CAMPING IN BIG SUR, CA

Big Sur Camping - Best Places to Camp

Big Sur is a beautiful yet rugged mountain section of the Central Coast of California. It is located between Carmel and San Simeon, right where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise up out of the Pacific Ocean. It is a breathtaking scene along one of the longest undeveloped stretches of coastline in the US. If you are looking for peace and tranquility, this is the place you are looking for. The wonders that await you when you travel into Big Sur are amazing redwood forests, hiking trails, coastal beaches, fishing, and camping. There are four to seven million people that visit Big Sur each year, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the nation.

Big Sur Area Information

• Big Sur Trail Map • Current Weather in Big Sur • Current Tides • Los Padres National Forest, Monterey District • Pine Ridge Trail - Sykes Hot Springs • Pfeiffer Beach • Big Sur Lodge • NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary • Camping Supplies • Big Sur RV Rentals • Big Sur Fishing Guides • Big Sur Cabin Rentals

Camping In Big Sur

Camping in Big Sur is an experience that you will want to make as part of your yearly family trips once you have had the opportunity to see it’s beauty. There are both state park campgrounds available, as well as privately owned campgrounds. If you like to camp along a stream, there is streamside camping available. If you would rather camp up on a bluff, there is bluff camping in the southern portion of Big Sur as well. Tent campsites, and RV camping sites are both available, depending on where you go. Google Map with a list of the Campgrounds in Big Sur

Campgrounds In Big Sur

1. Riverside Campground and Cabins 2. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground 3. Ventana Campground 4. Big Sur Campground & Cabins 5. Andrew Molera California State Park Trail Camp 6. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 7. LimeKiln State Park Camping 8. Kirk Creek Campground 9. Nacimiento Campground 10. Plaskett Creek Campground 11. Pondorosa Campground

Riverside Campground and Cabins

Riverside Campground & Cabins has 46 different campsites and cabins to stay and enjoy camping on their 16 acres that are surround by majestic redwoods. 34 sites are for tents and RV’s, and they have 12 cabins available along the Big Sur River. There is beach access as well as hiking trails that are about ten minutes from camp. The campground is located about 22 miles south of Carmel by the Sea, and 68 miles north of San Simeon. Each campsite has picnic tables, and fire pits to enjoy your meals, roast marshmallows, and chats by the warm fireside. They have hot showers, clean restrooms, as well as laundry facilities. The campground is by the river, which is great for swimming, fishing, and riding an inner tube down the river. The RV sites have 20 amp electricity, and water hook ups to plug into. The cabins have queen beds, and their interior has natural wood interiors with shared or private decks available. This campground is dog friendly, and has free wi-fi. Phone: (831) 667-2414 Website: https://www.riversidecampground.com Address: 47020 Highway 1 - Big Sur, CA 93920 Riverside Campground Map

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground is a popular campground, so you will want to book your camp site early. They have 189 RV and tent camping sites. The camp sites are situated on or near the Big Sur River. On the weekends, during the peak season, they have a Campfire Center that offers evening programs for campground visitors. Their campsites can’t be reserved ahead of time if your within a 48 hour window of your arrival time. Phone: (831) 667-1112 Reservations: (800) 444-7275 Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29832 Address: CA-1 & Pfeiffer Big Sur Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920 Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground Map

Ventana Campground

Ventana Campground is an amazing 40 acre redwood canyon. The camp sites follow the existing contour of the canyon and Post Creek without disturbing the natural beauty. The campground has two modern bath houses, and each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. Water faucets are only a short walk away from each camp site. The campground is located near general stores, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, delis, taverns, and the post office in community of Big Sur. The campground is for tents only, so no RV’s or trailers allowed because they can’t accomodate them. Camper vans or pop-ups also not allowed. Phone: (855) 391-8683 Website: https://www.ventanacamping.com Address: 48123 Highway 1, CA 93920 Ventana Campground Map

Big Sur Campground & Cabins

Big Sur Campground & Cabins is located among the majestic Coastal Redwood trees along the pristine Big Sur River. This campground offers camping and lodging with a big emphasis on Family. You can enjoy tent and RV camping on the forest floor, as you watch your kids inner tube by camp in the cool water of the Big Sur River. Inner tubes are available to rent if you didn’t bring your own. They also have cabins available from rustic camping cabins, as well as an upgrade with cabins that have kitchens and fireplaces inside for a comfortable vacation getaway. There is a fun playground for the kids, and a general store for anything you may have forgotten, or ran out of during your camping trip. They also have laundry facilities, hot showers available, and a basketball court. The RV sites have water and electric hook ups, and a dump station. Fishing, restaurants, gift shops, beach access, and hiking trails are all nearby. Phone: (831) 667-2322 Website: https://www.bigsurcamp.com Address: 47000 Highway 1 Big Sur, CA 93920

Andrew Molera California State Park Trail Camp

Andrew Molera Trail Camp is a campground that you have to hike into. You will park in the day use parking lot and hike in about 1/4 mile to the campground. The Trail Camp has 22 standard tent sites and two hike and bike campsites. The campground is located in a meadow near the Big Sur River. Each campsite has a fire pit, a picnic table, and a food storage container. The Trail Camp has potable water available, and restrooms with flushing toilets, though there are no showers. Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29852 Andrew Molera Campground Map

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has two hike in environmental campsites.The park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into the nearby 3,000 foot ridges. There are redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, as well as an 80 foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs out into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. You will be mesmerized by thepan oramic view of the ocean and many miles of rugged coastline visible in the higher elevations of the trails. The park has restrooms and a telephone available. The park is located 37 miles south of Carmel on Hwy 1, and 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park on Hwy 1. Phone: (831) 667-1112 Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578 Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Map

Limekiln State Park Camping

LimeKiln State Park has breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as well as the rugged Big Sur coastline. There are also amazing redwood forests, and the cultural history of limekilns. This park is 56 miles south of Carmel, off Highway One. It has 33 developed campsites on 716 acres. Can accomodate trailers up to 15 feet, and campers/motorhomes up to 24 feet. Phone: (831) 649-2836 Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=577 63025 Hwy 1 • Big Sur, CA 93920 LimeKiln State Park Campground Map

Kirk Creek Campground

The Kirk Creen Campground is located about 45 miles north of Cambria, CA and 60 miles south of Carmel, CA. It is on the west side of Hwy 1, overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a bluff with amazing views of the Big Sur coastline. The campsites are spacious, and include a picnic table, fire ring, and a pedestal barbeque. There is a trail that provides beach access directly from within the campground, or you can drive 4 miles to Sand Dollar Beach. The campsites can be used for tent camping or RV’s. There is no water so you will need to bring your own. They have a 2 car per site maximum occupancy. There are 33 sites available for tent or RV. Phone: (831) 385-5434 Website: Kirk Creek Campground Website 63025 Hwy 1 • Big Sur, CA 93920

Nacimiento Campground

Nacimiento Campground is a small campground with 9 campsites located among oak trees, and near a running creek. Sites can accomodate RV’s up to 25 feet, and tents as well. It is located 11 miles from Kirk Creek Campground up the Naciemento Ferguson Road. It is open all year, and you will need to bring your own water. Reservations are not necessary, as this campground is first come, first served. Nacimiento Campground Website

Plaskett Creek Campground

The campsites in Plaskett Creek Campground are nestled among large Monterey Pines. It is withing walking distance to the San Dollar Beach and the Willet hiking trail. There are 44 campsites available. It is $35.00 per night, and each site can accommodate 6 to 8 people and up to 2 vehicles per site. 1 vehicle is included in the price of the campsite, and the additional vehicle is $10.00 per night. Bike or walk in camping fee is $5.00 per person. Plaskett Creek Campground Website

Ponderosa Campground

The Ponderosa Campground has 21 campsites nestled along a mountain trout stream under a canopy of Ponderosa Pine, Oak, Madrone & Sycamore trees. It is located about 13 miles east from Kirk Creek campground on the Nacimiento Ferguson Road. Great for tent camping, and RV camping with RV’s up to 35 feet. There are 19 reservable campsites, and 2 sites that are available for first come, first serve. A great place for fishing, hiking, biking, and relaxation. Each campsite has a picnic table, a fire ring, and a pedestal grill. Ponderosa Campground Website

Nearby Shopping - Big Sur Deli & General Store

The Big Sur Deli is located in the center of Big Sur next to the US Post Office. It is a family owned and operated full service deli that has been in business for over 30 years. They offer specialty and made to order sandwiches, tamales, calzones, salads, baked potatoes, BBQ chicken, dolmas, and samosas. They open early for coffee, breakfast burritos, egg & cheese sandwiches and a variety of fresh pastries. They are also a general store that has a large selection of craft beer, local wines, delicious snacks and grocery items. They have a souvenir shop where you can pick up some Big Sur hats, shirts, stickers, magnets, post cards and much more to remember your trip by.

Big Sur Fishing Guides and Charter Boats

There are many different fishing guides that offer guided fishing trips around Big Sur for pretty much any type of fish that you may want to target. FishingBooker is a service of local guides that you can choose from and schedule your next guided fishing trip, charter boat, or fishing party boat. Book yourself a Big Sur Fishing Guide Today! About The Author Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Mendenhall Outdoors. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase. The Best Camping Experience in Beautiful Big Sur Awaits!