An 80-foot coastal waterfall above a protected cove in Big Sur.
McWay Falls drops about 80 feet onto the shore at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The combination of waterfall, cove and Pacific coastline makes this a distinctive Big Sur landscape. It should be understood as an overlook destination: there is no authorized beach or ocean access at the waterfall.
The usual Waterfall Overlook Trail is a half-mile round trip, passing beneath Highway 1 toward the cove. At our review, California State Parks marked that trail closed for a retaining-wall project into 2026. Consult current park notices before planning a stop, along with Caltrans information for Highway 1. Do not substitute an informal cliff descent or cross a barrier when a viewpoint is closed. The beach, waterfall area and cliffs beyond fenced boundaries are off limits, and the state warns of serious hazards in those areas.
On 2026-10-11 the official trail page marked the McWay Falls Overlook Trail closed for a retaining-wall project into 2026. Check the official page for updates. No beach access is allowed. Check the current notice ↗
Know before you go
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park; verify overlook and Highway 1 access.
Check current park and road notices before travel.
Usual overlook route: 0.5-mile round trip; closure reported.
State park vehicle day-use fees; check current rates.
Verify reopening and available accessible viewing options.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- California State Parks — Julia Pfeiffer Burns ↗
- California State Parks — Trail status ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
