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Monterey Ranger District
Photo: Ventana Wilderness, Monterey Ranger District
Date: January 18, 2025
Know Before You Go!
- Highway is closed from Limekiln State Park to Lucia (Monterey Co) - Due to rock slides - Motorists are advised to use an alternate route. Hwy 1 is open from the south to Limekiln State Park. Check Caltrans website
- Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd (22S01) is open
- Currently no access to Prewitt Ridge, Southcoast Ridge Rd, Plaskett Ridge Road or Los Burros/Willow Rd
- Tassajara Rd is open and there is access to White Oaks, China Camp and Trailhead
- Pfeiffer Beach is currently open, but Sycamore Rd down to Pfeiffer Beach is subject to close during the winter months due to high water levels across the Rd
- Sand Dollar Beach is open
Contact Information
- Monterey Ranger District: 831-385-5434 x 0. The office in King City is open Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Closed weekends and federal holidays
- Big Sur Multi-Agency Visitor Center: (831) 667-2315, open daily 9:00am - 4:00pm
- Contact www.recreation.gov to make or cancel a camping reservation or call 1-877-444-6777
- Parks Management Company - www.campone.com or email: customerservice@pmcparks.com
Forest-wide Forest Orders
Occupancy and Use Forest Order 5-07-00-24-02 effective February 6, 2024 through February 5, 2026
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.S0(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following act is prohibited within the Los Padres National Forest. This Order is effective from February 6, 2024, through February 5, 2026.
1. Camping:
a. in a developed campground, for a period longer than 14 consecutive days or for more than 28 days during a calendar year; or
b. anywhere other than a developed campground, for a period longer than seven consecutive days or for more than 21 days during a calendar year.
36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a).
District Forest Orders
Storm Damage Recovery Special Forest Closure Order
Monterey Ranger District - Special Closure Forest Order Storm Damage Recovery 05-07-51-24-22 Effective November 15, 2024 - July 18, 2025
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road Roadside Camping Prohibition
-
Forest Order 05-07-51-24-20 Nacimiento-Fergusson Road Roadside Camping Prohibition - Effective September 3, 2024, through September 2, 2025.
- Forest Order 05-07-51-24-20 MAP
San Carpoforo Beach Overnight Camping and Campfire Prohibition
Forest Order 5-07-51-24-04 San Carpoforo Beach Overnight Camping and Campfire Prohibition - Effective April 4, 2024 - April 3, 2026
Day Use/Picnic/Beach Areas
- Arroyo Seco Day Use Area - Open
- Pfeiffer Beach Day Use Area - ALERT - Pfeiffer Beach is currently open, but Sycamore Rd down to Pfeiffer Beach is subject to close during the winter months due to high water levels across the Rd.
- Mill Creek Day Use Area - Open
- Willow Creek Day Use Area - Open
- Sand Dollar Beach Day Use Area - Open
Open Campgrounds
- Arroyo Seco
- Arroyo Seco Group Campground
- China Camp (Tassajara Rd)
- Escondido (North of Ft. Hunter Liggett - not on the Big Sur Coast. It is Inland and several hours drive to Big Sur area)
- Kirk Creek
- Nacimiento
- Plaskett Creek Campground and Group Campground
- Ponderosa
- Santa Lucia Memorial Park Campground (North of Ft. Hunter Liggett - not on the Big Sur Coast. It is Inland and several hours drive to Big Sur area)
- White Oaks (Tassajara Rd)
Open Trails
Ventana Wilderness
- Arroyo Seco Trailhead to the Arroyo Seco River Gorge - Open - Please help us keep the gorge trash-free by packing out your trash!
- Pine Ridge Trail from the Big Sur Station - Hwy 1 access - Open
- Terrace Creek Trail - Open
- Kirk Creek Trail/Vicente Flat Trail - Open
- Boronda/Timber Top - Open
- De Angulo - Open
- Cone Peak Trail (only accessible from the Vicente Flat Trail) - Open
Contact the Monterey Ranger District office or Big Sur Visitor Center for information about open trails. Due to Hwy 1 closure and other district road closures, there is limited access to trails in the Ventana Wilderness areas at this time.
Silver Peak Wilderness
Road Closures
Roads Restricted to Non-Motorized Vehicle Use
Trail Closures
California State Park Information
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground is open and by reservation only. Reservecalifornia.com
- Limekiln State Park has re-opened for day use and hiking. The campground is still closed. Check the website for more detailed information
- For more California State Park information and updates on current conditions, please visit the California State Parks website.