Limekiln State Park Campground

4.63

111 reviews

63025 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Scenic Views

Featured in:Camping Near Big Sur#2

Quick Facts

167 ft

Price

$5 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

29 campsites

Season

Peak season includes...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Opens California State Parks (operated in partnership with Parks Management Company) site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

167 ft

Price

$5 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

29 campsites

Season

Peak season includes...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Opens California State Parks (operated in partnership with Parks Management Company) site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Limekiln State Park Campground

$5.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fees include $35 per standard site and $5 per hike and bike site. Additional vehicle fees are $10 per night. Discounts include $2 off for...

Standard Site Fee$35.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$35.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$5.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Reserve California

Provider

(805) 434-1996BigSur@parks.ca.gov

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.63

Top-Rated

Based on 111 reviews

138 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsshowers

"Overall, user reviews highlight Limekiln State Park Campground as a uniquely beautiful destination combining redwoods and ocean scenery. While the facilities like showers and toilets are appreciated, some reviews note maintenance issues. Privacy and proximity to scenic features like waterfalls and Limekilns are recurring praises."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

63025 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Limekiln State Park Campground

63025 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Driving directionsLocated 56 miles south of Carmel at Highway 1 mile marker 20.95, 2 miles south of Lucia. Drivers can access the Limekiln State Park entrance from the Cambria/San Simeon area via Highway 1. Note that Highway 1 remains closed 4.4 miles north of the park due to a landslide. Park entrance road is at the south end of the bridge over Limekiln Creek.

The park can only be accessed from the south via Highway 1 (Cambria/San Simeon area). Highway 1 is closed north of Limekiln State Park due to multiple landslides, creating significant delays in repairs. Roads are paved but closures limit access.

Nearby places

Lucia (2 miles, approximately 5 minutes), Cambria (43 miles, approximately 1.5 hours), Carmel (56 miles, approximately 1.5 hours), Monterey (57 miles, approximately 1.5 hours).

Nearby supplies

The nearest grocery stores, fuel, and camping supplies can be found in Cambria, 43 miles south. Limited essential goods can be purchased from camp hosts at Limekiln State Park, such as firewood and shower tokens.

Best Time to Camp at Limekiln State Park Campground

The Big Sur coast dances with ever-changing moods, wrapped in nature's own theater of weather. Summer mornings often greet campers with a mystical marine layer that transforms the landscape into an ethereal dreamscape before dissolving into brilliant sunshine by noon. With temperatures hovering comfortably between 50°F and 75°F during peak season, the climate remains refreshingly mild. Yet this coastal paradise can surprise visitors with dramatic shifts—a sunny morning might yield to windswept afternoons or foggy evenings. Seasoned campers know the secret: dress in layers and embrace the coast's mercurial personality as part of the adventure.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers mild temps but morning marine layer and crowded campsites.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall likely quieter with good weather; fewer explicit seasonal details available.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring is peak season with pleasant conditions and strong visitor interest.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Winter praised for solitude but trail access and closures limit some experiences.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Peak season spans spring and summer. Specific dates are not provided.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Peak season includes the spring and summer months. The campground is currently closed due to infrastructure repairs, with only day-use open from 8 AM to sunset.
Current Alerts: Current closures include all camping facilities due to storm damage and infrastructure repairs. Trails such as Hare Creek and Falls Trail remain closed.

About Limekiln State Park Campground

Where the rugged Big Sur coastline meets ancient redwood groves, Limekiln State Park Campground offers an extraordinary escape into nature's contrasts. Twenty-nine carefully positioned campsites invite you to choose your adventure: wake to crashing Pacific waves at ocean-facing sites or drift off to sleep beneath towering redwoods along the gentle murmur of Limekiln Creek. This remarkable convergence of forest and sea creates an unforgettable backdrop for exploring California's most dramatic coastline while uncovering remnants of the region's industrial past.

Limekiln State Park Campground offers campsites for tent camping, RV camping, and hike-and-bike camping. No group sites, cabins, or glamping accommodations are available.

Historical SignificanceLong before the thunderous kilns lit up these hillsides in the 1880s, the Salinan, Esselen, and Ohlone peoples called this dramatic landscape home, finding sustenance where forest meets sea. The park's namesake lime kilns stand as weathered monuments to California's building boom, when workers extracted precious lime from local deposits to construct growing cities to the north. These moss-covered stone towers now serve as portals to the past, inviting visitors to imagine the smoke and industry that once filled these now-peaceful groves. Each trail through the park weaves together threads of indigenous heritage and industrial ambition, creating a rich tapestry of human connection to this spectacular land.

Weather and SeasonsThe Big Sur coast dances with ever-changing moods, wrapped in nature's own theater of weather. Summer mornings often greet campers with a mystical marine layer that transforms the landscape into an ethereal dreamscape before dissolving into brilliant sunshine by noon. With temperatures hovering comfortably between 50°F and 75°F during peak season, the climate remains refreshingly mild. Yet this coastal paradise can surprise visitors with dramatic shifts—a sunny morning might yield to windswept afternoons or foggy evenings. Seasoned campers know the secret: dress in layers and embrace the coast's mercurial personality as part of the adventure.

ElevationFrom sea level to soaring canopy, Limekiln State Park's varied elevations create distinct worlds within walking distance of each other. Beach campsites sit practically at ocean's edge, where salt spray mingles with morning coffee, while creek-side sites nestle into gentle ravines carved by centuries of flowing water. This interplay of coastal and riparian habitats creates microenvironments that shift dramatically within just a few footsteps, offering campers an intimate exploration of California's ecological diversity without strenuous climbs.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine a place where thousand-year-old redwoods stretch their mighty limbs toward Pacific sunsets, where Limekiln Creek tumbles through ferned grottos before meeting the endless blue horizon. This is the magic of Limekiln State Park—a rare sanctuary where California's most iconic landscapes collide in spectacular fashion. Morning light filters through the redwood canopy, creating cathedral-like spaces of hushed beauty, while afternoon brings the rhythmic percussion of waves against weathered cliffs. The creek serves as nature's highway, supporting everything from nimble salamanders to majestic steelhead trout, while overhead, condors and hawks ride thermal currents between forest and sea.

Geological RegionPerched within the dramatic Santa Lucia Range, Limekiln State Park showcases millions of years of geological drama where the North American plate meets the Pacific. This dynamic coastline, protected as part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, reveals ancient limestone deposits that tell stories of prehistoric seas, while chaparral-covered slopes speak to Mediterranean climates and fire-adapted ecosystems. The park sits at a remarkable geological crossroads where sedimentary rocks meet granite peaks, where redwood forests find their southernmost coastal stronghold, and where the raw power of plate tectonics continues to shape one of the world's most spectacular meeting places of land and sea.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2PM

Check-out

12 Noon

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 15 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to eight persons per site, including children.

Groups

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground is divided into ocean-facing and redwood forest sections. Sites are compact with limited separation.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online at www.parks.ca.gov or by calling (800) 444-7275.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll campsites are reservation-based, but canceled reservations may open up and can be obtained in person at the kiosk after 3 PM on the day of camping.

Cancellation PolicyReservations must be canceled in accordance with California State Parks policies. Specific cancellation deadlines are not provided.

AccessibilityAccessible campsites are available, requiring a DMV Disabled Placard or similar credential. Accessibility improvements are ongoing, and campers should confirm with the park for updates.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size; ocean sites are known to fit smaller tents, whereas redwood sites provide more shade with decent separation.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site. Redwood sites offer more shade and separation, while ocean sites are closer together, with minimal privacy.

Total Campsites29 campsites

Recommended SitesRedwood sites are recommended for those seeking privacy and shade. Ocean-facing sites are ideal for enjoying ocean views and beach access.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Campers at Limekiln State Park Campground can enjoy hiking, beach activities, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Trails offer unique views of redwoods, waterfalls, and historic lime kilns, though some trails remain closed due to past fire and weather damage. Beach activities, such as picnicking and exploring the shore where a creek meets the ocean, are popular. Fishing is permitted with valid licenses, though stream fishing is restricted most of the year.

HikingHiking trails include Limekiln Trail leading to historic lime kilns and Falls Trail showcasing a 100-foot waterfall. Some trails remain closed due to Dolan Fire damage.

FishingFishing in the park is permitted with a valid California fishing license, though stream fishing is prohibited for most of the year. Beach fishing requires caution due to rough surf.

Wildlife viewingCampers can view diverse wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and seabirds. Raccoons are known to frequent campsites at night.

Beach activitiesBeach activities include picnicking and exploring the area where Limekiln Creek meets the ocean. The beach offers both sand and rocky areas.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsCoastal cliffs and canyon walls are steep and unstable; climbing is prohibited. Poison oak is abundant on trails. Wildlife such as raccoons and rodents are common; proper food storage is essential.

Active AlertsCurrent closures include all camping facilities due to storm damage and infrastructure repairs. Trails such as Hare Creek and Falls Trail remain closed.

Food Storage RequiredLockers are provided at each site to store food and scented items securely to prevent wildlife interaction.

Fire PolicyFires are permitted only in metal fire rings. Firewood must be purchased onsite; gathering wood is prohibited.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are located in Cambria, approximately 43 miles south of the park, with hospitals and police stations available. Emergency contact within the park is 911.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available. Campers should use provided food storage bins to avoid attracting wildlife such as raccoons and squirrels.

Water FeaturesLimekiln Creek flows through the park, and ocean sites are directly adjacent to the Pacific coastline. Freshwater runs into the creek and beach.

Camp HostCamp hosts are described as helpful and friendly. Hosts sell firewood and shower tokens onsite.

Weather at Limekiln State Park Campground

Reviews

4.6

111 reviews

Top-Rated

Limekiln State Park Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, user reviews highlight Limekiln State Park Campground as a uniquely beautiful destination combining redwoods and ocean scenery. While the facilities like showers and toilets are appreciated, some reviews note maintenance issues. Privacy and proximity to scenic features like waterfalls and Limekilns are recurring praises.

Review Summaries

Based on 111 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews emphasize the scenic beauty, proximity to ocean and redwoods, availability of showers and flush toilets, and helpful camp hosts. Many reviewers enjoyed the trails leading to falls...

Based on 111 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include issues with campsite size and privacy, occasional unclean bathrooms, noisy generators near ocean sites, and rodent problems. Some users expressed dissatisfaction with the...

Based on 111 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend booking reservations six months in advance, staying in redwood sites for shade and privacy, and securing food and trash to deter raccoons.

Based on 111 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Campground experiences vary seasonally, with summer offering mild temperatures but crowded campsites. Winter campers praised solitude but noted limited trail access due to closures.

Based on 111 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This place was absolutely amazing! We played on the shore for about 2 hours. Really awesome how the fresh water creek runs right into the ocean." (User: Ariel Valenzuela) "Stayed in the upper...

Based on 111 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #11 (Ocean): Beautiful ocean views but traffic noise and generator sounds detract from the experience. Site #15 (Creekside): Tight spacing but worth it for proximity to the creek. General...

Based on 111 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible campsites are praised for providing equal camping opportunities, though the specific sites are not detailed.

Based on 111 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet policy allows dogs but restricts them to parking and camping areas, not trails. Some campers appreciated the enforcement while others noted policy leniency during their stay.

Based on 111 reviews

0 review