Climbing Closures & Regulations

Climbing-Gear

The increased popularity and use of the Santa Monica Mountains climbing areas has resulted in identifiable impacts on such resources as soils, plant communities, and possibly wildlife species. In permitting recreational activities, including rock climbing, the National Park Service must ensure that no damage to cultural resources occurs and that every effort is made to protect the park's natural resources and wilderness values.

Regulations

To ensure that these climbing areas stay open for everyone, please observe the following prohibitions and restrictions:

  • No electric or power drills.
  • No rock altercation such as chipping, chiseling, scraping, or gluing
  • No removing, scrubbing, or destroying vegetation or "gardening".
  • Climbing within 50'of rock art is strictly prohibited.
  • Dogs are not permitted at off trail climbing areas.
  • No disturbing nesting birds or other wildlife.

Closures

The followings sites are closed to all forms of climbing until the expiration date of the closure notice below for visitor safety and / or resource protection.

Click on the name of the area for more information such as exact location, routes, and climber's descriptions.

United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
401 West Hillcrest Drive

Thousand Oaks, California 91360

PUBLIC NOTICE

EMERGENCY CLOSURE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY

“THE LOOKOUT” – SOUTH-FACING BUTTRESS

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROPERTY ALONG YERBA BUENA ROAD
 

An emergency closure of the south-facing buttress at “The Lookout” is necessary to protect the public from accidental rock fall created by recreational climbing activity. The restriction will remain in effect until further notice.

NPS TRACT #: 104-79

APN: 6940220030 (Ventura County)

LAT. 34º 06’ 21.40” N

LONG. 118º 53’ 42.40” W

 

Climber’s description: South-facing buttress, at the area known as “The Lookout”, adjacent to Yerba Buena Road in Ventura County. The south-facing buttress is defined by a vertical crack between a left and right south-facing wall. It is south of the climbing route known as “Golden Eye 11a”.

By order of the Superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and in accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 16 United States Code, Section 3, the preceding restrictions are established for the proper management, protection, and public use of those portions of SMMNRA under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. The applicable regulatory text from Title 36 follows:

36 CFR §1.5 – VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES

(a) Consistent with applicable legislation and Federal administrative policies, and based upon a determination that such action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental or scenic values, protection of natural or cultural resources, aid to scientific research, implementation of management responsibilities, equitable allocation and use of facilities, or the avoidance of conflict among visitor use activities, the superintendent may:

(1) Establish, for all or a portion of a park area, a reasonable schedule of visiting hours, impose public use limits, or close all or a portion of a park area to all public use or to a specific use or activity.

(2) Designate areas for a specific use or activity, or impose conditions or

restrictions on a use or activity.

For more information regarding this closure, please call 805-370-2301. Your cooperation in complying with these temporary restrictions is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

David Szymanski

Superintendent

Posted: March 13, 2013

 

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

401 West Hillcrest Drive

Thousand Oaks, California 91360

PUBLIC NOTICE

EMERGENCY CLOSURE TO PROTECT SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES

ECHO CLIFFS – THE GROTTO

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROPERTY IN UPPER CARLISLE CANYON
 

The emergency closure of “The Grotto” at Echo Cliffs is required to protect sensitive natural resources damaged by recreational climbing activity. The restriction will remain in effect until further notice, or until sensitive plant species are no longer threaten.

NPS TRACT #: 102-70

APN: (Ventura County) 69401-2003

LAT. 34º 07’ 30.7” N

LONG. 118º 55’ 38.8” W

 

Climber’s description: River right, north facing slope, area west or upstream of “Miss Pacman” and “Game Boy”. River left, south facing slope, area west or upstream of “Xanadu”.

By order of the Superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and in accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 16 United States Code, Section 3, the preceding restrictions are established for the proper management, protection, and public use of those portions of SMMNRA under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. The applicable regulatory text from Title 36 follows:

36 CFR §1.5 – VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES

(a) Consistent with applicable legislation and Federal administrative policies, and based upon a determination that such action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental or scenic values, protection of natural or cultural resources, aid to scientific research, implementation of management responsibilities, equitable allocation and use of facilities, or the avoidance of conflict among visitor use activities, the superintendent may:

(1) Establish, for all or a portion of a park area, a reasonable schedule of visiting hours, impose public use limits, or close all or a portion of a park area to all public use or to a specific use or activity.

(2) Designate areas for a specific use or activity, or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity.

For more information regarding this closure, please call 805-370-2301. Your cooperation in complying with these temporary restrictions is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

David Szymanski

Superintendent

Posted: March 13, 2013

Last updated: January 5, 2022

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

26876 Mulholland Highway
Calabasas, CA 91302

Phone:

805 370-2301

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