Limekiln Campground Permit
Small campground in redwood canyon. Availability depends on Highway 1 conditions.
“Big Sur camping that spent over a year closed, reopened on 1 April 2026, and still depends entirely on whether Highway 1 is open.”
How to get Limekiln Camp
Limekiln is sold as two separate camps rather than one campground. ReserveCalifornia books Redwood Camp (sites 13-29) and Ocean Camp (sites 1-12) on their own calendars and publishes nothing covering both, so there is no single calendar here for us to watch. Live check of the ReserveCalifornia catalogue on 2026-09-10 confirmed those two and only those two. We link the park booking page so you can pick the camp you want.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
How to get Limekiln Camp
Limekiln is sold as two separate camps rather than one campground. ReserveCalifornia books Redwood Camp (sites 13-29) and Ocean Camp (sites 1-12) on their own calendars and publishes nothing covering both, so there is no single calendar here for us to watch. Live check of the ReserveCalifornia catalogue on 2026-09-10 confirmed those two and only those two. We link the park booking page so you can pick the camp you want.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
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Limekiln Camp Quick Facts
Limekiln Camp Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Limekiln Camp in Limekiln State Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Limekiln Camp is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Limekiln Camp runs year-round.
Key Information
Key Dates
Permit Details
Pro Tips
- •Check the Caltrans road conditions map in the week before you travel. This park lost over a year of camping to Highway 1 slides.
- •Bring cash. Every transaction at the park is cash only right now.
- •Measure your rig before booking - 15 feet for a trailer and 24 feet for a motorhome are hard limits.
- •Ocean Camp is sites 1 to 12 and Redwood Camp is 13 to 29, so pick your side of the park deliberately when the map loads.
- •The kiosk closes at 4:00 p.m. even though day use runs to sunset, so arrive before then if you have anything to sort out.
- •Leave the dog at home. Limekiln does not allow them anywhere.
- •Book six months out at 8:00 a.m. Pacific through ReserveCalifornia, then set a cancellation watch - this campground turns over when road news changes.
What to Expect
Route Details
Highlights
- •A campground reopened on 1 April 2026 after more than a year of day-use-only operation
- •Two areas in ReserveCalifornia: Ocean Camp (sites 1-12) and Redwood Camp (sites 13-29), including a hike/bike site
- •A maximum stay of 15 nights
- •Cash only for every transaction at the park right now
- •Small vehicle limits: 15-foot trailer, 24-foot camper or motorhome maximum
- •No dogs anywhere in the park
- •Kiosk hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., day use 8:00 a.m. to sunset
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through autumn, when Highway 1 is most reliably open and the canyon dries out. Winter storms are what close this road, and this park has already lost more than a year to them. Book six months ahead through ReserveCalifornia, then re-check the Caltrans road conditions map in the week before you travel.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Highway 1 itself. Multiple landslides closed access to this park for over a year - check Caltrans road conditions before you drive
- !Steep canyon walls and slide-prone terrain either side of the creek
- !Cold, damp nights in the redwoods regardless of the inland forecast
- !Very limited services: the nearest town is small and the drive either direction along Highway 1 is long
- !Creek crossings on the trail to the falls after rain
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Backcountry Tips
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
- UV index 9. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
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How to Get This Permit
Create a ReserveCalifornia account
Sign up at ReserveCalifornia if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
When to Go
Conditions
The creek and the falls at their best, with the canyon fully green.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Strongest waterfall of the year
- +Green canyon
- +Fewer storms than winter
Challenges
- !Late-season storms can still close Highway 1
- !Damp, cold nights
- !Creek crossings run high
Difficulty Assessment
Fitness and endurance required
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Route finding and trail clarity
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Anyone who wants Big Sur camping with a waterfall and a beach in the same small park, and who is flexible if a road closes.
Recommended Experience
None. The difficulty here is logistical, not physical.
Not Recommended For
Big rigs, dog owners, anyone paying by card, and anyone whose trip cannot absorb a Highway 1 closure.
About This Permit
Limekiln State Park packs a beach, a redwood canyon, a nearly 100-foot waterfall and a set of historic lime kilns into a very small piece of the Big Sur coast, 56 miles south of Carmel at Highway 1 mile marker 20.95.
Camping here restarted on 1 April 2026. California State Parks had limited the park to day-use visitation for over a year because multiple landslides along Highway 1 restricted safe public access and limited the ability of park staff to fully operate the campground. After Highway 1 reopened at Regent's Slide in February 2026, Monterey District staff restored operations and reopened the campground. Anyone planning a trip should check Caltrans road conditions before setting out - this is the campground where the road is the deciding factor.
Bookings go through ReserveCalifornia at reservecalifornia.com or 800-444-7275, on the standard six-month rolling window. ReserveCalifornia splits the campground into Ocean Camp, sites 1 to 12, and Redwood Camp, sites 13 to 29, with a maximum stay of 15 nights.
Two practical constraints catch people out. Vehicle limits are small: maximum trailer 15 feet, maximum camper or motorhome 24 feet. And all transactions at Limekiln are currently cash only, with the entrance kiosk open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and day use 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Dogs are not allowed at this park.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Limekiln is the most access-fragile campground on the Big Sur coast. California State Parks limited it to day-use visitation for over a year because multiple landslides along Highway 1 restricted safe public access and limited the ability of park staff to operate the campground. Camping reopened on 1 April 2026, after Highway 1 reopened at Regent's Slide in February 2026. That history is the single most important planning fact about this campground: a reservation here is contingent on a road.
The Route
The park is 56 miles south of Carmel at Highway 1 mile marker 20.95, two miles south of Lucia, and the entrance road is at the south end of the bridge over Limekiln Creek. Camping is split into two areas in ReserveCalifornia: Ocean Camp holds sites 1 to 12 and Redwood Camp holds sites 13 to 29, with a maximum stay of 15 nights. Trails run up the canyon to the kilns and the waterfall, and the Limekiln Trail to the Pitkins Curve Trail and ocean view overlook is open. Vehicle size is tightly limited: maximum trailer 15 feet, maximum camper or motorhome 24 feet.
The Feeling
A steep redwood canyon that runs straight out onto the Pacific, with the surf audible from sites in the trees. The park packs four different things into a very small area - a beach, a redwood creek canyon, a nearly 100-foot waterfall that splashes down a rock face, and the stone lime kilns the place is named for.
Trailhead Information
Limekiln State Park entrance
The park entrance road is at the south end of the bridge over Limekiln Creek, leading to both the Ocean and Redwood camping areas.
Parking
Redwood sites 13-29 allow one vehicle per site; beach sites 1-12 allow two. Additional vehicle parking is not available in the park. Maximum vehicle length 15 feet, maximum RV/trailer length 24 feet. All transactions at Limekiln are currently cash only.
Getting There
The park is 56 miles south of Carmel at Highway 1 mile marker 20.95, two miles south of Lucia. Highway 1 reopened at Regent's Slide in February 2026; check Caltrans before travelling.
Nearest Services
Lucia, two miles north. There is no dump station at Limekiln — the nearest is at Pfeiffer Big Sur.
Rules & Regulations
- •Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia - reservecalifornia.com or 800-444-7275 - on the six-month rolling window that opens at 8:00 a.m. Pacific
- •Dogs are not allowed at Limekiln State Park
- •Maximum trailer length is 15 feet and maximum camper or motorhome length is 24 feet
- •All transactions at the park are currently cash only
- •Vehicle day use is $10; the entrance kiosk is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- •ReserveCalifornia sets a maximum stay of 15 nights
Gear Checklist
Required
- Cash. Every transaction at the park is cash only right now, including day use if you are not already booked
- Warm layers - a redwood canyon on the Big Sur coast is cold and damp after dark even in summer
- A rain fly that works. Coastal fog drips off redwoods all night
- A camp stove, plus firewood only if the park is not under fire restrictions
- A small vehicle, or a plan that does not involve a trailer over 15 feet
Plan Your Trip
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Limekiln Camp
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
Limekiln Falls
A nearly 100-foot waterfall that splashes down a rock face, reached from the canyon trail
The lime kilns
The historic stone kilns the park is named for, up Limekiln Creek
Ocean Camp
Sites 1 to 12, the seaward end of the campground
Redwood Camp
Sites 13 to 29, in the redwoods up the creek, including a hike/bike site
Safety & Planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Limekiln Camp.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Limekiln Camp FAQ
Is the Limekiln State Park campground open?
Yes. California State Parks reopened Limekiln to camping on 1 April 2026, after more than a year of day-use-only operation caused by multiple landslides along Highway 1. Highway 1 reopened at Regent's Slide in February 2026 and Monterey District staff restored campground operations after that.
How do I make a Limekiln camping reservation?
Through ReserveCalifornia at reservecalifornia.com or by calling 800-444-7275. California State Parks takes reservations six months in advance beginning at 8:00 a.m. Pacific. This is a state park, so Recreation.gov is not involved.
How many campsites does Limekiln State Park have?
ReserveCalifornia splits the campground into Ocean Camp, sites 1 to 12, and Redwood Camp, sites 13 to 29, with Redwood Camp also carrying a hike/bike site.
Can I bring an RV to Limekiln State Park?
Only a small one. The park lists a maximum trailer length of 15 feet and a maximum camper or motorhome length of 24 feet.
Does Limekiln State Park take credit cards?
Not at the park. All transactions at Limekiln are currently cash only. Pay for your reservation in advance through ReserveCalifornia and bring cash for anything else.
Are dogs allowed at Limekiln State Park?
No. California State Parks lists Limekiln as a park where dogs are not allowed.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Questions
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Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunset from the beach end of the park, where the canyon opens straight onto the Pacific.
Best Light
Midday in the canyon, oddly - it is deep and narrow enough that the falls only get light when the sun is high.
Beat the Crowds
This is a small park with 29 sites and a difficult approach, so it is rarely crowded in the way Pfeiffer Big Sur is. Midweek in shoulder season is close to empty.
Classic Shots
- 📍The nearly 100-foot waterfall splashing down its rock face
- 📍The historic stone lime kilns among the redwoods
- 📍Highway 1 and the Big Sur coastline from the Pitkins Curve overlook
- 📍Redwood trunks against the creek in flat, foggy light
Can't Get a Limekiln Camp Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground
Same AreaBig Sur's largest campground, on the Big Sur River about 35 miles north along Highway 1.
Tradeoffs
Far more sites and more reliable access, but much harder to book and without Limekiln's beach and falls.
Andrew Molera Trail Camp
Similar ExperienceWalk-in camping near the Big Sur Rivermouth, 20 miles south of Carmel.
Tradeoffs
Walk-in tent sites rather than drive-up, but a bigger camp and a shorter drive down Highway 1.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns environmental campsites
Similar ExperienceTwo hike-in environmental sites near McWay Falls, further north on the same coast.
Tradeoffs
A far scarcer and more spectacular site, but only two of them and no vehicle access.
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Limekiln Camp trip
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