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Welcome!
From the Mountains to the Sea
Encompassing almost two million acres, Los Padres National Forest spans some of the most ruggedly beautiful landscapes to be found anywhere in California
Many areas of the Forest have reopened for public use with the exception of certain trails, roads and campgrounds that require additional repairs. Wilderness Areas and backcountry trails are open but visitors are strongly encouraged to exercise caution as winter storms have altered some trails and will present challenges to hikers. Partner groups and volunteers are working with Los Padres to secure funding and plan projects to fix damaged trail segments. Additional roads and trails will reopen once repairs have been completed.
Forerst closure order 5-07-00-23-07 is effective May 25, 2023 through July 24, 2023.
Find out what areas of the Forest have reopened and areas that remain closed
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Forest Recovery and Repair Photo Gallery
Photos of repair work to Forest roads and recreation sites that were damaged from winter storms
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Storm Damage Photo Gallery
Photos of Forest roads, recreation sites, campgrounds and trails that were damaged from severe winter storms.
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Late-April Figueroa Mountain Wildflower Update 2023
Our Wildflower Ranger, Helen Tarbet, produces several Figueroa Mountain Wildflower Updates during the spring season. This is the second update of the season. Due to the massive number of cars going up Figueroa Mountain on the weekends, California Highway Patrol has closing Figueroa Mountain Rd intermittently on Saturdays and Sundays. Please visit on the weekdays if possible.
Features
Restoring Los Padres’ Native Steelhead Trout Habitat
The anadromous Southern California steelhead (SCS) trout distinct population segment indigenous to Southern California received Endangered Species status in 1997 due to declining numbers. Over the last two decades, the situation for these trout native to Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) has continued to deteriorate, and the species now have one of the highest levels of federal protection.
Stream conditions and steelhead critical habitat were further degraded by the massive Zaca Fire in 2007 that denuded landscapes above traditional steelhead spawning waters and contributed to greater sediment deposition downstream. As SCS stocks have declined substantially from their historic numbers across the LPNF and other part of Southern California, many are now facing extinction.
Mount Pinos Forest Health and Fuels Reduction Project
On April 7, 2021, Los Padres National Forest announced a plan to protect areas of the Mount Pinos Ranger District that are at risk to overstocking and the devastating impacts from disease and insect infestation. This forest health project was initially shared with the public in late 2019 during an open house and field visit to the project area. In 2006 public collaboration began when the project was listed in the Mount Pinos Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
The Mount Pinos Forest Health Project is located within a federally designated Insect and Disease Treatment Area where declining forest health conditions put the area at risk for substantial tree mortality over the next 15 years. In the 2014 Farm Bill, Congress authorized the U.S. Forest Service to prioritize work in these designated areas, and to expeditiously plan and implement projects to address the risk posed by insect and disease outbreaks.
