Resource Enforcement and Compliance Branch
Federal Game Wardens
Camp Pendleton, California

WELCOMES YOU TO OUR CAMP PENDLETON SPORT FISHING-CAMPING PROGRAM

PLEASE READ THE ENCLOSED REGULATIONS CAREFULLY

All beach campers shall familiarize themselves with these regulations.  It is your responsibility to know and abide by these regulations.  Please retain this brochure in your vehicle or camper for future reference.

The Game Wardens are available to answer your questions and provide assistance during your stay. 
The Game Wardens can be reached at (760) 725-3360.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A PLEASANT FISHING/CAMPING EXPERIENCE ON CAMP PENDLETON

CAMP PENDLETON RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVOKE BEACH ACCESS PERMITS FROM ANYONE FAILING TO ABIDE BY BEACH ACCESS REGULATIONS

Camp Pendleton beach access/camping permits entitle the holder to camp and/or surf fish on the beach providing the holder follows the regulations outlined below.

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

General  Each person 18 years of age and older must have an access permit to enter the beach area.  Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Children must be dependents in order to camp with a permit holder.  A dependent is someone who:  1) is living at the same address as the sponsor, 2) is financially dependent on the sponsor.

Camp Pendleton camping permits are nontransferable.  Permits are to be used only by the person to whom the permit is issued.  Civilian public access permits entitle the bearer to enter the designated beach areas only.

Display Requirements  Access permits must be prominently displayed in the windshield while vehicle is on base. 

AVAILABLE AREAS
Camping is available at Las Pulgas (RED) Beach and Cockleburr Beach only.  Civilian and military are permitted camping at Red beach.  Camping at Cockeburr Beach is restricted (from March through August) to active duty/retired military and their dependents.

At Red Beach camping is permitted on the bottom land areas and adjacent to the bleachers on the north bluff.  At Cockleburr Beach, camping is permitted on the bluff area above the beach.  Cockleburr Beach campers are not permitted to camp south of the designated parking area or on the bluff west of MCTSSA facility or on agricultural lands.

FOOT TRAFFIC
Foot traffic is allowed the entire length of the beach from the north side of the Santa Margarita River (except from March 1st to September 3rd) to the southern boundary of San Onfre Beach State Park.  Foot traffic is prohibited within fifty (50) feet of the posted Least Tern nesting site.  Foot traffic is not permitted on the bluffs, in the Santa Margarita Estuary or inland along any drainage.  At Cockerburr Beach, foot traffic is prohibited in Cockerburr Canyon.  At Las Pulgas (Red) beach, foot traffic is limited to the valley area and 200 feet north of the bleachers on the north bluff.  From March 1st through September 3rd, no Red Beach foot traffic should go south of the French creek lagoon area.

SWIMMING
Swimming or surfing is prohibited.  Wading is permitted only for the purpose of fishing.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the beach away from recreational vehicles.

FIREARMS
Firearms of any kind (including B.B. guns, pellet guns, bows and arrows) and explosives (including fireworks) are expressly prohibited in the beach areas.

MOTOR VEHICLES
Motorcycles, mini-bikes, all terrain vehicles or any other type of off-road vehicles are expressly prohibited on the beach, except for designated parking areas.  Off-roading s expressly prohibited.

ADDITIONAL VEHICLES
One additional vehicle per family is permitted for those parties who arrive at the beach at separate times.  Second vehicles will not be parked so that they restrict access to the beach by other campers.  The U.S Marine Corps or the Federal Government can assume NO responsibility for the security of your vehicles or the contents therein.

PHONE-IN REQUIREMENT
All campers MUST call the Duty Game Warden at (760) 725-3586 NO EARLIER THAN 1730 (5:30 P.M.) THURSDAY prior to a weekend to determine if the beaches are “open” for camping.  The Duty Game Warden is the ONLY individual who has the correct up-to-date information on whether the beach is open or closed.  Military policemen at entrance gates do not have this information.  Game Wardens make every effort to ensure campers receive up-to-date information on beach openings and closings.  Campers should be aware that beach areas may be restricted or closed at anytime due to military training requirements.  Therefore, campers are advised to phone the Duty Warden prior to leaving their residence in order to get the most up-to-date information.  We encourage you to call back Friday afternoon to verify the status of the beach for camping.

EARLY ARRIVALS
Campers are required not to arrive at Camp Pendleton prior to the 1630 (4:30 P.M.) opening time.  During holiday weekends, we will attempt to allow camping beginning at 1300 (1:00 P.M.) providing the beaches are not being used for training. NO EARLY ARRIVALS ARE ALLOWED.  If you arrive a few minutes early, you  may line up in the staging area along old highway 101 just north of the Las Pulgas entrance gate (see enclosed diagram)

PARKING
Please park your vehicle perpendicular to the beach, allowing enough space for movement between vehicles.  Parking perpendicular to the beach allows more campers a space close to the beach and is necessary to comply with Camp Pendleton Fire Department regulations.  Remember only self contained recreational vehicles are allowed on the Camp Pendleton beaches.

PETS
We request that if possible you leave your pets at home.  If you do bring pets (domesticated cat and dogs only - not more than two, or parakeets/songbirds).  Cats and dogs must be licensed and have had all their shots.  Pets are not permitted to run loose on the beach.  When outside of your vehicle, ALL PETS MUST BE ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES.  The California Least Tern, an endangered species, nests and forages along the coastline.  This species is extremely sensitive to disturbance.  Primary nesting colonies are fenced and posted.  Campers as well as pets must keep clear of these areas.  You are required to clean up after your pets at all times.

TRASH
ALL trash must  be carried out.  DO NOT place trash in trash containers (Dempdter-dumpsters) provided for use by military personnel.  Persons caught placing trash in the dumpsters will have their camping permit revoked.

REMEMBER  
 it is your responsibility not only to keep your own site clean but to encourage those around you as well.  The Marine Corps has no funds or manpower for beach cleaning.  Should the problem of trash accumulation become too serve there will be no choice but to close the beach for camping.  There is zero tolerance on littering.

FIRES
Open fires are permitted on the beach.  However campers must provide their own burning container and firewood.  Burning containers must have a solid bottom.  Open fires or fire remains are not allowed on the sand.

TENTS
Since there are no developed facilities at Las Pulgas (Red) beach, all camping must be in self-contained recreational vehicles.  Only one small self supporting tent may be used as long as it stay next to the access door to the trailer or RV. Tents will not be more than five feet (5’) tall so as not to obstruct, nor distract the view of the beach and ocaen from others. No stakes can be driven into the ground since this could become a hazzard to others. 
Tents cannot be used in place of trailers or RV’s.

FISHING
Surf-fishing is authorized in the beach areas designated on the map.  The entire surf-fishing area extends from the northern shore line of the Santa Margarita River to the southern boundary of San Onofre Beach.

ACCESS

Las Pulgas (Red) Beach:  the only authorized access is via the Las Flores creek underpass.  Direct access to the beach is not permitted via the gate south of the Las Pulgas off ramp.  ALL CAMPERS MUST ENTER/EXIT CAMP PENDLETON THROUGH THE ESTABLISHED UNLOCKED ENTRANCE GATES MANNED BY THE MILITARY POLICE.  These are:  Las Pulgas, Main Gate, San Luis Rey gate, San Onofre gate, and Del Mar gate.

Cockerburr Beach  Access is via the Stuart Mesa/MCTSSA overpass off Stuart Meas Road.
At both areas parking is authorized in posted areas only.  Operation of a motor vehicle is prohibited west of I-5 except to and from approved camping or parking areas.  VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED ON THE BEACH!  No vehicles are permitted on bluff except at Cockelburr Beach parking area.  During the winter months, the beach and access area’s can get real muddy.  During or after rainy day’s do not plan on utilizing Las Pulgas ( Red) beach or Cocklburr beach due to inaccessibility.

LENGTH OF STAY
The length of camping is restricted to weekends and holidays. Camping is not permitted during the week unless announced by the Assistant Chief of Staff, Environmental Security through the Resource Enforcement and Compliance Branch (Game Wardens) Branch.  On non-holiday weekends camping is permitted from 1630 (4:30p.m.) on Fridays until 0700 (7:00 a.m.) Monday morning.  On holiday weekends camping may be permitted earlier than 1630 if the beaches are not being used for military training.  Campers should contact the Duty Game Warden prior to camping for information on when the beach is open (760) 725-3586

It is strongly recommended that your vehicles be locked at all times during your absence.  Quiet time is from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

ORDINANCE MATERIAL
Ordinance Material (shells, cartridges, ect) found in the area will not  REPEAT will not be disturbed or handled for any reason.  It should be reported to the Game Wardens or Military Police as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE LOCATIONS
There is a telephone at the Las Pulgas entrance gate.  At Cockelburr Beach there is no phone on the beach.  The sentry at the entrance to MCTSSA has a phone that may be used for emergencies.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

In case of emergency call one of the above numbers.  State the emergency, location of emergency, your name, where you are phoning from, and the phone number.

FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any questions regarding beach camping at Camp Pendleton you may contact the Base Game Wardens Office seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ( except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day)

If you wish to write to us, our address is:

AC/S, Environmental Security
Resource Enforcement and Compliance Branch
P.O. Box 555008
Camp Pendleton , CA 92055-5008

Phone: (760) 725-3360