This State Park is mostly popular because of the stunning 80-foot waterfall of McWay Creek that rushes onto the beach and into the ocean. The park is dedicated to and named after Julia Pfeiffer who grew up in the Big Sur region and later married fellow homesteader John Burns. The two worked as cattle rancher on Saddle Rock Ranch between 1915 and 1928 until Julia died.

There are picnic benches and vault toilets at the trailhead. For an extended hike, there are some trails leading into the surrounding hills of the State Park.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Routes here

Best Hikes to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

4.3

(3)

100

hikers

1. View of McWay Falls – Tunnel to McWay Falls loop from Big Sur

1.00km

00:18

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

5.0

(1)

hikers

2. Bench loop from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

8.21km

03:31

460m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.3

(3)

hikers

3. Tunnel to McWay Falls – View of McWay Falls loop from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

2.01km

00:35

50m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Details

Informations

Elevation 80 m

Weather

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See routes here

Take Me There

Add komoot as a preferred source in your Google results

Add now

Location: Monterey County, California, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

View of McWay Fall

McWay Fall — Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park

Big Sur River

Big Creek Bridge

Tan Bark Trail

Partington Cove

Partington Cove Coastal View

Valley View & Pfeiffer Falls Trail Junction

Michaels Hill

Esalen Hot Springs baths

Rancho Barranca Overlook, Big Sur

Slates Hot Springs ♨️ Esalen Institute

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

1. View of McWay Falls – Tunnel to McWay Falls loop from Big Sur

2. Bench loop from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

3. Tunnel to McWay Falls – View of McWay Falls loop from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️