Is swimming allowed at Pfeiffer Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Pfeiffer Falls.

Live Conditions · 16 ft³/s · About average

Pfeiffer Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Pfeiffer Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Pfeiffer Falls.

California • 60 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Los Padres National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

kellan CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

200 ft

About Pfeiffer Falls

Pfeiffer Falls is a picturesque 60-foot cascade set against the dramatic backdrop of Big Sur, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. Nestled within Los Padres National Forest and managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the falls sit in a landscape frequently praised for its rugged coastal scenery. The pool and surrounding slopes make for a serene destination that suits photographers and anyone wanting a relatively short taste of Big Sur’s wild character. The most direct access to the falls follows the U.S. Forest Service’s MT. MANUEL Trail (Trail #2E06). The hike is an easy out-and-back of roughly 1.5 miles with about 200 feet of elevation gain, making it a popular quick excursion for day hikers. Expect dramatic views of the steep coastal ridges that define Big Sur along the route and a peaceful waterfall reward at the trail’s end.

The Setting

Pfeiffer Falls sits at 594 feet within Los Padres National Forest, in the foothills of California. The falls drop 60 feet.

Height: 60 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

McWay Falls (80 ft) lies 9.2 miles to the southeast.

McWay Falls

Trail & Hike Details

1.5 mi distance 200 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Mt. Manuel (#2E06), a 1.5-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 200 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

MT. MANUEL #2E06

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

1.91 mi

Trail Description

Trail: MT. MANUEL (USFS Trail #2E06). Type: out-and-back; Length: ~1.5 miles (USFS GIS listing: 1.91 miles); Elevation gain: ~200 ft; Difficulty: easy. Surface: native material. Typical grade: 12–20%. Trail class: 3. The path climbs moderately with short steeper sections (12–20% grade) on native tread; watch footing where the trail narrows or crosses root and rock. The route is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service as part of Los Padres National Forest and is suitable for most hikers comfortable with short uphill segments and natural-surface trails.

What to Expect

The falls drop 60 feet.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Pfeiffer Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $10.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Pfeiffer Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring is the best time to visit Pfeiffer Falls, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to seasonal rains. However, it remains a pleasant destination year-round.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Check with Los Padres National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Stay on the designated trail to avoid damaging the environment and for your safety. Be cautious of slippery sections, especially after rain. Poison oak is present in the area, so stay on the path and avoid touching vegetation.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Low

16 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

7 10 19 24

Based on 76 years of record

4.25 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

BIG SUR R NR BIG SUR CA

USGS 11143000

0.9 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 47 sq mi

Altitude: 58 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge BIG SUR R NR BIG SUR CA (1 km away).

High confidence

Low right now

16 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

16 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Low

16 cfs

6/10

Thu

Low

16 cfs

6/10

Fri

Low

16 cfs

6/10

Sat

Low

16 cfs

6/10

Sun

Low

16 cfs

6/10

Mon

Low

16 cfs

6/10

Best window: Today — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid January to mid April, peaking in February.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Carmel Valley Village hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 307 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 60 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 625 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 179 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 122 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Pfeiffer Falls near Carmel Valley Village, California, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Pfeiffer Falls near Carmel Valley Village, California, showing about 307 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 625 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 307 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Pfeiffer Falls is located within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which is accessible via Highway 1 in Big Sur, California. The trailhead for Pfeiffer Falls begins near the park's main parking area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available at the main parking lot of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. A day-use fee is typically required for parking.

Elevation

594 feet above sea level

Coordinates

36.256908° N, -121.781621° W

Land Management

Los Padres National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early to secure parking, especially during weekends and holidays. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be damp or muddy in some sections. Bring water and a camera to capture the scenic beauty.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 1.5 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Cult-favorite traction cleats that grip ice and wet rock — essential for winter waterfall hikes.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

CHINA CAMP CAMPGROUND

12.2 miles away · 10 sites

Reservable

Overview Pleasantly nestled under a large canopy of pine trees, China Camp is a campground where peace and quiet is commonplace. The spacious campsites allow you to set up camp with more than enough space between you and your neighbors. As you drive into the campground you are overtaken by the sweet smell of pine and the natural beauty surrounding the campground.Recreation China Camp offers trails along the hillside and a trailhead which begins in the campground. The Pine Ridge trailhead begins a

Book on Recreation.gov