AlertsLast updated: November 24, 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 November 11, 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. WildlifeIn the late autumn and early winter, there are plenty of opportunities to see a wide range of animals.
Please visit our Wildlife Viewing page for more information. Closures to Protect Harbor SealsYear-round Closure of Duck Island and the east side of Hog IslandDuck Island and the east side of Hog Island are closed to the public year-round. These locations are important haul-out sites for harbor seals. 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. Seasonal ClosuresNOTICE: The following areas are closed to all entry in order to better protect nursing elephant seal pups: From December 15 to March 31:
Where to See Elephant SealsThe Elephant Seal Overlook at Chimney Rock is open. Drakes Beach parking lot is open. 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: November 24, 2023