Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Santa Barbara?

Accepted Answer

Trans-Catalina Trail is the closest documented trip to Santa Barbara at roughly 109 miles (about 121 minutes of driving) from the Avalon trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Santa Barbara?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Santa Barbara, including Trans-Catalina Trail, require a wilderness permit from Catalina Island Conservancy. Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Santa Barbara?

Accepted Answer

For Trans-Catalina Trail — the closest trip to Santa Barbara — the best months are March, April, May, October, November.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Trans-Catalina Trail Channel Islands	109 mi	~121 min	38.5 mi	7,638 ft	49	Required
2	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	154 mi	~171 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
3	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	154 mi	~171 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required
4	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	154 mi	~171 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required
5	San Bernardino Peak Trail San Gorgonio Wilderness	157 mi	~175 min	17.8 mi	9,300 ft	55	Required
6	Forsee Creek to Johns Meadow San Gorgonio Wilderness	160 mi	~178 min	7.8 mi	1,600 ft	12	Required
7	Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio San Gorgonio Wilderness	162 mi	~180 min	15.6 mi	10,800 ft	61	Required
8	South Fork Trail to Dry Lake San Gorgonio Wilderness	164 mi	~182 min	11.4 mi	4,400 ft	31	Required
9	Cottonwood Pass to Chicken Spring Lake Inyo National Forest	165 mi	~183 min	15 mi	2,962 ft	30	Required
10	New Army Pass via Cottonwood Lakes Inyo National Forest	166 mi	~185 min	9.6 mi	3,596 ft	33	Required
11	Mount Whitney Trail Inyo National Forest	171 mi	~190 min	21.4 mi	6,460 ft	49	Required
12	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	176 mi	~195 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required

Best backpacking trips near Santa Barbara, CA