Monterey County, California
Sykes Hot Springs
Sykes Hot Springs is the legendary backcountry hot spring of the Ventana Wilderness in Big Sur.
- Day use
- LGBTQ-friendly
About this place
Sykes Hot Springs is the legendary backcountry hot spring of the Ventana Wilderness in Big Sur. For decades it has been one of California's most romanticized hike-in soaks — a series of small natural mineral pools along the Big Sur River, reached by a roughly 10-mile each-way hike along the Pine Ridge Trail. Generations of California backpackers have made the trip, and the C/O culture at the springs is well-established by tradition. Access has been complicated since the 2016 Soberanes Fire and again after the 2020 Dolan Fire, both of which severely damaged the Pine Ridge Trail and the Ventana Wilderness more broadly. The Forest Service closed and reopened portions of the route multiple times during recovery work. The springs themselves were less affected than the access trail; the bigger issue has been getting there. Current trail status should be verified with the Monterey Ranger District before any trip — closures, detours, and seasonal restrictions have all been recent factors. The pools sit along the river, ranging from comfortably warm to genuinely hot at the source. The setting is classic Big Sur — coastal redwoods, river canyon, the ocean somewhere over the ridge. The community at Sykes is a mix of through-hikers, weekend backpackers, and dedicated naturist soakers who time their visits to avoid the worst of the trail's seasonal demands. This is a real backpacking trip, not a casual hike. The Pine Ridge Trail is moderately strenuous in good condition and much harder when damaged by fire and storm. For travelers wanting easier California hot springs, the American West hot springs guide lists alternatives that require less commitment.
Etiquette & ground rules
Backcountry rules apply. Pack out everything including waste in WAG bags. Don't use soap, sunscreen, or repellent in the pools. Clothing-optional culture is universal; photography of others is not done. Voices low; the canyon carries sound. The springs depend on visitors maintaining the area — leave it cleaner than you found it.
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