Salmon Creek Falls
in Los Padres National Forest
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Salmon Creek Trail is a popular track with backpackers venturing deep into the Silver Peak Wilderness in the Monterey District of Los Padres National Forest, but you only need to hike 0.3 miles from Highway One to see a beautiful 120-foot waterfall. Unlike the trail overlooking beautiful McWay Falls further up the Big Sur Coast, this hike brings you up close and person with a powerful cascade pouring down the Santa Lucia Mountains.
Park at the trailhead on a big horseshoe bend in Highway One, just south of the non-operational Salmon Creek Ranger Station and Buckeye Trail. Look for the mileage sign on the east side of the highway, and start hiking up the trail south of the creek. You can basically follow you ears the entire way to the falls. At 0.2 miles, break from the trail through a garden of boulders toward the creek. The surrounding Bays add a soothing fragrance to this shaded glen.
Boulders below the falls
Cross a couple of small grottos and approach the waterfall. Two branches of water unite as they drop 120 feet and crash into the pool below, giving rise to a spray of mist. There is a boulder blocking easy access to the base of the falls. To obtain the unobstructed view on the other side, employ the assistance of a rope that hangs down the rock. Hoist yourself a couple feet and cross the rock.
Salmon Creek Falls
Even if you aren’t up for this quick bit of climbing, the waterfall is quite impressive from the rocks just downstream. When you have taken it all in, make your way back through the boulders and down the trail to Highway One (assuming you aren’t hiking further up Salmon Creek Trail). No fee or permit is required, so get out and enjoy.
Standing below Salmon Creek Falls
To get to the trailhead: Salmon Creek Trail is located on a large horseshoe bend in Highway One, 3.7 miles north of Ragged Point Inn (or 26 miles north of Cambria). From the other direction, drive 33.6 miles south from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (home of McWay Falls) or 41.6 miles from the Nepenthe Restaurant turnoff in Big Sur. The trail to Salmon Creek Falls is located right on the bend in the road, south of the out-of-service Salmon Creek Ranger Station and Buckeye Trail.
Trailhead address: Cabrillo Highway (Highway One), Los Padres National Forest, Big Sur, CA 93920
Trailhead coordinates: 35.81573, -121.35879
Use the map below to create your own directions:
Nearby Trails
 | Buckeye Trail This hike of 6.5 miles or more reaches incredibly ocean vistas and trail camps in the Silver Peak Wilderness. Connect Cruickshank Trail and Buckeye Trail for an excellent shuttle hike of 8.25 miles or more. |
 | Cruickshank Trail This hike into Silver Peak Wilderness starts with bold ocean views and crosses redwood groves to reach Upper Cruickshank Camp at a junction with Buckeye Trail, 5 miles round trip from Highway One. |
 | Jade Cove and Plaskett Rock Point This 1.5-mile hike along an ocean bluff visits a prominent peninsula and a small cove. |
 | Pacific Valley Bluff Trail This short out and back hike extends from Highway One to an ocean bluff with fantastic views of the Big Sur Coast. |
 | McWay Falls This 0.6-mile hike looks out on a stunning Big Sur waterfall that pours 80 feet right on to the beach. |
 | Partington Cove This 1.5-mile hike visits a cove and a secluded beach along the scenic Big Sur coast. The cove is accessed through a tunnel. |
 | More Central Coast Hikes Explore other destinations along the California coast between Ventura and Monterey, including trails in Los Padres National Forest. |
Similar Trails
 | Tangerine Falls in Los Padres National Forest This 2.5-mile hike visits a beautiful waterfall on the edge of Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara. |
 | Nojoqui Falls This short 0.65-mile hike visits an 80-foot tall fern-lined waterfall. |
 | Rose Valley Falls in Los Padres National Forest This 1-mile round trip trail leads to the lower tier of this two-tier 300 foot waterfall. From there one can scramble off trail to the much taller upper tier. |
 | Sturtevant Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains This 3.25-mile hike visits a 60-foot waterfall and a lush cottage-lined canyon. |
 | Fish Canyon Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains This 4-mile hike starts at a rock quarry with restricted access and ends up at a multi-tiered 80-foot waterfall. |
 | Escondido Falls in the Santa Monica Mountains This 3.8-mile out and back hike visits a 200 foot waterfall that is split into two tiers. The upper tier is 150 feet tall and stunning after a rainstorm. |
 | Tokopah Falls in Sequoia National Park This gradual 3.4-mile hike visits the base of the tallest waterfall in Sequoia National Park. |
 | Lower Yosemite Fall in Yosemite National Park This 1.2-mile hike delivers visitors to the base of the tallest waterfall in North America. The experience is not to be missed. |
Add to trails I’ve hikedAdd to trails I want to hike Distance: 0.6 miles – Elevation Change: 100 feet
Wow! These falls are really flowing. This will definitely be high on my to-do list for hikes in Central California. Thanks for the detailed write-up.
Can you take your dog?
You sure can, but little dogs might have trouble getting over the rocks at the end.
how accessible is the trail to the first good viewing point? thank u
Hi-
The trail is by no means wheelchair accessible and you have to be agile to cross the rocks to resch the base of the falls. The trail itself is short and will not challenge most hikers.
Is it good to visit with a four year old ?
Young ones should not have trouble reaching the lower falls, but don’t attempt the upper.
Has anyone been to the Upper Falls? I tried to find them the other day and failed. I was just passing through, so I guess I will try again on the next trip.
Does an overnight at the Salmon Creek Trail require an Adventure Pass?
You should not need a pass to park on Highway One. Enjoy your hike!
where do you park to go to the falls?
There is roadside parking along Highway One.