Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park
Santa Barbara, CA
A small sandstone cave with Chumash pictographs in red, black and white, protected behind a grille. The access road off SR-154 is very narrow and steep, with room for only a couple of cars; not for RVs.
Chumash Painted Cave lies in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara; in Chumash it is called ’Alaxulux’en. The small cave in pale sandstone holds rock paintings in red, black and white, including geometric patterns, celestial bodies and human and animal figures. Their age is uncertain: parts date to at least the 17th century, some estimates say up to 1,000 years, and the cave was probably used for rituals thousands of years earlier. An iron grille has protected the paintings since 1908, and the site became a state historic park in 1976.
The cave is only a few steps from the road; you view the paintings through the grille. Painted Cave Road branches off SR-154, is narrow and winding, and climbs about 2 miles (3.2 km) without guardrails; you may meet oncoming traffic. It is not suitable for RVs or wide vehicles, so leave them on SR-154.
- Nearest town
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 34.5051, -119.7872
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© Missvain · CC BY 4.0Mission Santa Inés
© Channel City Camera Club from Santa Barbara, US · CC BY 2.0Nojoqui Falls
© Red3two · CC BY-SA 4.0La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
© Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA · CC BY 2.0El Matador State Beach
Campsites nearby
- Upper Oso CampgroundCampsite4 mi from Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park · 10 pitchesDrinking water
- Santa Barbara Sunrise RV ParkMotorhome stopover9 mi from Chumash Painted Cave State Historic ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Rock Camp CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park · 2 pitches
- Ocean Mesa RV & CampgroundMotorhome stopover14 mi from Chumash Painted Cave State Historic ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Hike Bike CampsiteCampsite17 mi from Chumash Painted Cave State Historic ParkTentsDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Figueroa CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park · 33 pitches
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park?
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park is in Santa Barbara, CA, at GPS 34.5051, -119.7872. It is about 17 mi from Carpinteria.
Can you camp near Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Los Prietos Campground, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 57 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park?
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Santa Ynez Valley: missions, wine and dunes.
What is there to see near Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Mission Santa Inés (21 mi), Nojoqui Falls (22 mi), La Purísima Mission State Historic Park (38 mi) and El Matador State Beach (61 mi).
When is the best time to visit Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park?
The most pleasant months are usually April–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)