CURRENT REGS and CONDITIONS

Campfires are NOT permitted in Big Sur backcountry camps  

- updated September 7, 2023

Current Fire Restrictions: Campfires are not permitted anywhere in Los Padres National Forest except for a few car camps.  Click this link to secure a permit which is required to use a stove. Please note that even though the permit to use a stove is called a "campfire permit," it DOES NOT permit you to have a campfire during fire restrictions.     

Almost all of the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness Areas are open. That said, some recreation sites, campgrounds, and roads managed by Los Padres National Forest and/or the County of Monterey remain closed. See this link for the latest US Forest Service closure information.  All Forest Service developed rec sites on the coast (Kirk Creek Campground, Mill Creek DUA, Sand Dollar DUA, Willow Creek DUA, and Plaskett Campground are open.  Arroyo Seco Recreation Area (and its campgrounds) remain closed. 

Roads: Closures of roads (federal, state, and county) have been the norm in 2023 due to storm damage. Though most of the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness Areas are open for visitation, you still may not be able to drive to trailheads. A two-mile closure of Highway 1 remains in effect between Limekiln State Park and Lucia. Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast remains open from Cambria to Limekiln, and from Monterey to Lucia. Check Caltrans'  current Highway 1 conditions here before you drive the Big Sur coast.  The Arroyo Seco Recreation Area remains closed due to the closure of Arroyo Seco Road. Monterey County expects the road to be reopened by the end of 2023.  

Tassajara Road is OPEN despite what might be indicated on Monterey County's Road Traffic Advisories, Closures & Information page.   

Roads with long-term closure to vehicular traffic: Palo Colorado Road from the Hoist to Bottchers Gap, Nacimiento-Fergusson Road from Nacimiento Campground to the coast, South Coast Ridge Road from Nacimiento-Fergusson Road to the intersection with Prewitt Ridge Road, Cone Peak Road, Los Burros Road.

Know before you go: Call the USDA Forest Service, Monterey Ranger District office if you need more information at 831-385-5434.  

State Parks: Check with individual State Parks to confirm access and secure additional information.