RV Rental Taft, CA

Forgo the hotels and get closer to your inner wild self by renting an RV. The Los Padres National Forest is one of the most mountainous parks in California, covering nearly two million acres of mountains and valleys. Hikers will need to be in good condition to tackle several trails that climb and descend at steep rates. Many endangered animals make their home in Los Padres. The best known is the California Condor, which was on the brink of extinction in the late 80s with only 27 remaining adults at one point. It has slowly been making a comeback, and many birders and nature lovers will appreciate spotting one of these majestic, though perhaps not beautiful, creatures in the wild. Other species include bobcats, mountain cats, and black bears. All visitors to this park should familiarize themselves with the proper response should they encounter one of these animals, particularly in springtime when they might have youngsters nearby. Los Padre alone has well over 1,200 miles of trails and 11 campgrounds, several of which have hookups for RVs and campers. Bring your travel trailer, and you’ll be in good company.

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge is a smaller park that abuts Los Padres. Several species, including the California Condor, are also frequent visitors to or reside in this region. The original herds of tule elk were wiped out in the 1800s, and a few years ago, this species was reintroduced. Now thriving, they are easily spotted from the roadside. This refuge is closed to the public, but driving through in a Taft RV rental on the Hudson Ranch Road is allowed. The refuge is more open than the Los Padres and spotting condors and eagles soaring on thermal updrafts is easier. The local elk and deer herds often forage near the road.

When you book an RV in Taft, CA, be sure to figure out where you’ll park overnight or while you explore the outdoors. Many of the backcountry roads are narrow, making it difficult to pull over for a spontaneous overnight stay. However, there are several campgrounds in the area. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees a large stretch of land northwest of Taft, and camping is generally allowed anywhere on BLM lands, though there are a handful of developed sites. Even at these developed campgrounds, restrooms and running water will be scarce. Be sure to bring extra water in preparation for the arid desert environment.

Down near the main entrance to Los Padres National Forest, the Songdog Ranch is a small campground atop a mesa. Along with fantastic views of the starry skies and the Milky Way in summers, the rustic campground includes water and restrooms. Dogs are allowed.

Out in oil country where towns are few and far in between, it’s almost a requirement to rent a motorhome. With a little patience and time, there’s plenty of places to see and adventures to be hand. Taft, in spite of being a tiny oil town, has several attractions. Share the skies with the California Condors at Skydive Taft, a premier skydiving facility. Skydivers gain a unique perspective of the California mountains and valleys from two miles above. Novice jumpers will safely jump in tandem with an experienced, certified instructor. This facility has one of the top safety records in the country and has earned awards for their efforts. A camper rental will be welcomed here. It frequently opens their property to skydiving customers who roll up in a camper. Though no hookups are provided, showers and restrooms are available.

Black Gold Brewing House, found right in the heart of Taft, was started thanks to the owners’ fierce love for craft beer and loyalty to the town. The pub pairs delicious beer brewed in-house with mouthwatering, authentic Thai food alongside more traditional pub fare. The beer, which is made in limited batches and changed on a regular basis, includes a range of ales and IPAs.

Though life in Taft is slower than a city, it’s a fulfilling one. Underneath the bold blue California sky and on the wide-open, arid valley, you’ll memories that last a lifetime in a Taft RV rental.