San Rafael Wilderness
San Rafael Wilderness is a 191,104-acre wilderness area in Santa Barbara County, California. It rises from about 1,106 to 6,578 ft. The nearest town is New Cuyama, 7.8 miles away in a straight line.
San Rafael Wilderness map
San Rafael Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- New Cuyama, CA is the nearest town, 7.8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in San Rafael Wilderness is about 6,578 ft, and its lowest about 1,106 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is San Rafael Mountain, about 6,578 ft.
Who manages San Rafael Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 191,104 | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | Los Padres National Forest, 805-448-6487 |
Getting to San Rafael Wilderness
- New Cuyama, CA is the nearest town, 7.8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-29)
Named summits, canyons, and springs in San Rafael Wilderness
- San Rafael Mountain summit
- Samon Peak summit
- Bald Mountain summit
- Abel Canyon canyon
- Bald Mountain Canyon canyon
- Abel Canyon Spring spring
- Black Willow Spring spring
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-29. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.
Public lands next to San Rafael Wilderness
- National forestSan Rafael Wilderness lies inside Los Padres National Forest.
- Wilderness areaSan Rafael Wilderness borders Dick Smith Wilderness.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in California
- https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=526 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n35w121/USGS_1_n35w121.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n35w120/USGS_1_n35w120.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n36w121/USGS_1_n36w121.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n36w120/USGS_1_n36w120.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/GeographicNames/DomesticNames/DomesticNames_CA_Text.zip (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_06.txt (accessed 2026-09-29)