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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park features redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows - plus open meadows. Wildlife includes black-tail deer, gray squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and birds, such as water ouzels and belted kingfishers. Hikers can enjoy the many scenic trails, including a self-guided nature trail. Some campsites are along the Big Sur River. Big Sur Lodge is located in the park. The lodge has 61 guest rooms, a conference center, cafe, and a grocery store. Meeting rooms have space for groups of 10 to 125. Other rooms are available for smaller meetings and workshops, some with fireplaces and kitchens.
Getting There
The park is located 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is located 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Reccomended Clothing
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised.
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised.
Operating Hours
The park is open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Telephone: 831-667-2315
The park is open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Telephone: 831-667-2315
Accessible Features
Camping
Ten designated accessible campsites provide accessible tables and fire rings, and are usable. Some sites have hard packed dirt surfaces; others have thick duff or loose soil. All campsites have water spigots nearby, some with accessible designs. Restrooms with showers: Five designated accessible facilities are available and generally accessible. Routes of Travel: Generally accessible paths connect sites and restrooms. Campfire Center: The Campfire Center and adjacent restroom is currently closed for remodeling.
Make Campground Reservations
Picnic Area
Group picnic area #3 has four accessible tables, but wheelchair users may require some help with water faucets, grills and unpaved surfaces. Restroom is fully accessible. Route of travel to and from this area is accessible.
Trails
The accessible Nature Trail was severely damaged by the Basin Complex Fire and subsequent storms and is currently closed pending site stabilization and repairs.
Other Information
Big Sur Lodge: Accessibility improvements have been made. Parking for autos and vans is accessible. Please call the Lodge concession at 800-424-4787 to see if your needs can be met.
Campground store and laundry: Accessible parking is available. An accessible path leads to store and laundry, but store aisles are narrow. Staff is available to assist customers in the store. Laundry room has adequate clear space to maneuver and assistance is available for reaching coin boxes.
Camping
Ten designated accessible campsites provide accessible tables and fire rings, and are usable. Some sites have hard packed dirt surfaces; others have thick duff or loose soil. All campsites have water spigots nearby, some with accessible designs. Restrooms with showers: Five designated accessible facilities are available and generally accessible. Routes of Travel: Generally accessible paths connect sites and restrooms. Campfire Center: The Campfire Center and adjacent restroom is currently closed for remodeling.
Make Campground Reservations
Picnic Area
Group picnic area #3 has four accessible tables, but wheelchair users may require some help with water faucets, grills and unpaved surfaces. Restroom is fully accessible. Route of travel to and from this area is accessible.
Trails
The accessible Nature Trail was severely damaged by the Basin Complex Fire and subsequent storms and is currently closed pending site stabilization and repairs.
Other Information
Big Sur Lodge: Accessibility improvements have been made. Parking for autos and vans is accessible. Please call the Lodge concession at 800-424-4787 to see if your needs can be met.
Campground store and laundry: Accessible parking is available. An accessible path leads to store and laundry, but store aisles are narrow. Staff is available to assist customers in the store. Laundry room has adequate clear space to maneuver and assistance is available for reaching coin boxes.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Nature Trail at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
A short self-guided nature trail to explore the native plans and surrounding habitat of Pfeiffer Big Sur
A short self-guided nature trail to explore the native plans and surrounding habitat of Pfeiffer Big Sur
Easy
0.3 mi/
0.5 km
0.5 km
Pfeiffer Fall and Valley View Trail
Take a nice hike through the redwoods to Pfeiffer Fall followed by a walk to a stunning view of the Big Sur valley below
Take a nice hike through the redwoods to Pfeiffer Fall followed by a walk to a stunning view of the Big Sur valley below
Easy
2.0 mi/
3.2 km
3.2 km
Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Hot Springs
A popular 10-mile hike through the Big Sur wilderness with a relaxing finish
A popular 10-mile hike through the Big Sur wilderness with a relaxing finish
Difficult
20 mi/
32 km
32 km
Guides
Take a nice hike through the redwoods to Pfeiffer Fall followed by a walk to a stunning view of the Big Sur valley below
A popular 10-mile hike through the Big Sur wilderness with a relaxing finish
A short self-guided nature trail to explore the native plans and surrounding habitat of Pfeiffer Big Sur
Community Trips
David and I were ready to try some snow camping in Yosemite this weekend, but the weather report had other plans. It was set to rain on the first day in Yosemite, and we decided that camping in snow while being rained on did not sound like a good use of a weekend (hopefully we will get some clear skies soon!). Since we had psyched ourselves up for a backpacking trip for...
Sitting in Sykes Hot Springs might be one of the best experiences of your life… if you do it right. The Pine Ridge Trail offers a 20 mile roundtrip to Sykes and opportunities to go deeper into Los Padres National Forest. Following the Big Sur River with rollercoaster ridges, the trail has several camps along the way to break it up: Ventana, Terrace Creek, and Barlow Flats. After a long day, it...
Chris and I set off to explore the wilderness that is Big Sur, in hopes of camping near the Sykes hotsprings. However, we encountered a couple problems.Before we left on our journey, the area had seen relentless rain for two straight weeks. Fortunately for our outing, the rain let up while we were out and about. The hills were very moist and brooks were plentifully racing down towards Big Sur River and...
Pfeiffer Fall and Valley View Trail
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California, United States
2.0 miles
2.0 miles
This short hike combined two of the more popular trails in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Pfieffer Falls and Valley View. Unfortunately, due to fire damage from 2008, part of the Pfeiffer Falls loop was closed for rehabilitation and reconstruction, but luckily the waterfall was still reachable.When I got to Peiffer Fall the water was barely trickling down, and my guess is that late spring may be a better time for this...
It is a trip that in summer month will challenge your sanity for hiking 10 miles to hot springs when during the hike all you can think of is a cold bath.It is a medium to strenuous hike with views to kill for. There are a lot of signs of 2008 fire but also amazing examples of rebirth. We made frequent stops to soak our feet in cold creeks and enjoy the...
A hike up Pine Ridge to Terrace Creek, then to the top of the ridge and down the Coast Ridge Road to Ventana Inn. A scenic loop hike that takes in the highlites of Big Sur, California.
Wildflower photos taken along the Pine Ridge Trail during a 3-day
backpacking trip in May from the Big Sur Ranger Station to Redwood Camp.
Wildflower photos taken along the Pine Ridge Trail during a 3-day
backpacking trip in February/March from the Big Sur Ranger Station to Redwood Camp.
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