Guadalupe-NipomoDunes
National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Facts | Natural History | Refuge Objectives | Management | Public Use Opportunities | Calendar of Events | Questions and Answers
| Contact the Wildlife Refuge Manager
Refuge Facts
Established: 2000
Acres: 2,553
Location: 5 miles northwest of Guadalupe, California
Includes 1.8 miles of beach front and extends 3 miles inland. top
Natural History
Located in the heart of an 18-mile long coastal dunes complex.
This dunes complex is recognized as a National Natural Landmark.
Contains some of the most remote and least disturbed habitats in the dunes complex.
Habitats include fore dune, open sand, back dune, coastal dune scrub, dune swale, and several wetland types.
Home to more than 120 species of rare plants and animals, including La Graciosa thistle, surf thistle, beach spectacle pod, giant coreopsis, California red-legged frog, western snowy plover, and California least tern. top
Refuge Objectives
Protect, manage, and restore coastal habitats and associated wetlands.
Protect threatened, endangered, and other rare species.
Provide research, educational, and recreational activities. top
Management
Monitoring of imperiled species and habitats.
Habitat restoration.
Control of non-native species.
Law enforcement.
Education and outreach.
Collaborative conservation projects with neighboring landowners.top
Public Use Opportunities
Wildlife observation
Photography
Surf fishing
Hiking/Exploring
Education/Interpretation programs top
Calendar of Events
March-May: Giant coreopsis in bloom.
October: National Wildlife Refuge Week.
March 14: National Refuge System Birthday.
August 1: Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Anniversary. top
Questions and Answers
When is the best season to visit the Refuge?
Winter is a good time to see migrating waterfowl and spring is the best time to view coastal dune plants in bloom and migrating shorebirds. top
Where can I camp?
Camping is not allowed on the Refuge. Camping is permitted at nearby state, county, and private campgrounds. top
Other nearby activities?
While visiting the Refuge, stop by the Dunes Center in Guadalupe to experience their educational exhibits. Also, you may wish to enjoy the historic and cultural activities found in Guadalupe. top
Where can I get a map of the Refuge and surrounding lands?
Visit the Dunes Center web site for driving directions and a map of how to access the Refuge and surrounding lands at: www.dunescenter.org top
How do I access the Refuge?
Road access to the Refuge is not available. Visitor access is only permitted from the beach, and requires a rigorous 4.0-mile or 4.5 -mile round trip hike through soft sand to reach the Refuge boundaries. Access hikes also require crossing at least one stream. During and after heavy rains, stream flows may be high. During these high flows, stream crossings may be hazardous, and are not advised. High surf and high tides may also present safety hazards.top
Visitors may reach the Refuge via either of two access hikes:
1) Oso Flaco Hike From the intersection of Highway 1and Oso Flaco Lake Road, located 3 miles north of Guadalupe, proceed 3 miles west to the Oso Flaco Lake parking lot. This park and parking lot are owned and managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks). A fee for parking is charged. If a State Parks attendant is not present, be sure to use the self-pay parking envelopes at the entry kiosk. After paying for parking, hike 1 mile west across the Oso Flaco Lake trail and boardwalk to the beach. After reaching the beach, proceed south a quarter-mile to Oso Flaco Creek. If the stream crossing is shallow and safe, proceed 1 mile south along the beach to the northern Refuge boundary. This route requires a round trip hike of approximately 4.5 miles to reach the Refuge and return to the parking lot.
2) Rancho Guadalupe Hike From the intersection of Highway 1 (Guadalupe Street) and Highway 166 (Main Street), at the south end of Guadalupe, drive 2.8 miles to the entrance gate of the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve parking lot. A voluntary donation for access to the park is requested at the entrance gate. From the entrance gate, drive 2.0 miles west to the paved parking lot, located at the beach. This park and parking lot are owned by the County of Santa Barbara Department of Parks and Recreation, and are managed by the Center for Natural Lands Management. From the parking lot, hike north along the beach about a half-mile to the Santa Maria River. If the river crossing is shallow and safe, hike about 1.5 miles north along the beach to the northern Refuge boundary. This route requires a round trip hike of approximately 4.0 miles to reach the Refuge and return to the parking lot. top
Is the Refuge accessible all year?
The lower portion of the beaches adjacent to the Refuge is accessible all year. The Refuge is only accessible from October 1 through the last day of February each year. The federally threatened western snowy plover breeds along the beaches and fore dunes of the Refuge and neighboring areas. Access to the Refuge and neighboring areas is restricted during the western snowy plover breeding season period from March 1 through September 30 of each year. top
Is beach hiking permissible during western snowy plover breeding season?
Each year during the western snowy plover breeding season, the Refuge beach and adjacent beaches are posted with fences, signs, and or ropes. These items are positioned to protect breeding western snowy plover. Walking into protected breeding habitat is illegal and carries severe penalties. You may walk or run along the beach on the seaward side of the posted areas. The safest practice is to stay on the wet sand. However, even when staying on wet sand near the water’s edge, please be on the look out for eggs, nests, and chicks – they are very difficult to detect, and easy to trample. top
Are services or facilities available on the Refuge?
Road access, facilities, or services are not available on the Refuge. Facilities are available at the Oso Flaco Lake parking lot, Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve parking lot, and Dunes Center. top
Does the Refuge provide handicapped access?
Due to the remote location of the Refuge and the lack of road access, handicapped access to or on the Refuge is not available. However, an off-road wheelchair is available for no charge from the Dunes Center. This wheelchair may be used to access the beach via the parking lots at Oso Flaco Lake or Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve. Call the Dunes Center at (805) 343-2455 for more details. top
What activities are allowed on the Refuge?
Hiking, surf fishing, photography, and wildlife viewing are allowed on the Refuge.top
What is prohibited on the Refuge?
All plants, animals, habitats, and artifacts are fully protected, and may not be collected or otherwise disturbed. Vehicles, dogs, horses, camping, fires, kites, hunting, littering, advertising, firearms, and fireworks are prohibited on the Refuge. In accordance with National Wildlife Refuge regulations, other items and activities may also be prohibited. top
Where can I get food or fuel?
The nearest location to get food or fuel is in Guadalupe, located about 5 miles southeast of the Refuge. top
Contact the Wildlife Refuge Manager
Wildlife Refuge Manager: Glenn Greenwald
Email Address: Glenn_Greenwald@fws.gov
Mailing Address: PO BOX 9 Guadalupe, California 93434
Phone Number: (805) 343-9151
Back to Top
|
