{"id":357,"date":"2018-02-28T05:45:32","date_gmt":"2018-02-28T13:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tx.netius.net\/backroads\/cuyama-valley\/"},"modified":"2019-06-01T23:40:55","modified_gmt":"2019-06-02T06:40:55","slug":"cuyama-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/outside\/offroad\/cuyama-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuyama Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cuyama River Valley, California<\/h2>\n

\"VentucopaNorth of Ojai, Highway 33<\/a><\/strong> meets Highway 166: Ozena, Ventucopa, & New Cuyama make up the 3 small communities inside the Cuyama River Valley, located in south of the San Joaquin (California’s Central) Valley.<\/p>\n

On the outter edge of Santa Barbara County, where Kern, San Luis Obispo & Ventura counties all meet, you can find great solitude, a large red dirt, high desert wash & plenty rural trails. Off-roading, backcountry camping, hiking, mountain biking all over this region.<\/p>\n

Ozena Ranger Station sits at the south end of Cuyama, at the intersection of Lockwood Valley Rd & Hwy 33. Ozena Campground with 10 spots @ 3660′ elevation, is to the east off Lockwood.<\/p>\n

Nettle Springs Campground<\/strong><\/a> (8 spots @ 4400′ elevation) can be accessed via Apache Canyon, a 10 mile long dirt road# 8N06, off Hwy 33<\/p>\n

2 smaller campgrounds – Tinta\u00a0and Ranch Nuevo<\/strong> are on the west side of Hwy 33 & may require a high clearance vehicle to reach. Trails out of these campgrounds lead to the Dick Smith Wilderness<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chumash Wilderness<\/strong><\/a> is just east of Ventucopa, as Los Padres National Forest surround this agricultural valley. Quatal Canyon\u00a0and Quatal Wash reach from the upper elevations of pinyon pines near Mount Able<\/a> to Cuyama river bed below, as Cerro Noroeste Road skirts the northern rim of the impressive red rock canyon. Toad Spring Campground<\/a> is at the top. Apache Saddle\u00a0and Pine Mountain Club are just east of Quatal Cyn.<\/p>\n

Cuyama riverbed follows Highway 33 and then turns west, following Highway 166, past the ranch lands, the volcano hills and notorious Rock Front Ranch<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

All the pavement around Cuyama is very popular amongst motorcyclists. Scenic touring kinda roads. A very nice 100 mile loop trip is from Pine Mountain Club – W on Mil Potrero Hwy, W on Cerro Noroeste Rd<\/a>, W on Hwy 166, S on Hwy 33, East on Lockwood Valley Road – back to Frazier Park & I-5 Lebec.<\/p>\n

Mahutasan, the indian sweat lodge and the extremely rustic Sage Brush Annies Restaurant w\/ winery are the highlights of this rural agriculture valley called Ventucopa CA. Cuyama Peak and fire lookout tower overlooks the whole Cuayama Valley & can be accessed via Santa Barbara Canyon Rd. 4×4 may be required in certain spots. This lovely oak and manzanita lined canyon was scorched by the Zaca Wildfire in mid 2007.<\/p>\n