Arroyo Seco – Keep it Wild

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION - updated April 26, 2021

Highway One is Open. The washout at Rat Creek has been repaired and the highway is open throughout Big Sur. Nacimiento-Fergusson 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 Open: NEW: The Pine Ridge Trail from Big Sur Station to Redwood Camp IS OPEN effective April 13, 2021. 

Effective January 22, 2021 U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest re-opened most unburned areas of the Monterey Ranger District. In the northern Ventana Wilderness, most lands north of and including the Marble Peak Trail are open. Wilderness trails inland can be accessed from the Arroyo Seco Recreation Area near Greenfield (off 101) and from Tassajara Road off of Carmel Valley Road). Along the coast, Wilderness trails may be accessed via the Pine Ridge Trail at Big Sur Station, the North Coast Ridge Road, the Boronda Trail, and the De Angulo Trail on Highway One.

Lands south of Willow Creek Road, including most of the Silver Peak Wilderness, are open. 

What's Closed: Click here for a map that shows the current fire closure boundaries. 

Road Closures: Del Venturi/Milpitas, Nacimiento-Fergusson, Cone Peak, Plaskett Ridge, Willow Creek/Los Burros, & South Coast Ridge Roads remain closed.

Know Before You Go: Not sure if a particular road, trail, or camp is open? Call the Monterey Ranger District at 831-385-5434. Please enjoy your public lands responsibly. Pack out everything you pack in (including toilet paper). Leave this special place better than you found it. Leave No Trace ethics are more important than ever. 

Current Fire Restrictions: Campfires and stoves are currently permitted in the backcountry. 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), and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Closed: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, 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