Current Conditions

Alerts

 
 

Last updated: February 2, 2023

 

Temporary facilities closures are in effect until further notice

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

  • The Drakes Beach area is subject to limited access. Northern elephant seals have returned to Drakes Beach and given birth to pups along the edge of the Drakes Beach parking lot. To better protect the pups during this important time of their development, the paths to the beach and the beach are closed, and Drakes Beach Road and Drakes Beach parking lot will only be open when park staff and winter wildlife docents are present. Until further notice, the park plans to have the road and parking lot open from 10 am to 4 pm, seven days a week (subject to staffing and docent availability), to allow visitors to view the elephant seals.
  • Expect downed trees across trails throughout the forested areas of the park. If you encounter any downed trees, don't create new paths to get around the downed trees; do your best to follow the route of the official trail over, through, or under the downed tree, if it is safe to do so. Please report downed trees to the Bear Valley Visitor Center (415-464-5100 x2 x5) or to the Trail Crew (415-464-5154) or by email. Please provide as many details as possible, i.e., exact location of the tree on which trail, type of tree (bay, fir, etc.), whether it is bushy or straight, its size and diameter, whether it is on the ground or elevated, whether equestrians can get around it, etc.
  • Point Blue Conservation Science's Palomarin Field Station and Nature Trails (previously known as the Point Reyes Bird Observatory) has partially reopened for by-appointment-only visitation only. Information on how to request an appointment can be found on their Visit Us page.
 

Park Roads

All Park Roads are currently open.

 

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:

For more information on road closures in Marin County and the Bay Area, check

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Park Trails

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

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

The NPS has updated its masking guidance based on the CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels tool, which helps communities decide what prevention steps to take. Masking requirements will vary by park based on local conditions, however masks are still required on all forms of enclosed public transportation. Updates will be posted on individual park websites and in parks to help you plan your visit.  In areas that the CDC identifies as high COVID-19 community level, masks are required for everyone in all NPS buildings, regardless of vaccination status. In most low and medium COVID-19 community level areas, masks are optional, and you are welcome to wear a mask if it makes you more comfortable. Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

At Point Reyes

As of February 2, 2023, Marin County's COVID-19 Community Level is low, so mask wearing is optional at Point Reyes National Seashore. While masks are no longer required indoors in California, with a few exceptions, they are still strongly recommended to be worn in indoors public settings, such as within visitor centers and shared restrooms, to keep from spreading the virus to those with no defense, like the immune-compromised and children under 5.
California Department of Public Health: Current Safety Measures

Please continue to practice physical (aka, social) distancing consistent with CDC guidance inside of visitor centers and shared restrooms. 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.

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 in front of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center and elsewhere along Drakes Beach. To better protect elephant seals from disturbance:

  • From Friday, January 20, 2023, until further notice, Drakes Beach is closed to the southwest of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center. All paths leading from the Drakes Beach parking lot area to the beach and non-paved areas south of the parking lot are closed.
  • The Peter Behr Overlook and trail are closed to all entry until further notice.
  • Until further notice, Drakes Beach Road south of its intersection with Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is closed daily between 4 pm and 10 am. Drakes Beach Road and Drakes Beach parking lot will be open from 10 am to 4 pm, seven days a week, so long as park staff and/or winter wildlife docents are available and present to protect the newborn elephant seal pups.

Where to See Elephant Seals

The Elephant Seal Overlook at Chimney Rock is open.

Drakes Beach is open on a limited basis. Access may change based upon elephant seal activity and staff and/or docent availability.

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

(Scroll past the first image in the StoryMap below and click on the "Beach Closures" header. Or scroll almost all the way through the Story Map to the "Beach Closures" section.)

 
 

Sturgeon Carcass Reporting

Researchers studying the causes of death of adult sturgeon (142 KB PDF) request that any observations of sturgeon carcasses be reported to them by email.

 

Visitor Services

Visitor Centers

Storm-related Closures - Updated January 9, 2023

See above for current notices about visitor center hours of operations.

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 open on weekends and federal holidays as staffing allows.

Visit our Visitor Centers page to learn what hours these visitor centers are 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. 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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Last updated: February 3, 2023

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station , CA 94956

Phone:

415-464-5100
This number will initially be answered by an automated attendant, from which one can opt to access a name directory, listen to recorded information about the park (i.e., directions to the park; visitor center hours of operation; fire danger information; wildlife updates; ranger-led programs; seasonal events; etc.), or speak with a ranger. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call.

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