Walk-Up6/10
Los Padres Salmon Creek Trail permit
Waterfall access and wilderness entry on South Coast....
Memorial Park Campground Permit
Los Padres National Forest · California
One date at a time
Big Sur backdoor access via Carmel Valley.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Memorial Park were gone within 10 minutes.
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Memorial Park Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelModerate6/10
CostThe camping fee includes 1 vehicle and 1 tent, trailer or RV. Each extra vehicle is $10
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level6/10
LocationSanta Lucia Range, Los Padres National Forest, California, CA
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
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
Weekend bookings require 2 nights; holiday weekends 3
Highlights
- •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
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !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
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
Today
☀️
85°
64°
Sun
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82°
56°
Mon
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86°
51°
Tue
☀️
81°
57°
Wed
☀️
82°
57°
Thu
☀️
86°
60°
Fri
☀️
93°
64°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Peak: AutumnShoulder: Spring
Conditions
Green, mild, and buggy. The dirt section can still be soft.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Green hills
- +Comfortable temperatures
Challenges
- !Insects
- !Soft road
- !No water on site
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand1/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
People who want to be genuinely out of contact for a couple of nights and can carry their own water to do it.
Recommended Experience
None, but a real plan and a real water supply.
Not Recommended For
Anyone who needs a phone signal, a tap, or a paved road all the way to the site.
About This Permit
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.
The Experience
Why It Matters
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 Route
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.
The Feeling
Deep in the range with no signal, no tap and no neighbours, and a sky that shows it.
Trailhead Information
Memorial Campground
On the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road system in the Santa Lucia Range, accessible only from Highway 101.
Restrooms
No water
No Service
Before you rely on this water
The operator states that no drinking water is available at this campground. Bring all of it.
Getting There
Accessible only from Highway 101 — the operator notes the Highway 1 side is closed. Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is reached from King City at Jolon Road (G-14), from Bradley at Jolon Road (G-18), or from Paso Robles along G-14. Travel to Jolon, west along Mission Road about 5 miles, then north on Del Venturi Road. Paved road turns to dirt three quarters of the way there.
Nearest Services
Jolon or King City, California. No public showers in the region.
Rules & Regulations
- •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 Checklist
Required
- 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
- A vehicle with reasonable clearance for the dirt section
- A stove; buy firewood locally
- A satellite messenger if you plan to hike from here
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Memorial Park
🚐
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Key Landmarks
Memorial Campground
On the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road system in the Santa Lucia Range. No drinking water, no cell service, paved road turns to dirt three quarters of the way in.
Memorial Park FAQ
Is there drinking water at Memorial Campground in Los Padres National Forest?
No. The operator states that no drinking water is available. Bring everything you need for drinking, cooking and washing.
How do you get to Memorial Campground?
From Highway 101 only — the operator notes the Highway 1 side is closed. Nacimiento-Fergusson Road can be reached from King City at Jolon Road (G-14), from Bradley at Jolon Road (G-18), or from Paso Robles along G-14. Travel to Jolon, continue west along Mission Road about 5 miles, then north on Del Venturi Road. The paved road turns to dirt three quarters of the way there.
Is there cell service at Memorial Campground?
No. The operator states that no cell service can be found in the campground, advises against hiking alone, and asks visitors to tell someone their plans and stick to them because help for emergencies is miles away.
How far in advance do I need to book Memorial Campground?
At least eight days. Recreation.gov records an 8-day reservation cut-off, with a 2-night minimum on weekends and 3 nights on holiday weekends.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Late light down the drainage, with nothing man-made in the frame.
Best Light
Clear autumn evenings, and the night sky afterwards — there is no light pollution here.
Beat the Crowds
The road and the eight-day cut-off do most of it. Midweek in autumn you may have the loop to yourself.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Milky Way over camp
- 📍Oak and chaparral ridgelines in late light
- 📍The Nacimiento-Fergusson road system winding through the range
- 📍Green Santa Lucia hills after winter rain
Can't Get a Memorial Park Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Escondido Campground
Same AreaThe neighbouring Los Padres campground on the same road system, also with no drinking water.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A slightly shorter drive in, with the last three miles unsurfaced instead of a quarter of the route.
Arroyo Seco Campground
Easier AlternativeThe larger river campground reached from Greenfield, with drinking water and showers among the listed amenities.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much busier, and much less remote.
Plaskett Creek Campground
Similar ExperienceThe coastal Los Padres campground on Highway 1, with water spigots throughout.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Ocean instead of backcountry, and entirely dependent on the coast highway being open.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Memorial Park trip
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