McWay Falls
- Height
- 80 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Dogs
- Not allowed
McWay Falls drops about 80 ft in Monterey County, California.
Closures and warnings
No beach or ocean access at McWay Falls. Cliff areas beyond fences, including the beach, Saddle Rock, and McWay Falls area, are closed. Trespassing can bring citation and arrest; past violations led to rescues and fatalities. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 80 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | 80-foot waterfall that spills onto a scenic beach in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. View from the authorized trail only. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Day-use parking at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park on Hwy 1, about 37 mi south of Carmel / 12 mi south of Pfeiffer Big Sur SP. |
| Hours | 8 a.m. to sunset |
| Seasonal closure | Backcountry trails east of Hwy 1 closed indefinitely for Timber and Plaskett Fire repair (as of Sept 2026 park notice). Day-use areas, restrooms, and Partington Cove trail are open. |
| Managed by | California State Parks (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | Yes |
| Note | Restrooms and drinking water listed among park facilities. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is McWay Falls open?
No beach or ocean access at McWay Falls. Cliff areas beyond fences, including the beach, Saddle Rock, and McWay Falls area, are closed. Trespassing can bring citation and arrest; past violations led to rescues and fatalities. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Backcountry trails east of Hwy 1 closed indefinitely for Timber and Plaskett Fire repair (as of Sept 2026 park notice). Day-use areas, restrooms, and Partington Cove trail are open. Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset.
How tall is McWay Falls?
McWay Falls drops about 80 ft.
Can you swim at McWay Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at McWay Falls.
How do you get to McWay Falls?
The road in is paved. Parking: Day-use parking at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park on Hwy 1, about 37 mi south of Carmel / 12 mi south of Pfeiffer Big Sur SP.
When is McWay Falls flowing?
80-foot waterfall that spills onto a scenic beach in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. View from the authorized trail only.
What facilities are at McWay Falls?
Restrooms and drinking water. Restrooms and drinking water listed among park facilities.
What are the rules at McWay Falls?
Dogs are not allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
McWay Falls is inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park .
Just outside: California Coastal National Monument (0.1 mi) .
Sources
1
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterfall.heightFt, waterfall.flowNote, access.hours, access.parking, access.seasonalClosure, access.amenities, rules.dogs, hazardNote, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)