The Van Matre family owned several farm properties throughout the plain. This
property, known to them as "The Camp" was orginally homesteaded by Jerry
Hagerty in 1930. At the end of World War II he sold it to Jinx and Barbara Van
Matre who used it seasonally when wheat was planted in late autumn and again
during the summer harvests. There is an interpretative trail around the house
and farm equipment.

The Van Matre family owned several farm properties throughout the plain.  This property, known to them as "The Camp" was orginally homesteaded by Jerry Hagerty in 1930.  At the end of World War II he sold it to Jinx and Barbara Van Matre who used it seasonally when wheat was planted in late autumn and again during the summer harvests.  There is an interpretative trail around the house and farm equipment.

Bird's eye view of the park

Van Matre Ranch

**All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV
plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads.**

## 2025 Wild Flowers

**Click here for more information on the latest 2025 wildflower conditions**

**Spring 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 Center

Phone: 661-391-6191

Information Line: 661-391-6193

Open: December 1 - May 31.

Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Thursday - Sunday

Maps and brochures are available at the front door when the center is closed.
Wheelchair accessible restrooms at the Education Center remain open 24 hours a
day, seven days a week, throughout the year.

Contact the Education Center or make it your first stop to receive updated
information about your visit to the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Get permits for Guided and Self-Guided Tours

**Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide**

## Special Rules for the Carrizo Plain

Please observe the following rules during your visit to the Carrizo Plain
National Monument.

Painted Rock Exclusion Zone: The following items/activities are not allowed in
the Painted Rock Exclusion Zone: Horses and dogs, non-motorized bicycles
(except the Painted Rock parking area), cache-type activities (geocaching,
earth caching, etc.), discharge of firearms, and campfires.

Pictographs and Petroglyphs: The making of digital, photographic, print, or
video images of any of the pictographs or petroglyphs, or any graffiti that
overlies or is adjacent to, for commercial use is not allowed.

Weapons: Recreational target shooting is prohibited within the entire
monument. Public lands within 1/4 mile of any campground, Painted Rock,
facility (including the Washburn, Saucito, and MU ranch headquarters),
developed overlooks, interpretive sites or pullouts, are closed to the
discharge of firearms. Use of replica weapons (such as paintball, airsoft, or
war game apparatus is not allowed on the monument. In addition, there is a No
Shooting Zone established/marked around Painted Rock and the Goodwin Education
Center.

Access: All public lands within 1/4 mile of Sulphur Springs are closed to
public access, in order to protect sensitive resources. All public lands
within 1/4 mile of Painted Rock are closed to public access from March 1
through July 15 each year, except for tours authorized by the Bureau of Land
Management, for the same reason.

All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads.<h2>2025 Wild Flowers</h2><a href="https://theodorepayne.org/learn/wildflower-hotline/" rel="nofollow">Click here for more information on the latest 2025 wildflower conditions</a><div>Spring 2025.  </div><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>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.</div> 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. <h2>Goodwin Education Center</h2>Phone: 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. Wheelchair accessible restrooms at the Education Center remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year.Contact the Education Center or make it your first stop to receive updated information about your visit to the Carrizo Plain National Monument.Get permits for Guided and Self-Guided Tours<a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/media-center-public-room-california-carrizo-plain-national-monument-recreation-map-and-guide.pdf" rel="nofollow">Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide</a> <h2>Special Rules for the Carrizo Plain</h2>Please observe the following rules during your visit to the Carrizo Plain National Monument.Painted Rock Exclusion Zone: The following items/activities are not allowed in the Painted Rock Exclusion Zone: Horses and dogs, non-motorized bicycles (except the Painted Rock parking area), cache-type activities (geocaching, earth caching, etc.), discharge of firearms, and campfires.Pictographs and Petroglyphs: The making of digital, photographic, print, or video images of any of the pictographs or petroglyphs, or any graffiti that overlies or is adjacent to, for commercial use is not allowed.Weapons: Recreational target shooting is prohibited within the entire monument. Public lands within 1/4 mile of any campground, Painted Rock, facility (including the Washburn, Saucito, and MU ranch headquarters), developed overlooks, interpretive sites or pullouts, are closed to the discharge of firearms. Use of replica weapons (such as paintball, airsoft, or war game apparatus is not allowed on the monument. In addition, there is a No Shooting Zone established/marked around Painted Rock and the Goodwin Education Center.Access: All public lands within 1/4 mile of Sulphur Springs are closed to public access, in order to protect sensitive resources. All public lands within 1/4 mile of Painted Rock are closed to public access from March 1 through July 15 each year, except for tours authorized by the Bureau of Land Management, for the same reason.

Carrizo Plain National Monument is one of the best kept secrets in California.  Only a few hours from Los Angeles, the Carrizo Plain offers visitors a rare chance to be alone with nature.

Carrizo Plain National Monument

Carrizo Plain National Monument Tours

The Traver Ranch was established in the 1940's when the family purchased
approximately 800 acres and began building the large block house that still
stands along the edge of Soda Lake Road. The family was primarily involved in
dry land farming of wheat and occasionally barley. Examples of farming
implements that were used are on display in the field east of the block house.
The house provides important habitat for the pallid bat and western small-
footed bat, as well as other wildlife species. Because of this, the house has
been secured to allow wildlife access, but prevent human entrance into the
structure. For your safety and to minimize distrubance to wildlife, do not
enter the fenced area around the ranch house. Please enjoy the farming
equipment on display.

The Traver Ranch was established in the 1940's when the family purchased approximately 800 acres and began building the large block house that still stands along the edge of Soda Lake Road.  The family was primarily involved in dry land farming of wheat and occasionally barley.  Examples of farming implements that were used are on display in the field east of the block house.  The house provides important habitat for the pallid bat and western small-footed bat, as well as other wildlife species.  Because of this, the house has been secured to allow wildlife access, but prevent human entrance into the structure.  For your safety and to minimize distrubance to wildlife, do not enter the fenced area around the ranch house.  Please enjoy the farming equipment on display.

Traver Ranch

Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December
2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles
of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed
forms of recreation. There is limited legal access to the area.  
  
The BLM is currently working on developing legal public access and staging for
the Temblors. For more information, contact the field office at 661-391-6000.

Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December 2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed forms of recreation. There is limited legal access to the area. The BLM is currently working on developing legal public access and staging for the Temblors. For more information, contact the field office at 661-391-6000.

Temblor Recreation Area

The sandstone formation at Painted Rock has long drawn the attention of
Carrizo Plain National Monument visitors. About 3,000 - 4,000 years ago,
Native Americans began to paint their sacred images with the alcove of the
rock. Not surpisingly, the power of this place continues to enthrall, and it
still receives many visitors today. Spiritual leaders and other tribal members
created the rock paintings as an expression of their cultural and religious
beliefs. Please help us protect Painted Rock, a cultural resource of the
American Indians of California and a special place for future generations of
people to enjoy and benefit. Please do not touch, climb, or walk on any part
of the rock to help preserve it. Tread carefully while visiting the site and
do not distrub or collect artifacts, remove plants, or distrub the wildlife.
Reservations are required to visit Painted Rock, if visiting during self-
guided tour season, ensure you get a gate code from www.recreation.gov prior
to visiting the monument..

**Get permits for Painted Rock Guided and Self-Guided Tours**

**Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide**

**2018 Wildflower Watch**

The sandstone formation at Painted Rock has long drawn the attention of Carrizo Plain National Monument visitors. About 3,000 - 4,000 years ago, Native Americans began to paint their sacred images with the alcove of the rock. Not surpisingly, the power of this place continues to enthrall, and it still receives many visitors today. Spiritual leaders and other tribal members created the rock paintings as an expression of their cultural and religious beliefs. Please help us protect Painted Rock, a cultural resource of the American Indians of California and a special place for future generations of people to enjoy and benefit. Please do not touch, climb, or walk on any part of the rock to help preserve it. Tread carefully while visiting the site and do not distrub or collect artifacts, remove plants, or distrub the wildlife. Reservations are required to visit Painted Rock, if visiting during self-guided tour season, ensure you get a gate code from www.recreation.gov prior to visiting the monument..<a href="https://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72168" rel="nofollow">Get permits for Painted Rock Guided and Self-Guided Tours</a><a href="https://www.blm.gov/documents/california/public-room/brochure/carrizo-plain-national-monument-recreation-map-and-guide" rel="nofollow">Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/bureau-of-land-management-california/hope-already-wilting-for-wildflower-season-at-carrizo-plain-national-monument-th/1832750326749633/" rel="nofollow">2018 Wildflower Watch</a>

No admission fee, but reservation fee charged by Recreation.gov

The plain is home to diverse communities of wildlife and plant species including several listed as threatened or endangered and is an area culturally important to Native Americans.

PROblmcalifornia Carrizo Plain National Monument

Painted Rock

The center offers the visitor interpretive displays and exhibits explaining
the uniqueness of the Carrizo Plain and adjoining Elkhorn Plain. Here you will
learn about the endangered plants and animals of the San Joaquin Valley, the
geology of the San Andreas Fault, the human history of Painted Rock and its
significance to Native Americans and the farming and ranching history of the
area. A diorama as well as interactive interpretive displays are available for
visitor education. Informational maps and brochures are available at the front
door when the center is closed. Wheelchair accessible restrooms at the
Education Center remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the
year. Contact the Education Center or make it your first stop to receive
updated information about your visit to the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
Open seasonally from the beginning of December to the end of May. Normal days
and hours of operation during those months are Thursday - Sunday, 9:00am to
4:00pm. The education center can be reached at 661-391-6191. We also have a
recorded information line 661-391-6193.

**Get permits for Guided and Self-Guided Tours**

**Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide**

**Facebook**

**Twitter**

The center offers the visitor interpretive displays and exhibits explaining the uniqueness of the Carrizo Plain and adjoining Elkhorn Plain. Here you will learn about the endangered plants and animals of the San Joaquin Valley, the geology of the San Andreas Fault, the human history of Painted Rock and its significance to Native Americans and the farming and ranching history of the area. A diorama as well as interactive interpretive displays are available for visitor education. Informational maps and brochures are available at the front door when the center is closed. Wheelchair accessible restrooms at the Education Center remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. Contact the Education Center or make it your first stop to receive updated information about your visit to the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Open seasonally from the beginning of December to the end of May. Normal days and hours of operation during those months are Thursday - Sunday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. The education center can be reached at 661-391-6191. We also have a recorded information line 661-391-6193.<a href="https://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72168" rel="nofollow">Get permits for Guided and Self-Guided Tours</a><a href="https://www.blm.gov/documents/california/public-room/brochure/carrizo-plain-national-monument-recreation-map-and-guide" rel="nofollow">Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/blmcalifornia/" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a><a href="https://twitter.com/blmca" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a>

Goodwin Education Center

The El Saucito Ranch house is the oldest standing house in the Carrizo Plain
National Monument, dating back to circa 1878. This is the only ranch house in
the monument to have been occupied from the pioneer period to modern day.
Although the house changed ownership a number of times, it remained mostly
occupied throughout it's history. The last time it was owner occupied was in
1966. In the years that followed the ranch house was used by caretakers or
leased to ranchers intermittently until the ranch was vacated in 1984. The
first post office on the Carrizo Plain was founded in 1882 and was located at
the El Saucito Ranch house. There is an interpretative trail at the ranch, and
each April a guided tour is conducted on the ranch. Reservations for the
guided tour can be booked at www.recreation.gov. .

**Get permits for Guided and Self-Guided Tours**

**Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide**

**2018 Wildflower Watch**

The El Saucito Ranch house is the oldest standing house in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, dating back to circa 1878. This is the only ranch house in the monument to have been occupied from the pioneer period to modern day. Although the house changed ownership a number of times, it remained mostly occupied throughout it's history. The last time it was owner occupied was in 1966. In the years that followed the ranch house was used by caretakers or leased to ranchers intermittently until the ranch was vacated in 1984. The first post office on the Carrizo Plain was founded in 1882 and was located at the El Saucito Ranch house. There is an interpretative trail at the ranch, and each April a guided tour is conducted on the ranch. Reservations for the guided tour can be booked at www.recreation.gov. .

<a href="https://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72168" rel="nofollow">Get permits for Guided and Self-Guided Tours</a>

<a href="https://www.blm.gov/documents/california/public-room/brochure/carrizo-plain-national-monument-recreation-map-and-guide" rel="nofollow">Download the Carrizo Plain National Monument Recreation Map and Guide</a>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/bureau-of-land-management-california/hope-already-wilting-for-wildflower-season-at-carrizo-plain-national-monument-th/1832750326749633/" rel="nofollow">2018 Wildflower Watch</a>

Saucito Ranch

Here you are standing on the San Andreas Fault. At this location it runs
northwest to southeast a the base of the hills. At one time Wallace Creek
drained straight across the fault, but movement by the San Andreas Fault has
offset its drainage course, with the downstream segment about 430 feet
northwest of the upsteam segement. This is one of the best examples of stream
offset across a fault in the world. An interpretive trail is available to
learn more about this portion of the San Andreas Fault.

Here you are standing on the San Andreas Fault.  At this location it runs northwest to southeast a the base of the hills.  At one time Wallace Creek drained straight across the fault, but movement by the San Andreas Fault has offset its drainage course, with the downstream segment about 430 feet northwest of the upsteam segement.  This is one of the best examples of stream offset across a fault in the world.  An interpretive trail is available to learn more about this portion of the San Andreas Fault.

Wallace Creek

A walk along the boardwalk offers solitude and beauty among the different
plants. Even in summertime, the area has a special beauty with numerous white
dust devils spinning across the dusty alkaline playas. The plastic boards of
the boardwalk are made from recycled milk jugs and is 816 feet long.

A walk along the boardwalk offers solitude and beauty among the different plants. Even in summertime, the area has a special beauty with numerous white dust devils spinning across the dusty alkaline playas. The plastic boards of the boardwalk are made from recycled milk jugs and is 816 feet long.

Soda Lake Boardwalk

As a hub of condor activity and research opportunities, June 2013 Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 15 Bitter Creek NWR is a unique keystone at
the nexus of two mountain ranges encompassing much of the historical
California condor range and serving as an important wildlife corridor.

The refuge protects habitat within an important east/west running mountain
range and provides movement corridors for populations of native ungulates,
raptors, and other wildlife.

Condor and other wildlife movements extend beyond refuge boundaries and
exemplify the Service’s contribution to a much larger conservation initiative
as we partner with public and private landowners. Alongside these charismatic
animals, so, too, can lesser known and rare wildlife and plant species thrive
within this intact and functioning ecosystem. Also protected on the refuge are
Native American cultural resources and remnants of 19th century homesteads.

Lands within the future Bitter Creek NWR were categorized as essential
foraging habitat in the original Biological Assessment for establishment of
the refuge (Lawrence 1983). In 1987, the Service acquired an additional 11,944
acres of the former Hudson and Hoag ranches. Since 1987, the Service has
continued to work with willing landowners on various land exchanges to
consolidate refuge lands with mutual management benefits (e.g., exchanging
outlying refuge lands for private in-holdings within the approved acquisition
boundary). Because the Service’s land acquisition program is based on willing
sellers, not all lands within the approved acquisition boundary will become
part of the refuge. Today, the approved acquisition boundary includes 23,572
acres, of which the Service owns 14,097 acres in fee title.

As a hub of condor activity and research opportunities, June 2013 Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan 15 Bitter Creek NWR is a unique keystone at the nexus of two mountain ranges encompassing much of the historical California condor range and serving as an important wildlife corridor. 

The refuge protects habitat within an important east/west running mountain range and provides movement corridors for populations of native ungulates, raptors, and other wildlife. 

Condor and other wildlife movements extend beyond refuge boundaries and exemplify the Service’s contribution to a much larger conservation initiative as we partner with public and private landowners. Alongside these charismatic animals, so, too, can lesser known and rare wildlife and plant species thrive within this intact and functioning ecosystem. Also protected on the refuge are Native American cultural resources and remnants of 19th century homesteads. 

Lands within the future Bitter Creek NWR were categorized as essential foraging habitat in the original Biological Assessment for establishment of the refuge (Lawrence 1983). In 1987, the Service acquired an additional 11,944 acres of the former Hudson and Hoag ranches. Since 1987, the Service has continued to work with willing landowners on various land exchanges to consolidate refuge lands with mutual management benefits (e.g., exchanging outlying refuge lands for private in-holdings within the approved acquisition boundary). Because the Service’s land acquisition program is based on willing sellers, not all lands within the approved acquisition boundary will become part of the refuge. Today, the approved acquisition boundary includes 23,572 acres, of which the Service owns 14,097 acres in fee title.

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge

A normally dry lake bed, covers an area of about 3,000 acres. It is the
largest remaining natural alkali wetland in southern California and the only
closed basin within the coastal mountains. Soda Lake concentrates salts as
water is evapoarted away, leaving white deposits of sulfates and carbonates.
Despite this harsh envirnoment, small plant and animal species are well
adapted to this setting. In the 1880's, the saline deposits of Soda Lake were
mined for use at nearby cattle ranches as salt licks or for preserving meat.
Prior to 1908 the Carrisa Chemical Company contructed a 600 ton per month
capacity processing plant to recover sodium sulphate. Once the salts were
processed they were sacked and hauled to McKittrick for distribution

A normally dry lake bed, covers an area of about 3,000 acres. It is the largest remaining natural alkali wetland in southern California and the only closed basin within the coastal mountains. Soda Lake concentrates salts as water is evapoarted away, leaving white deposits of sulfates and carbonates. Despite this harsh envirnoment, small plant and animal species are well adapted to this setting. In the 1880's, the saline deposits of Soda Lake were mined for use at nearby cattle ranches as salt licks or for preserving meat. Prior to 1908 the Carrisa Chemical Company contructed a 600 ton per month capacity processing plant to recover sodium sulphate. Once the salts were processed they were sacked and hauled to McKittrick for distribution