Arroyo Seco – Keep it Wild

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION - updated July 16, 2021

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Effective July 15, 2021, COLD CAMPING ONLY IN THE BACKCOUNTRY. NOT ONLY ARE CAMPFIRES AND SMOKING PROHIBITED IN BACKCOUNTRY CAMPS, SO IS STOVE USAGE. If you are going backpacking, take food that does not require any sort of open flame to prepare. Campfire use and smoking is also prohibited at Designated Use Sites but stoves are OK at those few locations for now. Bottom line ... no open flames anywhere until we get winter rains.  

The Willow Fire Forest Closure Order has been revised. See this link for what trails and camp remain closed and a map.  

Highway One is Open.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is Closed -- This road -- which connects Highway 1 at Kirk Creek with Fort Hunter Liggett on the eastern side of the Coast Ridge -- is significantly damaged and will be closed indefinitely. 

What's new? The Pine Ridge Trail from Big Sur Station to Redwood Camp IS OPEN. Remember ... NO campfires or stoves!

For now, most trails and backcountry camps in the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest are open. The Kirk Creek Trail from Highway 1 to Vicente Flat Camp will be closed until late July.   

Roads closed to vehicular traffic: Arroyo Seco Road at Carmel Valley Road, Tassajara Road at Carmel Valley Road, Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, South Coast Ridge Road to Prewitt Ridge, Cone Peak Road, Arroyo Seco - Indians Road from Memorial Park to Escondido Camp

Know Before You Go: Please enjoy your public lands responsibly. Pack out everything you pack in (including toilet paper). Leave this special place better than you found it. Call the U. S. Forest Service, Monterey Ranger District office if you need more information: 831-385-5434.  

Current Fire Restrictions: NO CAMPFIRES OR STOVES. Stoves are permitted only at a few Designated Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest. A permit is required for stove use. Click here for a permit and take it with you. 

State Parks: Check with individual State Parks to confirm access and for additional information. 
Open for day use: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Garrapata State Park - Soberanes Canyon Trail, Andrew Molera State Park, Point Sur State Historic Park (tours only), Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Closed: John Little State Natural Reserve

Arroyo Seco – Leave No Trace Hot Spot

asg mappdfClick here (or on the map) to download an Arroyo Seco map and Leave No Trace brochure. Prints best on Legal Size (8.5" X 14") paper. File is 3.9 MB.

Amid the most rugged terrain in the Santa Lucia Mountains, pristine springs feed crystal-clear streams that converge to form the mighty Arroyo Seco. Churning through steep gorges intersected by a single trail, the river abruptly emerges to sandy shores at a campground and day use area. Here, thousands of visitors flock to deep pools, grand vistas, and extensive backcountry.

Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys the river responsibly; trash, toilet paper, abandoned gear, and dry season campfires mar the landscape. In fact, the Arroyo Seco was selected as a 2019 Leave No Trace Hot Spot. In pursuit of solutions, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics sent Traveling Trainers to the region for a series of festive and educational events in partnership with the VWA.

For questions or more information:

| 831-423-3191