After a critical section of Highway 1 reopened in January 2026 following a three-year closure due to erosion and landslides, Big Sur was finally stitched back into one of California’s great coastal road trips. Then, over the summer, two wildfires burning along the Central Coast once again disrupted travel through the region.
Now, however, conditions are improving considerably. Highway 1 has reopened through Big Sur, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is slated to reopen on October 16, and the region’s remaining state parks are all already welcoming visitors again .
The Timber and Plaskett fires together burned more than 55,000 acres, but both are now largely contained. As of October 12, the 25,352-acre Timber Fire was 97 percent contained. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, issued what it said would be its final regularly scheduled Timber Fire update on October 9, unless conditions change. And the roughly 30,000-acre Plaskett Fire was also 100 percent contained in Cal Fire’s latest update.
That’s a significant change from late August and early September, when the fires closed a roughly 56-mile stretch of Highway 1, shuttered Big Sur’s sought-after state parks, and prompted evacuation orders and warnings around Big Sur.
For travelers, a Big Sur trip is once again possible, though the landscape is still recovering, and some park facilities, trails, and backcountry areas remain closed while officials assess fire damage and complete restoration work.
Here’s what travelers with upcoming Central Coast trips need to know.
Is Highway 1 open through Big Sur?
Highway 1 is once again open through Big Sur, allowing travelers to drive between the Monterey Peninsula and the southern Central Coast without making the inland detour that was required during the fires.
The road had been closed through the Plaskett Fire operational area, forcing travelers between Carmel and Cambria to reroute via U.S. 101. By October 9, officials had lifted the fire-related Highway 1 closure and reported that the highway was fully reopened.
That doesn’t necessarily mean travelers will encounter an entirely interruption-free drive. Highway 1 is prone to temporary traffic controls tied to construction, landslide repairs, and maintenance, so travelers should check the Caltrans QuickMap before setting out.
Expect one active work zone this week: Caltrans is fully closing Highway 1 just north of the Point Sur Lighthouse from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday, October 12, through Thursday, October 15, with one-way traffic control overnight on October 16. Farther south, one-way reversing traffic control is in place at Mud Creek.
If Big Sur was one stop on a longer California coast itinerary, travelers can once again follow Highway 1 through the region rather than detouring inland around the Santa Lucia Mountains.
Related story: Big Sur, We Missed You. How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in California’s Coastal Paradise
What travelers should still avoid is attempting to bypass trail or forest closures on back roads. Portions of the Monterey Ranger District and several backcountry routes remain restricted while fire recovery work continues.
The current situation isn’t a total reset to pre-fire conditions. The Timber Fire remains active, some trails and backcountry areas are still closed, and burned landscapes can remain vulnerable to falling trees, rockfall, erosion, flash flooding, and debris flows long after the flames are out. It’s worth checking exactly what’s open before setting out for a hike or backcountry excursion.
Will El Nino winter storms close Big Sur again?
There’s also a longer-term reason for travelers to keep checking conditions this winter. NOAA says a strong to very strong El Niño is likely through early 2027, and recently burned landscapes can be especially vulnerable when heavy rain arrives.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, wildfire strips away vegetation and can change how water moves across the ground, making burned slopes more susceptible to flash flooding and fast-moving debris flows. Most post-fire debris flows occur within the first year after a fire, according to a USGS study, meaning areas burned by the Timber and Plaskett fires could face additional hazards during winter storms.
Which Big Sur state parks are open?
Most of Big Sur’s most popular stops have reopened, at least partially. Point Sur State Historic Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Limekiln State Park are once again accessible, although some trails and facilities remain closed.
At Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, day-use areas, restrooms, and the Partington Cove Trail are open, but backcountry trails east of Highway 1 remain closed because of ongoing fire suppression and repair work. Limekiln State Park is also partially open, with backcountry trails east of Highway 1 still closed.
One of the biggest remaining reopenings is only days away. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park reopens Friday, October 16, including the campground, Big Sur Lodge, day-use areas, the River Path, Nature Trail, Buzzards Roost Trail, and Redwood Grove Boardwalk. Six trails will stay closed until further notice: Pfeiffer Falls Trail, Valley View Trail, Oak Grove Trail, Mount Manuel Trail, Big Sur River Gorge Trail, and Pine Ridge Trail.
Parts of Los Padres National Forest also remain under closures or restrictions. Travelers planning to hike, backpack, or camp on federal lands should check with Los Padres National Forest directly before setting out, since conditions vary considerably by trail, road, and recreation site.
Can you still visit Monterey, Carmel, or Cambria?
Yes. Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Cambria were reachable throughout the fires; what’s changed is that you can once again drive between them on Highway 1 through Big Sur. That marks a major shift from late August and September, when Highway 1 was being used for firefighting and evacuation operations and officials were asking visitors to avoid unnecessary travel through the fire area.
For anyone intending to primarily visit Big Sur, postponing a trip is no longer broadly necessary. Many of the region’s scenic drives, accommodations, restaurants, and day-use areas are accessible again.
Where to find the latest information
Although conditions have stabilized considerably since the fires began, travelers should still check current road, fire, and park information before heading to the Central Coast, particularly if their plans involve hiking or camping.
For the most current Highway 1 closure points and road conditions, use the Caltrans QuickMap. For the latest on the Timber and Plaskett fires, including acreage, containment, and evacuation information, check the individual incident pages on Cal Fire and/or download the Watch Duty app.
Travelers headed toward Monterey County should also check Ready Monterey County for evacuation orders and warnings; those approaching Cambria or northern San Luis Obispo County should check ReadySLO.
For state park and campground closures, consult California State Parks, while Los Padres National Forest posts updates on federal campgrounds, trails, roads, and forest closures.
