Griswold Hills
Within the steep and rugged Griswold Canyon, BLM land straddles both sides of the road. Visitor service improvements are now complete at the new day use facility, which features a parking area, a shade structure, picnic benches, a vault toilet, and a kiosk providing an interpretive panel, a map, and information about the area.
CAMPING
Dispersed camping is available at Griswold Hills, although there is no camping within 200 yards of any wildlife watering improvement. Please remember to bring a shovel with you for both personal sanitation and fire prevention purposes. There is a 14 day camping limit within any 28-day period.
HUNTING
There are three main types of hunting available, including upland game bird, small game, and big game like deer and wild pigs. Varmint (non-game) hunting is also allowed. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates the hunting seasons for different species and the types of firearms allowed for use. Please be aware that this region is home to the California Condor and affects non-game hunting.
At Griswold Hills, you may find upland game birds, varmints, and small game.
WILDLIFE/WILDFLOWER VIEWING
In the spring the hills are covered with mariposa lilies, Indian Paintbrush, poppies, and wild sage. There is also good habitat for the foothill yellow-legged frog and the western pond turtle.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Map
Restrictions
- Fire restrictions for the BLM - Central Coast Field Office are in effect starting May 25th, 2023. (Full Order)
- No shooting within 150 yards of any developed area.
- OHV’s are prohibited.
- There is no night hunting.
TARGET SHOOTING
There are no designated target shooting areas in the Central Coast Field Office area, however, Public Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management are open to target shooting except when prohibited by other applicable laws and regulations.
While target shooting on BLM lands you must:
- Use legal weapons and ammunition
- Employ a safe backstop (hill) within close proximity behind the target
- Remove all your targets, gun shells, clay pigeons, and any and all items used for your target shooting
You may not:
- Shoot within 150 yards of residences, structures, or developed areas (i.e. day use areas)
- Shoot onto private lands
- Shoot across a roadway or trail
- Shoot at hazardous materials such as propane tanks or paint cans
- Shoot at trees, facilities, signs, or outbuildings
Call or email the Central Coast Field Office for more information on shooting safely and be sure to visit the State of California's Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms web page.
Phone
Activities
Directions
From State Highway 25, take a left onto Tres Pinos Road (J-1) at Paicines, and head east. Continue east past the intersection of Little Panoche Road; in approximately 3 miles you will come to a fork. Take the road to the right going south (New Idria Road) towards the Idria. The developed trailhead is located on the east side of the road approximately 3 miles from the road fork. An undeveloped trailhead is located on the west side of the road another mile to the south towards Idria.