McWay Falls
Big Sur, CA
An 80-foot waterfall that drops straight onto a sandy cove. A short, flat trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park leads to the overlook.
McWay Falls, in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park about 60 km (37 miles) south of Carmel on Highway 1, drops about 24 m (80 feet) onto the beach of a small cove. The water used to fall straight into the ocean; it took a large landslide in 1983 to supply the material for today's sandy beach. A house stood on the point from 1940, and only its stone foundation remains.
The Overlook Trail is just under 1 km (about 0.5 to 0.6 mile) round trip, nearly level, and runs through a tunnel under Highway 1 to the viewpoint. It was closed into 2026 for retaining wall work, so check before you go whether it has reopened. The beach and cliffs are off-limits, and violators are cited. You can park for a fee inside the state park or for free along Highway 1. Dogs are not allowed. After wildfires, the backcountry trails east of Highway 1 are closed, and Highway 1 closures can also affect access (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Big Sur, CA
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 36.1580, -121.6722
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Ventana CampgroundCampsite7 mi from McWay FallsTents
- Escondido CampgroundCampsite10 mi from McWay FallsFree
- Riverside Campground & CabinsCampsite10 mi from McWay FallsTentsCaravans
- Big Sur Campground & CabinsCampsite11 mi from McWay Falls · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- China Camp CampgroundCampsite11 mi from McWay Falls
- Kirk Creek CampgroundCampsite15 mi from McWay Falls · 33 pitchesTentsToilets
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is McWay Falls?
McWay Falls is in Big Sur, CA, at GPS 36.1580, -121.6722. It is about 27 mi from Soledad.
Can you camp near McWay Falls?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camp MC, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 106 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass McWay Falls?
McWay Falls is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Highway 1: San Francisco to Santa Monica and Fog, cliffs and elephant seals – the Pacific Coast Highway by camper.
What is there to see near McWay Falls?
Places worth a stop nearby: Kirk Creek Campground (15 mi), Bixby Creek Bridge (20 mi), Carmel-by-the-Sea (31 mi) and Monterey Bay Aquarium (34 mi).
When is the best time to visit McWay Falls?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)