The Long Way
Santa Barbara County
A large rock formation stands by a body of water in a mountainous landscape.
Plate I. Rock formation at Red Rock Pools. From campone.com
A tall rock formation stands beside a body of water in a mountainous landscape.
Plate II. Rock formation and pool, Red Rock Pools. From campone.com
A river pool surrounded by wooded hills and rocks.
Plate III. Swimming pool at Red Rock Pools. From campone.com
A river flows through a rocky landscape with trees.
Plate IV. Santa Ynez River, Red Rock Pools. From campone.com

Red Rock Pools

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California. Swimming holes on the Santa Ynez River; Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.

Details

Map. Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California. Larger map
Where
Gibraltar Trail, Forest Rte 5N18, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. Directions
When
Sunrise to Sunset.
Getting there
Red Rock / Gibraltar trailhead is located at the end of River Road. River Road is about 5.5 miles and begins at the end of Paradise Road where there is a kiosk and a gate marking the transition.
Fees
$10.00 day use fee per vehicle $30.00 per van $50.00 per bus.
Access
The trailhead remains open year-round, but during the winter months, when the river flows are high, Paradise Road may be closed.
Walk-in or reserve
NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
Phone
805-724-0079
Website
fs.usda.gov
Managed by
Parks Management Company (PMC) for the Forest Service.
Coordinates
34.5344193, -119.7123911.

Red Rock / Gibraltar trail is accessed from this parking lot; from the main trailhead it is about 0.5 miles to the main Red Rock pools, and the trail continues towards Gibraltar dam as about a 7-mile loop.

Notable Events

  1. 2023The paved road to Red Rock was destroyed in January's storms, and the river pools can currently only be accessed on foot or bicycle, with limited parking for cars. independent.com

Sources

  1. fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/red-rock
  2. santamariatimes.com/news/local/county-puts-18k-toward-restoration-of-storm-damaged-gibraltar-trail/article_57018bc5-2706-488e-aaec-4152010217c8.html
  3. fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/red-rock-trailhead
  4. fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/santa-ynez-river
  5. campone.com/campgrounds/red-rock-trailhead-day-use-area