Are Los Padres backcountry trail camps open after the 2026 wildfires?

No. As of early November 2026, hike-in backcountry camps and most drive-in campgrounds on the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest remain closed because of the Timber and Plaskett Fires.

The current rule is Forest Order No. 05-07-51-26-11, the Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Order with Exceptions. It closes designated roads, trails and lands, and it is "effective from September 26, 2026, until January 31, 2027." Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/alerts/monterey-ranger-district-emergency-closure-order-exceptions

The closure area covers a large block of forest between Bottcher's Gap and Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, including the Ventana Wilderness and Silver Peak Wilderness. The trails listed as closed under Exhibit D include Pine Ridge, Big Sur, Carmel River, Arroyo Seco, Vicente Flat, Buckeye, Cruickshank and Mill Creek, along with the hike-in trail camps strung along them such as Vicente Flat Camp, Villa Creek Camp, Pine Ridge Camp, Divide Camp, Terrace Creek, Jackson Camp, Little Sur Camp, Danish Creek, Ventana Camp, Round Rock Camp, Bear Basin and Black Cone Camp. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/alerts/monterey-ranger-district-emergency-closure-order-exceptions

The order also affects the drive-in campgrounds that front these backcountry areas. Escondido Campground's own page carries the alert "Site Closed" with the note "Aug 2026: Closed due to the Timber and Plaskett Fires," and it is listed among the recreation sites covered by the current order. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/escondido-campground and https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/alerts/monterey-ranger-district-emergency-closure-order-exceptions

Exceptions exist only for firefighters and emergency personnel, landowners and residents needing access to their own property, and anyone holding a specific Forest Service exemption permit. No general recreation exemption is listed. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/alerts/monterey-ranger-district-emergency-closure-order-exceptions

Because this order runs through January 31, 2027, and supersedes an earlier version of the same closure, anyone planning a Big Sur backcountry trip should check the Los Padres alerts page directly before travel, since the end date could be extended or shortened as fire conditions change.