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Big Sur’s Scenic Waterfall Trail Finally Reopens

Pfeiffer Falls Trail reopens after more than a year of storm damage.
By - posted 9/18/2025 No Comment

One of Big Sur’s most beloved hikes is finally back. California State Parks just reopened the Pfeiffer Falls Trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park after more than a year-long closure caused by storm damage.

The short but scenic .75-mile trail winds through a shady redwood canyon and ends at a 60-foot waterfall. A highlight is its 70-foot pedestrian bridge that crosses the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek ravine, giving hikers a dramatic vantage surrounded by towering redwoods.

That bridge is also the reason for the trail’s closure. In January 2023, a redwood tree toppled during a storm and destroyed part of the span. Crews salvaged most of the structure but rebuilt about 15 feet with new materials. After a year of planning and six months of construction, the trail has finally reopened.

Pfeiffer Falls has been through this before. The 2008 Basin Complex Fire destroyed the original trail, which was rebuilt and reopened in 2021. Just two years later, the storm-hit tree smashed the new bridge and forced another closure.

The recent reconstruction was a team effort by California State Parks, the California Conservation Corps, and Save the Redwoods League. They say the bridge is now sturdier than ever. Visitors can once again enjoy the short waterfall hike, or link up with the Valley View Trail to form a 1.5-mile loop.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Highway 1, Big Sur (about 2 hours from San Jose / 3 hours from San Francisco)
Trail length: 0.75 miles (1.5 miles with Valley View loop)

Read more at California State Parks. 

Big Sur Road Trip from SF

If you are making the 3-hour drive down Highway 1 from San Francisco to Pfeiffer Falls Trail, here are stops to include on your Big Sur road trip:

  • McWay Falls (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park) – About 10 miles south, this iconic 80-foot waterfall drops straight into the ocean. The overlook trail is short and beginner-friendly, with some of the best views on the coast.
  • Big Sur River Gorge – A refreshing swimming hole with crystal-clear water and giant boulders.
  • Nepenthe – Stop for lunch or coffee with a view at this popular, scenic cliffside café.
  • Bixby Bridge – California’s most iconic coastal bridge is 15 minutes north of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
  • Pfeiffer Beach – Hidden down a side road, explore a purple-sand beach with a dramatic sea arch.