Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Salmon Creek Trail
The Salmon Creek Trail is a scenic 5.00 mile trail in the Silver Peak Wilderness in Monterey County. The trail connects Highway 1 and the South Coast Ridge Road (20S05.6).
The Silver Peak Wilderness covers 31,555 acres of the Santa Lucia Range along the central coast of California between Monterey and Cambria. Hikers can explore the heart of the wilderness area by combining the Buckeye, Cruikshank, and Salmon Creek Trails for a 15-mile circuit that covers diverse terrain—from chaparral scrub to pockets of dense redwood forest—with seaside vistas and flowing streams. A worthwhile spur leads to Upper Salmon Creek Falls, a rarely-visited waterfall that drops into an attractive pool in winter and spring. The loop, which covers more than 3,000 feet in elevation gain, can be completed as a long and arduous day hike. But most will prefer to do the trip as an overnight backpack or even a 3-day trek. Signage along the route is excellent, and there are several established campsites (complete with picnic tables and fire pits): Buckeye, Silver, Lion Den, Estrella, and Spruce Creek.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Currently only accessible from south Hwy 1 San Simeon area. Hwy 1 is closed due to a landslide from the north down to Salmon Creek. Closed at Limekiln State Park. |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | None. Trail use and trail camps are on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Fees: | No fees. |
| Open Season: | open year-round |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Best Season: | spring, summer |
| Busiest Season: | spring, summer |
| Restrictions: | |
| Closest Towns: | San Simeon |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: |
|
General Information
Directions:The hike begins and ends at Salmon Creek, an inlet along the coast roughly 27 miles northwest of Cambria. This a popular area, especially on weekends, with the majority of visitors headed for Lower Salmon Creek Falls, a 120-foot double waterfall that is one of the tallest in the area. There is parking along the shoulder and in a small lot at the site of the old (long closed) Salmon Creek Ranger Station. Park anywhere, but begin the hike at the Ranger Station parking lot, a short walk down Highway 1 from the trail to Salmon Creek Falls.