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Point Reyes National Seashore
Park Regulations
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Aircraft
Remote controlled, motorized aircraft are prohibited due to potential disturbance to visitors and wildlife. Hang gliders require special use permit to operate in the park. Contact the Special Park Uses office at 415-464-5111 for information about hang gliding at Point Reyes.
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Bicycles
Bicycles must remain on paved roads or on trails designated by signs for their use. Bicyclists may not exceed 25 km/hr (15 mph) on trails, and must yield to horses and pedestrians. Visit our Bicycle Riding page for more information.
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Boats
Non-motorized vessels may be used on freshwater lakes within the Seashore. They are also permitted at Abbott's Lagoon, Limantour Estero and Drakes Esteros, except that Limantour and Drake's Esteros are closed to all boat traffic from March 1 through June 30 each year to protect breeding wildlife.
Per the Marine Life Protection Act (MPLA), the Point Reyes Headlands is closed to all vessels within 305 meters (1000 feet) of shore from Chimney Rock west to Longitude 123° 01.00'. Per the Superintendent's Compendium (143 KB PDF), from Longitude 123° 01.00' west to the Point Reyes Lighthouse the headlands is closed to all vessels within 91 meters (100 yards) of shore. There are also 91-meter (300-foot) special closures around Point Resistance and Double Point/Stormy Stack, per the MLPA. Other temporary or seasonal closures may be in effect at different times due to breeding populations of marine mammals or seabirds. Please check in at the visitor center prior to a trip in order to get updated information on closures or conditions. Or visit our Kayaking page for more information.
Personal water craft are prohibited in Tomales Bay.
Map of PWC closure (145 KB PDF)
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Camping
Camping is allowed by permit ONLY in designated backcountry campgrounds and on the western Tomales Bay beaches that are not closed for wildlife protection. Campers on Tomales Bay beaches must arrive by boat and may not hike, bike, or ride horses to the beaches. Overnight parking for boat-in campers is prohibited within Point Reyes National Seashore (i.e., along the Pierce Point and L Ranch Roads and at the Marshall Beach Trailhead) and Tomales Bay State Park. Contact the camping desk at 415-663-8054 or visit our Backcountry Camping page for more information.
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Collecting
All objects (plants and animals (or parts of them such as flowers, seashells, or antlers), historic artifacts, minerals, etc.) within the National Seashore are protected and may not be collected. However, certain products are available for personal (non-commercial) use only in limited quantities. These are:
- Blackberries, Raspberries, Thimbleberries, Gooseberries, Salmonberries, Huckleberries, or apples - 2 quarts per person per day
- Mushrooms - 2 gallons plus 1 mushroom per adult per day
Research specimens may only be taken with a special use permit. Contact the Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center at 415-464-5187 for more information or visit the NPS Research Permit and Reporting System to learn about the NPS procedures and requirements for applying for scientific research and collecting permits.
Please note: employee housing as well as park administrative, maintenance, operations, and storage facilities, including, but not limited, to access roads, outbuildings, grounds, and docks, are closed to public use.
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Commercial activities
Most commercial activities are prohibited. Those which are permitted require a permit obtained in advance. Check with the park special uses office at 415-464-5111 for information on conducting commercial activities within the park.
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Firearms
Before February 21, 2010, guns and firearms of all types were prohibited within the park. As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.
It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please visit our state's website.
Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.
Hunting within the National Seashore is prohibited.
See "Weapons" section below for regulations pertaining to other weapons.
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Fires
Fires are allowed on beaches but are subject to restrictions. A permit is required and is available at the visitor centers or from field rangers. Permits are issued free of charge on a same day basis (the same-day you plan to have a fire). During periods of high fire danger, all open fires may be prohibited. Check with a visitor center for fire closures on the day you obtain your permit. For more information about fire regulations, visit our Beach Fires page or call the Bear Valley Visitor Center at 415-464-5100 x2 x5.
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Fishing
Fishing is closely regulated in the park and is subject to California State Fish and Game regulations and the Marine Life Protection Act. It is the individual's responsibility to be familiar with the state laws pertaining to the area they intend to fish, and with the species and limits of fish they take. A valid state fishing license is required. Fishing is allowed on most park beaches and freshwater lakes and ponds. Fishing is prohibited in Lagunitas Creek and all its tributaries including Olema and Bear Valley Creeks, in all inland freshwater streams in the park, in Limantour Estero, in the Point Reyes Headlands Marine Conservation Area, and in certain Marine Protected Areas. See our Marine Life Protection Act for more details.
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Horses and pack animals
Horses are permitted on all open trails in the park. The Bear Valley Trail (between the Mt. Wittenberg Trail and the Glen Trail junctions), the Meadow Trail, and the Old Pine Trail are closed to horses on weekends and holidays. Horses are prohibited at Kule Loklo, Drake's Beach, Earthquake Trail, Woodpecker Trail, and on roadways. Download a Map of trails closed to horses (178 KB PDF). Llamas are prohibited from Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve and the Limantour area from Home Bay to the Coast Trail/Woodward Valley Trail Junction from the beach up to Inverness Ridge. Download a Map of trails closed to llamas (200 KB PDF). Read the Superintendent's Compendium (143 KB PDF) or contact the visitor centers for further information.
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Metal detectors
Metal detecting and detectors are prohibited in the park to protect cultural and historic resources. Metal detectors may be transported through the park if they are cased and broken down so as to prevent their use.
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Permits
The following is a list of activities that require a permit. Not all activities requiring a permit are listed. Contact the park's Special Park Uses office (415-464-5111) for further information or refer to listed offices.
- Commercial filming or photography: contact the Special Park Uses office at 415-464-5111.
- Research specimens collection: contact the Division of Natural Resources at 415-464-5202.
- Camping: contact the Camping reservations desk at 415-663-8054.
- Fires: check with visitor centers or field ranger for permits and restrictions.
- Special Events including but not limited to weddings, fund-raisers, sporting events, group events larger than 100 persons: contact the Special Park Uses office at 415-464-5111.
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Pets
All pets must be restrained at all times while in the Seashore on a leash no longer than six feet long. Pets may not be tied to an object and left unattended, or be allowed to make unreasonable noise. Pets are not permitted in public buildings, on most trails, or in campgrounds. Pets are permitted on the Kehoe Trail to Kehoe Beach, and on the Bolinas Ridge, Randall, Jewell, and McCurdy Trails. Please observe all signs indicating pet restrictions. Check out the Pet Regulations page or contact a Visitor Center for additional information on where pets are permitted.
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Skateboarding, in-line skates and similar devices
These activities are prohibited within the park.
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Viewing wildlife
Wildlife may not be viewed with an artificial light at night, nor approached so that animal behavior is altered.
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Weapons
All weapons (including, but not limited to, B-B guns, slingshots, bows and arrows, or any object capable of discharging a projectile), as well as weapons prohibited by the state, are prohibited.
Hunting within the National Seashore is prohibited.
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