Chicken Spring, Big Sur, CA

## Overview Chicken Spring is a roadside public drinking spring located along the iconic Highway 1 corridor in Big Sur, California. Situated in front of the historic Newell Ranch in the rugged coastal mountains of Monterey County, this spring has long served as a refreshing stop for travelers navigating one of America's most scenic drives. The water has been reported to be very cool and refreshing, making it a welcome find along the often remote and winding stretch of Big Sur's southern coast near the small community of Gorda. The spring is marked by a distinctive stone border and sits at a small turnoff, giving it a rustic, well-established character that suggests it has been used by locals and passersby for many years. At an address along Gorda Mountain Road, Chicken Spring sits in the dramatic landscape where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific — an area known for its natural springs fed by seasonal rains filtering through ancient coastal rock formations. ## Directions 1. From the Big Sur Inn (also known as Deetjen's Big Sur Inn) on Highway 1, head south. 2. Travel approximately 1 mile south along Highway 1. 3. Watch for a small turnoff on the **east side** (mountain side) of the highway, near the Newell Ranch area. 4. Look for the stone-bordered spring at the pulloff. The spring is visible from the road. **GPS Coordinates:** 35.841709, -121.396103 *Note: Cell service is extremely limited throughout much of Big Sur. It is strongly recommended to download offline maps or note these directions before you lose signal.* ## What to Expect Chicken Spring is a small, accessible roadside spring — don't expect a grand waterfall or swimming hole. What you will find is a neatly stone-bordered spring producing cool, clear water right off Highway 1. The turnoff is small, with room for one or two vehicles to pull over safely. The spring is open and accessible at all hours. The surrounding landscape is classic Big Sur: steep, chaparral-covered mountains rising sharply from the coast, with sweeping ocean views to the west. The Newell Ranch area lends a pastoral, old-California feel to the setting. Visitors have historically used this spring as a drinking water source, and the water has been reported to taste clean and cool. As with any natural, untreated water source, conditions can change with weather and season — particularly after heavy rains when runoff may affect water quality. The spring is located in the more remote southern stretch of Big Sur, between the communities of Lucia and Gorda, where services (gas, food, restrooms) are sparse. Plan accordingly if you're making a stop here as part of a longer Highway 1 road trip.