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Gibraltar Recreation Area
Gibraltar Trail Map
Hiking distance: 6-mile loop.
Hiking time: 2.5 hours.
Highlights: Gibraltar Trail follows the Santa Ynez River and has numerous deep water swimming holes, even during dry seasons, easily accessible. The most popular swimming is at Redrock. Gibraltar Dam Road climbs up out of the canyon and provides great views of the river and pools as well as Gibraltar Dam and reservoir.
Elevation gain/loss: 500 feet.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Signs: None at the trailhead, but several at junctions in the vicinity of the dam.
Spurs: Devil's Canyon Trail.
Dogs: Canines on leash are permitted.
Drinking fountains and picnic tables: None.
Restrooms: There are restrooms in the day-use parking area.
Directions to trailhead: Exit Highway 101 at Highway 154/State Street/Cachuma Lake in Santa Barbara and follow it 11.1 miles to Paradise Road. Turn right and drive 10.6 miles to the Redrock day-use parking lot. National Forest Adventure Pass required for parking. Passes are available from the Los Prietos Ranger Station or from the ranger booth on Paradise Road on the way in.
Hiking directions: Follow the dirt road just beyond the restrooms at the east end of the parking lot. Soon the trail turns to river rocks and often follows long stretches across uneven rocks. At 3 miles, within sight of the dam, the trail meets a dirt road that you turn left on. A little farther there are some signs pointing the way and at 3.27 miles there is a sign for Devil's Canyon. This narrow, shady canyon with lots of poison oak goes for several miles. From Devil's Canyon the road starts ascending steadily for the next mile or so. After leveling out for a short distance, the road descends back down to the parking area. The road ends at a gate on the oposite end of the parking lot where the hike started.
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