Welcome
Los Padres National Forest encompasses nearly two million acres
in the beautiful coastal mountains of central California. The forest
stretches across almost 220 miles from the Big Sur Coast in Monterey
County to the western edge of Los Angeles County.
more information »
LOS PADRES ITEMS OF INTEREST
FOREST NEWS
Piedra Blanca Trailhead February 18, 2008.
Los Padres to Reopen Areas Burned in 2008 Fires April 27
Los Padres National Forest Outlines Fire Suppression Capabilities April 24
Forest Service Announces Bargain Firewood Permits April 13
Most Forest Roads to Reopen on Mount Pinos Ranger District April 13
Forest Service Clarifies Los Padres Campfire Restrictions April 13
Forest Service Announces Los Padres Campfire Restrictions April 9
Forest Service Announces Spring Road Closures and Safety Tips March 4
Figueroa Mountain Wildflowers
Greetings! Welcome to the 2009 Wildflower Season! In spite of the cold weather and snow at Figueroa Mountain, the wildflowers have decided that it's time to bloom and they have. They are blooming in "leaps and bounds!" Get ready because you are in for a real treat! Check It Out »
Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center
The Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center will host two new programs this spring, Bringing Nature into your School, an all-day educators workshop offered on March 28 from 9 am to 3 pm and Toddler Time: Dance, Music, Art and Drama from April 2 to June 4 every Thursday afternoon from 1 to 2:30 pm. More Information »
Located just 8 miles north from Ojai on Highway 33 at
17017 Maricopa Highway, the Wheeler
Gorge Visitor Center is the gateway to the southern Los Padres National Forest.
Do You Know about the Adventure Pass?
Wherever you live in Southern California, you're just
a short drive away from a spectacular wildland
adventure - recreating in the Angeles, Cleveland, Los
Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests! Here you
will find mountains as high as 11,500 feet, canyons,
vast forests, lakes, waterfalls, rivers and streams,
and a wealth of recreation activities - all waiting
for you.
In Los Padres National Forest you can enjoy
hiking, camping, mountainbiking, off-highway
vehicle travel, picnicking, winter snowplay, cross-country
skiing and many other activities.
Your national forest lands are a unique and
precious resource, yours to enjoy and take
care of so that they will always be there...for present
and future generations.
The Recreation Fee Program, which includes
the Adventure Pass, helps:
- Conserve, protect, and restore natural and
heritage resources
-
Enhance the visitor experiences by improving
recreation opportunities and services
Many of the facilities and services in Los Padres
National Forest are free. Some areas and facilities
do require the Adventure Pass or other fees to help
maintain, manage and improve the amenities that you
enjoy. Learn more about the Adventure Pass program
and other recreation passes that might meet your
needs as you enjoy your public lands. more
on the Aventure Pass »
Los Padres Project Wins National "Kids in the
Woods" Grant
The FamCamp project on the Santa Barbara
Ranger District is among 16 projects
nationwide selected for special funding
under the Forest Service "Kids in
the Woods" program. Through the
FamCamp partnership, entire families
with children 6-12 years old are introduced
to camping and environmental education
activities in Los Padres National Forest. FamCamp
partners include: the Los Padres Forest
Association, Santa Barbara Botanic Barden,
Boys and Girls Club, Santa Barbara Zoo,
University of California School of Education,
Santa Barbara Unified School District
and the Rocky Mountain Recreation Company. news release »
Invasive Weeds - A Real Problem
No matter who you are or where you live, invasive
weeds affect your way of life. Widespread infestations
reduce productivity and value of the land. While
weeds have long been recognized as a problem
in agriculture, they pose an ever increasing
threat to the integrity of all wildland ecosystems. more
Information »
Check out the Geology
Section!!
The Los Padres has many amazingly beautiful locations and vistas that exhibit spectacular geology. Massive beach cliffs are being eroded by waves along the Big Sur Coastline, while tectonic forces continue to build the mountains of the Transverse and Coast Ranges. more information »
Elements of a Prescribed Burn
Prescribed fire is the planned and controlled use
of fire to accomplish specific land management
goals. This prescribed burn project is used
as a photographic explanation how and why
these prescribed fires are performed. photographs
& information »
Sudden Oak Death
An
aggressive disease called "Sudden
Oak Death" (SOD) is killing our native oaks in many areas
along the California coast, including Big Sur.
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