Due to recent mountain lion activity, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is closed until further notice.
The park closed out of an abundance of caution on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, following two reported mountain lion sightings on Monday, Nov. 3. One sighting occurred at approximately 4 p.m. and the other around 5:30 p.m. In both instances, the reporting parties stated the mountain lion was following them but eventually ran off. Video of one incident was shared with OC Parks. It is unknown if the same mountain lion was involved in both sightings.
Mountain lions are seen at OC Parks facilities, including Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and typically do not prompt park closures. However, given the behavior exhibited in these encounters, a closure was deemed necessary.
OC Parks is working closely with wildlife researchers and biologists from UC Davis Wildlife Health Center to gather information about the animal and better understand its behavior, including deploying cameras to monitor activity and looking for evidence of the mountain lion within the park such as recent animal tracks and scat. The recent sightings have also been reported to California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Additional updates on the park status will be made as they become available. Click here to view our mountain lion flyer for more information about avoiding wildlife conflicts.
For more information regarding mountain lions in California, please refer to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife: wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Mountain-Lion
