-minute drive away from the Carrizo Plain Nationwide Monument, marking the biggest single native grassland that also stays in California.

“Good spot to chill out. There are some good mountaineering choices, as properly.”Tommy B.

Campground Particulars:

  • Value: Free
  • Variety of websites: 12
  • RV websites: Sure
  • Fires allowed: Sure
  • Pets allowed: Sure

It may be difficult to find spots without cost tenting in Santa Barbara, however with this record of seven unbelievable websites within the space, you’ll be able to discover extra of California’s wilderness with out going broke. Free tenting is only a style of what Santa Barbara has to supply out of doors fans. For extra concepts on the place to camp in Santa Barbara, discover The Dyrt’s full record.


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