Sykes Hot Springs
- Hike
- 9.5 mi each way
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Sykes Hot Springs is a primitive hot spring in Monterey County, California, managed by USDA Forest Service (Los Padres National Forest, Monterey Ranger District). Reaching it is a 9.5 mi hike each way. Soak temps are not on file yet.
Closures and warnings
Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Camp is closed under the Monterey RD emergency order tied to the Timber and Plaskett fires. Do not start until a newer Forest Service order reopens the trail. As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|
| Water type | Spring |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 9.5 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road note | Big Sur Station / Pine Ridge Trailhead on Highway 1 when Monterey Ranger District access is open. |
| Parking | Big Sur Station / western Pine Ridge Trailhead when the district is open; VWA lists iron-ranger parking payment. |
| Fee | VWA lists Big Sur Station parking at $10 per calendar day when access is legal |
| Hours | When open, Los Padres National Forest trails are generally for day use; confirm station hours before starting. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Seasonal closure | Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Order 05-07-51-26-11 closes Pine Ridge Trail (3E06) and listed lands from September 26, 2026 through January 31, 2027. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Los Padres National Forest, Monterey Ranger District) |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Sykes Hot Springs open?
Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Camp is closed under the Monterey RD emergency order tied to the Timber and Plaskett fires. Do not start until a newer Forest Service order reopens the trail. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Order 05-07-51-26-11 closes Pine Ridge Trail (3E06) and listed lands from September 26, 2026 through January 31, 2027. Hours: When open, Los Padres National Forest trails are generally for day use; confirm station hours before starting.
How long is the hike to Sykes Hot Springs?
It's a 9.5 mi hike each way. Big Sur Station / Pine Ridge Trailhead on Highway 1 when Monterey Ranger District access is open. Parking: Big Sur Station / western Pine Ridge Trailhead when the district is open; VWA lists iron-ranger parking payment.
Do you need a reservation for Sykes Hot Springs?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required.
Is Sykes Hot Springs free?
The fee is VWA lists Big Sur Station parking at $10 per calendar day when access is legal.
What are the rules at Sykes Hot Springs?
Dogs are allowed and camping is allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Sykes Hot Springs is inside Los Padres National Forest and Ventana Wilderness .
Sources
3
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/alerts/monterey-ranger-district-emergency-closure-order-exceptions (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager, access.seasonalClosure, hazardNote, hotSpring.soakableReason / access.roadNote)
- https://strideroot.com/sykes-hot-springs-hike/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, access.parking, access.fee, access.permitRequired, rules.camping, swimmerNotes.waterType, hotSpring.development)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/camping-cabins (accessed September 30, 2026; backs rules.dogs, access.hours)
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