Forbush Flat Camp

About this site

Forbush Flat Camp is a backpacking campsite located along Gidney Creek in the Santa Ynez Mountains of Santa Barbara County, California. The camp is situated at the foot of Gidney Creek in a pleasant, well-shaded meadow. The site is reached via a 1.5-mile downhill trail from Cold Spring Saddle that drops approximately 1,000 feet in elevation. The meadow is named for Frederick Washington Forbush, who built a cabin here around 1910 and planted apple, pear, and olive trees; an aging apple orchard remains at the site. The camp is geologically significant, situated directly on the Santa Ynez Fault, which has exposed numerous layers of fossil-rich bedrock. Gidney Creek often flows year-round, though not always. From the camp, hikers can explore Gidney Creek, continue to Cottam Camp and Blue Canyon, or head toward the Santa Ynez River.

Amenities & access

Location

34.497134, -119.638135