How to Get a Memorial Park Permit
The Highway 101 back door into the Santa Lucias — a campground with no water, no cell service, and a road that turns to dirt three quarters of the way there.
Check Memorial Park permit availabilityThe camping fee includes 1 vehicle and 1 tent, trailer or RV. Each extra vehicle is $10
Permit Cost
Weekend bookings require 2 nights; holiday weekends 3
Duration
About Memorial Park
Memorial is a Los Padres National Forest campground deep in the Santa Lucia Range, reachable only from Highway 101 — the operator's directions state that the Highway 1 side is closed. The paved road turns to dirt three quarters of the way there. The camping fee includes 1 vehicle and 1 tent, trailer or RV, with $10 for each extra vehicle. Recreation.gov records a 2-night minimum on weekends, 3 nights on holiday weekends, and a reservation cut-off 8 days before arrival. No drinking water is available and there is no cell service in the campground. Pets are allowed, fires are allowed only in designated fire rings, quiet hours run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and fireworks are prohibited at all times. The operator asks visitors not to hike alone and to tell someone their plans.
Memorial sits on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, the one road that crosses the Santa Lucias between Highway 101 and the Big Sur coast. The operator's directions note that it is accessible only from Highway 101 because the Highway 1 side is closed — which is the whole planning problem for this side of the forest in one line.
The Experience
Deep in the range with no signal, no tap and no neighbours, and a sky that shows it.
From Highway 101, Nacimiento-Fergusson Road can be reached from the King City area at Jolon Road (county road G-14), from the Bradley area at Jolon Road (G-18), or from Paso Robles along G-14. Travel to the town of Jolon, continue west along Mission Road about 5 miles, then north on Del Venturi Road for about 12 and 15 miles. The paved road turns to dirt three quarters of the way there.
There is no drinking water and no cell service in the campground. The operator asks visitors not to hike alone, to tell someone their plans and stick to them, and warns against taking unnecessary chances because help for emergencies is miles away.
What to Expect
No drinking water and no cell service
Access only from Highway 101 — the operator states the Highway 1 side is closed
Paved road turning to dirt three quarters of the way in
An eight-day reservation cut-off
Quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., which are earlier and longer than at Escondido
Get Memorial Park Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
Permit Requirements
The camping fee includes 1 vehicle and 1 tent, trailer or RV; each extra vehicle is $10
Minimum weekend stay is 2 nights; minimum holiday-weekend stay is 3 nights
Reservations close 8 days before the arrival date
Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings
Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Fireworks are prohibited at all times
Pets are allowed
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
- •All your water. The operator states there is none here
- •Gnat and mosquito repellent for spring, summer and autumn
- •A written trip plan left with someone at home, because there is no signal to change it from
Recommended Gear
- •A vehicle with reasonable clearance for the dirt section
- •A stove; buy firewood locally
- •A satellite messenger if you plan to hike from here
Hazards & Safety
No drinking water at all
No cell service in the campground
A dirt final approach that gets worse in wet weather
Remoteness — the operator warns not to take unnecessary chances because help for emergencies is miles away
Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn, when the inland Santa Lucias are comfortable and the dirt road is dry. Summer is hot with no water source on site, and winter turns the last stretch of road into a gamble. Reservations close eight days out in every season.
Pro Tips
Carry all your water. The operator states there is none at this campground
There is no cell service in the campground — leave your plan with someone before you lose signal
Access is from Highway 101 only; the operator notes the Highway 1 side is closed
Paved road turns to dirt three quarters of the way there
Reservations close eight days before arrival
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 Memorial Park permit?
+
Memorial Park permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Memorial Park?
+
Spring and autumn, when the inland Santa Lucias are comfortable and the dirt road is dry. Summer is hot with no water source on site, and winter turns the last stretch of road into a gamble. Reservations close eight days out in every season.
How difficult is Memorial Park?
+
People who want to be genuinely out of contact for a couple of nights and can carry their own water to do it.
What gear do I need for Memorial Park?
+
Essential gear includes: All your water. The operator states there is none here, Gnat and mosquito repellent for spring, summer and autumn, A written trip plan left with someone at home, because there is no signal to change it from.
Don't Miss Your Memorial Park Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Memorial Park availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts