Enjoy National Forests This Memorial Day
Know Before You Go — Check access and recreate safely
VALLEJO, Calif. — Memorial Day weekend, honoring the heroes who gave their lives in military service to this nation, also marks the start of summer visits to national forests. Some sites with lingering snow, road damage, or wet conditions may remain closed. Staff continue to use all available resources to open these areas for the public to safely enjoy.
Know Before You Go. Please review the forest website you plan to visit for access and safety tips. Safety is our top priority.
Enjoy your visit to our national forests by following these tips:
Water Safety
Do not enter cold, rapid water. It may be colder than you realize and dangerous, for you and first responders.
Never enter the water to rescue a victim. Throw something that floats. Call 9-1-1.
Do not drive through high waters. Water often moves faster than it appears.
Note your surroundings. Many campgrounds and trails are near lakes and rivers with changing water conditions.
Be aware of winds and avoid areas with dead standing trees.
Look up before you choose a trail, park your car, or set up camp.
No matter how tempting, do not park your car illegally and block emergency vehicle access.
Pack essentials. Always bring food, water, clothes for changing weather, first aid, lights, navigation aid, and a smartphone (but be prepared for reception to be spotty or unavailable). Hikers, riders and campers – give a detailed travel plan and GPS location upon arrival to someone not on the trip, in case of an emergency.
Observe all posted signs and warnings. There may not be barriers or signs at each closed location. Remember, GPS is not always reliable for current closures and conditions. And gates should never be opened when closed, even if GPS shows the best route through the area. Citations may still be issued even if no signs exist when a forest order is in place.
Additional Weather and Planning Resources
- Caltrans QuickMap — Current road closures
- Weather Watches, Warnings and Advisories | National Weather Service
- California Office of Emergency Services | Cal OES
For regional happenings, follow @YourPSWForests on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Or search for individual national forests on Facebook and X.