If you do somehow manage a reservation, hopefully, you will get to see some whales, dolphins, or other amazing sea creatures! All roads are paved, water spigots are located throughout the campground and there are flush toilets and sinks in the restrooms. Riverside Campgrounds and Cabins is another privately owned operation with 34 campsites and 11 cabins on a beautiful 10-acre property along the Big Sur River. Set within the sprawling Los Padres National Forest, Kirk Creek Campground is one of those Big Sur camping spots with spectacular . It can get busy, so don't forget to make online reservations with Reserve California . The cabins are a great option during the winter as they feature kitchens and fireplaces. The park features the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns. Note about camping in Big Sur in light of the Coronavirus pandemic: A number of state campgrounds are still closed as of Summer 2020. Top 10 Best Campgrounds Near You in Big Sur, California If you are tired of staring at the inside of your tent night after night, you can book a hotel for a night or two. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! Enjoy dispersed camping in the Los Padres National Forest. Extra vehicles will be charged an additional fee. The best camping option is probably Lone Pine Camp, though you can wild camp in many other places should you choose to. Maximum number of people per single site is 8 ($10.00 additional charge per person per night after 6 people). Visitng two national parks in day can run you$70+ in entry fees. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Four people max per campsite. These trails offer a variety of experiences including water falls, groves of Redwood Trees, breathtaking views, meadows and streams. As one local put it to me: Big Sur is blown out. Kirk Creek Campground, Los Padres National Forest - Recreation.gov California Due to its popularity, getting a reservation to go camping in Big Sur can be hard to come by. Kirk Creek has two first-come, first-served tent/RV campsites. Area Amenities: You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance at www.recreation.gov, (805) 434-1996 Limekiln State Park has 33 developed sites on 716-acres. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Always use caution when crossing streams, and simply dont risk it if you are in doubt. Note: This post contains affiliate links. There is an order that expires August 19,2020 that bans camping along the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road, but these orders keep getting extended. Camping out in the wilderness areas is the best way to escape the crowds, hands down. How to get a camping reservation in Big Sur, California There isnt a limit on the number of tents at your campsite, as long as theyre all within the boundary and not on the vegetation. Campground is like a large meadow with mature pine trees located throughout campground. Capacity: Pfeiffer Big Sur boasts 189 sites for both RVs and campers and all the amenities RV campers could need, including electrical hookups and dump stations. There is no cell service. Every awesome place has its downsides though. Amenities: Picnic table, campfire ring with grill, water and showers, No RVS allowed, Amenities: Picnic table, campfire ring with grill, vault toilets, no water or RV hookups, Campsites: 43 tent/RV sites, 3 group campsites, Amenities: Picnic table, campfire ring with grill, Flush toilets, sinks and drinking water. There are few places in the world where you can stroll through untamed redwood forests, tackle burly mountains, and stare longingly at the great Pacific Ocean all in one place (and often from the comfort of your car). From November to February whales are migrating up or down the coast and sightings from the beach or bluff trails are frequent. For most paid campsites, booking your campsite in advance is 100% necessary. Having a pleasant camping and trekking experience begins and ends with having the right gear. Dont miss hiking to Limekiln Falls if you camp here! A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1. Near Big Sur, California (479) No Service Reservation Rules Kirk Creek Campground is an oceanside paradise, with each site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Camper/Motorhome: Up to 32 Feet. If you're reading this, you just got 15% OFF Heymondo's tailor-made travel insurance. The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast. Big Sur has no definitive borders, though the general consensus is that the above-mentioned stretch of highway and the surrounding mountains from south of Carmel to the north of San Simeon makes up greater Big Sur area. Because the hike is rather short, it wouldnt be a bad idea to hike in with plenty of water on-hand too. A perfect Tents experience for corporate / events and couples looking for countryside and forest / woods. 48123 Highway One, Big Sur, CA 93920. Reservations can be made three days in advance. Located in an open meadow near the Big Sur River, Trail Camp features 22 standard tent sites and two hike-and-bike sites. Individual campsites are each equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. They do accept camper vans and trucks with roof tents or small campers on top (no longer than 22 ft.) Please visit Hyatt.com for reservations. The campground is open year-round and can accommodate up to 30 people per night. Description Take in the beautiful Big Sur coastal views at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The Ventana Wilderness does experience drought and the last thing you want is for the spring to be dry when you arrive. It's a very popular spot for surfing, fishing, swimming, exploring, sunbathing and more. Pet Policy. I will post an update when the campground opens, but as of now, it isnt possible to camp here. Bad weather got you down or just feeling generally burnt out? The temperature is mild year round with the average in the winter being 64 degrees. For more information about USFS properties and current closures, please visit USFS - Los Padres National Forest - Big Sur Directly across the highway from Kirk Creek campground is the Vicente Flats trailhead leading into the Ventana Wilderness. Anglers can expect a catch of yellow perch and other coastal surf fish. . There are no hidden gems anymore.Whilst I do not 100% agree with that sentiment, in many ways it is true. Waste no more time and find out about the BEST backpacks to take hiking! Note: Be aware that there is TONS of poison oak in the area. Sand Dollar Beach, the largest sandy beach in the Big Sur area, is just south of the campground. There are a few convenience stores and camp stores, but youll be paying at least double for a pack of hot dogs compared to if youd just picked them up at the Costco in Monterey. Learn how your comment data is processed. Since camping on Highway 1 is illegal (and camping on certain Forest Service roads is too), state park campgrounds offer up a stress-free alternative to free guerrilla camping. MASSIVE GUIDE for Big Sur Camping (Insider Tips for 2023) (Big Sur Lodge) The park is located 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway One. This is a very popular campground and making reservations well in advance is recommended. This wild stretch of coastline is not the Big Sur of the 1960s anymore (which of course is true everywhere)! Plaskett Creek Campground offers a beautiful location just minutes from Sand Dollar Beach, one of the largest and most popular beaches in central California. (831) 667-1112 Follow the link on the left for camping reservations. Outside of the obvious essentials (a tent, sleeping bag, and food), its these variables that are going to govern your packing. Dont let that put you off! There is an endless amount of awesome Big Sur backcountry camping to uncover, and youll be rewarded with some of the best hiking in California state. Obviously, the summer is crazy busy up and down the coast. This means if you click on one of them,we mayreceive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This one is located near Hearst Castle where you can book a tour. This epic Big Sur camping guide will show you the best places to camp in Big Sur. However, if you start your reservation on an earlier day that is already open (Thursday, Jan 21), then you can extend it through Friday night (Jan 22), or even two weeks after that. Camping reservations can be made at www.reservecalifornia.com up to 6 months in advance. This means that every day, the day six months out becomes available to reserve. Carmel has several quaint boutique hotels, like The Colonial Terrace, and the modern rustic hotel, The Hideaway. Weve tested countless day packs over the years, and now weve found our absolute favourite: the traveller-approved Osprey Daylite Plus. Reservation Info. The campground gives visitors access to a variety of outdoor activities, including water play and exploration of the surrounding hills and forests. Many campsites are locatedalong the Big Sur River. The obvious major drawback? Andrew Molera State Park is the only state park campground that is first come/first served, meaning you cant reserve a place. Check out: 11 a.m. Or, try a hotel or Airbnb a bit to the north in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Utility hookups are not available. Enjoy seasonal swimming and inner tubing in the Big Sur river. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Camp sites are situated along the Big Sur river, where a lot of people spend the day playing in the water. 1 to the Big Sur high country. Campground Activities Wellness Outdoor Adventures . Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? The park contains four lime kilns from an 18871890 lime-calcining operation. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park : CAMPING Kirk Creek Campground. 8 Best Places for Big Sur Camping Stunning Ocean and Forest Views With oceanfront views and plenty of hiking trails nearby, Kirk Creek is a Big Sur camping favorite of mine, and one of the best spots if you want to camp on a Big Sur cliffside. June 2020 Note: The Trail campground at Andrew Molera is closed and has been for some time. Big Sur Camping: Finding the Magic of Big Sur, Best Big Sur Camping Areas for Trekking and Hiking, Best Hotels in Big Sur: Alternatives to Camping. The Pacific Ocean borders the campground to the west and the surf can be heard at many campsites. The drive up the road isnt super long, though it can be very steep in some places. Due to seasonal volume, access to the. Big Sur camping doesnt get any better than this! Average Temperature in the summer is high 80s to 90s in the day and high 50s to mid 60s at night. All single campsite reservations are good for 6 people and 1 vehicle. Taking a tent backpacking is not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy (chicks dig hammocks), and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere. Be respectful to the environment, locals, and fellow campers. After much time in Big Sur, it became quickly apparent that Prewitt Ridge is the crown jewel of camping in the area. (831) 667-1112 Follow the link on the left for camping reservations. Reservations: Reservations: www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. While you may be confused with which Pfieffer campground is which, just know that the campground in Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP is one of the smallest with only 2 hike-in sites (and its technically the Saddle Rock Environmental Campground on the map, but when you look on the state park website it will be listed as the JP Burns Campground). DO NOT bushwhack through the vegetation unless you are 100% sure there is no Poison Oak. Im not sure exactly how many spots there are; possibly, nobody knows. Then you can book it Thursday through Saturday or Sunday. Dont let your used toilet paper blow hither and thither in the wind. It offers a variety of opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Big Sur Camping Guide, Big Sur California Ventana Campground is a tent-only campground, with a mix of hike-in and drive up campsites. Rampant psytrance addict, quaffer of ale, and serial cat fancier. Most likely there will be other people camping up there as well. The campsites at Julia Pfeiffer book out faster than a $2 rodeo in rural America. Figure out how and where to go camping in Big Sur. You must have a permit to camp here, which can be got from the Los Padres National Forest or State Parks offices. The hike begins at the Ventana Wilderness ranger station parking lot. Why it's worth camping at: Best Big Sur camping with Pacific Ocean views, situated along a stunning cliffside and a short walk from the beach. Free Wi-Fi. Make reservations as soon as the slots open for a chance to get one of these spots, or periodically check back for cancellations. We share both our love for exploring and photography by creating helpful travel and gear guides. There is no shortcut to get into and out of Big Sur by car. All sites are grassy. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfieffer State Park) offers up all of the best aspects of Big Sur. 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. This campground is almost directly above McWay Falls, the most iconic spot in Big Sur. Tip: Try to get a campsite with a fire ring and picnic table! Save the Redwoods League has helped permanently protect more than 150,000 acres in 37 of California State Parks redwood parks. https://www.facebook.com/freebornaidenblog, https://www.instagram.com/freeborn_aiden/. Where to Go Camping in Big Sur: 11 Top Spots Camping cabin are available for rates from $135 to $185 and standard cabins are $200 to $440 depending on the season and maximum occupancy. The scenic Big Sur River courses through the park and the campgrounds are nearby. I hope you found the information in this guide helpful! Your best bet is the San Simeon Creek Campground to the south, which has 115 campsites. There are plenty of awesome day hikes, secluded beaches, and jaw-dropping views (especially at sunset). You might show up in the summer and not see a single drop of water flowing. Poison Oak is everywhere. Its associated with the luxury resort Ventana Big Sur, where nightly room rates are several thousand dollars. All of the traditional sites follow the existing contour of the canyon and Post Creek without disturbing its natural beauty. Make a left at Palo Colorado Rd and drive through a remote cluster of houses dotted among some massive redwoods adorning the canyon. Experiencing the beauty of Big Sur is truly epic. Within a short drive many trails can be accessed for hiking, backpacking, bicycling, hunting and horseback riding. It has a pretty interesting history, beautiful architecture and indoor pool. It is possible to hike into Big Sur via crossing the Santa Lucia mountain, but it isnt common. Kirk Creek Campground. Big Sur Lodge is located in the park .The lodge has 61 guest rooms, a conference center, cafe, and a grocery store. FREE! This ultimate guide to camping Big Sur is the result of my experiences getting to know this beautiful and wild stretch of coast. 1 on the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. From Monterey, travel south on Highway 1 for approximately 50 miles to the campground. There are many hiking/biking opportunities in the area. I always travel with a hanging toiletry bag as its a super-efficient way to organize your bathroom stuff. The Nacimiento-Ferguson Road runs from the coast at Kirk Creek on Rt. Summer mornings bring fog, which usually burns off by midday.LocationNear mile marker 47.2 on Highway 1, the park is located 26 miles south of Carmel.GOOGLE MAP. Packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for thereal adventurers these babies are a travellers best kept secret. Find out more at SaveTheRedwoods.org. They are centrally located near general stores, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, delis, taverns, and the post office in the Big Sur community. Of course, not having to make reservations has its benefits and its pitfalls. Plus, you can be certain that no police or ranger will hassle (or fine) you for camping. This guide will help you discover the best Big Sur Campgrounds and share the secret to snagging a weekend reservation! Ventana Campground in Big Sur, located approximately 65 miles north of San Simeon and 30 miles south of Carmel, is an amazing 40 acre redwood canyon. Creek crossings found on the hike can be difficult if the water flow happens to be particularly fierce. This route, however, is one of the best road trips in California. PLUS, you save money and the environment! To be specific, it is technically considered free camping in Big Sur when the camping takes place next to Highway 1, which isnt really tolerated anymore. The large campground located in the park can accommodate hikers, bikers, car campers, and RVers. These campgrounds in Big Sur are all available for reservations, and most book up six months in advance. Sign up for e-club. Treebones Resort gives the ultimate experience of luxury camping in Big Sur. Start early and avoid the heat of the day. All of the traditional sites follow the existing contour of the canyon and Post Creek without disturbing its natural beauty. A five mile ride will take you to Sand Dollar Beach, the largest sandy beach in Big Sur. Most of all, have the time of your life and experience as many Big Sur camping spots as possible! Guide to RV Camping in Big Sur - Cruise America There are a series of excellent hiking trails, brilliant ocean views, and wildlife viewing opportunities. A decent head torch could save your life. Well worth having as it helps to have quick access to all your stuff. Water and electricity is supplied for RV's. Maximum motorhome length of 30'. For a more traditional state park camping experience, check out nearby Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park whose campground has 189 campsites for tents and RVs scattered along the Big Sur River. The pools can accommodate several adults (perfect for couples). Valley View Trail provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Big Sur Valley. The Fernwood Campground borders the Pfieffer Big Sur State Park along its northern edge. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be. Important Big Sur Dispersed Camping Info The sites can be used for tenting or RVers. The campground offers single-family sites, as well as three group campsites, for tent and RV camping. Plaskett Creek Campground, Los Padres National Forest - Recreation.gov Prewitt Ridge offers up indescribable Big Sur coastline from above. It also became one of the most popular, but for good reason. Below are some of my favorite backcountry Big Sur camping spots. The closest running water is across Highway 1 near the restrooms. Big Sur RV Camping Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per campsite. $5.00/extra person Big Sur Campground & Cabins . Extra vehicle and person fees will be charged at the facility. Camping is one thing, but hitting the road is another. My best tip for getting a weekend campsite is to plan a trip starting on a Thursday at the very least. Additional hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails can be accessed within a short drive of the campground, and offer scenic views of waterfalls, redwood groves and mountain meadows and streams. In the past, some folks even parked here semi-permanently, though I think law enforcement has put an end to long-term camping here.