Camping in Big Sur
Camping in Big Sur is as varied as the lodging. Enjoy the State Parks or the privately owned campgrounds, both located throughout Big Sur. Streamside camping is available in the Big Sur Valley and oceanview, bluff camping is available in the southern end of Big Sur.
The list below gives you all the known options in Big Sur that offer tent camping as well as RV camping. See the backcountry hiking section for backcountry camping in Big Sur.
= PUBLIC RESTROOMS AVAILABLE
When traveling the Big Sur coast you can use the public restrooms in the State Parks. You are given enough time to enter the park and use the restroom at no charge. Public restroom map.
CAMPING ALONGSIDE HIGHWAY 1 IS ILLEGAL.
CAMPFIRES AND BBQ'S ONLY IN DESIGNATED CAMPGROUNDS.
You must camp in designated campgrounds.
NOTE: The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce does not monitor campsite availability nor prices. You need to log into their website or call the individual campgrounds and State Parks to check on availability and pricing.
Alila Ventana Big Sur
Alila Ventana Big Sur Campground, located approximately 65 miles north of San Simeon* and 30 miles south of Carmel, is an amazing 40 acre redwood canyon. All of the traditional sites follow the existing contour of the canyon and Post Creek without disturbing its natural beauty. We have three modern bath houses and each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring with water faucets a short walk away. We are centrally located near general stores, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, delis, taverns, and the post office in the Big Sur community.
Alila Ventana Big Sur Campground is a tent only campground. We cannot accommodate RV's, motor homes, travel trailers or pop-up tent trailers. We do accept camper vans and trucks with roof tents or small campers on top (no longer than 22 ft.).
*The Regent's Slide is currently blocking access from the south.
Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera Trail Camp is a hike-in campground. Campers park in the day use parking lot and hike about 1/4 mile to the campground. Trail Camp contains 22 standard tent sites and two (2) hike-and-bike campsites. The campground is situated in a meadow near the Big Sur River. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table and food storage container. Trail Camp offers potable water and restrooms with flush toilets. There are no showers.
Standard campsites are available for reservation. Reservations fill up six months in advance. Andrew Molera Trail Camp is open seasonaly, generally June through October. Online reservations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Reserve California or call toll free 1 (800) 444-7275.
Aerial photos of Andrew Molera State Park
Dog policy at Andrew Molera and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Parks? - Click Here
Big Sur Campground & Cabins
Year-round family camping among the redwood trees along the Big Sur river. Inner tube rentals for floating on the Big Sur river. Store, laundry, playground and basketball court. Tent camping with hot showers. RV camping with water and electric hook-ups as well as a dump station. Fishing (November - February). Restaurants, gift shops, beach and trail access are all nearby. You'll find a variety of cabins, including tent cabins and A-Frame cabins. Many with fully equipped kitchens.
Tenters Welcome - Rental accommodations - Credit Cards Accepted.
AAA approved-reservations accepted-open all year. RV sites.
Fernwood Campground
Tent and RV camping on both sides of the Big Sur River. Forest cabins with kitchens. Bordering Pfeiffer State Park with towering redwoods and beautiful mountain views. Adventure tents under the redwoods and tent-cabins on the river, access to hiking trails, horse shoes, volley ball, store, restaurant, tavern, and espresso bar. Home of the albino redwood tree. Free Wi-Fi.
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Hearst San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest units of the California State Park System. The coastal bluffs and promontories of the scenic park offer unobstructed views of the ocean and rocky shore. The park includes the Santa Rosa Creek Natural Preserve, the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Pa-nu Cultural Preserve which were established in 1990.
A 3.3 mile trail runs through parts of the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Washburn Campground. The trail includes scenic overlooks, rest-stop benches, and interpretive panels with information on wildlife and habitat. A portion of the trail along the seasonal wetland is wheelchair accessible.
Located 5 miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center on Highway 1.
San Simeon Creek Campground
The San Simeon Creek Campground offers 134 campsites for tent camping or recreational vehicles. The maximum length for an RV is 35 feet. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. There are currently flush toilets (or chemical toilets) and TOKEN-operated shower facilities in place. An RV sanitation station and water-fill station are also available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host and proceeds go to help the Central Coast State Parks Association.
Washburn Campground
The Washburn Campground offers an additional 68 sites. This primitive campground is approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia Mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. The Washburn Campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. Facilities here include chemical toilets, and at each campsite a fire ring and picnic table with water spigots nearby.
In addition, the RV sanitation station, water-fill station, and TOKEN-operated shower facilities are available at the San Simeon Creek Campground. Firewood is also for sale from the campground host located at the San Simeon Creek Campground.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Has only two hike-in environmental campsites which require advanced reservations. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges. The park features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1. The park is 37 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1; 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Restrooms and telephone available to the public. Online reservations available on the website.
Kirk Creek Campground
This Family Campground is approximately 45 miles north of Cambria and 60 miles south of Carmel*. Located on the west side of Highway. 1 overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this campground is situated on bluff with fantastic views of the Big Sur coastline. The sites are spacious and have a picnic table, fire ring and pedestal barbeque
There is one trail providing beach access from the campground, or you can drive 4 miles to Sand Dollar Beach, the largest sandy beach in the Big Sur area. It is a very popular spot for surfing, fishing (fishing permits are required for those over 16), swimming, exploring, sunbathing, etc. The beach is dog friendly as long as they are on a leash and they are cleaned up after. Directly across the highway from Kirk Creek campground is the Vicente Flats trailhead leading into the Ventana Wilderness.
Within a short drive many trails can be accessed for hiking, backpacking, bicycling, hunting and horseback riding. These trails offer a variety of experiences including water falls, groves of Redwood Trees, breathtaking views, meadows and streams. The sites can be used for tenting or RVers. All roads are paved. There is no water so you must bring your own water.
From November to February whales are migrating up or down the coast and sightings from the campground are frequent. The temperature is mild year round with the average in the winter being 64 degrees. October-May is a great time to visit whether you are tenting or RVing and offers fewer crowds. Forest Service is enforcing the 2 car per site maximum at the campground. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance at www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Limekiln State Park
Limekiln State Park has 33 developed sites on 716-acres. The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast. The park features the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns. The park is 56 miles south of Carmel, off Highway 1; two miles south of Lucia*. (making this about 28 miles South of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park).
Nacimiento Campground
Located 11 miles from Kirk Creek Campground up Naciemento Ferguson Road. Open Year Round. Bring Water. No Reservations necessary. First come first serve. U.S. Forest Service Campground featuring 8 sites.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Offering camping (189 sites, no hookups, sanitation station), picnic tables, hiking and swimming. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has 1346 acres of redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows - plus open meadows. Wildlife includes deer, raccoons, skunks, and birds, such as water ouzels and belted kingfishers. Hikers can enjoy the many scenic loops, including a self-guided nature loop. Valley View Trail provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Big Sur Valley. The scenic Big Sur River courses through the park and the campgrounds are nearby. The concession-operated Big Sur Lodge provides room and cabin accommodations. (Big Sur Lodge) The park is located 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. Online reservations available on the website.
Map/Brochure of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (PDF)
Dog policy at Andrew Molera and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Parks? - Click Here
Plaskett Creek Campground
This Family Campground is located approximately 40 miles north of Cambria, CA and 55 miles south of Carmel, CA*. It sits on the east side of Highway 1 and is just south of Sand Dollar Beach Day Use area which the largest sandy beach in Big Sur. It is a very popular spot for surfing, fishing (fishing permits are required for those over 16), swimming, exploring, sunbathing, etc. The beach is dog friendly as long as they are on a leash and they are cleaned up after.
The sites are spacious and have a picnic table, fire ring and pedestal barbeque. Campground is like a large meadow with mature pine trees located throughout campground. Within a short drive many trails can be accessed for hiking, backpacking, bicycling, hunting and horseback riding. These trails offer a variety of experiences including water falls, groves of Redwood Trees, breathtaking views, meadows and streams. The sites can be used for tenting or RVers.
All roads are paved, water spigots are located throughout the campground and there are flush toilets and sinks in the restrooms. From November to February whales are migrating up or down the coast and sightings from the beach or bluff trails are frequent.
The temperature is mild year round with the average in the winter being 64 degrees. October-May is a great time to visit whether you are tenting or RVing and offers fewer crowds. Forest Service is enforcing the 2 car per site maximum at the campground. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance at www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Pondorosa Campground
This Family Campground is located in the mountains of Big Sur approximately 45 miles north of Cambria (to Nacimiento/Ferguson Rd., County Road G-14) and 55 miles south of Carmel (to Nacimiento/Ferguson Rd., County Road G-14). Ponderosa Campground has family campsites along a mountain trout stream under a canopy of beautiful trees approximately 13 miles east from Highway 1 on the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road.
The Nacimiento-Ferguson Road runs from the coast at Kirk Creek on Highway 1 to the Big Sur high country. 38 miles east of Ponderosa, the road provides access to King City and US 101 via Jolon Road, passing through the Hunter-Liggett US Military Reservation. Ponderosa's rich environment contains Ponderosa Pine, Oak, Madrone & Sycamore trees in a high valley with the Nacimiento River running through the campground. The river is great for fishing and there are many places for a cool dip in the stream. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and pedestal grill and water is available in the campground from Spring Break to Thanksgiving.
Average Temperature in the summer is high 80s to 90s in the day and high 50s to mid 60s at night. Wildlife includes Fox, Bobcat, Deer and Raccoon. Mission San Antonio, one of the oldest California Missions, is located a short drive away from the campground and features a museum, original aqueducts, Indian graveyard and chapel. There are many hiking/biking opportunities in the area.
There are first come/first serve sites or you can make reservations up to 6 months in advance for stays between May 1 to September 30 at www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Riverside Campground & Cabins
Our beautiful 16-acre dog friendly property offers RV and tent camping as well as 12 cozy cabins nestled in majestic redwoods along the Big Sur river. Hiking and beach access are just minutes away. Enjoy seasonal catch & release fishing, swimming and inner tubing in the Big Sur river. Pet friendly. Free wireless internet.
Treebones Resort
Features seven ocean view tent campsites (along with the 16 yurts). Great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin in south Big Sur. Can be reserved in advance! Campsite rates include full use of resort facilities (pool, hot tub, showers) and complimentary breakfast for two. (Maximum occupancy two guests per site).
There are two restaurant venues at the Resort: Coastal cuisine boasting fresh organic greens harvested from resort garden and the famous Sunset Sushi Bar. Gift and Convenience Store onsite.
Aerial photos of Treebones Resort
TripAdvisor 2022 awarded Treebones Resort with two prestigious awards:
1) Traveler's Choice Best Out of the Ordinary Hotels in the World
2) Traveler's Choice Best of the Best Top 1% of Hotels Worldwide
Looking for something to do while you're in Big Sur? Visit the Calendar of Events.
Wondering where all these campgrounds are in relationship to one another? Click Here to view a map of Big Sur.
Looking for a hiking guide, vehicle tour guide, or to go on a California condor tour visit our Big Sur Tours and Hiking Guides page.
Preserve Big Sur Scenic Beauty For Generations To Come
Big Sur is a special place to many people. To help keep it as pristine as possible and to ensure your own safety, please observe these sustainable practices and follow these rules of the road and basic safety tips.