Big Sur Camping Guide 2024: Top Spots & Essential Tips

Ready to camp in Big Sur? Under redwoods? Along the river? Our Big Sur camping guide covers both tent and RV campgrounds along the coast and river, along with the key Big Sur tips and activities you can use to create the perfect Big Sur getaway.

Big Sur: A Camper's Paradise

All the way from the crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains to its chapter in the Pacific Ocean, Big Sur is an outdoor person’s dream. Big Sur camping is very popular as the national park houses as much as 7 million visitors each year.

There are campsites all along the park frontage. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Riverside Campground, and Fernwood Campground are all less than one mile north of the Big Sur Creek Bridge, as are many others.

Some Quick Tips for Camping in Big Sur

Because Big Sur is home to all kinds of wildlife (notably ticks and poison oak), wear long pants and long sleeves when hiking; keep pets on a leash in campgrounds and picnic areas.

You should aim to get camping reservations early because campsites are limited – especially at popular campsites such as Riverside Campground.

Big Sur's Campgrounds

Big Sur accommodates a wide range of camping styles, including tent camping, RV camping, and even luxury tent cabins with hot showers.

Wake up to hear the roar of the Big Sur River at Riverside Campground, or poke your head through the canvas roof of a tent to look up into a redwood grove. The latter of which you might do at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, where the facilities can be as luxurious as any five-star resort; or you can opt for no facilities at all, leaving you to find your connection with nature in a more basic way.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

The greatest asset of Big Sur, and arguably its loveliest park, is the 1,000-acre Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, a year-round refuge and a mecca for campers with 189 sites available for tents and trailers, rustic cabins for rent, and many programs to take part in.

With its lovely natural amenities and top-notch facilities, it’s no wonder the slots fill up months in advance, even in the shoulder season of winter.

Tent Cabins and Traditional Sites

Pfeiffer State Park even offers tent cabins and traditional sites for those who want a more secluded camping adventure. The redwood-setting cabins can host up to four guests, but kitchen facilities are not available. However, you can find bathrooms and hot showers within a short distance from your camping grounds or cabin.

Nature-seekers can lodge among the trees at one of the park’s two semi-developed camping sites, with 30 sites each that include fire rings and picnic tables. There’s something for everyone.

Activities Within the Park

Viewing the stars and roasting marshmallows is one thing, but Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is the starting point for multiple hikes through the forests. In addition, there are plenty of on-site activities to take part in.

Kirk Creek Campground

Imagine a morning at Kirk Creek Campground – awakened by the lap of waves on the shoreline and the stretch of the Pacific Ocean to the horizon. Situated on a bluff that borders the Pacific Ocean where the forest hits the sea, Kirk Creek Campground is home to 33 stunning campsites.

Campsite Features

Kirk Creek offers a fire ring at each campsite, firewood for sale, onsite bathrooms and showers, and hookups for plumbing and electrical.

Another reason why Kirk Creek Campground is a favorite is its location just off-shore of Sand Dollar Beach, Big Sur’s broadest sandy beach. There’s truly no better place to camp seaside than Kirk Creek.

Hiking Trails

There's tons of hiking waiting for you at Kirk Creek. Kirk Creek is a base camp for many travelers backpacking into the Ventana Wilderness and the National Forest of Los Padres via a series of foot trails. Perhaps the hardest and most scenic of these hikes is the 10.5mi Kirk Creek to Vicente Flat Trail, which takes you through a combination of forest and to the ocean, up and down a mountain, through shady woods and out into the hot sun, all within 984 meters of elevation change.

Riverside Campground & Cabins

Need some time to reflect? Riverside Campground Cabins is along the Big Sur River, beneath the redwoods. No Wi-Fi and no computers means no interruptions from the outside world. Tent, RV, and cabin sites are up for grabs!

A Variety of Accommodations

Riverside Campground & Cabins provides a variety of accommodations, including:

• Rustic tent camping

• RV sites

• Cabins with private fire rings and a picnic table

• Modern motel rooms

• Glamping tents with fresh linens

Whatever your preference, Riverside ensures a comfortable and memorable stay.

Leisure

Riverside Campground offers a variety of activities to join in on. Drive an hour up the coast to Big Sur and traverse the uninhabited, rocky coastline, or stroll down to the Big Sur River and sit in the shade of oak and sycamore trees. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, there are inner tube rentals at Riverside and drift down the river.

Treebones Resort

Whether you prefer to rough it or are looking to find your wilderness bare with the resort’s springs, Treebones Resort is a good place to start. Perched upon a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Treebones offers glamping in its village of yurts. There are:

• Queen-sized beds

• Bathrooms on-site

• Panoramic views of the ocean

Those seeking a luxury upgrade can visit the resort’s Autonomous Tents, which are solar-powered, in-ground heated, and feature ensuite bathrooms.

Resort Perks

The luxury yurts that form the basis of the resort list ‘yoga in the outdoor amphitheater each morning,’ ‘whale watching in season,’ and a series of wellness workshops and activities throughout the year.’ Treebones Resort isn’t simply in the luxury business; it’s in the business of providing a soothing, rejuvenating experience, a succession of luxuries that restores the soul.

Fernwood Resort

Fernwood Resort offers a variety of camping and lodging options, including:

• Tent camping

• RV Camping

• Glamping tents

• Cabins

• Motel rooms

Fernwood caters to every camper’s taste and preference.

It also includes more rustic cabins overlooking the forest and meadows below, next to the Big Sur River. Regardless if you’re into roughing it or plush accommodations, Fernwood Resort is a perfect place to camp out while visiting Big Sur.

On-Site Amenities

Fernwood Resort provides two bathhouses, laundry facilities, and a dishwashing station. The General Store stocks a wide range of supplies, from food and drinks to camping basics such as tents and sleeping bags. If you have forgotten anything or just need something last minute, the General Store has got you covered so that your camping trip will be stress-free.

Plaskett Creek Campground

For those who prefer camping in a more private area, another good choice is Plaskett Creek Campground. Features include:

• 44 tent and RV sites

• Picnic tables

• Parking

• Access to toilets and water

Surrounded by breathtaking views of Big Sur and distant waterfalls, the campground offers nature-loving hikers the ideal opportunity to reconnect with the land and cultivate a deeper experience of peace in the wilderness. Plaskett Creek Campground has only 37 single sites and is a quieter, less crowded camping experience where you can:

• Fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Big Sur

• Enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings

• Escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life

• Relax and unwind in a peaceful environment

First-Come, First-Served Basis

At Plaskett Creek Campground, they recognize that trips aren’t always planned months in advance. That’s why they keep some sites available for those who come first – first-come, first-served. Check-in by 3:00 pm, and check-out is by 12:00 noon.

Exploring the Surroundings

The campground at Plaskett Creek is an experience, sure, but it is also about accessing the calm of the campground along with nearby sites for exploration. The closest attraction to the campsite is access to the beach via a short walk. Sand Dollar Beach and the Willet hiking trail are options for beach access, and either could fill up a full day. (You can sunbathe, picnic, or explore the tide pools at Sand Dollar Beach or hike the Willet trail to experience a wide range of landscapes and views.)

You can drive south to San Simeon, home of grand Hearst Castle, a favorite of cultural history buffs. There is plenty to keep Big Sur visitors busy, and Plaskett Creek Campground is often their headquarters.

Conclusion

From the quiet of Riverside Campground Campground Cabins to the glamping of Treebones Resort, to the solitude of Plaskett Creek Campground to the crowds of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, there’s a camping experience in Big Sur for every camper, the first-timer, and the seasoned veteran, the nature-lover and the adrenaline junkie. There’s a campsite in Big Sur for you. Go camping. Get your pack. Put on your boots. Get to Big Sur and camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Pet to Big Sur Campgrounds?

Most of the Big Sur campgrounds allow dogs, at least on a leash, which is good for their safety, yours, and the wildlife.

Do I Need to Make Camping Reservations in Advance?

We highly advise making advance reservations for camping in Big Sur during peak season (summer). Reservations are not necessary.

What Kinds of Accommodations Are Available in Big Sur Campgrounds?

If you plan to stay in a tent, RV, yurt (glamping), or cabin, Big Sur campgrounds will have it.

What Activities Can I Do While Camping in Big Sur?

You can walk in the woods and on the coast, swim in the river or at the beach, go beachcombing, see the animals, and so on. The campgrounds have fire pits and picnic tables.

Can I Camp Anywhere in Big Sur?

No, you're allowed to camp at any other place than at the campgrounds in order to preserve the wildlife and the environment of Big Sur.