Los Padres National Forest

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited

Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…

Los Padres Fire Use and Firearm Restrictions

Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, on the Los Padres National Forest System lands, except in the Designated Campfire Use Sites. Reference the sites listed in Exhibit A.NOTE: Only persons with a valid CA Campfire Permit are exempt from this Order…

Overview

Los Padres National Forest encompasses nearly 2 million acres across central California's Coast and Transverse Ranges, stretching 220 miles from Monterey to Kern County. The forest is currently open but with significant recent fire impacts and ongoing restrictions. The Gifford Fire (August 2025) burned 131,614 acres and reached 100% containment in late September, becoming California's largest fire of 2025. This followed the Madre Fire (July 2025) which burned over 80,000 acres and was declared out in late July. Area closures remain in effect from both fires, particularly affecting the Santa Lucia and Mt. Pinos Ranger Districts. Fire restrictions are active forest-wide through January 31, 2026, with additional restrictions in Santa Barbara front country through February 26, 2026 - campfires prohibited except at developed sites. The Sespe Condor Sanctuary remains closed to protect California Condor recovery. Highway 1 has partial closures near Big Sur due to rockslides. Many seasonal gates close December 1 and reopen May 1. Most recreation sites and campgrounds are open, though some areas like Figueroa Mountain trails, Lake Fire areas, and storm-damaged sections remain closed. Check district-specific conditions as accessibility varies significantly - the forest spans four distinct ranger districts with independent status updates.

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