August 12, 2011. With California’s hunting season set to open August 13, Los Padres National Forest officials are advising visitors that many campgrounds will reach full capacity during the opening weekend and may experience higher than normal occupancy levels until the close of hunting season.

Visitors are also reminded that Pendola, a popular campground for hunters on the Santa Barbara Ranger District, is currently closed until crews perform critical work on connecting roads. Once the road work is completed, the public will again have vehicle access to Big Caliente Hot Springs, which is also currently closed to vehicles. All areas remain accessible on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback.

For more detailed information, visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the ranger station nearest their destination. Additional information is available on Los Padres National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.