Campgrounds in Big Sur
Google Map of the Big Sur Coast and location of all these campgrounds
The campgrounds on this map are listed from the north to the south
Andrew Molera State Park
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 (831) 667-1112 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 scheduled for seasonal closure on November 1, 2022. Online reservations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a weekat 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
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| Big Sur Campground & Cabins |
 (831) 667-2322 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. |
| Big Sur Deli & General Store |
(831) 667-2225 Located at the center of Big Sur next to the United States Post Office. A true general store, serving the local community for over 25 years. The widest selection of groceries, fine wines, and beer, all at the most reasonable prices in the area. Everything you need for a day trip or prolonged stay. Also featuring a full deli, a large variety of T-Shirts, Big Sur souvenirs, DVD rentals, and an ATM machine. Opens early at 7:00 a.m. and closes late, at 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. |
| Bottchers Gap |
(805) 434-1996 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE |
| Fernwood Campground |
 (831) 667-2422 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
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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
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(831) 667-1112 Has two hike-in environmental campsites.
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 One; 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.Restrooms and telephone available to the public. Online reservations available on the website.
Aerial photographs of Julie Pfeiffer Burns State Park. |
| Kirk Creek Campground |
(805) 434-1996 This Family Campground is approximately 45 miles north of Cambria, CA and 60 miles south of Carmel, CA. Located on the west side of Hwy. 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.
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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
Aerial photographs of Kirk Creek Campground. |
Limekiln State Park
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(805) 434-1996 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 One; two miles south of Lucia. (making this about 28 miles South of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park) Aerial photographs of Limekiln State Park |
| Nacimiento Campground |
(805) 434-1996 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
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(831) 667-1112 Follow the link on the left for camping reservations. Offering camping (169 sites, no hookups, sanitation station), picnic tables, hiking and swimming. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has 1006 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 One. 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 |
(805) 434-1996 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 Hwy. 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. Aerial Photos of Plaskett Campground. |
| Pondorosa Campground |
(877) 444-6777 or (805) 434-1996 This Family Campground is located in the mountains of Big Sur approximately 45 miles north of Cambria, CA (to Nacimiento/Ferguson Rd., County Road G-14) and 55 miles south of Carmel, CA (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 Hwy. 1 on the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road.
The Nacimiento-Ferguson Road runs from the coast at Kirk Creek on Rt. 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. |
| Point Lobos State Reserve |
(831) 624-4909 Point Lobos State Reserve is listed here although it does not offer any camping opportunities. It does allow day use and is one of the most beautiful spots along the Central California Coast. Located three miles south of Carmel on Highway One. Point Lobos contains headlands, coves, and rolling meadows. The offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters, gray, humpback, and blue whales. Hiking trails follow the shoreline and lead to hidden coves. World class SCUBA diving. Aerial photos of Point Lobos. |
| Riverside Campground & Cabins |
(831) 667-2414 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 |
(877) 424-4787 (877) 4BIG SUR 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 Convenient Store. 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
Ranked #1 Yoga Retreat in California |
Ventana Campground |
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. 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.
Ventana 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.) |
Wondering where all these campgrounds are in relationship to one another? Click Here to view a map of Big Sur.
DOGS
Visiting State Parks with your dog? FAQ. Click here
Car Camping Checklist (8k PDF)
= 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.
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CAMPING IN BIG SUR
