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| Home > California > Pozo La Panza |
Pozo La Panza OHV Area
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
| Other Names | Los Padres National Forest, Santa Lucia Ranger District, Black Mountain, Turkey Flat, Navajo Flat |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This area offers about 45 miles of designated ATV and dirt bike trails that wind through mixed oak, conifer and chaparral trees. The terrain is mostly rocky hard pack and geared toward experienced riders, but there are a few novice friendly sections for beginners at both staging areas.
This area offers two staging areas, Turkey Flat and Navajo Flat. Turkey Flat is smaller but has day use parking, three campsites and a beginners track. Navajo Flat has a larger day use parking area and features a vault toilet, shade gazebos and six campsites that come with a picnic table and BBQ grill. Both staging areas charge a fee to park and camp, and there is a self pay station at each location. There is no water, so come prepared.
Visitors should note that the main entrance roads are rough. This area is open year-round but may close temporarily during fire season and wet weather conditions. Call before you haul.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (50 inches) | has entrance gate or posts most trails have a 50" width restriction |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 ATVs | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches) |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches) |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Some Areas | permitted on designated forest service roads |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches) permitted on designated forest service roads |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on the trail |
| Rule Enforcement |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 18,867 acres (29 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 45 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 1800 to 3400 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand |  Some | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust | Some | |
| Rocks | Some | |
| Trees |  Many | |
| Steep Hills | Some | |
| Small Jumps |  Few | |
| Large Jumps |  None | |
| Berms | Many | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | Some | |
| Roads | None | |
| Shade | Some | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Little | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Some |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 30+ Miles (SW) | Chevron (805) 543-4415 |
| Diesel | 30+ Miles (SW) | Chevron (805) 543-4415 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Santa Margarita KOA (805) 438-5618 |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Santa Margarita KOA (805) 438-5618 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Santa Margarita KOA (805) 438-5618 |
| Campground | On Site | |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Santa Margarita Lake Marina & Mini Mart (805) 438-1521 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | Yes ($10.00) day use fee |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | Yes Tent: $30.00 RV: $30.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $10.00 Navajo Flat and Turkey Flat Campground Fee |
| Comment | Adventure Pass not required to park here. Area is concession-managed fee area. Self pay kiosks are located at trailheads and campgrounds. |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Very Good |
| Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Santa Margarita, CA | ||
| Address | Black Mountain Road, Santa Margarita, CA 93453 | ||
| From: Santa Maria, CA
1) Take US-101 North about 40 miles 2) Take exit for SR-58, continue 1.5 miles 3) Turn right (south) on Estrada Avenue, continue about 3 blocks 4) Turn right (east) on J Street, continue 1.25 miles 5) Continue straight on W. Pozo Road, continue 16.5 miles 6) Turn right on E. Pozo Road, continue .7 miles 7) Continue straight on Park Hill Road, continue 2.3 miles 8) Turn right on Black Mountain Road, follow toward Turkey Flat Staging Area. For Navajo Flat Campground: 9) Continue east past Turkey Flat Staging Area for about 6 miles. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Los Padres National Forest - Santa Lucia Ranger District 1616 N. Carlotti Drive Santa Maria, CA 93454 (805) 925-9538 mailroom_r5_los_padres@fs.fed.us www.fs.usda.gov |
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 3/28/2012 (Thanks!)
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/25/2019 (Thanks!)
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/25/2019 (Thanks!)
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/25/2019 (Thanks!)
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/25/2019 (Thanks!)
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/25/2019 (Thanks!)
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/25/2019 (Thanks!)
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/25/2019 (Thanks!)
Pozo La Panza Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/25/2019 (Thanks!)
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS