Limekiln State Park

Limekiln State Park is a protected nature reserve situated in one of the steepest coastal canyons on the United States mainland. The park contains ancient redwood forests, exposed limestone layers, and seasonal waterfalls that flow through deep ravines.

In the late 1880s, a company operated four kilns here to process limestone for San Francisco's construction boom. The site was later abandoned, but the kiln structures remain as reminders of that industrial period.

The old limestone kilns on the site tell visitors about 19th-century industrial work and how people extracted minerals from this coastal area. They show what daily labor looked like for workers in early California.

The park offers camping spots under redwoods and with ocean views, along with hiking trails to waterfalls and creek areas. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since trails can be steep and slippery, especially after rain.

A waterfall nearly 100 feet tall flows year-round through a narrow redwood canyon, creating a rare spot where forest ecosystems meet coastal rock formations. This steady water source is unusual for this otherwise dry region.

Location: Monterey County

Inception: 1994

Website: https://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=577

GPS coordinates: 36.01000,-121.51833

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:44