About Carrizo Plain National Monument
All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads.2025 Wild FlowersClick here for more information on the latest 2025 wildflower conditionsSpring 2025. Dry conditions on the monument have impacted this year’s wildflower season. With limited rainfall, wildflowers are expected to be sparse, and a vibrant display is unlikely. We invite the public to take advantage of the pleasant spring weather. The Goodwin Education Center is open Thursday through Sunday from 9am to 4pm. While visiting the monument, visitors can explore various activities including, wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, hunting, biking, and auto touring. REMINDER: Please follow warning signs and respect private property when visiting your public lands. This is a remote area with limited towing services, no fuel, food or water nearby.ROADS: Rain showers continue, please be cautious on dirt roads! Don't drive into the flowers, park alongside the road (parallel) as not to obstruct other traffic and watch for pedestrians. Currently Simmler Road and Panorama Road are open. High clearance vehicles are recommended, especially in muddy areas. Soda Lake Road and Elkhorn Road are also open.Overview The Carrizo Plain National Monument, located 100 airline miles (160 km) from Los Angeles, is an area by-passed by time. Soda Lake, its centerpiece, is a glistening bed of white salt, set within a vast open grassland, rimmed by steep mountains. The plain is home to diverse communities of wildlife and plant species, is an area culturally important to Native Americans, and is traversed by the San Andreas fault, which has created and moved mountain ranges, carved valleys and is marked by a subtle alignment of ridges, ravines and pools. Goodwin Education CenterPhone: 661-391-6191Information Line: 661-391-6193Open: December 1 - May 31.Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Thursday - SundayMaps and brochures are available at the front door when the center is closed. Wheel
