5
Carson National Forest › Camino Real Ranger District › Utah
› Cache County
› Hyrum
› Santa Barbara Campground
› Campsite #5
Campsite #5 at Santa Barbara Campground, UT
$22
Campsite #5
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 40 ft | Pull-Through |
| 2 | no signal |
5/22
5/24
Campsite #5 Features: Drive-In access, Pull-Through parking, 40ft driveway, Fire ring, Picnic Table, RV Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (11)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 36% |
| 4 star | | 27% |
| 3 star | | 9% |
| 2 star | | 18% |
| 1 star | | 9% |
@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Aug 18, 2024 at Campsite #5
A very nice campground. Access to some gorgeous hikes. The Western fork trail is absolutely stunning. Cattle are grazed in the National Forest, so be aware that you will see them on the trail. Despite moving off the trail to skirt a group of cows, we and our dogs were pursued by two vocally angry bulls, which was nerve-wracking.The campground was nicely laid out, and there were sites available in mid-August.
@LukeH814ED2917 · Camped on May 20, 2024 at Campsite #5
It was a bit early in the season to go (May) and they were still preparing the campground with some heavy machinery. This did not lend to the experience I sought. Otherwise, an excellent campground.
@PaulM6940902 · Camped on Aug 29, 2022 at Campsite #5
This was a beautiful campground located about 3hours from our home. When we arrived in a rain storm at about 4pm we found someone in our reserved site. We could not locate the occupants who were probably tucked away inside from the rain so chose an alternative empty site. There was no campground host present to help with the situation. Had the campground been full we would have been out of luck. The people occupying our site left the next day. As we explored the campground, the non-present host had obviously left plastic bags with reservations on 3x5 cards and had relied on guests to go through the bags and find and remove their reservation so it was obvious for the next guest ( not a great system). Otherwise the campground was clean and quiet. It was also great that someone had com through on the morning we left to clear the road out of the campground after a tree had fallen across the road.
@WilliamSG491 · Camped on Aug 22, 2021 at Campsite #5
Santa Barbara campground is very beautiful. It's located at 9,000 ft. elevation, so bugs are few. The Santa Barbara river runs burbling down along one side of the campground. Three years ago we spent a pleasant few days there and hoped to repeat in 2021.
Unfortunately, this year the campground suffered some uninvited guests: A dozen or so cows were inside the campground fence when we arrived and stayed until midway through the last of our four days. They wandered around night and day, mooing and pooping all over the place. One young couple from Santa Fe camped next to us was cooking baked beans when a horned cow showed up, ran them back to their tent and ate their baked beans. Another New Mexican showed up the next day, and spent the night before moving on the next day because of the cows. The problem is that the fence surrounding the camp ground is not properly built to keep the cows out. The fence is the responsibility of the local cattlemen's association, which leases the forest for grazing. They erected the inadequate fence and the Forest Service cannot or will not make them erect a proper fence. So be forewarned, if you don't like cows trying to steal your supper and pooping all over the place, don't go to this campground.
Unfortunately, this year the campground suffered some uninvited guests: A dozen or so cows were inside the campground fence when we arrived and stayed until midway through the last of our four days. They wandered around night and day, mooing and pooping all over the place. One young couple from Santa Fe camped next to us was cooking baked beans when a horned cow showed up, ran them back to their tent and ate their baked beans. Another New Mexican showed up the next day, and spent the night before moving on the next day because of the cows. The problem is that the fence surrounding the camp ground is not properly built to keep the cows out. The fence is the responsibility of the local cattlemen's association, which leases the forest for grazing. They erected the inadequate fence and the Forest Service cannot or will not make them erect a proper fence. So be forewarned, if you don't like cows trying to steal your supper and pooping all over the place, don't go to this campground.
@KennethS368 · Camped on Jul 25, 2021 at Campsite #5
8900 feet. It doesn’t get much better than this. Nice temps in the day and chilly nights - 48 degrees. The roar of the river in the background. Lots of trees. Campgrounds nicely spaced. We took outr pop up patent trailer and had a great time. Lots of tall trees and good shade. We will go back.
@MichaelS717 · Camped on Jul 19, 2021 at Campsite #5
This is a beautiful, albeit busy campground. This river can be heard from most, if not all the spaces, which is especially nice during the evening when the campground quiets down. All of the back in sites are easily accessible, with wide driveways and fair spacing. Sites 7, 13, 14 and 20 are the best IMHO. The bathrooms were spotless, and the campground host visible and accommodating. The trails leaving the campground are all amazing hikes.
A couple of points: the last three miles of the road is horrific. Plan on going very slow, especially in a low clearance car or towing a trailer, if you don't want to risk damage to your vehicle. Let me say that again - the road is a deeply rutted, potholed mess.
Site 5 looks great on the map because its a pull through. It is barely that, but rather a turnout with a tree between the site and the road. The description says 100' driveway; barely 30' feet is actually level. The table and fire ring are down a fairly steep embankment. Probably one of the worst sites in the campground. If there's a designated tent area, it was so well camouflaged that we never found it. If you do stay in it, save yourself some trouble and drive the wrong way around the loop so the curb side is facing the correct direction when pulling into the site. Better yet, get a back in site. You'll thank me.
A couple of points: the last three miles of the road is horrific. Plan on going very slow, especially in a low clearance car or towing a trailer, if you don't want to risk damage to your vehicle. Let me say that again - the road is a deeply rutted, potholed mess.
Site 5 looks great on the map because its a pull through. It is barely that, but rather a turnout with a tree between the site and the road. The description says 100' driveway; barely 30' feet is actually level. The table and fire ring are down a fairly steep embankment. Probably one of the worst sites in the campground. If there's a designated tent area, it was so well camouflaged that we never found it. If you do stay in it, save yourself some trouble and drive the wrong way around the loop so the curb side is facing the correct direction when pulling into the site. Better yet, get a back in site. You'll thank me.
@JohnC276 · Camped on Jun 16, 2021 at Campsite #5
Santa Barbara is one of our favorite campgrounds. This year, the campground host was seen regularly keeping an eye on the campground conditions.
@CharmaineP316 · Camped on Aug 27, 2020 at Campsite #5
The pictures were deceiving. The lots were too close to people, there were people all around us. Did not like it there at all. Will not be returning.
@scottS986 · Camped on Aug 11, 2020 at Campsite #5
fantastic location. plus, there's that sugar nymph place.
@RonaldT646 · Camped on Jul 17, 2020 at Campsite #5
Location of this campground is ideal for hiking and backpacking, short or long hikes, fishing, birdwatching, just perfect entry into the amazing Pecos Wilderness. The only negatives for this campground are that it is small but people pack each campsite way over the number of cars and persons limits. It was a noisy crowded campground all weekend, during the daytime. At night people did seem to wrap up by 10pm but until them it was not to our liking in order to enjoy nature. Too many people, too many cars, too much noise including one camper with a huge old generator that ran all day long making our area sound like an airport runway.
Would we go back there.... heck, yes. The hiking was just too amazing and made up for the crowds.
Would we go back there.... heck, yes. The hiking was just too amazing and made up for the crowds.
@KatieD194 · Camped on Jun 18, 2020 at Campsite #5
We love this little campground! Cool and shady all season, it's a great place to get out of the summer heat. Excellent fly fishing, and your choice of hikes. It's well worth the trip back into Penasco to visit Sugar Nymphs for freshly made soups, sandwiches and amazing baked goodies.
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