Monterey Ranger District

Area Status: Open

Monterey Ranger District offers camping, day hiking, backpacking, beaches, ocean swimming, surfing, fishing, hunting, scenic driving on Highway 1, wildflower displays in the spring and early summer and nature viewing.

At a Glance

Information Center:	Monterey Ranger District: (831) 385-5434 ext 0. Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Road conditions and closures link.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Sand Play

Areas for Sand Play at Monterey Ranger District

Tidepooling

Areas for Tidepooling at Monterey Ranger District

Campground Camping

Monterey Ranger District has many concession managed campgrounds and day use areas for which a fee is charged. Sites that are not concessionair managed, are free. All campgrounds on the District are accessible by passenger car. The ocean along the Big Sur Coast is dangerous and unpredictable with high and unpredictable surf, strong riptides and currents, and numerous rocks. There are no lifeguards. We strongly advise against swimming at all ocean beaches in Los Padres National Forest.

There are NO cabins in the Los Padres National Forest. There are private cabins and lodging in Big Sur and the town of Lucia.

Areas for Campground Camping at Monterey Ranger District