carrizo plain national monument

Very rustic camping at both KCL and Selby campgrounds. Horse corrals at KCL, didn't notice any at Selby. KCL is closer to the main road (a dirt road that could be bad after a rain), which has trees and a resident owl. Great birding and beautiful wild flowers in the spring. Very few flowers while here in Feb. Campgrounds have tables, fire pits (fire permit needed-get online prior to arriving), pit toilets, but no water or trash facilities. Nature center was open Thur-Sun in Feb.Fun things to do here include a guided walk to Native American rock decoration walks at Soda Lake and the San Andreas fault line. Thanks to President Clinton for making this place a National Monument!

Drove out to Carrizo Plain Monument to see Wallace Creek - hot spot for seismic activity. Very interesting factoids marked and cool to be able to view the landscape and its movement.

If you're a photographer, and the weather cooperates, this has spectacular vistas. The old farm equipment offers unique opportunities for the creative types. Getting to and from the monument is almost as much fun as the monument itself. Along the way we saw buffalo and wild turkey. Remember to check when the visitor center will be open to get the most out of your visit.

We didn't make it to the south end as we were unsure about the drivability of the road - does not compare to Death Valley at all - vista was nice overlooking Soda Dry Lake - if you want to see beautiful National Parks in CA (other than Yosemite) - I recommend Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Devils Postpile over this Monument

We went mainly to geocache so were two jeeps with a total of five people. I had no idea how expansive the area is, how many dirt roads there are to explore, how many interesting old relics and abandoned buildings are scattered about. Right off the bat we saw two antelope near the sag pond on the San Andreas fault. Not much further along, we saw scientists in a trench monitoring the fault. We had lunch under some lush trees (which are few and far between) where some water troughs were fed from a spring. We spent about seven hours wandering around various dirt roads and still have so much more to see. Come well prepared with a full gas tank, extra water and food. Best to travel with another vehicle since the area is remote and you many not see anyone else. We did, however, see two BLM employees out on the trail on quads and a dirt bike. The views are fantastic, the geology fascinating and the wildlife is out there. Bathrooms are available at Traver Ranch.

I was on my way to begin a 5000 mile trip but still couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit Carrizo Plains on my way across the San Joaquin Valley. It was Christmas day so the park wasn't too crowded. I Was able to see some elk and raced a pronghorn antelope for a short distance, taking pictures out the window.

I camped a couple of nights here in late October. My friend and I were the only people at the campground and we only saw 2 other cars in the whole monument in the two days we were there. The place is a bit like a mini Death Valley in that it's mostly open, bordered by small mountains on each side and it appears to be very empty. Carrizo Plain felt more remote in a way since there were few visitors and there are NO services anywhere inside the monument. There is gas and supplies available in nearby towns, but they are a 45-50 mi drive from much of the monument. I didn't see much wildlife beyond tarantulas and hawks, but I think that's just because of the time of year. I thought it was great, but there's not any particular tourist sight to speak of, so make sure it's the type of place you're interested in before you go.

What is unique and so wonderful about the Carrizo Plain is its nothingness. No traffic, no noise, very few people, long, long vistas, flowers in the spring---but mainly the stillness, solitude, and overwhelming sense of peace. There is hardly anywhere else, at least in California, that offers this.

I can imagine the beauty here when the flowers are out. Not a one left by Memorial Day. It gets hot here... really hot in summer. We will try again early next spring... if it rains .

If you want to see more than desert scenery and earth science, go elsewhere. Check http://www.scec.org/wallacecreek/guides/blm-cpna.html for a self-guided automobile tour of the geology of the area including a spot where you can see the San Andreas Fault. I visited on a 68-degree day in April and saw lots of small lizards and mammals, and several predatory birds. I also saw two snakes, each about 4-5 feet long, sunning themselves. One was lying across the trail to Wallace Creek. I found later that they were non-venomous, but I didn't know that at the time. Still, I wish I would have had a walking stick. At any time of year, be sure to take plenty of water, as there isn't any available in the park. Visit the visitor center or the Soda Lake overlook for maps. Keep in mind that this park is very remote and you will need to travel dirt roads to see anything worthwhile. It was dry when I visited, but there are numerous signs warning that the dirt roads are impassable after wet weather. I did see several places where creeks wash over the road.

The Carrizo Plain National Monument is far from everything. It is an isolated desert environment which is largely a flat plain. You can see for miles, including mountain vistas. There are minimal services: a library/bookstore, public restrooms, and maps to the Painted Rocks pictographs. In all but the winter months, it can be blessedly hot - take lots of water. It is a long ride from everywhere and there are no camping or motel facilities.

This is a dry year and by the end of March the place was mostly brown already. The only patch with wildflowers was at Camp Shelby where the hills are brilliantly yellow with interior goldbush flowers. These are tough perennials. We arrived on a Saturday evening and there are still several primitive campsites available. Each site is equipped with a single shade structure over a table. There are no trees. There are drinking water and the portable potties were very clean. Hiking trails lead right from the campground.The camp is quiet and cool in the moonlit night, and we heard owl hooting. We visited the one-room Goodwin Education Center on Sunday. The volunteer and ranger were very knowledgeable and friendly. The center is well stocked with books and nature displays of natural & cultural history and geology of the plain. Soda Lake is worth a visit by walking out on the platform to the lake. The lake is white and fluffy and on a dry year it doesn't contain much water but mostly sodium sulfate and carbonate. So this place is worth a visit even in a dry year to get a feel for what the ancestral California plain looks like.

This place isn't for everyone. It's 100 miles north of Los Angeles and extremely remote. There weren't many wildflowers when we visited -- don't know if we went too early or if lack of rain. But the scenery dazzles, grasslands, hills, green everywhere and the white mirage of Soda Lake -- looks like snow from the distance and sometimes like wear. I had a few close calls with t he San Andreas Fault -- not sure I saw it but I saw something that looks like that! It really is a hidden gem.

Absolutely incredible wildflowers after a rainy winter. Worth a couple of visits during the season. Check out the Theodore Payne Wildflower Hotline

See the seasonal lake, see the St Andreas fault up close. See the antelope. What you won't see is people. Or development, or food or drink or paved roads. I love it in the spring.