Limekiln State Park
Limekiln State Park
4.5
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- Leilani HLomita, California25 contributionsSecret forest !We hit Hwy 1 out of Atascadero and headed north, just exploring. What a wonderful surprise Limekiln proved to be! We had lunch on one of the many picnic tables in the park, next to a creek. You can walk across a bridge to the ocean, or, you can head the other direction from the entrance and follow the trail up into the woods. It’s beautiful! It is also dog-friendly.Visited January 2020Written February 3, 2020
- Nature Lover2 contributionsBig Sur Camping at LimekilnWhat a beautiful campground. Dawnette and her husband the camp host were extremely helpful and was able to score us a spot since we didn't have a reservation. The second night we moved to the most beautiful and best spot #29. We watched a deer and her fawn eat nearby. The soothing sound of the creek the trees plus on the other side of the campground was a beautiful beach. They have 3 hiking trails we took which were easy. Loved the waterfall hike. My husband and I were celebrating our 30th anniversary since our Hawaii trip was scrapped due to Covid-19. I feel we had a much better time seeing Big Sur and the California coastline than going to Hawaii and the best part was camping at Limekiln Campground.Visited August 2020Written August 22, 2020
- WaterloonieWaterloo, Canada1,562 contributionsMy wife and I loved this easy and very scenic forest trail.Limekiln is such an interesting and beautiful park to take an easy hike in. Absolutely delightful to walk along the stream among the sequoias. The 140 year old lime kilns were interesting and slightly spooky to find at the end of the short hike. Of all the hikes one can take in Big Sur, this is a lovely, peaceful and not strenuous one recommended for all.Visited May 2020Written May 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
258 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
69
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
5
Yen D
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
Jun 2020 • Family
Beautiful park with small campsites.
The ranger there is awful and made 2 out of 3 day trip, stressful.
The ranger had a very sour attitude because we pulled out some chairs to sit in front of our car instead of using the picnic tables to wait for camp sites to open up. She told us we were becoming a nuisance. Very uncalled for.
When we finally secured the camp sites we were told it was 2 cars per site and can renew before noon the next morning. Great.
We were still waiting for the rest of our party to arrive and due to the site not having cell service and the rangers turning them away, we decided to wait at the entrance but the ranger got annoyed because we kept pinging her phone.
On the second morning the rest of our party arrived but that annoyed her that we broke the car limit rules (which we did not) and proceeded to lie and say the site we currently occupy is reserved and we need to be packed up by noon.
We had convince her that weren’t trying to do anything malicious nor bending any rules for us to stay. She took down our license plates and photocopies of everyone’s driver license. I will never come back. It’s a shame because the site is very nice. This particular ranger, which I overheard another ranger call “the bull”, not so much.
The ranger there is awful and made 2 out of 3 day trip, stressful.
The ranger had a very sour attitude because we pulled out some chairs to sit in front of our car instead of using the picnic tables to wait for camp sites to open up. She told us we were becoming a nuisance. Very uncalled for.
When we finally secured the camp sites we were told it was 2 cars per site and can renew before noon the next morning. Great.
We were still waiting for the rest of our party to arrive and due to the site not having cell service and the rangers turning them away, we decided to wait at the entrance but the ranger got annoyed because we kept pinging her phone.
On the second morning the rest of our party arrived but that annoyed her that we broke the car limit rules (which we did not) and proceeded to lie and say the site we currently occupy is reserved and we need to be packed up by noon.
We had convince her that weren’t trying to do anything malicious nor bending any rules for us to stay. She took down our license plates and photocopies of everyone’s driver license. I will never come back. It’s a shame because the site is very nice. This particular ranger, which I overheard another ranger call “the bull”, not so much.
Written June 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
777Miriam
Los Angeles, CA12 contributions
Jun 2020
I was wandering and hoping the camp will have real bathroom and not a hole in the ground. I was looking for pictures on trip advisor to find out and found none. So I decided to post for people like me that stuff like that is of interest.
The bathrooms were very clean and had plenty of toilet papers. The women's shower was out of order but the men's worked. It even had hot water. There is no light in the bathroom and it gets pretty dark in there (even before its dark outside). No soap dispenser (maybe just because of Covid 19?).
The bathrooms were very clean and had plenty of toilet papers. The women's shower was out of order but the men's worked. It even had hot water. There is no light in the bathroom and it gets pretty dark in there (even before its dark outside). No soap dispenser (maybe just because of Covid 19?).
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue P
Hollister, CA6 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Wanted to drive through to look at the sites as is our usual way to decide but the VERY rude man at the entrance booth would not allow it. We will NOT be camping there. We've warned others in our camping groups the same thing.
Written September 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cr1717
Banning, CA359 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
So lush and green and verdant and good views of the redwoods. The hike to the limekilns was easy. I tried to do the hike to the falls, but I had trouble with the stream crossings, as I had recent surgery. The crossings are on little logs and not good for small children or people with health problems. But the trail to get to the falls fork is beautiful and worth it. I suggest you come before 11:00am as there aren’t a lot of parking spaces.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim S
Orange County, CA273 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
You get the best of both worlds at the Limekiln State Park campground. To the west you have a beautiful cove, where Limekiln Creek flows right into the ocean, under the 200 foot tall overpass of the Highway 1 bridge. To the east you have three short and easy hikes into the redwood forest. One hike along a creek, another to the Limekiln ruins, and the third to Limekiln Falls. All three of the hikes were short, easy, and beautiful.
There are three camping sections to Limekiln State Park, the beach, creek side, and redwoods. We camped creek side. Our site was small, and only one vehicle was allowed, so keep this in mind when booking if you have others that want to join you. The creek was flowing right outside our tent...very zen. The campsites are very close together and small. Our tent was really close to our fire pit. All sites have a fire pit and a picnic table. Potable water is shared between every other campsite. The staff at Limekiln were very friendly...like unbelievably friendly! There are clean and maintained restrooms with hot pay showers. (Quarters only...$1 for eight minutes, and bring shower sandals.)
The camp host has firewood for sale, but there is no gift shop, snack stand or ice available for purchase. The tiny resort at Lucia is only two miles to the north on Highway 1, and has everything you may have forgotten, food and camp supply wise...at inflated prices...naturally.
The beach is rocky and the sand is pebbly. Turkey vultures circle the updrafts along the cliffs. Seagulls and pelicans fly over the beach. The tidal sounds reflect off of the cove walls, and Limekiln Creek trickles into the sea. It is quite a hidden gem.
If you want to visit for just the day, parking is $10 and extremely limited. (Only nine spaces or so.) Get there early. Many vehicles parked north-facing on Highway 1 just before the park entrance that couldn't get in.
A major plus during our visit is that there were virtually no bugs. The sea breeze keeps them away. We also didn't see much in the way of animals, just a few squirrels, even though there are warning signs about mountain lions and rattlesnakes.
I think the creek side campsites were the best in that the beach sites had no shade and are cold and windy, while the redwood sites have day-use and trail hikers walking past every campsite. Although dogs are not allowed on the east trails, this is a very dog-friendly campground, and dogs are allowed on the beach.
For security and to prevent overnight-roadside-vehicle squatters, they lock the entry gate at 8pm, and reopen it in the morning at 8am, so keep that in mind. There are very few spots for RVs, and maneuvering them inside the campground is very tricky. All RV sites are in the beach section. Campers at Limekiln State Park know how to camp, since most are "car-campers" and don't bring loud stereos, televisions, and generators with them. We had a very enjoyable experience.
There are three camping sections to Limekiln State Park, the beach, creek side, and redwoods. We camped creek side. Our site was small, and only one vehicle was allowed, so keep this in mind when booking if you have others that want to join you. The creek was flowing right outside our tent...very zen. The campsites are very close together and small. Our tent was really close to our fire pit. All sites have a fire pit and a picnic table. Potable water is shared between every other campsite. The staff at Limekiln were very friendly...like unbelievably friendly! There are clean and maintained restrooms with hot pay showers. (Quarters only...$1 for eight minutes, and bring shower sandals.)
The camp host has firewood for sale, but there is no gift shop, snack stand or ice available for purchase. The tiny resort at Lucia is only two miles to the north on Highway 1, and has everything you may have forgotten, food and camp supply wise...at inflated prices...naturally.
The beach is rocky and the sand is pebbly. Turkey vultures circle the updrafts along the cliffs. Seagulls and pelicans fly over the beach. The tidal sounds reflect off of the cove walls, and Limekiln Creek trickles into the sea. It is quite a hidden gem.
If you want to visit for just the day, parking is $10 and extremely limited. (Only nine spaces or so.) Get there early. Many vehicles parked north-facing on Highway 1 just before the park entrance that couldn't get in.
A major plus during our visit is that there were virtually no bugs. The sea breeze keeps them away. We also didn't see much in the way of animals, just a few squirrels, even though there are warning signs about mountain lions and rattlesnakes.
I think the creek side campsites were the best in that the beach sites had no shade and are cold and windy, while the redwood sites have day-use and trail hikers walking past every campsite. Although dogs are not allowed on the east trails, this is a very dog-friendly campground, and dogs are allowed on the beach.
For security and to prevent overnight-roadside-vehicle squatters, they lock the entry gate at 8pm, and reopen it in the morning at 8am, so keep that in mind. There are very few spots for RVs, and maneuvering them inside the campground is very tricky. All RV sites are in the beach section. Campers at Limekiln State Park know how to camp, since most are "car-campers" and don't bring loud stereos, televisions, and generators with them. We had a very enjoyable experience.
Written June 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle J
New York City, NY342 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
We came around 1pm and was told that there was no space so we were turned away. Don't understand since the parking lot didn't even look full. Ended up driving down here for nothing.
Written February 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carla R
32 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
Limekiln is my favorite place in the incredibly beautiful Big Sur Coast. This was the first time I camped and it was wonderful! I was in a rented camper van with my dog, and had a campsite right out on the beach. The campsites are split between the redwood forest and the beach area, and both are gorgeous. I got to hear the roaring ocean waves all night long, play on the beach with my dog, hike the trails (NOTE: only service dogs allowed on trails), and have fun cooking with other campers. Nice showers, only 25 cents per 2 minutes. And the Limekiln Falls is outrageous, even now during the drought!
Written May 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia C
Fairfield, CA63 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Great place to camp or to stop for a few hours. Day entry fee is $10 - well worth the cost of admission! An informational brochure is available for the asking that includes local history and a hiking map. There are 29 campsites nestled into the forest with a few along the beach. There are three hikes you can complete (the Limekiln trail, the waterfall and the Hare Creek). The hike to the waterfall included a few easy creek crossings. The waterfall was a bit disappointing due to the lack of water this year - the waterfall was running but was nothing spectacular. The hike to the kilns was an easy walk including crossing three bridges. The kilns were taller than I anticipated. The limestone was used in some of San Francisco's earliest brick buildings. Due to time restraints we did not have the opportunity to hike to Hare Creek. A walk down to the beach was refreshing where we had a picnic, relaxed and watch the waves, birds and sea otters playing in the kelp. Seems like this would be a wonderful place to camp for a few days (there are hot pay showers too!). Overall a wonderful relaxing place to visit!
Written January 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janetbmichels
Huntington Beach, CA29 contributions
Jul 2020
Spent a couple of hours exploring this small park....beautiful waterfall is a bout a 20 minute easy-moderate hike and you spend the time by the river and surrounded by redwoods and sequoias.
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
July1955
California71 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
The entrance to Limekiln looks like service road with no warning you are coming near. We saw it just as we went past and had to turn around and go back, but it was worth it. There are several camp sites with rest room and shower facilities as well as picnic tables, and there was a beach area that we didn't have time to see. The place offers a lot more than the web site indicates. We just went to walk the trail, which was listed on the site as a half mile trail to the kilns and falls. Actually,after you walk through the camping area and across a foot bridge, a sign points one way toward the falls and kilns and another way toward the creek trail. Half way up the trail toward the kilns the trail splits -- one way to the kiln and the other toward the falls. We walked up to the kilns and then doubled back and went up to the falls but didn't have time for the trail to the creek. I'm guessing that the trail one-way to the kilns is a half mile by itself.
While the walking is easy, make sure you wear good walking shoes. There is loose dirt in several places, and the trail crosses a stream at least four times going up to the kilns. While the stream in shallow, unless you want to get your feet wet, you need to cross on a plank at one place, a log at another, and a combination of multiple large branches in a couple more places. There are also a few low branches in places where you need to almost get down on your hands and knees to go under. Nevertheless, there are photo ops around every turn! The place is beatiful, and the running stream drowns out the sound of any traffic. The parking lot is small, and there is a day use fee, but this place made my list of new favorites.
While the walking is easy, make sure you wear good walking shoes. There is loose dirt in several places, and the trail crosses a stream at least four times going up to the kilns. While the stream in shallow, unless you want to get your feet wet, you need to cross on a plank at one place, a log at another, and a combination of multiple large branches in a couple more places. There are also a few low branches in places where you need to almost get down on your hands and knees to go under. Nevertheless, there are photo ops around every turn! The place is beatiful, and the running stream drowns out the sound of any traffic. The parking lot is small, and there is a day use fee, but this place made my list of new favorites.
Written August 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gill D
4 contributions
Hello
Thinking ov visiting the park from san francisco then staying overnight in Cambria. Is this realistic? We will be travelling the last week in July.
Thank you
what is the latest time i can arrive? my friend will be checking into the campsite ahead of time btw
I’m interested in visiting, but it says trails are closed due to fire damage. Is it still worth visiting? I’m going to have 3 days to check out Big Sur area, so any feedback on if this is worth putting in my itinerary with my limited time?! Thanks!!
Beautiful pictures.... what hike is this? Are these pics all from the same hike? This place is calling me! 😊 Thank you. Jen
JoeKupe
Victor, NY641 contributions
Yes, all from the same hike. The routes are not too challenging, but there can be a lot of people out. For some more good hikes go a bit south to the Jade Cove Trail.
Hi!
We are coming from Finland to do a long honey moon road trip and we are interested to stay one night in your campsite. Due to limited possibilities to pack is it possible to reserve a campsite if we don't have a tent and we were thinking about sleeping in a regular rental car?
Thank you in advance!
siracides3321
El Paso, TX48 contributions
Is the entry fee for Day Use $10 per car or per person? Thanks
Robert B
Port Hueneme, CA521 contributions
Per vehicle
thierry p
San Jose, CA
How far in advance can I book a campsite and what is the best way to do so?
thanks!
tammythetypist
Pismo Beach, CA61 contributions
You can reserve online or call 800-444-7275. I would say minimum of three months ahead maybe earlier than that. It is a cozy small campground. But there are many state campgrounds in this region
Is there any overnight parking around the campsite? Campsites only allow 2 cars and we are leaving a day after our group. Thank you!
tammythetypist
Pismo Beach, CA61 contributions
There were additional (6) parking spots in front of the shower area. It would be best to call the campground, because there is definitely no parking on highway 1 or anywhere outside of the campground close by.
JoyNCH
Clovis, CA320 contributions
We will be camping at Limekiln in mid-April this year. We have site 18, a redwoods site. Has anyone else camped there during the month of April? What was the weather like, both in the campground and on the beach?
Vicki S
Emeryville, CA43 contributions
If March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, you may have warm April weather. We just camped there last year and with a drought, the upper creek was loud and flowing. Site 18 is on the bluff above the creek and this year it's liable to be roaring. You look across the creek to beautiful woods and hillside, but pulling up, you may think you are camping in the road. All dirt and no separation from anyone else except where you position your vehicle (buffer your tent). We liked the camp anyway (#26 was nestled under the hillside, more protected). The public walks right up the road to reach the trails. The trails are great tho...not to be missed. Hosts also great. The bathrooms a short two minute stroll from your site are clean and lit. Lovely to walk down to the beach and watch the sunset while the campsite is in shadows. Even in summer, it's not a beach for swimming, but just great to sit out on. Since the river comes down to the beach, it's good for kid play. Good luck with the weather, it shouldn't be cold even at night, just be prepared for rain.
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Claim your listingLimekiln State Park (Big Sur) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Limekiln State Park
- We recommend booking Limekiln State Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Limekiln State Park tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Limekiln State Park:
- (0.35 mi) Limekiln SP
- (9.44 mi) Treebones Resort
- (2.03 mi) Lucia Lodge
- (1.59 mi) New Camaldoli Hermitage
- (1.80 mi) Kirk Creek Campground
- Attractions near Limekiln State Park:
- (8.01 mi) Bixby Bridge
- (2.00 mi) New Camaldoli Hermitage
- (6.68 mi) Sand Dollar Beach
- (3.11 mi) Mill Creek Picnic Area
- (6.20 mi) Salmon Creek Falls Trail
Limekiln State Park Information
| Excellent Reviews | 171 |
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| Very Good Reviews | 69 |
| Limekiln State Park Photos | 293 |





























































