This page tracks the federal effort to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, commonly referred to as the Roadless Rule.
The National Forest System encompasses over 193 million acres, 30% of which is considered an “inventoried roadless area.” The U.S. Forest Service first started identifying roadless areas in the 1970s. While these special places do not have the same protections as congressionally designated Wilderness, they often have Wilderness characteristics—a lack of permanent roads and other development as well as relatively intact forests.
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Last updated: September 10, 2026 to reflect a 15-day extension to the public comment period. Comment period closes October 6, 2026.
Latest Update: Trump Administration Moves to Eliminate Roadless Rule, Threatening Los Padres National Forest
The Trump administration has formally proposed eliminating the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a move that could remove longstanding protections from more than 44 million acres of national forest lands across the country, including 635,000 acres in Los Padres National Forest.
On August 18, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Forest Service had filed a proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule in its entirety. A public comment period is open through October 6.
This latest assault on the Roadless Rule is the most dangerous yet. The current administration is using arguments and talking points straight from the timber industry’s playbook. Rescinding the Roadless Rule will allow for permanent logging roads, the commercial removal of large trees, and other damaging actions.
Interactive Map of Roadless Areas
Roadless Area Trail Guide
Chances are, you’ve already explored a Roadless Area without even knowing it. Our interactive Roadless Area Trail Guide features 142 trails that cross Inventoried Roadless Areas throughout Los Padres National Forest, including nonmotorized and motorized/shared-use routes.
History
The Roadless Rule was established in 2001 following one of the most extensive public participation processes in federal rulemaking history. 430 public meetings were hosted by USDA over a two-year period generating more than 1.5 million public comments, 95% of which supported the rule.
It has since become one of the nation’s most significant protections for undeveloped national forest lands.
By contrast, the Trump administration’s current proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule will take place without a single public meeting and a mere 30-day public comment period.
Places at Risk
Read below to learn more about some of the Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) at risk in Los Padres National Forest.
Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara Ranger District
Bordered by Forest Service roads and shaped by the Agua Caliente and Diablo watersheds, this IRA features chaparral and riparian habitat and supports bear, deer, mountain lion, and other wildlife. The historic but largely unmaintained Agua Caliente Trail runs through the area, along with archaeological sites—including Chumash rock art—and the Upper Caliente Trail Camp.
The IRA provides habitat for multiple sensitive species, including the California red-legged frog, arroyo toad, Pacific pond turtle, two-striped garter snake, and least Bell’s vireo. Without Recommended Wilderness designation, it remains vulnerable to oil drilling, mining, logging, energy development, and land sale, though no proposals are currently pending.
Mount Pinos and Santa Lucia Ranger Districts
Blanketed by chaparral, sage, and pinyon, with a notable hardwood component, the Fox Mountain IRA spans the northern slopes of the Sierra Madre and drainages to the Cuyama River. Lion Canyon—an early condor release site—features dramatic sandstone formations.
The area includes nearly 20 miles of trail (some access limited), spotted owl territories, rare plants and wildlife, red rock formations, and remnants of ancient petrified forests. Grassy potreros and natural springs add to its ecological value, while expansive views stretch from the Carrizo Plain to the southern Sierra Nevada.
Fox Mountain also contains one of the nation’s largest collections of Native American rock art, including the Eastern Sierra Madre Ridge Archaeological District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area is impacted by abandoned oil roads and remains vulnerable to future development within a High Oil and Gas Potential Area.
Santa Barbara and Mount Pinos Ranger Districts
The Madulce Buckhorn IRA supports high biodiversity and consists of two parcels separated by the Dick Smith Wilderness. Once dominated by conifers, the area is now in early recovery following the 2007 Zaca Fire.
About 2,881 acres are already designated as Recommended Wilderness. The unit includes parts of the Mono Basin Special Interest Area and Indian Creek Critical Biological Land Use Zone, where research on diverse species is ongoing. Lower Indian Creek provides habitat for endangered species such as the arroyo toad and California red-legged frog.
The Buckhorn Trail forms part of a popular backcountry loop for mountain bikers. To maintain this use, ForestWatch and partners recommend zoning this trail and nearby areas as Back Country Non-Motorized rather than Recommended Wilderness.
Portions of the IRA remain open to oil and gas leasing and are considered to have high development potential.
Santa Lucia Ranger District
The Spoor Canyon IRA is a narrow stretch of steep drainages along the northern Sierra Madre Range, providing habitat for a small population of California spotted owl and four rare plant species: San Luis Obispo mariposa lily, Blakley’s spineflower, umbrella larkspur, and Parish’s checkerbloom.
Sierra Madre Road forms the southern boundary, though there is no formal recreational access. The area is also identified by the U.S. Forest Service as having high potential for future oil development.
Santa Barbara Ranger District
The popular Tequepis Trail climbs from Circle V Ranch to West Camino Cielo and is widely used by hikers and mountain bikers. To maintain access, ForestWatch and partners recommend a Back Country Non-Motorized designation, allowing biking to continue.
The area includes a historic oil well and faces ongoing threats from illegal off-road vehicle use. Without clear protections or a management plan, it remains vulnerable to further damage.
The IRA provides habitat for California spotted owl, steelhead trout, and potentially increasing use by endangered California condors. It also supports five rare plant species found largely within this region, including Refugio manzanita, late-flowering mariposa lily, umbrella larkspur, Ojai fritillary (pictured), and Santa Ynez false lupine.
Santa Barbara Ranger District
Defined by steep terrain and sandstone outcrops, the Juncal IRA is blanketed in dense chaparral across the Juncal and upper Santa Ynez watersheds. It offers rugged day trips for experienced backcountry users and is popular with hunters.
The area supports several threatened plant species and borders the Santa Ynez River at critical habitat for the California red-legged frog. It also contains headwaters feeding Jameson Lake, a key water source for southern Santa Barbara County, along with numerous archaeological sites, including Chumash rock art.
Without Recommended Wilderness designation, the area remains vulnerable to oil drilling, mining, logging, energy development, and land sale, though no proposals are currently pending.
Mount Pinos Ranger District
The Cuyama Inventoried Roadless Area is largely covered by desert chaparral and pinyon. Cuyama Peak offers scenic views of the Cuyama Valley and, with luck, sightings of the endangered California condor. It is also one of the few remaining lookout sites, though both the lookout cabin and nearby 1940s Aircraft Warning Service residence have collapsed and lie in ruins.
The area is popular with hunters and experienced day hikers. A maintained dirt road—outside the proposed Recommended Wilderness boundary—provides motorized access to the peak. There are no maintained trails within the IRA.
The Cuyama IRA is also home to the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard and lies within a High Oil and Gas Potential Area, making it vulnerable to ongoing and proposed oil development.
Ventura and Kern Counties
Mount Pinos Ranger District
Rising to 7,495 feet, the southern slopes of the San Emigdio Mountains form a scenic backdrop to Frazier Park, Pine Mountain Club, and nearby communities.
The IRA provides habitat for multiple sensitive species, including the California red-legged frog, arroyo toad, Pacific pond turtle, two-striped garter snake, and least Bell’s vireo. Without Recommended Wilderness designation, it remains vulnerable to oil drilling, mining, logging, energy development, and land sale, though no proposals are currently pending.
Dominated by pinyon woodland and Great Basin sage, the area borders the 95,000-acre Wind Wolves Preserve—the largest privately owned nature reserve on the West Coast.
Though primarily used by OHV riders, the IRA also attracts hikers for cross-country and peakbagging opportunities (there are no maintained trails). Valle Vista Campground, just outside the area, offers views of California condor soaring overhead. With the nearby Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge condor release site, the area remains key habitat for roosting and travel, along with pronghorn, tule elk, mule deer, mountain lion, black bear, and rare plants like pale-yellow tidytips.
The IRA also contains significant Chumash rock art sites and lies within a recognized biodiversity “hot spot.” However, it faces ongoing threats from illegal off-road vehicle use, poaching, and potential resource extraction, as well as proposed wind energy development that could conflict with condor flight paths.
Ojai Ranger District
The Dry Lakes IRA centers on the Dry Lakes Special Interest Area, designated for its exceptional botanical values, including remnant stands of ponderosa pine and rare relict plant species.
The area is bisected by the Ortega OHV Trail and includes the historic Dry Lakes Trail and Dry Lakes West campsite. The Matilija Escarpment—a striking sandstone formation—dominates views along Highway 33 between Ojai and Rose Valley and makes this a popular hiking destination.
Without Recommended Wilderness designation, the area remains vulnerable to oil drilling, mining, logging, energy development, and land sale, though no proposals are currently pending.
Mount Pinos Ranger District
Blanketed by pinyon and juniper woodlands, the Quatal IRA is marked by dramatic eroded canyons for which the San Emigdio Mesa is known.
Many of the canyons are noted for their Miocene-era vertebrate fossils and are a draw for day hikers and amateur geologists alike, though there are no maintained trails in the IRA proper.
Rare plant species are found throughout the unit. The area is threatened by illegal off-road vehicle trespass.
Mount Pinos Ranger District
The Sawmill Badlands IRA includes six non-contiguous sections surrounding the Chumash Wilderness. It features pinyon and Great Basin sage at lower elevations and conifers higher up, and holds deep cultural significance in Chumash history.
Dramatic, brightly colored badlands create a geologically unique landscape popular for cross-country hiking and skiing. The area provides habitat for species such as the federally threatened Kern primrose sphinx moth and endangered Kern mallow, and overlaps with the Upper Cuyama River Area of High Ecological Significance.
The IRA faces threats from proposed off-road vehicle trail construction, as well as potential mining and high oil and gas development pressure.
Ojai and Mount Pinos Ranger Districts
The Sespe-Frazier IRA was once a very large roadless area, divided into two sections with the creation of the Sespe Wilderness in 1992.
Terrain ranges from high-elevation conifer stands to lower riparian areas, with chaparral the most dominant vegetation type. Piru Creek provides critical habitat for the endangered arroyo toad and steelhead, and several rare species occur throughout the unit.
Well over a dozen trails run partially or wholly within the non-wilderness portion, with trail camps including West Fork Lion Canyon, White Ledge, Big Cone, Cross, Cienega, and Bluff. Numerous OHV routes, service roads, and “cherry stems” span the area, and OHV trespass remains a concern, particularly in Grade Valley and near Hungry Valley SVRA.
Mining claims still exist—especially along Piru Creek—and the potential for mineral development remains high. Ten rare plant species are found within the unit, and a 2008 peer-reviewed study identified the Frazier Mountain area as a genetic “hot spot” for wildlife in Southern California.
Numerous significant archaeological sites, including Chumash rock art, are found across the IRA. The area is threatened by mining, pending oil drilling proposals, and ongoing off-road vehicle trespass.
Ojai and Santa Barbara Ranger Districts
With 4,840-foot White Ledge Peak rising above expansive Central Coast views, the White Ledge IRA is a rugged stretch of the San Rafael–Topatopa region of the Transverse Ranges.
Steep drainages on both north and south slopes are dominated by chaparral, punctuated by prominent sandstone outcrops. Creeks from the area feed into Lake Casitas, a key municipal and agricultural water source for Ventura County.
The IRA includes numerous historic routes—including the Franklin, Steer Creek, Rincon, and Ocean View trails—none of which are actively maintained by the Forest Service, though some are supported by volunteer efforts. These routes offer access for experienced backcountry users.
The area is frequented by California condors traveling from the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, while California spotted owl inhabit dense riparian areas and critical habitat exists for endangered southern steelhead. Four rare plant species are also found here: late-flowering mariposa lily, umbrella larkspur, Ojai fritillary, and southern jewelflower.
The IRA faces threats from proposed uranium mining and is identified by the U.S. Forest Service as having high potential for oil and gas development in its southern portion. A Recommended Wilderness designation would help ensure long-term protection of this landscape.
San Luis Obispo County
Santa Lucia Ranger District
Blanketed by chaparral, the Black Mountain IRA supports black-tailed deer, mountain lion, black bear, bobcat, coyote, and a diversity of bird, reptile, and amphibian species.
Part of the Black Mountain Wild Horse Territory lies within the IRA, supporting a herd of roughly 20 horses.
Three non-motorized trails—the Wilson Canyon, Black Mountain, and Fernandez trails—are located entirely within the unit.
Navajo Creek provides habitat for the vulnerable Pacific pond turtle. The area also supports four rare plant species—Santa Margarita manzanita, dwarf western rosinweed, straight-awned spineflower, and yellow-flowered eriastrum—and may contain the Camatta Canyon amole, a plant found nowhere else in the world.
The IRA is threatened by unauthorized livestock grazing and a proliferation of unpermitted roads.
Santa Lucia Ranger District
The Garcia Mountain IRA consists of three separate sections adjacent to the existing Garcia Wilderness and is dominated by chaparral. The Pine Ridge area is well-known for its broken sandstone formations, featuring numerous cliffs, crevices, and caves.
It also contains one of the southernmost stands of blue oak woodlands, which is experiencing declines throughout California due to poor regeneration.
The 9-mile Trout Creek trail is contained within this unit. Access to Stony Creek is currently restricted by private landholders.
The area is classified as having moderate oil development potential.
Santa Lucia Ranger District
The Machesna Mountain IRA consists of four separate parcels adjacent to the existing Machesna Mountain Wilderness and is dominated by the chaparral-covered La Panza Range.
Portions of the Castle Crags and American Canyon trails lie within the IRA, along with the 14-site American Canyon Campground. ForestWatch and partners recommend excluding the campground from Recommended Wilderness designation to maintain motorized access.
Five rare plant species occur within the unit: Santa Margarita manzanita, Palmer’s mariposa, San Luis Obispo mariposa lily, umbrella larkspur, and Parish’s checkerbloom.
PBS SoCal Feature
Learn more about ForestWatch’s work to protect America’s backcountry forests in this PBS SoCal feature, published in May 2026.
Roadless Rule Town Halls
Throughout this process, ForestWatch hosted a series of Roadless Rule town halls across the Central Coast, with events in Ojai, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Thousand Oaks, and online, helping communities understand what’s at stake and how to make their voices heard.
If you missed us live, watch the virtual town hall recording below for a deeper look at the history of the Roadless Rule, common myths and facts, what repeal could mean for Los Padres, and how to take action.
