Several California State Parks remained closed on Tuesday following a partial collapse and road slip out on Highway 1 in the Big Sur area.
All state parks in the Big Sur area were closed for both day use and camping, according to an alert from the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The closures include the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Limekiln State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Point Sur State Historic Park.
After heavy rains caused a large chunk of Highway 1 to fall into the ocean over the weekend, The Associated Press reported. A slip-out occurred near the Rocky Creek Bridge, according to the County of Monterey, and Highway 1 remained closed from Palo Colorado in the north to just south of Limekiln State Park.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation said it would “update closures as road conditions allow.”
Visitors who are already in the area were urged to leave on one of the scheduled convoys, according to the County of Monterey.
Big Sur is an iconic stretch of the California coast that runs for 90 miles along Highway 1 between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon. The area is a tourist hotspot thanks to its breathtaking cliffs, gorgeous beaches, and picture-perfect towns. It’s also a road trip and camping favorite with plenty of picturesque stops along the way.
But last month, the decision was made to close the area’s only free camping spot at the San Carpoforo Creek Beach for two years. The temporary ban on camping was implemented so the U.S. Forest Service can “address several emerging visitor management issues and concerns about sensitive species and habitats,” including “high levels” of trash and debris.
