Limekiln State Park

How to Get There

From Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA (56 mi): Take CA-1 south for approximately 56 miles along the Big Sur coast to reach Limekiln State Park, just past Lucia.

Overview

Limekiln State Park is a small state park on the Big Sur coast, 2 miles south of Lucia on Highway 1, where four 1880s stone and iron lime kilns stand in a redwood canyon beside a beach and a 100-foot waterfall. A short trail from the campground leads to the kilns, and Limekiln Falls is a mile-long walk. The park has camping near the beach.

Things to Do

Discover a Hidden Big Sur Gem

Limekiln State Park is a scenic coastal park located along California's famous Big Sur coastline. The park is known for its unique combination of towering redwood forests, historic lime kilns, dramatic coastal scenery, and picturesque waterfalls. Despite its relatively small size, the park offers visitors a remarkable blend of natural beauty and cultural history.

Visit the Historic Lime Kilns

The park's namesake attraction is a collection of four historic lime kilns built in the 1880s. These impressive stone structures were used to process limestone into lime for construction projects throughout California. Today, they stand as some of the best-preserved industrial relics along the Big Sur coast and offer insight into the region's early economic history.

Explore Ancient Redwood Groves

Limekiln State Park protects a beautiful canyon filled with coast redwoods. Visitors can walk beneath towering trees while enjoying the cool, shaded environment created by Limekiln Creek and the surrounding forest ecosystem.

See Limekiln Falls

One of the park's most popular attractions is Limekiln Falls, a picturesque waterfall that cascades through a redwood-lined canyon. The short hike to the falls is suitable for most visitors and offers excellent opportunities for photography and nature appreciation.

Enjoy Coastal Scenic Views

The park extends from the Santa Lucia Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, providing access to rugged coastline, rocky beaches, and panoramic ocean vistas. Visitors can enjoy sightseeing, photography, tidepool exploration, and relaxing along the scenic shoreline.

Camp Along the Big Sur Coast

Limekiln State Park offers a campground situated among redwoods and near the ocean. Campers can enjoy easy access to hiking trails, historic sites, and coastal recreation while experiencing the beauty of Big Sur overnight.

Top Trails

Limekiln Trail

Length: Approximately 1.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This popular trail follows Limekiln Creek through a redwood canyon and leads to the park's historic lime kilns. Interpretive opportunities along the route help visitors understand the area's industrial history and natural environment.

Limekiln Falls Trail

Length: Approximately 1.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

One of the park's most visited hikes, this trail travels through lush redwood forest before reaching Limekiln Falls. The scenic waterfall and shaded canyon setting make it a favorite destination for families and photographers.

Hare Creek Trail

Length: Approximately 2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

This peaceful trail follows Hare Creek through dense forest and riparian habitat, offering visitors a quieter hiking experience away from the park's more heavily visited attractions.

Coastal Access Trail

Length: Short walk
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This route provides access to the park's rugged coastline, where visitors can enjoy ocean views, tidepool exploration, beachcombing, and spectacular sunsets along the Big Sur shoreline.

Sources: California State Parks official Limekiln State Park information, including details on the historic lime kilns, redwood groves, Limekiln Falls, camping, hiking trails, and visitor amenities. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=577
Additional information verified through California State Parks and Big Sur visitor resources covering Limekiln Trail, Limekiln Falls Trail, Hare Creek Trail, coastal access areas, historical interpretation, and recreational opportunities within Limekiln State Park. https://www.parks.ca.gov/https://www.parks.ca.gov/

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Limekiln State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0