Cuyama Badlands

99%

1965 reviews

· Cuyama, Santa Barbara, California

164 acres hosted by Songdog Ranch J.

3 lodging sites · 14 RV/tent sites · 2 RV sites · 2 tent sites

Great for groups

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for larger groups.

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Family-friendly

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.

Best in California: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

If you've ever wondered what it might be like to camp on the moon, this is it. Completely removed from civilization and surrounded by a barren nature that is alive with the subtle presence of the universe. Seasonally, Spring wildflowers burst across the landscape. Cave paintings of Chumash Indians at Painted Rock remind us of those who lived before us. **Read on for more details.** Our Carrizo Camp is surrounded by the Carrizo Plains National Monument. This is truly a get away from it all camping. That's it. You, the coyotes and your own private moon. Our Songdog Camps are sparsely scattered atop a 200 foot mesa that looks west over a valley offering stunning desert sunsets and amazing stargazing. These UPPER SITES are NOT OHV friendly, but any of our canyon bottom sites are a great base for your riding adventures up in Ballinger Canyon OHV. We'll be happy to recommend a site for you. This is our home but we love to share our life in the outback. We believe it will give you a better appreciation of life's simpler side. Our offerings include fresh air and sunshine, amazing night sky, endless views, and plenty of space and privacy to enjoy your moments in nature. You'll find our amenities and activities puposefully sparse here. Upon booking, there are about 5 miles of dirt road on the property that you are welcome to explore on foot or by bicycle. Rustic is the theme here. There is no shower, no wifi, and no electricity available, but you will enjoy your own private spigot and the cellular service is acceptable. Within a short drive, you'll find plenty of hiking/biking and adventuring, and if you enjoy exploring by car, definitely take a loop drive through Carizzo Plains National Monument, or Mount Pinos and Lockwood Valley. Enjoy a beautiful dinner at the Cuyama Buckhorn and take in the view of the Caliente mountain range. For any sites located south of Ballinger Wash, your vehicle length is limited to 22' and no more than 4' overhang from the rear axle, so you don't get stuck in the crossing and block access for others. Towing services are 1-3 hours away. The AllTrails app will give a pretty good birds eye view of hiking in the area. Our friendly cancellation policies vary between 24 hours for simple campsites and 72 hours for our Glamp sites and Group sites. We do offer a buyout opportunity for the mesa, however the cancellation policy for that much stricter at 50% refund up until 1 week before check-in time. Be sure to check the Google for distance to Cuyama Valley, and your dates for availability and site descriptions. Upon booking, you can look forward to an information packed email to help you make the very best of your trip! We look forward to seeing you! *This land was sparsely populated by the Chumash Indian and is evident by the numerous cave painting that remain here near the Caliente mountain. In the era of the California Missions, this land was a part of the Spanish land grants. Currently the property is privately owned and is adjacent to large sections of publicly held lands.

Activities

Biking

Hiking

Horseback riding

Off-roading (OHV)

Natural features

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Desert

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Reviews

99% Recommend4242 ratings · 1965 reviews

Hope H.

19 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Great Camp in a Great Location

Tent ·

Grand View

This is my favorite HipCamp so far. To be able to stay on gorgeous acreage like this is privilege. I am thankful for hosts who open up their land like this. Not only is it beautiful land, but the campsites were very thoughtfully created and are very well maintained. I took a long walk this morning and saw lots of birds and cottontails and so many gorgeous vistas. So peaceful. I hope to be back this fall for a longer stay. Hwy 33 south from this camp is Jacinto Reyes Scenic Drive if you enjoy winding mountain roads!

Cyril P.

1 review

Recommends

· March 2025

Tent ·

Grand View

It was great! Nice view, peaceful, lots of space between sites

Katherine K.

3 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Tent · Group trip ·

Draw Camp in the Far West

This is a very cool location with a great view! We would recommend arriving when the sun is up though.

Charlie G.

10 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2025

Tent · Group trip ·

Draw Camp in the Far West

Draw Camp has great views, plenty of space for our group of 4, and is great for star gazing. It was a little tricky to find the exact site at night, but it wasn’t long before we did.

Micah R.

2 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· February 2025

The best campsite 2hrs from LA

Glamp Tank site

This was my first HipCamp as a lifelong camper, I’ll never go back to regular camping. Having this much space to yourself is such an awesome feeling instead of being cramped up to people. The glamp tank was perfect for my nephews first camping trip at 5 years old. We were warm and cozy bringing our own Coleman fleece sleeping bags with their provided buddy heater at night. 360 degrees you can’t see a neighbor. The hosts are above and beyond amazing, kind, and thoughtful. We toured the land and even all of the regular campsites are super spaced out. Great little camp store with most essentials and merch if you forget anything and you can Venmo. Will definitely come back again and no one should hesitate to book any site here will have wayyy more privacy than a regular campground. The pit toilets were great and didn’t smell at all. Perfect spot.

Jasmine Y.

1 month on Hipcamp

Recommends

· February 2025

Tent · Group trip ·

Site 2 - Songdog East Campsites.

Great spot to get away for a couple of days. Not much around but it’s quiet and peaceful, and also the perfect spot for stargazing! The hosts were extremely welcoming and even had a little shop to buy any camping essentials including smores kits! We definitely enjoyed our stay.

Location

Cuyama, Santa Barbara, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Chumash, Salinan, and Kuyam First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking