Hiking in Big Sur – Limekiln State Park

Hiking in Big Sur – Limekiln State Park

The state of California is incredible. It’s 163,696 square miles (yes, I just Googled this number) are packed with the stunning Pacific coast, three deserts, redwood and sequoia forests, granite cliffs, beautiful vineyards, snowy mountains, crystal lakes, strawberry fields, and of course some amazing cities! No wonder it is my favorite state in the US, who could resist living in a city that is a mere few hours from somewhere completely different?

Big Sur California Highway1

One of California’s natural beauties is the Redwood Forests. The coastal redwoods are found along the coast from southern Oregon to Big Sur. Limekiln State Park is almost the southern most area where these redwoods grow, and we were lucky enough to visit when we were glamping at Big Sur.

Big Sur Limekiln State Park

If you head to Limekiln Park (and I highly recommend you do!), you get to walk amongst the red giants, see the historic lime kilns (the Park’s namesake), and even a lovely waterfall! The hikes here are actually pretty easy, so it’s good bang for your buck. I love moderate hikes – you know, the ones where you don’t feel like you are going to die, but are also just hard enough to keep the tour groups at bay? The Limekiln hikes fall into this category.

The hikes start past a picturesque campground, set by a bubbly creek. Camping here is so cheap too, so this might be a good option for your outdoorsy stay at Big Sur!

Limekiln State Park hiking signs

We headed toward the Lime Kiln and Waterfall trails, and were immediately mesmerized by the peace within the forest. Once we walked a little bit away from the camp, it felt like there was not a soul there except us, and the giant trees. When you go, please look up! This will give you an immediate perspective of how tall the redwoods actually are. Cue a line about how insignificant we are in comparison etc., but honestly, we did not feel that. The forest exuded such a sense of peace and ease – it made us feel comfortable in our own skins, and yes a little bit significant too. The wisdom and magnificence of the trees might have somehow rubbed off on us!

Limekiln State Park Redwoods

The trails follow the creek closely, and so it involves a few bridges, either constructed with wood and metal, or makeshifts with fallen tree trunks. The makeshift bridges are so fun! While following the trail to the Lime Kilns, you might hit a dead end, in the form of a fallen tree (not sure if this has been cleared by now). Do not be deterred, just climb over it and move forward. Basically, know that this trail should lead you to the Lime Kilns, as pictured below.

Limekiln State Park Big Sur Lime kilns

A lime kiln is used to extract lime from lime stone. This lime, called “quicklime” is used in cement, and the lime extracted from these kilns was used in construction in Monterrey and San Francisco. This operation only lasted 3 years, but the unused kilns are still here more than a hundred years later. I was very excited to see real lime kilns because I still remember the excruciating extraction process that we had to memorize for our geography exam in high school. Now wouldn’t it have been so much easier if they had taken us on a trip to actually see kilns? 🙂

The hike to the lime kilns is very short and easy (after you climb across the fallen tree that may or may not still be there). We looked around the lime kilns for a bit, snacked on some plantain chips, and met the only people we had seen in the park besides us so far (another couple who were staying at Treebones). After giving the lime kilns the appropriate attention, we headed toward the falls. For this, you have to backtrack a little till you see a fork in the road, and this lovely little log bridge. Walk across, and be prepared to hop from one side of the creek to the other till you reach the falls.

Limekiln State Park Big Sur crossing the creek

This is one of the most fun hikes I’ve been on! It involves lots of scrambling, avoiding falling in to water, balancing on tree trunks, and generally being kids. The waterfall at the end is the icing on the cake – a lovely, gushing fall, well worth the scramble.

Limekiln State Park creek

Limekiln State Park giant redwoods

Limekiln State Park hike to Limekiln Falls

Limekiln Falls hike in Big Sur

Please note, that we went on this hike in the Spring, after a very rainy winter. The falls may not have the same intensity at other seasons, and the creek may not always be flowing. So, I recommend you go in the Spring! 🙂

We spent a couple of hours at Limekiln park, and then headed on to eat a picnic lunch at Sand Dollar beach. I recommend you head to Lime Kiln in the morning, to avoid the crowds. It is also a good opportunity to see the redwoods while the marine layer sits on the ocean. The rest of your day will be free for the Pacific and the stunning Big Sur coast. If you want to picnic at Limekiln Park, there are some picturesque spots on the hike, of course by the waterfall (but your food might get soaked), and even a bench near the campsite!

Limekiln State Park Picnic Bench

I hope you all get to experience the magic at Limekiln State Park, and Big Sur in general. I fell in love, and I cannot wait to go back! If you want more details about Big Sur, where we stayed and other activities, please read my post on Glamping at Big Sur!

Here is a map of Limekiln Park, from the California State Parks website. Happy Planning!

Limekiln State Park Map

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21 Comments

  1. June 25, 2017 / 11:43 pm

    looks like such an amazing spot!
    the photos really do it justice!

    • June 26, 2017 / 8:32 am

      Thank you Ryan!! Hope you get to visit it sometime 🙂

  2. Sheela
    June 25, 2017 / 11:50 pm

    Wow. The redwoods sure drive home the majesty of nature!

    • June 26, 2017 / 8:32 am

      Yes that’s a great way to put it!!

  3. June 26, 2017 / 7:17 am

    Wow. Though we do not hike, we enjoy seeing the pictures you have!

    • June 26, 2017 / 8:33 am

      Aww, thank you Mel and Suan! You guys are so sweet 🙂

  4. Ying-NavigatingAdulthood
    June 26, 2017 / 6:19 pm

    This looks like a wonderful trip! Those trees are so majestic

    • July 1, 2017 / 3:12 pm

      Yes they are!! 🙂 It was an awesome trip, highly recommend!

  5. Paulus
    July 1, 2017 / 3:06 pm

    Very cool blog!
    paulsenn4healthblog.wordpress.com

  6. kalmetam
    July 1, 2017 / 4:14 pm

    I’ve always wanted to go there 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
    – Mike

  7. July 1, 2017 / 5:17 pm

    These photos are incredible! This trip looks like so much fun. Would love to check it out one day 🙂

    xxoo, Taylor (thesprinkle.tayloramead.com)

    • July 5, 2017 / 12:05 pm

      aww thank you Taylor!! Hope you get to visit soon! 🙂
      P.S. Your website is so cool!

  8. July 2, 2017 / 7:23 am

    Your pictures are gorgeous! I’d love to go on this trail. Road tripping along that area of the coast is definitely on my bucket list.

    • July 5, 2017 / 12:05 pm

      Thank you!! 🙂 Yes, I hope you love this park, and Big Sur is def a worthwhile bucket list destination!

  9. July 4, 2017 / 11:49 am

    California has such incredible nature and landscapes! I feel like I could travel there every week and still not come anywhere close to seeing everything it has to offer. I’ll have to add this park to my list of California places to see! Your photos make it look so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

    • July 5, 2017 / 12:07 pm

      Aww thanks Erin! I agree about California, which is why I just LOVE living here!! Hope you get to see this park in person sometime 🙂

  10. August 1, 2017 / 6:33 pm

    Hey! I just wanted to let you know how inspired I am by your blog! I am just a kid, but I really love blogging and my dream is to grow my blog. When blogging gets hard, I turn to your blog as a reminder to what I aspire to be like one day. Your talent is overwhelming, and you serve as such an inspiration for me. Thanks so much for being awesome. There is a lot to admire about you! ❤️ lifeoflove.blog

    • August 6, 2017 / 1:50 pm

      Aww thank you so much Kaila!! This comment made me so happy 🙂 All the very best wishes to you and your blog!

  11. August 7, 2017 / 4:39 am

    Strawberry fields?? (Wide open eyes emoticon) I’d love to wander those. This kind of looks like the nature in Slovenian Alps, but then I noticed how tiny you look compared to the trees. I would love to visit at least a couple of Northern American parks some day. 🙂

    • August 10, 2017 / 10:24 pm

      Ooohh I’d love to visit the Slovenian Alps!! And I hope you get to visit the National Parks in the US – breathtakingly beautiful, grand and humbling!


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