Andrew Molera State Park in California, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-23. Check linked official notices before travel.

Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur, California, offers coastal walks, a river-mouth landscape, and a hike-in tent camp. Plan for a river crossing on the beach route. East Molera Trail, the Old Coast Road, and backcountry trails east of Highway 1 remain closed because of fire and repair work.

Coastal and river landscapes at Andrew Molera

• Creamery Meadow: follow the beach approach when the river crossing is suitable.
• Bluff and ridge walks: choose a coastal route or a more demanding exposed climb.
• Trail Camp: carry camping equipment from the day-use lot rather than driving to a campsite.
• Ranch history: look for interpretation of the former ranch landscape.

Check closures and the river crossing

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Review the park's current restrictions before departure. Camping operates seasonally; confirm your selected dates rather than assuming the campground stays open all winter.

River, surf, and trail hazards

The Creamery Meadow beach route crosses the Big Sur River. A seasonal bridge does not guarantee a safe crossing throughout the year. Ask at the kiosk about conditions before setting out. There are no lifeguards, and California State Parks advises against swimming and surfing because ocean conditions can be extremely hazardous.

Beach walking toward Cooper Point depends on low tide. Check tide conditions to avoid being trapped by rising water. Stay on trails to reduce contact with poison oak.

Protect river habitat and follow trail rules

Leave rocks, branches, and other river material in place to protect steelhead habitat. Do not feed wildlife. Pets may use the parking and adjoining picnic area on a leash no longer than 6 feet, but they cannot use trails or Trail Camp. Service-animal access follows separate rules.

Check the official trail descriptions before cycling. Use only authorized bicycle routes, yield to hikers, and obey closures. Horses are not allowed on the trails.

Book the hike-in campground

Use the reservation instructions on the Trail Camp information page. The park lists no first-come campsites. Standard sites allow no more than four people, including children. Check-in is 2 p.m.; checkout is noon. Register at the entrance station before carrying equipment to camp.

Arrive on Highway 1

The park is on Highway 1, about 20 miles south of Carmel. Use the main day-use lot for Trail Camp. RVs, trailers, and tour buses cannot use this parking lot. Check Caltrans road conditions before a Big Sur drive; park access and highway access are separate decisions.

Other parks along Highway 1

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is farther south on Highway 1 and has reopened selected areas after the Timber Fire; several trails remain closed. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is another Highway 1 stop farther south, with day-use access but continuing backcountry restrictions east of the highway. Check each destination's current notices before adding it to the drive.

Choose a route with the right beach access

Creamery Meadow is a 2-mile round-trip beach route with a river crossing. The Bluffs Trail reaches a beach connection only at the Spring Trail junction. Headlands Trail ends at the river and does not provide beach access. These routes are not interchangeable simply because they approach the coast.

Ridge Trail offers an exposed, strenuous climb. Pick a route for your time and fitness, then verify that all connecting sections are open. The seasonal Ranch House Museum offers another focus when a volunteer is available; do not make an interior museum visit essential without confirming it.

A walk-in camp with limited services

Trail Camp is about a quarter-mile walk from the parking lot. Sites have a picnic table, fire ring, and food-storage container. The campground provides drinking water and flush toilets but no showers. Store food in the provided container. Use only the fire ring when fires are allowed, and do not gather wood or attach hammocks and lines to plants.

The park remains relatively undeveloped. Travel paths to the history center may require assistance. Discuss specific access needs with staff before choosing a route or booking a campsite.

About the ranch and river setting

A former ranch landscape

The Molera Ranch House was once the ranch foreman's home on land associated with the El Sur grant. Its museum interprets Big Sur's residents, creative communities, and natural history. The Cooper Cabin is another surviving part of the area's ranch history.

Protecting the river habitat

The Big Sur River supports steelhead habitat. Observe from the trail and leave the streambed undisturbed. Fishing here is tightly restricted; do not treat a beach walk or river crossing as permission to fish.

Contact Andrew Molera State Park

Call 831-667-1112 for current park information. Ask specifically about the river crossing, campground dates, or the trail you intend to use.