What's still open in California?
Last week the USFS announced a dismal end to summer: California National Forests are closed due to wildfire dangers, which is the majority of the mountain areas on the inland side of California.
Total Escape is here to show you what areas are STILL OPEN.
With most California National Forests closed for the month and the wildfires still burning, camping options narrow considerably.
Where to go?
California Deserts are still too warm, so we will be featuring a few other locations. All forests and parks listed below offer camping and additional outdoor recreation opportunities. Campfires may be banned in some locations.
Only ONE National Forest inside California is still open - the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in the Eastern Sierra.
Toiyabe National Forest
[Mono Lake to Topaz Lake]
Autumn Aspens began showing fall colors in mid to late September at higher elevations, lasting into October when the first snow falls:
- Twin Lakes, CA
- Bridgeport, CA
- Buckeye Hot Springs
- Green Creek
- Upper Summer Meadows
- Bodie State Historic Park
- Topaz Lake Recreation Area
- Travertine Hot Springs
- Virginia Lakes
Redwoods North Coast
- Lost Coast / Kings Range
- Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
- Usal Beach Campground
- Nadelos BLM Campground
- Wailaki BLM Campground
- Mattole Campground BLM
- Tolkan Campground BLM
Redwoods Coast Parks
One National Park, and numerous State Parks showcase the redwood forests of the Northern California Coast.
Redwood State Parks:
- Jedediah Smith
- Del Norte Coast
- Prairie Creek
- Grizzly Creek (@ Van Duzen River)
- Humboldt Redwoods
More North Coastal State & County Parks:
(listed from north to south)
- Patrick's Point State Park
- Samoa County Park
- Petrolia County Park (A.W. Way)
- Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
- Westport Union Landing State Park
- MacKerricher State Park
- Russian Gulch State Park
- Van Damme State Park
- Manchester State Park
- Salt Point State Park
- Sonoma Beach State Park
San Francisco Parks
- Bodega Dunes Campground
- Doran Regional Park
- Samuel P Taylor State Park
- Mount Tamalpias State Park
- Half Moon Bay State Park
Big Sur & Central Coast
[Santa Barbara to Monterey]
- El Capitan State Beach
- Refugio State Beach
- Gaviota State Park
- Gaviota Hot Springs
- Jalama Beach County Park
- Oceano Campground
- Oceano Dune SVRA
- Pismo State Beach
- Montana de Oro State Park
- Morro Bay State Park
- Morro Strand State Beach
- Hearst San Simeon State Park
- Julia Pfieffer State Park
- Limekiln State Park (all trails closed due to damage from Dolan Fire)
- Pfieffer Big Sur State Park
- Andrew Molera State Park
NOTE: Inland coastal mountains of Los Padres National Forest, plus Ventana & Silver Peak Wilderness are closed to the public.