1 / 10

Limekiln Campground

98%

28 sites · RV, Tent

This coastal campground has two main hiking trails: one that winds along the redwoods along Limekiln Creek, and one that perches on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Both trails are day use only.

There are 29 campsites (4 are walk-in), and RVs and trailers aren’t allowed on the redwoods side (only at campsites 5 through 16). The two loops have very different atmospheres, and, in general, you will find families on the Redwood side and surfers and ocean-lovers on the other.

Some of the sites on the ocean view are in the shadow of the Highway 1 overpass, so keep that in mind as you are selecting your site. Word on the street is that the best sites are 1, 2, and 3, but they are first-come, first serve and you can’t reserve specific sites online, so getting there early is always a good idea.

What this place offers

Campfire allowed

Pets allowed

Showers

Toilets

Potable water

Picnic tables

No sewage hookups

No electric hookups

28 sites

RV, Tent

Explore 412 campgrounds near Limekiln State Park

Scanning sold-out campgrounds every 15 seconds. Get notified the moment Limekiln Campground becomes available.

Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Limekiln State Park

More to explore nearby

98%

108 ratings · 30 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Gorgeous campground setting, communal vibe

I last camped at Limekiln Campground back in February of 2020 in a 2-person backpacking tent. This State Park campground is maintained by third party government contractor that strongly enforces payment, parking, etc. The restroom facilities and campground grounds were all well taken care of. The campsites are nestled into a magical forest, although are not very private from one another and set rather close to the campground road which gives for more of a communal feeling. As of writing this review (March 2025) the campground was still closed for infrastructure repair from the recent storms, flooding, and landslides that have impacted the greater Big Sur area.

Julian B.

180 reviews

Recommends

· May 2019

One of my favorite places! You get the ocean and the mountain trees! Love love love this place!

Erin O.

2 reviews

Recommends

· May 2019

Nothing short of magic. We got very lucky and last-minute booked a beachside campsite, which was nestled in between the ocean and stream that runs through the campground. The white noise was so peaceful and waking up next to the beach in Big Sur is an otherworldly experience. The amenities were clean + up to date and the camp hosts were awesome!

Savannah R.

10 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· January 2019

Magic. This is FernGully. I highly recommend staying a night here to break up a Big Sur destination if you’re headed from SoCal. The tucked away lush hikes are fun and playful. Little waterfalls and fun tree bridges crossing small streams make it feel like a fairy tale. We stayed closest to the ocean which lulled me to sleep both nights we stayed. This ground offers some of the best nature has to offer. The ocean side is a little more “parking lot” although 1-3 sites are great. But the ocean steps away is worth it. The sites further inland are really beautiful. It’s like Lord of the Rings back there. Shoot for site 29.

Bea L.

6 years on Hipcamp

August 2018

I book Ocean site #4 for an early Sept weekend. Mainly because it was the only site available through a cancellation so I was lucky to even get it for a more or less last minute anniversary camping trip. I'm worried it might be too windy/ exposed. Anyone stay on the ocean side camp sites have any feedback on that? I mainly ask since we have a 1 year old! Though I actually think the proximity to the ocean will be helpful for her to sleep - she has an ocean sound white noise machine anyway - wa la! The whole area seems great for a quick family trip though....

Jackie G.

7 years on Hipcamp

July 2018

Yes, and more than once...a pure slice of heaven on earth~ My favorite place to camp~

Peg A.

7 years on Hipcamp

June 2018

My wife and I was the manager of limekiln in the late 90s when it was private owned. It still looks close to the same. We did not have the the bridges, you either crossed the Creek on logs jumped or got your get wet. We ran it for 3 years. Wish we were still there.

Harold M.

7 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2018

We stayed at a site near the creek in the forested area. There's lots of wildlife to see in the forest and it's an easy walk to the beach for sunset! We saw many deer at our site and even a whale during sunset! This campground really is a all-in-one for Big Sur. The hike trail was clearly marked. You could wade through crystal clear creeks, which I always enjoy doing in my chacos. The trail was adventurous without being difficult and cleverly made-super enjoyable hike. Of course, the waterfall at the end was wonderfully rewarding as well.

Emily D.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· January 2018

There are two options for this site: wooded camp sites and beach front campsites. The beach front is nestled right in between the beach and a small river, which was lovely to fall asleep to!

Patrick H.

7 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2017

I loved this campsite. There's a variety on camping spots throughout the park. If you like the beach you can camp closer to the beach, and if you like to be tucked away under soaring Redwoods you have that option, too. There's a beautiful stream that runs through the campsite, and meets at the roaring waves of the Pacific Coast. This is definitely one to check off your list!

Craig T.

8 years on Hipcamp

September 2017

We stayed at the Ocean beach front site. We initially had site #5 but we traded with a huge family who had #4 because they had 6,7, and 8 lol. We didn't mind because we actually thought the view was better. We totally lucked out because the weather was nice and most of the "to do" things around big sur wasn't as crowded as it usually would be since the road's are still closed. It was awesome just driving with no one on the road/at super popular spots which made it much more enjoyable ya know?! hehehe. On the way out we saw the other side of the sit which was a little more woody- would love to try that out. Enjoyed our time here

Stephanie A.

3 reviews

Recommends

· August 2017

Site one the brook are quiet and private and offer spectacular calm among the redwoods.

Pepper R.

9 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· June 2017

Make sure to check out the waterfalls and feel free to explore the path less traveled. With beach access as well, this is a great spot. It's a big campground and the campsites are pretty close together.

Renee W.

5 reviews

Recommends

· May 2017

The weather and temperature can be very different from the campsites inland to the beach.

Lorena A.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2017

Great place to go for walk in winter camping!

Kathleen D.

10 years on Hipcamp

April 2017

I grew up in a small town just south of Limekiln, and camped here frequently as a young person. I went back with my husband on a recent trip and while it was as beautiful as I remember, it was also very cramped. Being people who like to have privacy and often find out-of-the-way spots, this campground does not offer that. We got the last site and it was on the beach. It's not private at all, but you are right next to the ocean, so it was ok. The vibe was very friendly and the walk through the redwoods is worth the expensive night (40-ish bucks) for camping. Site 29 is by far the best spot in the whole place. Because I camped here as a kid, it will always be magical to me!

Amber H.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2017

Do all the hikes at the site, absolutely gorgeous. There's one hike where you can eventually find a natural pool

Mark B.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2017

Do all the hikes at the site, absolutely gorgeous. There's one hike where you can eventually find a natural pool

Mark B.

8 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2017

My favorite place to camp. Waterfall, beach, ruins, redwoods, absolute perfection. Securing a weekend campsite in the summer is nearly impossible though.

Dana Y.

8 years on Hipcamp

February 2017

What an incredible place. Friendly staff, clean restrooms and showers, and no reception. We stayed in the little section of four sites along the river (site 15 to be specific) at the end of January and loved it. Nice and secluded, compared to the sites up in the Redwoods; sites above seemed rather exposed and close to neighbors. Definitely book far, far in advance as this place books up quick! We felt lucky to have the campground to ourselves (mudslides caused the HWY 1 to close down from both directions; a camp host text us letting us know and gave us an alternate route). The walkable beach access was amazing, and the contrast of the woods and the beach was magical. We will be back!