A vast, remote grassland and wildflower wonderland in central California’s San Joaquin Valley, home to endangered species, ancient seismic rift, and 100+ years of human history.
A spectacular, 250-square-mile landscape managed by the Bureau of Land Management, famous for springtime super blooms, native wildlife, and the San Andreas Fault’s dramatic surface expression. A premier destination for hiking, camping, and nature viewing in California’s interior sagebrush desert.
Overview
Carrizo Plain National Monument is the last large native grassland remaining in California’s Central Valley. It protects a unique blend of ecological, geological, and cultural resources, including vibrant spring wildflowers, pronghorn antelope, and evidence of the San Andreas Fault’s movement across the landscape.
- Established in 2001, the monument covers roughly 250 square miles (160,000 acres) in eastern San Luis Obispo County .
- The Carrizo Plain is a broad, flat basin, surrounded by rolling hills and punctuated by ephemeral lakes, including the famous Soda Lake, the largest alkaline lake in California.
- The monument is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with a focus on habitat restoration, cultural resource protection, and public recreation .
Plan Your Visit
The Carrizo Plain offers a variety of ways to experience its vast open spaces, colorful wildflower displays, and unique geological features. Access is mainly via dirt roads, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended during wetter months.
Elkhorn Plain Scenic Drive
A 27-mile unpaved loop through the heart of the monument offering views of Soda Lake, rolling grasslands, and wildflower-filled valleys.
- The route is best driven with a high-clearance vehicle and may be impassable after rain.
- Numerous pullouts and overlooks provide opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing, and short hikes.
- Key stops along the drive include Soda Lake Overlook, Wallace Creek, and Whitley Mesa .
Soda Lake Overlook & Wallace Creek
Soda Lake Overlook: Offers a panoramic view of the vast, white expanse of Soda Lake, especially dramatic after winter rains when it fills with water.
Wallace Creek: A scenic creek where the active San Andreas Fault has offset the watercourse by about 90 meters, offering visible proof of fault movement. A short walk leads to excellent viewing points for photography and geological observation.
El Saucito Ranch & Goodwin Education Center
El Saucito Ranch: The oldest standing house in the monument, dating back to the early 1880s, reflecting the region’s ranching history.
Goodwin Education Center: Serves as the main visitor center with interpretive displays, maps, and information about the monument’s natural and cultural history. Ranger-led programs and educational resources are offered here .
Outdoor Recreation
Carrizo Plain is a paradise for outdoor lovers, offering hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and photography in a mostly undeveloped landscape.
Misery Junction to Soda Lake Scenic Drive
This route runs from the monument entrance at Misery Junction to Soda Lake, offering access to the Elkhorn Plain Scenic Drive and other interior points.
- The road conditions vary with weather, and high-clearance vehicles are recommended for most areas.
- The drive provides access to many trailheads and scenic viewpoints.
Camping & Stargazing
Camping is available at the Mescal and Century Ranch campgrounds, offering primitive sites without water or hookups.
- Bring all necessary supplies, including water, and practice Leave No Trace principles.
- The remote location provides spectacular dark skies, ideal for stargazing and astrophotography.
Wildlife & Ecology
The monument is a critical habitat for numerous species, including several that are threatened or endangered.
Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana)
Pronghorns roam the open grasslands, using their speed and keen eyesight to avoid predators. Carrizo Plain is one of the few places in California where pronghorns still thrive in the wild.
Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia sila)
An endangered species that inhabits the monument’s arid plains, often seen basking on rocks or darting through low vegetation.
San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica)
This small, rare fox is adapted to the grassland and scrub environments of the Carrizo Plain, where it hunts for rodents and insects.
Geology & Habitats
Carrizo Plain is renowned for its unique geology and diverse habitats, shaped by the San Andreas Fault and its position within the California interior.
Soda Lake Alkaline (Alkali) Playa
Soda Lake is a seasonal alkaline lake that supports specialized plant and animal life. After rains, it fills with water, attracting migratory birds and other wildlife.
San Andreas Fault
The monument offers some of the best surface expressions of the San Andreas Fault in the world, including features like Wallace Creek that show how the earth shifts during earthquakes.
Native Grasslands
The vast prairies of the Carrizo Plain support a variety of grasses and wildflowers, forming the foundation for many of the monument’s wildlife species.
Cultural History
The Carrizo Plain contains rich archaeological resources, including ancient Native American sites and evidence of 19th-century ranching.
Arroyo Seco Scenic Drive
A scenic route providing access to remote areas of the monument, including trailheads and archaeological sites.
Chumash and Yokuts Rock Art
Petroglyphs and pictographs created by Native American tribes over thousands of years can be found on rocky outcrops throughout the monument.
Historic Ranches
Remnants of cattle ranches, including El Saucito Ranch, illustrate the European-American history of land use in the region.
Management
The Carrizo Plain National Monument is managed by the Bureau of Land Management with a focus on preserving its unique ecological, geological, and cultural resources.
- Ranger programs and guided hikes are offered seasonally, with the Goodwin Education Center serving as the main hub for visitors.
- Efforts are ongoing to restore native habitats, manage invasive species, and protect archaeological sites.
- Access roads and trailheads may close after heavy rains to protect the landscape and ensure visitor safety .
For more detailed information, maps, and current conditions, visit the Goodwin Education Center and the Bureau of Land Management – Carrizo Plain National Monument websites .
Links
Hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Last updated: Sat Jun 7, 2025
