McWay Falls is an iconic short-stop coastal waterfall when its overlook is open, but as of November 11, 2026, the legal Waterfall Overlook Trail is closed. Make it a conditional stop only after the official trail-status page confirms reopening.
Confirm the overlook has reopened
The McWay Falls / Waterfall Overlook Trail is closed for a retaining-wall project, so there is currently no legal waterfall viewpoint or substitute route to the cove.
MorePay $10 only if driving
California State Parks charges $10 per vehicle for Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park day use; walk-in and bicycle entry are free, and there is no McWay admission ticket.
MoreCheck SR-1 the travel morning
Highway 1 can close or face controls from slides, storms, fires or rockfall, so check Caltrans live conditions immediately before setting out.
MoreArrive at 8 a.m. after reopening
Parking is limited and often fills on weekends and in summer; the park opens at 8 a.m., while no timed entry or official parking waitlist exists.
MoreMcWay Falls is an approximately 80-foot perennial waterfall in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where McWay Creek drops from Big Sur’s Santa Lucia Mountains over coastal cliffs into McWay Cove on the Pacific. The park was created in 1962 from Saddle Rock Ranch, donated in honor of longtime Big Sur resident Julia Pfeiffer Burns. The cove’s beach is legally closed and is not a visitor beach; its present form was altered by a 1983 landslide. As of November 11, 2026, the Waterfall Overlook Trail—the normal legal viewpoint—is closed for a retaining-wall project continuing into 2026, so the falls cannot currently be viewed from its official overlook.
When the overlook is open, this is one of Big Sur’s most concentrated scenic stops: a year-round waterfall, cliff-edged cove, surf, kelp and possible sea-otter or seabird sightings, reached by a very short walk. It especially suits first-time Highway 1 travelers, photographers and families; skip it now as a waterfall stop because the legal overlook is closed and there is no legal beach, ocean, or alternative route to the falls. Do not trespass beyond barriers toward the cove, Saddle Rock or the waterfall.
Before you go
No. As of November 11, 2026, California State Parks says the McWay Falls / Waterfall Overlook Trail is closed for a retaining-wall project continuing into 2026. The park is open, but there is no legal waterfall viewpoint, beach access, or substitute trail to the falls. Confirm the trail status on the morning you travel: https://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29888
No timed ticket, admission ticket, advance day-use reservation, lottery, or permit is listed for McWay Falls. When the overlook is open, enter Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and pay the vehicle day-use fee at the kiosk or self-registration station. There is no legitimate timed-entry or waterfall-tour product to book.
Walking or cycling into the state park is free. For vehicles, California State Parks currently lists a US$10 per-vehicle day-use fee for Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, valid at California state parks until sundown that day. Drivers age 62+ receive US$1 off, and eligible passholders may enter free or at a reduced rate. This is a vehicle/parking fee, not separate adult admission.
Do not make a dedicated Big Sur detour or pay for parking solely to see the waterfall while the trail remains closed. The beach, McWay Cove, Saddle Rock, and falls area are off limits; climbing fences or attempting an unofficial route can lead to citation or arrest. Choose another open Big Sur trail or coast viewpoint instead.
September and October are generally the strongest normal-season months: typically drier weather, softer light, and somewhat less family traffic than peak summer. March and April can be especially green and lush after rain if Highway 1 and trails are open. Late afternoon toward sunset often gives the cove warmer light, but coastal fog can obscure the view at any hour. Check trail status and Highway 1 conditions the same day.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset. After the overlook reopens, arrive close to 8 a.m. on weekends, holidays, and summer days to improve your chance of getting one of the limited parking spaces. Do not remain after sunset.