Arroyo Seco - Hiking and Backpacking Big Sur - page 301

Calm pools along Willow Creek are densely shaded by alders above Tassajara Camp.
DIRECTIONS: From the north, drive south on U.S. Highway 101 to Salinas and
exit at Arroyo Seco Road/Mission la Soledad in the town of Soledad. Drive 1.1 miles
west on Arroyo Seco Road to a sharp bend left, where it meets Fort Romie Road
(County Road G17). From this junction, Arroyo Seco Road merges with County
Road G17 for 8.5 miles south to a junction with Elm Avenue (County Road G16).
Turn right on Elm and drive 5.8 miles southwest to the junction with Arroyo Seco.
Bear left (west) on Arroyo Seco.
From the south, drive north on U.S. Highway 101 and take the Route 101 Busi-
ness exit in Greenfield, 15 miles north of King City. Half a mile from the exit, you'll
reach Elm Avenue. Turn left on Elm and drive 5.8 miles southwest to the junction
with Arroyo Seco Road. Bear left (west) on Arroyo Seco.
Arroyo Seco Road merges with Carmel Valley Road (County Road G16) for
6.5 miles until you reach a fork. Bear left along Arroyo Seco Road, which leads 4.4
miles to a bridge over the Arroyo Seco. Onward half a mile, the road enters the self-
service pay station at popular Arroyo Seco Campground (see below for campground
details).
If you're not camping, continue along the road 0.4 mile beyond the entrance to
a large parking lot and a gate where the pavement ends. From here you must traverse
the narrow, winding road on foot, bike, or horse. The Marble Peak Trailhead lies 2.4
miles farther along Arroyo Seco Road.
VISITOR CENTER: Big Sur Station: [phone]. The station is on Highway
1, 4.2 miles south of Andrew Molera State Park and just south of Pfeiffer Big Sur
State Park. Open daily 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day, 8 a.m.-4:30
p.m. the rest of the year. USFS Monterey District Headquarters, King City: (831)
385-5434.
NEAREST CAMPGROUND: The northern section of Arroyo Seco Road ends at
Arroyo Seco Campground (39 sites, $15-30/night for primitive sites and $20-40/
night for car camping), along the lower Arroyo Seco. Facilities at the year-round
campground include flush toilets, hot showers, and RV sites.
INFORMATION: There's a $5/night parking fee at the campground. Fire permits
are required for all stoves in the backcountry. Dogs are permitted and allowed off
leash, except in designated campgrounds, where a 6-foot or shorter leash is required.
WEBSITE: www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf
PHONE: Los Padres National Forest Headquarters: [phone]