Haddock Campground

For Californians with a deep passion for true wilderness and backcountry exploration, Haddock Campground offers an unparalleled experience. This is not a typical drive-up campground with extensive amenities; instead, it's a remote and primitive camp situated deep within the Sespe Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest, near Maricopa. Haddock Campground is renowned among seasoned hikers and backpackers for its serene environment, challenging access, and breathtaking natural beauty. If you're seeking to disconnect from the modern world, immerse yourself in untouched landscapes, and truly test your outdoor skills, this destination is for you. Our goal with this article is to provide local Californians with a clear, engaging, and factual overview of Haddock Campground, detailing its unique location, the essential (and limited) services it provides, its distinctive features, and why it's a suitable choice for those desiring a rigorous and rewarding wilderness adventure.

Haddock Campground is located near Maricopa, CA 93252, USA, specifically within the remote reaches of the Sespe Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest. Its coordinates place it at a high elevation (around 6,094 feet or 1,857 meters), nestled amidst towering pine trees and distinctive white rock crags. This is a wilderness trail camp, meaning it is not accessible by vehicle directly to the campsite. The primary access is via hiking trails, most commonly the Piedra Blanca Trail (22WO3) originating from the Reyes Creek Trailhead. It can also be reached via Reyes Peak Trailhead or the Piedra Blanca Trailhead.

For Californians, reaching Haddock Campground involves a significant commitment to backcountry travel. From Los Angeles, the journey typically involves taking I-5 North towards Frazier Park Mountain Road, then connecting to Lockwood Valley Road, and finally turning onto Camp Scheideck Road which leads to Reyes Creek Campground, the trailhead for the Reyes Creek Trail. From Ojai, one would travel north on Highway 33 over the mountain to Lockwood Road, then turn right to access Camp Scheideck/Reyes Creek Campground. The trail to Haddock Camp from Reyes Creek is approximately 4.5 to 5 miles, described as a "steep hike" and "relentless" in some sections, indicating its challenging nature. This limited and demanding accessibility is precisely what preserves Haddock's "quiet" and untamed character, making it a true escape for those willing to earn their solitude in California's wilderness.

As a wilderness trail camp, Haddock Campground offers very primitive and limited services, focusing on providing a basic, leave-no-trace camping experience. Campers must be fully self-sufficient.

• Undeveloped Campsites: Haddock Camp provides informal camping areas within a natural setting. These are not designated, numbered sites with amenities but rather clearings or flat spots suitable for pitching a tent. Existing "large cut stumps" or "stoves" are noted, suggesting basic fire rings or remnants of previous use.
• Water Sources (Seasonal): There are water sources available at Haddock Camp, specifically Piedra Blanca Creek. However, it is crucial to note that these sources can be "seasonal" or "stagnant," particularly in drier months. Recent reports (e.g., April 2025, June 2024) indicate flowing water, but it's not potable and must be filtered or treated before consumption. Campers should always carry sufficient water or a reliable filtration system.
• No Hookups: There are absolutely no RV hookups (water, electric, sewer) at Haddock Campground. It is a tent-only backcountry camp.
• No Restroom Facilities: Campers should be prepared for wilderness sanitation practices, adhering to Leave No Trace principles regarding human waste. There are no flush toilets or vault toilets.
• Fire Rings (Conditional): While fire rings exist, open campfires are subject to strict regulations and seasonal fire restrictions by the Los Padres National Forest. Visitors must obtain a California Campfire Permit and check current fire conditions before igniting any fires, and often only gas/propane stoves are allowed during high fire danger.
• Pack It In, Pack It Out: Campers are responsible for packing out all trash and waste, leaving no trace behind. This includes any food scraps, toilet paper, and other refuse.

The features and highlights of Haddock Campground are deeply tied to its remote location and the authentic wilderness experience it provides.

• Profound Quiet and Seclusion: Haddock Campground is renowned for its exceptional tranquility. Being a backcountry site, it offers a truly quiet and peaceful atmosphere, far removed from urban noise and light pollution, perfect for deep relaxation and connecting with nature.
• Stunning Natural Surroundings: The camp is set amidst "towering pine trees" and surrounded by "white rock crags," offering a visually striking and rugged landscape. This natural beauty provides a picturesque backdrop for camping and exploration.
• Challenging Hiking and Backpacking: Access to Haddock Camp involves a significant hike, making it a rewarding destination for experienced hikers and backpackers. The trails leading to it, such as sections of the Piedra Blanca Trail, are described as "rocky, steep," and "relentless," offering a strenuous but fulfilling adventure.
• High Elevation Experience: Located at 6,094 feet, Haddock enjoys a distinct high-elevation climate, often experiencing snow in winter and early spring, and a "late spring season," providing different seasonal experiences compared to lower elevations.
• Stargazing Opportunities: Its remote location and high elevation contribute to exceptionally dark skies, making Haddock Campground an outstanding spot for stargazing and astronomical observation.
• Access to Sespe Wilderness: The campground serves as a gateway to the vast Sespe Wilderness, offering extensive opportunities for further exploration, including connecting to the Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail and other backcountry routes.
• Wildlife Viewing: The undisturbed wilderness environment increases the chances of encountering local wildlife, providing opportunities for nature observation.
• Primitive Camping Authenticity: For those seeking a truly rustic and self-reliant camping experience, Haddock Camp provides an authentic backcountry feel, challenging campers to fully engage with their environment.

Given Haddock Campground's remote and primitive nature as a wilderness trail camp, direct contact information like a dedicated phone number at the campsite itself is not available. This camp is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Los Padres National Forest.

Address: Maricopa, CA 93252, USA (This address serves as a general geographic reference for the area; specific access is via hiking trails.)

For up-to-date information regarding Haddock Campground, trail conditions, fire restrictions, water availability, and any required permits (like California Campfire Permits or wilderness permits if applicable), it is essential to contact the relevant Ranger District for the Los Padres National Forest. The Ojai Ranger District manages this specific area.

Ojai Ranger District Phone: (805) 646-4348

Ojai Ranger District Address: 1190 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023

Always check the Los Padres National Forest official website or call the Ranger District directly before planning your trip to Haddock Campground to ensure you have the most current and accurate information for a safe and enjoyable wilderness experience.

Haddock Campground is uniquely suited for locals across California who possess a genuine desire for an authentic, challenging, and profoundly quiet wilderness camping experience. This is not a destination for casual car camping; rather, it calls to those who are prepared for a rigorous backpacking journey into the heart of the Sespe Wilderness. Its remote location ensures an unmatched level of peace and solitude, offering a powerful escape from the constant noise and digital distractions of urban life. For Californians seeking to truly disconnect and test their self-reliance in nature, Haddock Camp provides that raw, unfiltered opportunity.

The challenging hikes required to reach the campground, characterized by steep and rocky terrain, make it an ideal objective for experienced hikers and backpackers looking to push their limits and be rewarded with stunning, panoramic views from high elevations. The promise of clear, dark night skies for stargazing is another significant draw, offering a celestial spectacle rarely visible in populated areas. While basic amenities are non-existent, this contributes to the true wilderness feel, encouraging a deeper appreciation for minimal impact camping and environmental preservation.

For the adventurous Californian yearning for an untouched natural sanctuary, where the only sounds are those of the wind through towering pines and the occasional wildlife, Haddock Campground offers an unforgettable and deeply rewarding backcountry adventure. It's a place to rekindle your spirit of exploration and connect with the rugged beauty that defines much of California's protected wilderness.

Haddock Campground

Maricopa, CA 93252, USA