Limekiln State Park
State Park · Big Sur, California
Limekiln State Park is a small park on the Big Sur coast, south of Lucia on Highway 1, where a narrow redwood canyon drops to the Pacific. It is named for the historic limekilns, 19th-century iron and stone furnaces once used to turn local limestone into lime for building, which now stand overgrown with ferns and moss in the forest. A short trail leads up the creek to the kilns, and another leads toward Limekiln Falls - confirm trail names, lengths and what is open. A campground sits partly under the redwoods and partly near the beach - confirm layout and booking. The park is tiny, shady and cool, with almost no cell signal. Highway 1 landslides and fire have closed this stretch for long periods, so confirm the road is open before you drive. It suits campers and short-walk visitors, not anyone seeking a big hike or a busy beach, and fog can sit on the coast until midday. Plan on a short visit of a few hours, or a night in the campground, and carry everything you need because the nearest shops are a long drive away.
63025 CA-1, Big Sur, California, 93920, United States
California State Parks has generally run Limekiln as a day-use and camping park from around morning until sunset, with the campground following its own check-in rules - confirm current hours, whether a kiosk is staffed and whether day-use payment is by self-serve box. The more important schedule is the road: this part of Highway 1 is prone to winter landslides and wildfire closures that can shut the park for weeks or months with little warning, and Caltrans road conditions matter more than any posted hour. Creek crossings on the trails can rise after storms, and fog is common in early summer mornings. Staffing is light, so bring supplies and check the State Parks page the day you travel.
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