AlertsLast updated: April 18, 2024 Temporary 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/AdvisoriesThere are currently no health and safety warnings/advisories for the Point Reyes area in effect. WildlifeIn 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 SitesAnnual Closures - March 1 through July 30NOTICE: 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 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 - Friday, April 12, 2024, through Monday, September 2, 2024NOTICE: 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 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. Annual Closure of Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour, Double Point, and the western most point of Limantour Spit - March 1 through June 30NOTICE: 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 SealsDownload the Elephant Seal Protection Closures Map, which shows the areas that are affected by the year-round and/or seasonal closures described below. (1,179 KB PDF) Year-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. 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 seven days a week through mid-April 2024. For most of the rest of the year, it 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: April 18, 2024