Carrizo Plain National Monument

2025 Wild Flower Season 

Latest information on the 2025 wildflower conditions

Dry conditions on the monument have impacted this year’s wildflower season.  With limited rainfall, wildflowers are expected to be sparse, and a vibrant display is unlikely.

We invite the public to take advantage of the pleasant spring weather.  The Goodwin Education Center is open Thursday through Sunday from 9am to 4pm.  While visiting the monument, visitors can explore various activities including, wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, hunting, biking, and auto touring.

REMINDER: Please follow warning signs and respect private property when visiting your public lands. This is a remote area with limited towing services, no fuel, food or water nearby.

ROADS: Please be cautious on dirt roads. Off-road vehicle travel is not allowed.  When parking, park alongside the road (parallel) as not to obstruct other traffic and watch for pedestrians.

Planning Your Visit

Prepare yourself for your adventure. The Carrizo Plain National Monument does not provide any services such as water, food, or fuel. Plan your trip accordingly and ensure you get these items in one of the neighboring communities before you come (see Gateway Communities). These communities lie 15 miles from the south entrance and 60 miles from the north entrance. Also, ensure you bring the appropriate apparel for the time of year you are visiting.

Special Rules for the Carrizo Plain National Monument

Please observe the following rules during your visit to the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Painted Rock Exclusion Zone: The following items/activities are not allowed in the Painted Rock Exclusion Zone: Horses and dogs, non-motorized bicycles (except the Painted Rock parking area), cache-type activities (geocaching, earth caching, etc.), discharge of firearms, and campfires.

Pictographs and Petroglyphs: The making of digital, photographic, print, or video images of any of the pictographs or petroglyphs, or any graffiti that overlies or is adjacent to, for commercial use is not allowed.

Weapons: Recreational target shooting is prohibited within the entire monument. Public lands within 1/4 mile of any campground, Painted Rock, facility (including the Washburn, Saucito, and MU ranch headquarters), developed overlooks, interpretive sites or pullouts, are closed to the discharge of firearms. Use of replica weapons (such as paintball, airsoft, or war game apparatus is not allowed on the monument. In addition, there is a No Shooting Zone established/marked around Painted Rock and the Goodwin Education Center.

Access: All public lands within 1/4 mile of Sulphur Springs are closed to public access, in order to protect sensitive resources. All public lands within 1/4 mile of Painted Rock are closed to public access from March 1 through July 15 each year, except for tours authorized by the Bureau of Land Management, for the same reason.

Visitors Center

Goodwin Education Center
Phone: 661-391-6191
Open: December 1 - May 31.
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Thursday - Sunday

Maps and brochures are available at the front door when the center is closed. Wheelchair accessible restrooms at the Education Center remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year.

Contact the Education Center or make it your first stop to receive updated information about your visit to the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Get permits for Guided and Self-Guided Tours

Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide

Weather

Expect warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Most rain falls between November and April with occasional snow. Average summer temperatures range from the low 50s°F at night to the upper 90s°F during the day. Daytime temperatures often exceed 100°F, with a record high of 115°F. Average winter temperatures range from highs in the mid 60s to lows in the mid 30s, with a record low of 0°F. The Carrizo Plain receives between 7–10 inches of annual rainfall on the valley floor.

Pets

Pets must be controlled at all times. In addition, pets must be leashed or caged at all developed sites including the visitor center, interpretive overlooks, trail heads, and camping areas. No pets are allowed in the Painted Rock exclusion zone.

Nearest Highway Access

The Carrizo Plain has two major sources of access. From the north, the access is via Soda Lake Road off of State Route 58. The other major access is from the south via Soda Lake Road off of State Route 33/166.

Gateway Communities

Gateway Communities located near the Monument help inform and educate the public about the opportunities on the Carrizo Plain National Monument. They also provide services (food, fuel, water) not available on the Monument. Taft is located east of Carrizo Plain and offers Monument information at the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 400 Kern Street. You can visit their website: http://www.taftchamber.com. Taft offers a variety of businesses, including grocery stores, fuel, and lodging. Santa Margarita is located northwest of the Monument and offers visitors information on Main Street (El Camino Real), look for visitor information signs. Santa Margarita offers fuel, food, and shops.