Current Conditions

Alerts

 
 

Last updated: May 4, 2023

 

Temporary facilities closures are in effect until further notice

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

  • Until further notice, the Horse Trail is closed to all use due to storm damage and the Mount Wittenberg Trail is closed to equestrians due to damage from the Woodward Fire. 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.
 

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:

  • The Mount Wittenberg Trail is closed to horses until further notice due to damage from the Woodward Fire.
  • The Horse Trail is closed to horses until further noticed due to storm damage.

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 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 Reyes

As 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.
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.

Annual Seasonal Health and Safety Warnings/Advisories

Annual Quarantine of Sport-Harvested Mussels - May 1 through October 31

Every 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.
CDPH's Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program's Annual Mussel Quarantine - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Wildlife

In late spring, there are plenty of opportunities to see a wide range of animals.

  • Female elephant seal have hauled out on beaches near Chimney Rock and at Drakes Beach to molt their skin.
  • Most gray whales have migrated past the Point on their way to the Bering and Chukchi seas, but some are seen passing by as late as Memorial Day. Greater numbers of humpback whales arrive in the Gulf of the Farallones, where they spend the summer and fall feeding.
  • Female harbor seals haul out on sandbars and beaches in Drakes Estero, Estero de Limantour, Tomales Bay, and Bolinas Lagoon to give birth and raise their pups. Please note that when seals and other pinnipeds haul out, they are extremely vulnerable to human disturbance, with the pupping and molting seasons being an especially vulnerable time for harbor seals. Please read the "How You Can Help" section on our Harbor Seals page for more information.
  • Many species of birds migrate from, to, or past Point Reyes during the spring. Many species nest throughout the park's various habitats. Federally-listed threatened western snowy plovers nest on park beaches. Please observe all closures listed below to help better ensure a successful nesting season.
  • Tule elk can be seen year-round on Tomales Point and along Drakes Beach Road.

Please visit our Wildlife Viewing page for more information.

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Closures to Protect Seabird Colony Sites

NOTICE: 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 Plovers

Annual Weekend Closure of part of the Point Reyes Beach - Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend

NOTICE: Point Reyes Beach Closure - May 27 through September 4, 2023 [i.e., Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend]
A closure of the beach area between the North Beach parking lot and the mouth of Abbotts Lagoon is in effect on weekends and federal holidays every summer to better ensure the survival of federally-threatened western snowy plover nests and chicks within this area on busy weekends. All public use is prohibited. Reproductive monitoring of western snowy plovers at Point Reyes has previously demonstrated that chick mortality is higher on weekend days than weekdays. Disturbance by park visitors in plover breeding areas can separate chicks from the adults, and the chicks may then not be able to forage efficiently, thermoregulate properly, and hide from predators.
Map of Beach Closure (322 KB PDF)

Temporary Beach Closure of part of the Point Reyes Beach - Thursday, April 20, 2023, through Sunday, September 3, 2023

NOTICE: 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.
Point Reyes Beach North is an important nesting site for the western snowy plover, a federally listed species. Winter storms have narrowed stretches of this beach in areas where plovers are nesting. Stretches are so narrow that it is unsafe for visitors to walk at high tide without directly disturbing snowy plover nests on the upper beach. Biologists have found 3 known nests in the area, and they expect to find several more soon. Disturbance by park visitors plover breeding areas prevent plovers from incubating their eggs, can separate chicks from the adults, and the chicks may then not be able to forage efficiently, thermoregulate properly, and hide from predators.
Determination of Temporary Closure - April 20, 2023, through September 3, 2023 - signed on April 20, 2023 (116 KB PDF)
Map of the temporary closure to all public use on the Point Reyes Beach - April 20, 2023, through September 3, 2023 (9,080 KB PDF)

Annual Pet Restrictions on Point Reyes Beach - March 1 through September 30

NOTICE: 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, 2023

NOTICE: 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.
Determination of Temporary Closure - April 27, 2023, through September 4, 2023 - signed on April 27, 2023 (29 KB PDF)
Map of the temporary closure to pets on the Point Reyes Beach - April 27, 2023, through September 4, 2023 (905 KB PDF)

Annual Kiteboarding Restrictions - March 1 through September 30

NOTICE: 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 30

NOTICE: 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 Seals

NOTICE: 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.
Map of Harbor Seal Protection Closures on Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour - March 1–June 30 (2,952 KB PDF)

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Closures to Protect Elephant Seals

Year-round Closure of the Drakes Beach Elephant Seal Colony at the Southwest End of Drakes Beach

NOTICE: 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 Closures

NOTICE: Drakes Beach Temporary Closures
Temporary closures are in effect due to the presence of elephant seals hauled out along the western sections of Drakes Beach. To better protect elephant seals from disturbance:

  • Until further notice, Drakes Beach is closed to all entry from ~0.5 miles west (e.g., to the right when facing Drakes Bay) of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center to the year-round closure area at the west end of Drakes Beach. Poles and ropes with "Beach Closed" signs have been erected at the eastern end of the closed area, e.g., the end closest to the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center.
  • The Peter Behr Overlook and trail are closed to all entry until further notice.

Where to See Elephant Seals

The 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 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

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: June 1, 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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