AlertsLast updated: May 4, 2023 Temporary facilities closures are in effect until further noticeThe following areas, buildings, areas, trails, and roads are closed until further notice:
Park RoadsAll Park Roads are currently open. Additional Sources for Road ConditionsAfter 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
Park TrailsVisit our Trail Advisories and Closures page for the latest trail updates. Notice to Horse Riders:
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/AdvisoriesCOVID-19 PandemicThe NPS has updated its masking guidance based on the CDC's COVID-19 Hospital Admissions 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 hospital admission level, masks are required for everyone in all NPS buildings, regardless of vaccination status. In most low and medium COVID-19 hospital admission 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 ReyesAs of May 4, 2023, Marin County's COVID-19 Hospital Admission 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. 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. Annual Seasonal Health and Safety Warnings/AdvisoriesAnnual Quarantine of Sport-Harvested Mussels - May 1 through October 31Every year, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announces an annual quarantine of sport-harvested mussels gathered along the California coast. The quarantine is in effect from May 1 until October 31 and applies to all species of mussels that are recreationally harvested along the California coast, including all bays and estuaries. The quarantine is in place to protect the public against poisoning that can lead to serious illness, including coma and death. WildlifeIn late spring, there are plenty of opportunities to see a wide range of animals.
Please visit our Wildlife Viewing page for more information. Closures to Protect Seabird Colony SitesNOTICE: From March 1 to July 30, Miller Rocks, Stormy Stack, Hog Island, and Duck Island are closed to the public. This closure is necessary to ensure that no damage occurs to nesting burrows of storm petrels and rhinoceros aucklets, both of which are species of concern under California state law. These sites are also well-used by common murres, pigeon guillemots, pelagic cormorants, and double-crested cormorants, which are easily disturbed during nesting season. Nothing other than a full closure during nesting season would be sufficient to protect the birds. Closures to Protect Western Snowy PloversAnnual Weekend Closure of part of the Point Reyes Beach - Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekendNOTICE: Point Reyes Beach Closure - May 27 through September 4, 2023 [i.e., Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend] Temporary Beach Closure of part of the Point Reyes Beach - Thursday, April 20, 2023, through Sunday, September 3, 2023NOTICE: A temporary closure of the Point Reyes Beach between 0.25 mile north of the North Beach parking lot and ~1.5 mile south of the mouth of Abbotts Lagoon is in effect to facilitate the survival of multiple federally-threatened western snowy plover nests and hatchlings. The beach area will be closed to all public use from April 20, 2023, through September 3, 2023. The beach area will be closed for each day in its entirety. Annual Pet Restrictions on Point Reyes Beach - March 1 through September 30NOTICE: From March 1 through September 30, pets are not allowed on the Point Reyes Beach from the north end of the North Beach parking lot north to the intersection of Kehoe Beach Trail at Kehoe Beach to better protect the threatened western snowy plover during its nesting season. Temporary Pet Restrictions on the Point Reyes Beach - Thursday, April 27, 2020, through Monday, September 4, 2023NOTICE: A temporary closure of the Point Reyes Beach between 0.5 mile south of the North Beach parking lot and 0.5 mile north of the South Beach parking lot is in effect to pets and visitors with pets to facilitate the survival of multiple federally-threatened western snowy plover nests and hatchlings in this pet closure area. Annual Kiteboarding Restrictions - March 1 through September 30NOTICE: From March 1 through September 30, kiteboarding (aka kitesurfing) is not allowed off of Limantour Beach west of the east access trail, the portion of Point Reyes Beach from North Beach parking lot to Kehoe Beach, and within Abbotts Lagoon. Annual Kite Flying Restrictions - March 1 through September 30NOTICE: From March 1 through September 30, kite flying is prohibited on/from Limantour Beach west of the east access trail, the portion Point Reyes Beach from North Beach parking lot to Kehoe Beach, and the shoreline of Abbotts Lagoon. Closures to Protect Harbor SealsNOTICE: From March 1 through June 30, an annual recreational closure of Drakes Estero is implemented to protect the harbor seals during their pupping season, a very sensitive time of the year for these pinnipeds. The closure applies to kayak and canoe usage but is applicable to surfers, windsurfers, abalone divers, recreational fishing, and other water sport users around harbor seal colonies in the area. Double Point and the western most point of Limantour Spit are also closed to all human activity during the pupping season. Closures to Protect Elephant SealsYear-round Closure of the Drakes Beach Elephant Seal Colony at the Southwest End of Drakes BeachNOTICE: 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. Temporary ClosuresNOTICE: Drakes Beach Temporary Closures
Where to See Elephant SealsThe Elephant Seal Overlook at Chimney Rock is open. Drakes Beach parking lot 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 ReportingResearchers 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 ServicesVisitor CentersThe 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 ProgramsVisitors 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. BookstoresStop 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 & TidesBefore traveling, check weather forecasts and advisories for Point Reyes at our Weather & Tides page or the National Weather Service. Latest NewsIf 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. Loading weather forecast... Loading weather forecast... |
Last updated: June 1, 2023