Sykes Hot Springs
- Free
- Roadside
Backcountry hot springs beside the Big Sur River in the Ventana Wilderness, reached on the Pine Ridge Trail from Big Sur Station. The Forest Service notes that several river crossings are required and can be impassable in winter high water. The trail and trailhead have been closed since August 2026 because of the Timber and Plaskett Fires.
Pine Ridge Trail and trailhead closed since Aug 2026 (Timber and Plaskett Fires) under an emergency closure order; no reopening date posted.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Big Sur
- Hike (one way)
- Roadside
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Season | Winter high water and heavy rain can make the river crossings impossible |
|---|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
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|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
| Booking |
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Rules
| Dogs | Yes |
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On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| Land manager | USFS |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with USFS before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
What's here
- Ventana Wilderness
- reached on the Pine Ridge Trail
- multiple Big Sur River crossings
- Sykes Camp nearby (no reservations)
- campfire permit needed even for stoves
Getting there
| Elevation | 1,059 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
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| Trail |
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| Parking |
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Things to do near Big Sur
Campgrounds
- Sykes Camp0.2 mi
- Redwood Creek Camp1.2 mi
- Barlow Flat Camp1.3 mi
- Thorpe Camp2 mi
Trailheads
- Big Sur Trailhead5 mi
- Church Creek Trail6.4 mi
- Pine Ridge Trailhead7.5 mi
- Horse Pasture Trailhead7.9 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
A San Francisco Zen Center monastery at the end of a 14-mile dirt road in the Ventana Wilderness, with a historic stone bathhouse on the hot springs. The baths have indoor and outdoor plunges, steam rooms and a sauna; they are clothing-optional and separated by gender. Guests visit only in the summer season, from late April to early September, by reservation.
Esalen Institute
A retreat center on the Big Sur cliffs whose hot springs baths sit above the Pacific, fed by springs that emerge at about 119F. The baths have four communal stone tubs, individual claw-foot tubs and an upper-level tub with a lift, and they are clothing-optional. They are open only to overnight guests, and Esalen's public night-bathing reservations are currently closed.
Mercey Hot Springs
An off-grid resort in the Little Panoche Valley, 13 miles west of I-5, where salty mineral water emerges at about 112F. Outdoor tubs run 102-106F and are clothing-optional and adults-only, while the heated swimming pool is 85-90F and needs swimsuits. Day use is by reservation from noon to 5pm, and stays range from cabins and Airstreams to RV and tent sites.
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center: 8 mi · Esalen Institute: 9 mi · Mercey Hot Springs: 56 mi
Sources (4)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.