Limekiln State Park is located in Big Sur about halfway between Monterey and Morro Bay. The 716-acre park has one entrance along Highway One where you will find a 29-site campground. Some sites are nestled in a shaded redwood grove along Limekiln Creek while others are exposed to more sun and ocean views at the bottom of Limekiln Canyon. Campers have access to a small beach and nice short hiking trails up Limekiln Canyon to Hare Creek, Limekiln Falls, and historic lime kilns.
The campground in Limekiln State Park is split into two areas. The Redwood Campsites are located on the inland side of the campground, at the start of the trails up Limekiln Canyon. These seventeen campsites (sites 13 – 29) are spread along Limekiln Creek in a grove of fragrant redwood trees. The Ocean Campsites are located on the coastal side of the campground, across a bridge over Limekiln Creek. These twelve sites (sites 1 – 12) offer the quickest beach access and also have some ocean views. Sites one and two are perched up above the others for better views of the Pacific Ocean. Between the campsites and the beach, Highway One crosses overhead, spanning the canyon on a long concrete bridge. You’re sure to hear more traffic in the Ocean Campsites than back within the redwoods, but the sound of the surf combats that quite well.
The 29 standard non-powered sites at Limekiln State Park can be reserved in advance by calling 800-444-7275 or online at reservecalifornia.com. Each campsite is $35 per night. Sites can accommodate up to 8 people and are best suited for tents. RVs up to 24 feet long are only allowed in the Ocean Sites. Additionally, many of the other sites have room for just one vehicle. The two-car tent sites are 17 – 21 and 26 – 29.
Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table. Campfires are allowed in the fire rings (you can also use camp stoves). Wood gathering is prohibited, but you can buy firewood from the campground host. The campground has flush toilets and showers, and drinking water is available. Check in time is 2 p.m. Check out time is noon. Dogs are allowed in the campground on leashes, but are not allowed out of the campground on park trails. There are a few picnic tables by the rough sand beach at the bottom of the canyon. This doesn’t look like a safe place to swim through. Waves smashing on the surrounding rocks can put on impressive displays of force.
Once you have paid to camp at Limekiln State Park, you should be able to enter other California State Park for no additional fee on the days that you are camping (like nearby Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park). Limekiln State Park Campground is maintained and operated by Parks Management Company through a concession with California State Parks.
To get to the campground: From the south, drive up Highway One to the Limekiln State Park entrance, located on the east side of the road, 22.5 miles north of Ragged Point Inn (or 45 miles north of Cambria). From the north, drive 15 miles south from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (home of McWay Falls). Just south of the bridge over Limekiln Canyon, turn down the park entrance road on the inland side of Highway One. Past the entrance booth, turn left to reach the Ocean Campsites or turn right to reach the Redwood Campsites.
Campground address: Highway 1 , Big Sur , CA 93920
Campground coordinates: 36.010022 , -121.518247 (36° 0′ 36.08″N 121° 31′ 5.69″W)
Use the map below to view the campground and get directions:
