Golden Hour Ranch

I have camped at this site twice, 2023 and 2025. The pinned location is someone's shooting area, covered in spent shotgun shells, brass casings, and shot-up trash - another review claims the pin is not the site, and indeed off to the west is what appears to be the "tent site", near the abandoned beehive. On my most recent visit, someone was shooting guns on-property throughout the day (~3pm to 7pm). Without cell service I could not contact the host to see if this was sanctioned activity. Between my visits (2 years apart) the shells and garbage had not been cleaned up (more new/fresh shells and definitely a lot more trash). There was also a mystery RV which was not parked on either Hipcamp site, but off to the east. I would suggest the host clean up the site, put up some rudimentary signage, update the listing and consider some kind of gun safety plan for guests since the property seems to be used for shooting practice, or simply let guests know the condition and use of the site. I hope the site continues to be available as the property is unique and beautiful and I would like to visit again under different circumstances.

Daniel R.

2 reviews

Recommends

· May 2024

Tent · Group trip ·

This spot was a perfectly secluded getaway. Easy to find if you save the coordinates before losing service. Bare bones site was perfect for a weekend of hiking, yard games, and campfires.

Elizabeth B.

2 reviews

Not recommend

· November 2023

No host, no directions, no stuff

6 m campervan · With pets ·

Messaged host twice before leaving. Never got any response. No directions beyond a set of GPS coordinates. Coordinates can be reached by turning off Lockwood Valley Road onto an unmarked dirt track. Unfortunately., the coordinates don't correspond to either of the two designated Hipcamp sites, which are about 400 feet west and 750 feet east of the marked spot. There is another potential camping area about 400 feet to the southeast of the marked spot. This spot is littered with trash and shotgun shells, and is not at all appealing. Some of the previous reviewers apparently found this area, instead of the designated Hipcamp sites. We reserved the eastern Hipcamp site, which is just a pullout off the dirt track. It had none of advertised amenities, which included two picnic tables, a canopy, and solar lights. We did find the broken remains of one picnic table. The eastern Hipcamp site was perfectly quiet, dark, and peaceful. It worked OK for us, because we have a self-contained rig and just needed a place to park it for the night (site is sloped, so leveling blocks needed). However, I can't recommend it given the lack of communication with the host, the poor directions, and the absence of advertised amenities. It feels like this was a Hipcamp site in the past, but has been abandoned.

Steve B.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2023

Neat spot

5 m car · With pets ·

I liked the spot. I arrived mid afternoon so found it fine. It was super quiet and I got a night full of stars 🤩

Robbie M.

17 reviews

Not recommend

· August 2023

Not convinced that it exists.

Tent ·

I never did stay at this site. There are no markings along the highway for the turnoff, so it was easy to miss even though I had a good idea of where it was in relation to other features in area. I followed provided GPS coordinate to a spot just off a dirt road in field of foxtails. This was clearly not a usable campsite, even if I didn't have my dog with me. After some searching around I did find an established campsite. This site did not have the listed amenities of lights, table and shade umbrella but did have hundreds of spent shotgun shells, a shot up highway sign and a lot of trash. There was no cell reception in the area, so I headed east on the highway to find some so as to contact the site owner and get things sorted out. By that time, it was getting dark and I was close to a National Forest campsite that was easy to get to so I ended up staying there. I'm not sure what to make of the situation. It seems sketchy to me. Possibly the property is subject to a lot of trespassing and isn't being looked after as much as it should be. This site needs better markings and better written instructions.

Paul O.

14 reviews

Recommends

· August 2023

Tent · With pets ·

We loved staying in this campsite! There was great communication with Sam on the day of arrival and it was pretty easy to find. The campsite is very peaceful and remote. The sunsets were breathtaking. There were a lot of bugs, so if we returned again we would pack ample bug defenses. We hope to return in the spring!

Hailee D.

2 reviews

Mixed feelings

· August 2023

I can't give an honest review, because we ended up not going to the site at all. This is not the fault of Hipcamp or Sam, the host. We just ended up in a hella amount of traffic and needed to stay by the highway to get to our next destination. Sam was really good with communication and help with directions. And that counts for a lot. Maybe next time…

Joan R.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2023

Tent · With kids ·

We had a fabulous time camping on Sam’s land. The views of the valley and the jagged ridgeline made for an incredible sunset, and the night was full of stars. While we had the RV spot, there was a small, shaded pullout with two sufficiently flat spots for tents. We picked a tough time to go—temperatures in the 90s and fly/mosquito season—but managed to find enough shade to stay cool. Reyes Creek was a wonderful spot to cool off as well! RV drivers and those with low-clearance vehicles should be wary of the ruts leading into the spot—the winter storms definitely did some damage. But overall we had an incredible experience in this otherworldly place, and can’t wait to come back!

Naomi S.

3 reviews

Not recommend

· July 2023

Tent · Group trip ·

The campground was nowhere to be found. The coordinates of the map didn’t lead us to any sort of site and there were no additional instructions provided. The one possible area it might have been had no table, shotgun shells everywhere, and pieces of shot metal everywhere. We couldn’t and didn’t camp there.

Hayley F.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2023

Tent ·

Exactly what you'd expect, a beautiful vastness of land and a great place to set up camp. Hard to go wrong and it was a great launchpad for my trip

Yurij B.

10 reviews

Recommends

· June 2023

Tent · With pets ·

Absolutely loved our time here! It was super easy to find, spacious, gorgeous! We didnt really leave the campsite but had so much room to explore!!!! Saw some amazing Horntoad lizards, and heard all kinda of birds! Will definitely come back here !

Christa P.

5 reviews

Recommends

· May 2023

10/10

Tent · Group trip ·

This place is awesome. Huge excluded area to yourself with a lot of distance from the next campsite over. A nice shady spot to hang when it’s hot and a big open area for games and star gazing. Really felt like you were out in the middle of nowhere. This wasn’t a problem for us, but a few things to keep in mind. No cell service, no bathrooms, and no accessible dumpster. The dirt road leading to it was manageable but a few of us bottomed out with suburu Imprezas on the way in. And once getting to the turn for this particular site, there are a few big divots that take a higher car to clear. Only one car could make it all the way to where we pitched the tents and the rest parked at the turn. Wasn’t a problem for us but if you sleep in your car or have heavier gear, something to keep in mind

Hannah M.

2 reviews

Recommends

· May 2023

Convenient, spacious, lovely.

Tent · Group trip ·

Stayed here in mid-May 2023. Great property! Really spacious and easily accessible. There are some shade trees and a makeshift rock fire pit. It’s located among the Los Padres National Forest and you can walk right into the adjacent meadows and hills. It got warm during the day so we drove 10 minutes to Reyes Creek and parked at the trailhead (day use parking fee $10). I would be careful about going during the summer or fall. The property was green and full of flowers when I was there but I suspect that later in the summer it could be a lot drier and less comfortable.

Jeff A.

2 years on Hipcamp

Not recommend

· April 2023

Not Really Sure

Tent · Group trip ·

We couldn't find the campsite! Drove around for 45 minutes looking for anything resembling a campsite and found none. We ended up pulling over and sleeping beside the road. Also, no communication from host. Was not what I planned for..

Mina B.

18 reviews

Recommends

· September 2022

Camping in peace…mostly

Tent · With pets ·

Sam’s land was almost completely private and had two nice picnic tables, some shade, and solar twinkling lights for the evening. Unfortunately, we went during the heat wave BUT it rained the second day and it was perfect afterwards… the land is beautiful. No phone service… which we enjoyed. We did however have a park ranger come by our campsite to make sure we weren’t squatting… so our peace was only disturbed that one time. Other than that, it was a cool spot!

Emily H.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2022

3 m travel trailer ·

Great location and nice and quiet campsite!

Jared L.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2022

biking hiking fun

Tent ·

Great spot to pitch a tent only about 40 minutes from some off the beaten path hiking & biking trails in Frazier Park. For a low key day, plenty of land right there on the property to explore by bike or foot too.

Ciara S.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2022

Tent ·

Me and a group of friends stayed at this spot on our way up north. It was the perfect secluded spot! Thanks for giving us a space to make music and laugh!

Leah K.

5 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2022

Stayed with friends and dogs

Tent · With pets ·