> Canonical: https://caparks.org/guides/wildlife-areas-and-seasonal-access > Content revision: 2026-10-20T20:53:29.377Z THE FIELD GUIDE # Plan around wildlife-area closures A closed wildlife-viewing area can coexist with other visitor access; keep seasonal restrictions tied to the place named in the notice. Reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · California Parks ## Separate the wildlife area from the whole park Año Nuevo’s notice closes the Wildlife Viewing Area in the Natural Preserve to elephant seal viewing from December 1 through December 14. It explicitly says areas outside the Wildlife Viewing Area, including Cove Beach, remain open until sunset. The distinction matters when choosing an outing: a restriction on elephant seal viewing is not a statement that every part of the park is unavailable. [Official visitor information](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523) ## Respect permanently marked sensitive areas Pigeon Point’s visitor information closes Rocky Point around the lighthouse to all visitors to prevent erosion and protect nesting birds. The affected place is the named rocky point, and the source provides the reasons for that restriction. Keep to permitted visitor areas and consult the official park information when planning access around the lighthouse. [Official visitor information](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533) ## Match your activity to the notice Before booking a wildlife-focused trip, read the notice for the activity you intend to do, not just the park’s general hours. For Año Nuevo, the December restriction specifically concerns elephant seal viewing within the preserve. The notice reviewed here does not supply a year-specific booking calendar; use the current official visitor page for tour arrangements and any changes to the seasonal dates. [Official visitor information](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523) ## Documented current impacts These notices are shared with affected park pages. Regional guidance is labeled separately. Closure noticeWildlife ### Channel Islands National Park: Santa Rosa Island fire and wildlife closure areas Park-specific information - Santa Rosa Island fire and wildlife closure areas Fire-affected areas of Santa Rosa Island are closed during recovery. Sandy Point’s coastline is closed year-round to protect seal rookeries. Beaches and dunes from China Camp to Cluster Point are closed to visitor access except marked paths. Follow the NPS map and posted boundaries. [Read the official notice: National Park Service: California visitor destinations ↗](https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)Source checked Oct 20, 2026 [Channel Islands National Park ↗](https://caparks.org/parks/channel-islands-national-park) Closure noticeWildlife ### Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park: Rocky Point around the lighthouse Park-specific information - Rocky Point around the lighthouse Rocky Point is closed to visitors to limit erosion and protect nesting birds. This is a named-area restriction. [Read the official notice: California State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533)Source checked Oct 20, 2026 [Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park ↗](https://caparks.org/parks/pigeon-point-light-station-state-historic-park) Visitor advisoryWildlife ### Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area: Campground food and scented-item storage Park-specific information - Campground food and scented-item storage The agency reports active black bears and requires proper storage of food, coolers, toiletries and rubbish. Follow this park’s specific locker, vehicle and cooler-locking instructions. [Read the official notice: California State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=423)Source checked Oct 20, 2026 [Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area ↗](https://caparks.org/parks/standish-hickey-state-recreation-area) Visitor advisoryWildlife ### Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area: Campgrounds and recreation areas Park-specific information - Campgrounds and recreation areas The agency reports increased bear sightings and links its bear guidance. Review the park’s food-storage requirements and current instructions before camping. [Read the official notice: California State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=650)Source checked Oct 20, 2026 [Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area ↗](https://caparks.org/parks/silverwood-lake-state-recreation-area) Visitor advisoryWildlife ### Point Mugu State Park: Park wildlife sightings Park-specific information - Park wildlife sightings The agency reports mountain lion sightings and links its wildlife guidance. Review those instructions before heading out; the notice does not announce a park closure. [Read the official notice: California State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=630)Source checked Oct 20, 2026 [Point Mugu State Park ↗](https://caparks.org/parks/point-mugu-state-park) Visitor advisoryWildlife ### Caswell Memorial State Park: Mature trees in the park Park-specific information - Mature trees in the park The agency reports summer branch drop and links its safety notification. Follow current park instructions; the notice gives no specific closure area or end date. [Read the official notice: California State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=557)Source checked Oct 20, 2026 [Caswell Memorial State Park ↗](https://caparks.org/parks/caswell-memorial-state-park) Visitor advisoryWildlife ### Año Nuevo State Park: Natural Preserve wildlife viewing area Park-specific information - Natural Preserve wildlife viewing area Elephant seal viewing closes December 1–14. The source distinguishes this viewing-area restriction from access to other park areas, including Cove Beach. Check the current season’s tour information before booking. [Read the official notice: California State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523)Source checked Oct 20, 2026 [Año Nuevo State Park ↗](https://caparks.org/parks/ano-nuevo-state-park) ## Sources & further reading - [www.parks.ca.gov: official resource ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523) - [www.parks.ca.gov: official resource ↗](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533) [Suggest a correction](https://caparks.org/about#corrections) · [Markdown version](https://caparks.org/guides/wildlife-areas-and-seasonal-access.md)