Carrizo Plain National Monument

I took a drive to Carrizo Plain National Monument today. The plain covers almost 250,000 acres of land, and is bordered by the Caliente Mountain Range on the southwest and the Temblor Mountain Range on the northeast. Points of interest on Carrizo Plain include Painted Rock, Soda Lake, The San Andreas Fault (which is visible near Wallace Creek) and Caliente Mountain, the highest mountain in San Luis Obispo Country. There are a few primitive camgrounds with portable toilets but no drinking water: KCL Campground and Selby Campground. There is also a visitor center, the Goodwin Education Center, where they have free brochures on wildlife and maps, books and postcards to buy, and restrooms.

The road is only partially paved, but it is not too rough. However, during wet weather, the road may become impassable.

Painted Rock is a site where you can view Native American pictographs. There is a 3/4 mile trail from the parking lot to the rock. Painted Rock is closed to the public from March 1 to July 15 to protect the nesting birds and other biological resources. Guided tours are offered during that time by reservation only. You can make a reservation by calling the Education Center [ (805) 475-2131].

Carrizo Plain is home to many species of animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. In the spring, the wildflowers begin to bloom, and soon, the plain is covered in gold with goldfields and tidy tips and poppies. The plain is home to Tule Elk, Pronghorn Antelope (both which have been reintroduced to the area in recent years), the San Joaquin Kit Fox, desert cottontail rabbits, black tailed jackrabbits, weasels, bobcats, as well as several species of bats, snakes, lizards, and a whole lot of birds, including the Sandhill Crane.

Carrizo Plain National Monument is located off of Highway 166, near Maricopa, CA.

Links:


Goodwin Education Center
Sierra Club - Carrizo Plain
Geography of Carrizo Plain