Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The park is currently Closed.
Date: August 10th, 2026
Current Closed Locations: Point Sur State Historic Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Due to the growth of the Timber Fire, Point Sur State Historic Park, Andrew Molera, Pfeiffer Big Sur and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Parks have been closed. Highway 1 is closed to through traffic between Point Sur and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park except for local residents and employees.
The Timber Fire, burning near the community of Big Sur in Monterey County, burned actively through the night and has grown to approximately 1723 acres. The fire is currently 5% contained.
For latest evacuation information please visit Ready Monterey County: https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency#resources
For more information please visit CAL FIRE San Benito-Monterey Unit’s page: https://linktr.ee/CAL_FIRE_BEU
April 16th, 2025- The Overlook Trail to view McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns is CLOSED for a long-term retaining wall repair project. This project will limit parking spaces inside the park and is expected to continue into 2026. The only place to view the McWay Falls is from a small viewing area on the side of Highway 1. The Ewoldsen Trail will remain open.
Visitors can now access Limekiln State Park for Day Use. Please visit the website link on the right side of our page for more information.
Camping reservations can be made at www.reservecalifornia.com up to 6 months in advance.
Always check area weather forecasts and road updates before visiting. NOAA Weather- Big Sur
For more information about USFS properties and current closures, please visit USFS - Los Padres National Forest - Big Sur
For current highway closures and conditions please visit CalTrans - Road Conditions Map
Follow us on social media @BigSurStateParks for photos and information.
Contact Information
(831) 667-1112
Reservation Availability
No upcoming camping/lodging reservations at this time.
About Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Park information
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events are listed for this park.
Day-Use Activities & Facilities
Trail Use
Wildlife Sanctuary and Educational Programs
About Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
* * * CLOSED AREAS ***
THERE IS NO BEACH OR OCEAN ACCESS at McWAY FALLS
This state park is named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a well-respected pioneer woman in the Big Sur country. The park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges. It features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean waters of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The higher elevation trails east of Highway 1 (currently closed) offer panoramic views of the sanctuary and miles of rugged coastline.
Weather
CHECK CURRENT WEATHER
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised. In winter, overnight temperatures can range in the 30s-50s (Fahrenheit). Winter daytime temperatures can be low 50s-70s. In summer, overnight temperatures can range in the 50s-70s, with daytime temperatures typically in the 70s-80s. Summer mornings bring fog, which usually burns off by midday.
Location
Near mile marker 35.8 on Highway 1, the park is 37 miles south of Carmel.
GOOGLE MAP
