How to Get a Arroyo Seco Permit
The inland side of the Santa Lucias — a river campground you reach from Highway 101 instead of fighting Highway 1 for it.
Check Arroyo Seco permit availabilitySingle-site reservations cover 6 people and 1 vehicle, and single sites include one vehicle in the use fee. The maximum is 8 people per site ($10 per person per night above 6), and extra vehicles are $10 per night at the campground
Permit Cost
Weekend bookings require 2 nights; holiday weekends 3
Duration
About Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco is a Los Padres National Forest campground in the Santa Lucia Range, reached from Highway 101 near Greenfield rather than from the coast. Recreation.gov records a minimum weekend stay of 2 nights, a minimum holiday-weekend stay of 3, and a reservation cut-off 3 days before arrival. Site rules are the same shape as the other Los Padres campgrounds: single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle, the maximum is 8 people per site with a $10 per person per night charge above 6, and the maximum is 2 vehicles per site. Single sites include one vehicle in the use fee and double sites include two; extra vehicles are charged $10 per night at the campground. Amenities listed include drinking water, pit toilets, showers, a dumpster and trash collection. The operator warns to use caution in the river because water can be swift and dangerous in the spring, and to bring insect provisions.
Arroyo Seco is the back door to the same mountains everyone approaches from Big Sur, and it does not depend on the coast highway being open. The operator puts the distance between the two plainly: about 70 miles of very curvy road and roughly a two-hour drive.
The Experience
A river running through a rocky gorge with oaks and sycamores over the campsites, and the sort of summer heat the coast never gets.
This is a drive-in campground at the end of Arroyo Seco Road. Coming from the south on Highway 101 you take the first Greenfield exit, turn left on Elm Street, go west to Arroyo Seco Road and turn left; the road dead-ends at the campground. From the north, just past Soledad, turn west onto Arroyo Seco Road and continue.
The river is both the attraction and the hazard. The operator warns to use caution in the river because the water can be swift and dangerous in the spring, and separately that weather conditions can change rapidly.
What to Expect
Access from Highway 101, not Highway 1 — the operator puts the coast at about 70 miles and two hours of curvy road away
Two-night minimum on weekends, three on holiday weekends, and a three-day reservation cut-off
Six people and one vehicle in the base reservation, eight people and two vehicles maximum
A river that the operator warns can be swift and dangerous in spring
Insects — the operator says to bring appropriate repellent
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Permit Requirements
Single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle
Maximum 8 people per site, with a $10 additional charge per person per night above 6
Maximum 2 vehicles per site. Single sites include one vehicle in the use fee, double sites include two, and extra vehicles are $10 per night
Minimum weekend stay is 2 nights; minimum holiday-weekend stay is 3 nights
Reservations close 3 days before the arrival date
Buy firewood locally and burn it on site — California asks visitors not to move firewood, to keep tree-killing pests out of the forest
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •Insect repellent, which the operator specifically asks visitors to bring
- •Shoes you can get wet if the river is part of the plan
- •Shade and sun protection for inland summer heat
Recommended Gear
- •A stove, since firewood has to be bought locally
- •Offline maps
- •A river-worthy dry bag if you are swimming
Hazards & Safety
The river. The operator warns that water can be swift and dangerous in the spring
Weather that the operator says can change rapidly — check before arrival
Inland summer heat, which is a different climate from the coast 70 miles away
A long, curvy drive if you are combining this with Big Sur
Best Time to Visit
Spring is when the river runs best and also when the operator warns it is most dangerous. Autumn gives you warm days without the peak summer heat and easier bookings. Whatever you choose, the reservation closes three days out.
Pro Tips
Reservations close three days before arrival
Weekends need a two-night booking and holiday weekends need three
Bring insect repellent — the operator asks for it by name in spring, summer and autumn
Treat the river with respect in spring; the operator warns the water can be swift and dangerous
This is the Highway 101 approach to the Santa Lucias. Getting from here to Big Sur is about 70 miles of curvy road and two hours
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Arroyo Seco permit?
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Arroyo Seco permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Arroyo Seco?
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Spring is when the river runs best and also when the operator warns it is most dangerous. Autumn gives you warm days without the peak summer heat and easier bookings. Whatever you choose, the reservation closes three days out.
How difficult is Arroyo Seco?
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Families and groups who want a river campground without a coast-highway gamble.
What gear do I need for Arroyo Seco?
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Essential gear includes: Insect repellent, which the operator specifically asks visitors to bring, Shoes you can get wet if the river is part of the plan, Shade and sun protection for inland summer heat.
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