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Last updated: Saturday, January 15, 2022
While there are some areas, trails, and facilities within Point Reyes National Seashore that are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic or hazard trees (see below for more details on current closures), most of the park and almost all of the park's trails are open.

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Map of area and trail closures in the Bear Valley area due to hazard trees.

Temporary facilities closures are in effect until further notice

The following areas, buildings, areas, trails, and roads are closed until further notice:

• Kule Loklo and the trails leading to Kule Loklo are closed due to hazard trees. Download a map of the Bear Valley area indicating the area and trails around Kule Loklo that are closed due to hazard trees. (526 KB PDF)
• Peter Behr Overlook Trail and Peter Behr Overlook at Drakes Beach are closed until further notice.
• Point Blue Conservation Science's Palomarin Field Station and Nature Trails (previously known as the Point Reyes Bird Observatory)

 

Park Roads

All Park Roads are currently open.

 

Bridge Closure

The Old Tocaloma/Platform Bridge is closed to all vehicular traffic until further notice. The Old Tocaloma/Platform Bridge is the old concrete bridge paralleling Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near its junction with Platform Bridge Road ~two miles east of Olema. The bridge is being closed to vehicular traffic due to structural deficiencies that make the weight of a vehicle unsafe to cross over the bridge.
Determination of Temporary Closure - January 13, 2020, until further notice - signed on January 13, 2020 (49 KB PDF)

 

Additional Sources for Road Conditions

After wind and/or rain storms, many roads to and from and within Point Reyes National Seashore may be blocked due to flooding, mud slides, downed trees, and/or power lines. Reports of closures and re-openings of roads are received too frequently to keep this page up-to-date. For emergency road and weather conditions in West Marin, visit Point Reyes National Seashore's Twitter feed, the County of Marin's Public Emergency Portal, the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area's Twitter feed, the Marin County Department of Public Works' Twitter feed, the Marin Sheriff Department's Twitter feed, the Marin Fire Department's Twitter feed, the California Highway Patrol: Marin's Twitter feed, or tune in to KWMR, 90.5 FM.

For more information on road closures in Marin County and the Bay Area, check the Marin Sheriff Current Emergency Information, the California Department of Transportation's Current Highway Conditions, and CHP Traffic Incident Information (select "Golden Gate" from the "Communication Centers" drop-down menu in the upper left corner, then look for "Marin" in the "Location" and/or "Area" columns) websites.

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Park Trails

Visit our Trail Advisories and Closures page for the latest trail updates.

Notice: Kule Loklo and the trails leading to Kule Loklo are closed due to hazard trees. Download a map of the Bear Valley area indicating the area and trails around Kule Loklo that are closed due to hazard trees. (526 KB PDF)

Notice to Horse Riders: Mount Wittenberg trail is closed to horses until further notice due to damage from the Woodward Fire.

Caution: Many trails in the park are overgrown with grass and annuals. The park's trail crew is working to address the trail conditions as quickly as possible, but please anticipate wading through vegetation as you hike, and check yourself for ticks during and after your hike.

Warning: Hazardous conditions near the north end of the Tomales Point Trail. In January 2017, part of the bluff at the north end of Tomales Point collapsed. The bluff top may be unstable & another collapse could occur. Please don't attempt to reach the northern end of Tomales Point by going off-trail to the east of the collapse. More...

Warning: Fissures reported near the Chimney Rock Trail. Cracks were reported on a portion of the bluff near the Chimney Rock Trail on December 21, 2015. These fissures could indicate the possibility of a weakening cliff face in the area. The land may be unstable and a collapse or erosion could occur. Visitors are reminded to stay on designated trails. More...

Warning: The Arch Rock trail has been closed until further notice. New hazardous conditions on Arch Rock were reported to the park on Thursday, March 19, 2015. On Saturday, March 21, 2015, a portion of the land at the Arch Rock overlook collapsed into the waters 70 feet below. More...

 

Health and Safety Warnings/Advisories

COVID-19 Pandemic

Following the latest science and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Park Service requires visitors, employees, and contractors to wear a mask inside all NPS buildings and in crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status or community transmission levels. This requirement will be in effect until further notice and applies to all NPS buildings, such as visitor centers, and on public transportation systems. It also applies to outdoors spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as narrow or busy trails and overlooks.

Please continue to practice physical (aka, social) distancing consistent with CDC guidance in less crowded locations. Put six feet of distance between yourself and people who don't live in your household. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.

Visit our Recreate Responsibly page for guidelines for responsible recreation in the outdoors at Point Reyes and other park lands during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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Wildlife

In winter, there are plenty of opportunities to see a wide range of animals. Some elephant seal females are giving birth and nursing their pups, while those that gave birth over a month ago are weaning their pups. Bull elephant seals are battling for dominance of beaches near Chimney Rock. Gray whales are migrating past the point on their way from the Bering and Chukchi seas to their calf-rearing lagoons of Baja California. By mid-February, males and newly pregnant female gray whales start heading back north. Tule elk can be seen year-round on Tomales Point. Please visit our Wildlife Viewing page for more information.

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Closures to Protect Elephant Seals

NOTICE: Drakes Beach Elephant Seal Colony - year-round
The Drakes Beach elephant seal pupping area as delineated by signs at the western-most end of Drakes Beach is closed to all entry due to seal activity at all times of the year. This closure is necessary to protect an established elephant seal colony from disturbance and protect the public. The elephant seal colony is used all year. No management action other than closure is sufficient.

NOTICE: The following areas are closed to all entry in order to better protect nursing elephant seal pups:

From December 15 to March 31:

• Drakes Beach: starting at the southern edge of the cove in front of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center and continuing southwest (e.g., towards Chimney Rock; to the right as one faces the bay) to the current permanent elephant seal closure;
• the beach from the Chimney Rock Lifeboat Station to Chimney Rock;
• the road leading from the gate at the end of the Chimney Rock Road to the Fish Dock area, including immediately adjacent beaches (Map - 301 KB PDF); and
• the southern end of South Point Reyes Beach (as signed) to the Lighthouse.

NOTICE: Drakes Beach Temporary Closures
Temporary closures are in effect due to the presence of elephant seals hauled out near the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center. To better protect elephant seals from disturbance:

• The Peter Behr Overlook and trail are closed to all entry until further notice.

Drakes Beach between the visitor center and the bay, the beach to the east (to the left if facing the bay), Drakes Beach Road and the parking lot, the picnic tables, and the restrooms at Drakes Beach remain open from 6 am to midnight. Access may change based upon elephant seal activity.

Interactive Map Illustrating the Locations of the Elephant Seal-related Closures Referenced Above

 

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Visitor Services

Visitor Centers

The Bear Valley Visitor Center and the Lighthouse Visitor Center are usually open throughout the year.

The Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, January 15, 2022.

Visit our Operating Hours and Seasons to learn what hours these visitor centers are normally open.

Ranger Programs

Visitors are invited to join a park ranger to learn more about Point Reyes and its history, wildlife, and/or geology during Ranger's Choice Programs. However, most ranger-led programs and volunteer activities are cancelled until further notice. Consult our Calendar to see what programs and activities are being offered.

Bookstores

Stop by one of the three bookstores within the national seashore, all of which are operated by the Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA). They offer many educational and convenience items, including books, maps, snacks, and, at Drakes Beach, coffee.

Visit PRNSA's Park Store page for specific hours.

Drakes Beach Café is indefinitely closed.

 

Weather & Tides

Before traveling, check weather forecasts and advisories for Point Reyes at our Weather & Tides page or the National Weather Service.

 

Latest News

If you're looking for more information about what is happening at Point Reyes National Seashore, visit our News Releases page, our Facebook page, and/or Twitter feed for the most up-to-date news.

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