There are also several hiking trails available at the lake for additional exploring, the most notable of which is the Sweetwater Trail which follows the southern shore from Harvey’s Cove, near the Nature Center, to Bradbury Dam at the western end of the lake, about 6.5 miles roundtrip. Park Features: DIRECTIONS. No fee or permit is required to hike Tequepis Trail, so get out and enjoy. It was 103, after all, and I was doing a heat acclimation hike in preparation for an upcoming visit to the Grand Canyon. Tent, yurt, and RV camping, naturalist-guided lake cruises, some of the best fishing to be found in the region, boating, hiking, picnicking, and more. Ask the park ranger for the info on the trail hikes. Panorama of Lake Cachuma My last stop was Lizard’s Mouth, which is nearly four miles up narrow West Camino Cielo. Sometimes drunk teenagers dive from the 40 foot cliffs into the narrow pool … Gotta hike up (on foot) to see the views! Sweetwater Trail is the main hiking trail at the lake, stretching from the southwest corner of the recreation area to the Bradbury Dam Vista Point, about 2.5 miles away. If you internet search “Cachuma Hiking & Trails” you will get descriptions of the trails. Lake Cachuma: Bradbury Dam - Lake Cachuma vista point - See 222 traveler reviews, 144 candid photos, and great deals for Santa Barbara, CA, at Tripadvisor. Oak Canyon Trail, a nature trail, extends 0.75 mile from the Nature Center to the Sweetwater Trail. The Area offers a multitude of activity options, plus the option of doing nothing at all. 197,380 acres Central Coast Foothills Los Padres National Forest. Enjoy the hike back down. Once she finally noticed me she just sat and watched From Highway 101 in Santa Barbara, exit on Highway 154 and drive 20 miles to the lake. A map of the trails is available at the park entrance. Support Santa Barbara County Parks by purchasing an Annual Pass, which makes a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for the angler in your family. By an edhat reader I was hiking on the Sweetwater trail yesterday when I encountered a lazy mountain lion, lolling in the shade and looking out over Lake Cachuma. To get to the trailhead: From Santa Barbara, take the 154 north toward Lake Cachuma. Cachuma Lake is a visible reminder of California’s severe drought with drastically lower levels than in previous years. ... Great hiking trails for the kids and lots of playgrounds and things to do also. NOTE: While visiting Cachuma Lake, please follow the rules and guidelines relating to COVID-19 posted throughout the park. Site was clean and … Click on the link above to access the flora and fauna found, along with a map of this "Easy" rated trail. Don Wimpress Nature Trail Enjoy this 1/2 mile hike that starts and ends at the Nature Center. The park’s best trail is the Sweetwater, which meanders lakeside through an oak woodland to a vista point for a commanding panorama of Cachuma. The hike to Red Rock is only about 2 mile or less, round trip, but you will get your feet wet sloshing through the creek. Skip the holiday ham this year and catch a trophy trout for your meal. Continue 7.7 miles past Cold Springs Arch Bridge and turn left at the sign for Circle V Ranch. Cachuma Lake to Cuyama Valley. I spotted her/him/it before she saw me. This is the second turnoff with a sign for Camp Allegre. The adventure never ends here. The trail is marked with a kiosk and a few general hiking signs, but does not say Lizard’s Mouth. However, there is a shooting range very close by. Red Rock is a deep swimming hole popular to weekenders. But it’s still a wonderful place to hike, camp, fish, and boat (no swimming allowed though). They’ve just recently added one more that’s a 3.5-mile loop that’s also bike friendly. 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