At 12:01 AM, October 1, 2013, the federal government shut down. While we wait for Congress to do the right thing, National Parks are officially closed to hiking and camping. I’ve got many friends who had plans for visiting nearby National Parks, and for now, those plans are dashed.
Here’s what this means to hikers and outdoor lovers throughout Southern California, with the best details I can provide on where you can and cannot hike. I’ll keep this updated, but if you have new information, let me know in the comments.
The Closures
All National Parks are effectively closed. Hikers in the backcountry with wilderness permits are allowed to finish their hike, but new permits won’t be issued. In southern California this includes:
- Channel Islands National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
- Areas that fall into State Park jurisdication may be open
- Death Valley National Park
This means that popular trails like Sandstone Peak and sections of the Backbone Trail are now off limits.
Mostly Open
The general consensus on National Forest is that it’s still open, but there will be no ranger services or permits, and hunting will not be allowed. It’s not clear whether any they will have enforcement agents to check for Adventure Passes at trailheads requiring them. Local National Forest areas include:
- Angeles National Forest
- San Bernardino National Forest
- Cleveland National Forest
- Los Padres National Forest
These areas include trails like Mt. Baldy, Mt. Wilson, San Gorgonio, San Bernardino and Santiago Peak.
Still Open For Hiking
All of the State, county, regional and local park systems remain open. This includes:
- Crystal Cove State Park
- Catalina Island
- Griffith Park
- Laguna Coast Wilderness
- Whiting Ranch
- And many more remain open
I know we all hope this is resolved quickly. Our National Parks are not just wonderful places for us to visit and hike, but the visitors they attract help support entire cities surrounding them. Write your congressman and tell them to take care of business.
Thank you so much for the info!! Does this mean that roads leading to south fork and other san gorgonio trailheads are open? I procured my adventure pass and camping permit last week, I am just looking to make sure that I can still park and access the trailhead. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
This was an informative article. Thanks!
@Nancy – Thanks! The good news in the midst of the bad is that hiking trails in National Forests remain open.
@Graham – Here’s the question mark on parking at the trailheads. If there is a gate on the road leading to the trailhead, it will be closed and locked. All facilities (bathrooms, etc.) that can be closed and locked, will be. Privately leased operations (restaurants, etc.) will remain open, so long as they are not behind a road that has a gate (which would be closed and locked).
I have to admit that I don’t remember if those trailheads have gates on the roads leading to them or not. I know that the main parking at the Vivian Creek trailhead does, but the overflow parking (further down the hill) does not. I suspect it may be a similar situation at other trailheads. You would have to park outside of the gated area.
If you do so, be sure to obey the signs and parking rules.
I’m heading up to Fish Creek in that area this weekend, so I’ll see what I find then and report back. Please do the same.
I fail to see how the Santa Monica mountains could be closed – SO many trailheads and roads through there. Be aware there’s a red flag alert from Friday thru Sunday eveybody.
@Barbara, you’re technically correct. As is the case with most of the National Parks, there are many trails through them and it’s impossible to prevent someone from entering. The key is that they are officially closed, and you could be cited for entering.
Of course, with many rangers furloughed, who knows how much patrolling and enforcement is going on. I do know that any facilities that can be closed (gates, doors, etc.) generally are.
It’s maddening and frustrating, but we’re also fortunate that there are many state and local lands where trails remain open, as well as National Forest trails.
Heading up San Bernardino Peak via Angeles Oaks tomorrow morning, will post back with what I find there.
Awesome! Thanks, Nathan.
Does that mean I can go hike to Cleveland National Park? I wanted to go there and take some photos and video
@Ariel: Yes, you should be able to access trails in the Cleveland National Forest. Parking might be another matter. Parking lots behind gates will likely be closed. Areas where an Adventure Pass is required for parking will still require this, though the Ranger Stations will be closed. You’ll have to pick up a pass at a retailer such as Big 5 (ask the cashier). In addition, any facilities (campgrounds, restrooms, visitor centers, etc.) will also be closed. But everything I’ve read says the trails are in fact open.
One note, since there are no services in National Forest areas, please pack-out whatever your bring in. There won’t be anyone to empty the trash cans.
How do you know hunting is not permitted ? Fish and game says you can hunt if you can access the land by walking.
Alex, You may be correct. Do you have a link to a source confirming this?
It’s been a challenge to get reliable info on this since the web sites are down, no one really answering the phone, etc.
Just hiked the Marion Mountain trail to San J peak today. There were self issue permits at the National Forest Ranger Station. Lots of folks up there hiking and backpacking around. A nice day on the peak. Campground locked up but the trail heads were open and my buddy spoke personally to a ranger a few days ago and he said hike away.
Supposed to hike Cucamunga Peak this week. Found this on Angeles National website…know anything?
Due to the lapse in agency funding, the sale of all types of permits (i.e., recreation, firewood, forest products, mineral materials for example) are suspended, recreation.gov reservations are suspended, and all federally owned recreation sites are closed. All offices are closed. These services will be available once funding is restored.
Law enforcement, fire suppression, and other essential services will continue without interruption.
This web site will remain available for public safety announcements and updates such as for wildfire, floods, and so forth. We will attempt to make timely updates about public health and safety on these web pages as appropriate. We sincerely regret this inconvenience.
It really nice description. I’m not beginner. I’d like to prepare my form to Mt. Whitney . Today I went to headtrial VIVIAN CREEK but ….. it was closed. I was surprised because San Bernardino National Forest according to this article should be opened. I don’t know where can I find information when it will be opened . If it is possible let me know.
@Rich thanks for the report! Glad to hear you were able to hike up there with no issues.
@Martha, you should be fine, but bear in mind that parking lots at the trailhead may be closed. As a rule, if there’s a gate on it, it will be closed and locked. But the trails (assuming you can get to them) are open for you to hike on.
@Bak, sorry to hear you weren’t able to get to the trail. There is parking down the hill from the “official” parking, so don’t let the closed gate thwart your plans. The trails are open for hiking, even if the parking areas are not.
Thanks Jeff. Appreciate it.
Hiked Icehouse Trail to Cucamonga yesterday…the snow was beautiful, about 4 inches. Couldn’t summit, lost the trail due to snow right before the Peak Trail.
Awesome! How deep was the snow? It’s a good reminder of how the climate at the top of these local mountains can be so different from the lowlands. I’d love to see pics from the hike.
I’ve seen mixed reports about Cleveland National Forest… any chance you know if Noble Canyon is still open? Hoping to get a hearty hike in tomorrow…
@Sydney, the trails on all the National Forests are open (apart from fire closures and other issues). I don’t know specifically and according to the Forest Service site, it is OPEN: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=47484&actid=51
Have a great hike!