Operating Hours & Seasons

Temporary facilities closures are in effect until further notice.

• Both the Kenneth C. Patrick VIsitor Center and the Lighthouse Visitor Center are closed, as is the Point Reyes Lighthouse. However, the Bear Valley Visitor Center is open (see below for hours), as are the lighthouse area's observation deck and, on a very limited basis, the stairs leading down to the lighthouse (see below for hours). Consistent with the CDC's updated Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People, since Marin County is considered an area of substantial or high community transmission:
  • all visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside of Federal buildings, such as visitor centers and shared restrooms.
  • all visitors who are not fully vaccinated also need to continue to physically distance consistent with CDC guidance.
• Point Reyes National Seashore's Sky Campground is closed. No camping permits will be issued for Sky Campground until further notice, e.g., camping is prohibited. Coast, Glen, and Wildcat Campgrounds and Boat-in Camping along Tomales Bay have reopened, with some new rules in an effort to keep campers healthy.
• Most ranger-led programs and volunteer activities are cancelled until further notice. Consult our Calendar to see what programs and activities are being offered.

Updates will be posted on this page, and to our Current Conditions page and social media channels.

Please help do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Visit our Recreate Responsibly page for guidelines for responsible recreation in the outdoors at Point Reyes and other park lands during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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The park is open daily from 6 am to midnight throughout the year.

The Point Reyes Lighthouse area west of the visitors' parking lot is open to the public from 6 am to 10 pm; closed from 10 pm to 6 am.

Overnight camping is available by permit only.

All Visitor Centers are normally open throughout the year, but are closed December 25. Visitor Centers may close at 2 pm on Thanksgiving. Call 415-464-5100 for hours of operation on these holidays.

Visitor Center hours are as follows:

 

Bear Valley Visitor Center

Current Hours

The Bear Valley Visitor Center is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm.

• The PRNSA Bookstore is open Fridays through Mondays for purchases made using either cash and credit or debit cards. The bookstore is also scheduled to be open Tuesdays and Thursdays, but purchases will need to be made using credit or debit cards, e.g., no cash transactions. The bookstore is closed on Wednesdays.
• Masks are required for people who are not fully vaccinated.
• Please maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance between you and other visitors and park rangers.

 

Lighthouse Visitor Center and the Point Reyes Lighthouse

The Lighthouse Visitor Center and the Point Reyes Lighthouse are closed until further notice.

The observation deck at the top of the stairs leading down to the lighthouse is open from 6 am to 10 pm.

The stairs from the observation deck down to the lighthouse are open on weekends and federal holidays from 10 am to 3:30 pm, as staffing allows.
Please note: If wind speeds exceed 64 km/h (40 mph), the stairs leading down to the lighthouse are closed.

Please visit our Visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse page for more details.

Winter Shuttle Bus System

On weekends and holidays from late December through mid-April when visitation by whale watchers to the Point Reyes Lighthouse area is heavy, visitors may be required to ride a shuttle bus from Drakes Beach to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas.

 

Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center

The Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach is closed seven days a week until further notice.

 

PRNSA Bookstore at Drakes Beach

The PRNSA Bookstore at Drakes Beach is closed until further notice.

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SEASONAL EVENTS

Event	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Gray Whale Migration	X	X	X	X
Elephant Seal Pupping & Breeding	X	X	X									X
Bird Migration			X	X	X			X	X	X	X	X
Harbor Seal Pupping			X	X	X	X
Peak Flower Blooms				X	X
Tule Elk Rut							X	X	X	X
Big Time Festival							X
Sand Sculpture Contest								X

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