Los Padres National Forest
From Recreation.gov
FLUSHING TOILETS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. ONLY PORTABLE TOILETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE
Gifford Fire Closure Order
Gifford Fire Closure Order 05-07-53-25-21 supersedes Order 05-07-53-25-20 executed on August 24, 2025.
Sespe Condor Sanctuary Closure
The Los Padres National Forest will prohibit entry by the public to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary to support ongoing Condor recovery efforts. This special closure order supports the overall survivorship and sustained population increase of the California Condor species.
Special Closure - SBRD Storm Damage Recovery
Closure of developed recreation sites, roads, and trails in the Santa Barbara Ranger District impacted by storm damage and some roads restricted to non-motorized use.
Special Closure - SLRD Lake Fire Post-Burn Public Safety
Closure of developed recreation sites and roads on the Santa Lucia Ranger District impacted by the Lake fire.
Dry Canyon Area, Roads and Trails, and Wilderness Closure
Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Dry Canyon Area, Roads, Trails and Wilderness Closure
Road Use Restriction - Sycamore Cyn Rd to Pfeiffer Beach
Prohibits being on Sycamore Canyon Road (Forest Road No.
West Cuesta Fire Use Restrictions
Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the West Cuesta Fire Use Restriction Area. Reference the description of the area and attached map for details.
San Carpoforo Beach Prohibition of Overnight Camping and Campfires
Prohibits overnight camping and building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire on San Carpoforo Beach, which includes all National Forest lands west of Highway 1 to the mean high tide line of the 
Santa Barbara Front Country Fire Use Restrictions
Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal campfire, or cooking fire, on National Forest System lands within the Fire Use Restriction Area which is the front country of Santa Barbara. Reference the description of the area and the attached map for details.
From Recreation.gov
CAUTION: ROAD EROSION! HIGH CLEARENCE VEHICLES ONLY, NO CARS OR TRAILERS. TRUCKS AND LARGER SUVS RECOMMENDED
From Recreation.gov
**Closed for Habitat Restoration August 4 – December 31, 2025. We're making things better for nature and for you. Thanks for your patience—see you in 2026! **
From Recreation.gov
**Highway One open from the South. **Highway One closed from North at Limekiln - access through Nacimiento/Ferguson Road. Trailers over 24ft not recommended.
From Recreation.gov
**Highway One open from the South. **Highway One closed from North at Limekiln - access through Nacimiento/Ferguson Road. Trailers over 24ft not recommended.
Eaton Fire Area Closure
In effort to protect the public and to facilitate natural recovery of the resources affected by the Eaton Fire, this closure extends the Eaton Fire Area Closure through December 31, 2027.
Fire Danger Level Downgraded to "High"
The fire danger level for the Angeles National Forest has been lowered from “Very High” to “High”. Despite the change, there are no new fire restrictions.What does this mean to you?
Be Prepared for Winter Weather
Recent storms have brought winter weather to the Angeles National Forest! From the foothills to elevations reaching over 10,000 feet, visitors can encounter a variety of conditions in the mountains.
Forest Order No. 05-01-25-13, Camping Equipment Prohibition
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. This Order is effective from August 15, 2025, through August 1, 2027.
Bridge Fire Area Closure Terminated
The Bridge Fire Area Closure (Forest Order No. 05-01-25-12) that was in effect from June 5, 2025 through May 22, 2026 has been terminated starting June 20, 2025.
Office & Visitor Center Updates - Need Info or Passes?
The information below provides updates to existing information on our webpage about Angeles National Forest offices and visitor centers. Check this alert regularly.
Williamson Rock Area and Trail Closure
Hikers and equestrians along the Pacific Crest Trail may be affected by a temporary closure of the Williamson Rock area of the Angeles National Forest. This closure (Forest Order No.
Planning to Camp? (Stay Limits/Dispersed Camping Restrictions) til Dec. 15, 2026
The following is prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument from Dec. 16, 2022, through Dec. 15, 2026:
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.
Top Campgrounds
- Ballinger Campground
- CHULA VISTA
- Caballo Campground
- Campo Alto Campground
- Cerro Alto Campground
- Dome Springs Campground
- Halfmoon Campground
- Hardluck
- Holiday Group Campground
- Kirk Creek Campground
- MARIAN
- Mcgill Campground
- Mcgill Campground And Group Campground
- Mcgill Group Sites
- Middle Lion Campground
- Mt. Pinos Campground
- NACIMIENTO
- Nettle Springs
- Ozena
- Pine Mountain Campground
- Pine Springs Campground
- Plaskett Creek Campground
- Rancho Nuevo Campground
- Reyes Creek Campground
- Reyes Peak Campground
- THORN MEADOWS
- Toad Springs
- Valle Vista Campground
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