The California coast is known for its views, and camping is a great way to explore Big Sur. Its beautiful coastline, mountain views, and forests make it the best place to go when one wants to escape and be close to nature. Camping offers something that a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway cannot provide: a hands-on experience of the land. The Big Sur is just a few hours away from the city, yet it offers access to an entirely new understanding of the area.
Preparing For A Camping Trip
Part of the fun of camping is planning for it. Book a place, buy food, find materials for shelter and recreations. Determine what type of camping will ensue. Glamping is perfect for those who wish to have a camping experience but crave the comforts of a clean and well-appointed room. Regular camping will require campers to do everything by themselves.
The Big Sur is home to a lot of campsites in state parks and private camping grounds. There are options for RV camping, tent camping, and cabin rentals. Since there are many types of accommodations to choose from, a person’s skill level hardly matters.
The Best Camp Sites
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground has about 169 campsites and is situated within over 1000 acres of redwood, sycamore, oak, and willow trees. Up to six people are allowed per campsite, with a two-vehicle max. This massive property has a lot of hiking trails, where campers can take self-guided tours. Look out for deer, raccoons, skunk, and belted kingfishers!
Cost & Features
- Running water
- Bathroom, and kitchen
- Shared bathrooms
- Tent/RV: from $35; premium riverfront: $50
- Cabin: from $75
Activities
- Self-guided hiking
- Swimming
Big Sur Campground and Cabins is along the Big Sur River. Families can hike, bike, swim, and fish within the property. It has sites for tents, camping cabins, and RVs. Tent sites have access to fire pits, picnic tables, and a nearby bathhouse with hot water. At RV sites, RVs up to 40 ft high are allowed. Camping Cabins are private accommodations with beds, bed linens, blankets, and towels. Reservations are required. Cabins are private accommodations with a kitchen, fireplace, private bathrooms, and heat.
Cost For Tents
April to October, including holidays
- Regular rates: From $80; $90 for a river tent site
November to March
- Not including holidays off-season rates: from $45; $60 for a river tent site
Cost For RVs
April to October, including holidays
- Regular rates: From $90; $100 for a river tent site
November to March, not including holidays off-season
- Rates: from $75; $80 for a river tent site
Cost Of Camping Cabins
April to October, including holiday
- Regular rates: From $249November to March, not including holidays off-season
- Rates: from $109
Cabin Features
- 1-bedroom with gas fireplace: traditional from $379, off-season: from $129
- 1-bedroom with kitchen and gas fireplace: traditional from $449, off-season: from $159
- A-Frame rooms with loft, kitchen, and wood stove: traditional from $449, off-season: from $179
- 2-bedroom cabin off-river, kitchen, wood stove: traditional from $549, off-season: from $239
- 2-bedroom cabin on-river, kitchen, wood stove traditional from $649, off-season: from $279
- 1-bedroom with loft, on-river, kitchen, and wood stove: traditional from $549, off-season: from $239
Activities
- Tubing
- Access to playground
- Basketball
- Fishing from November to February
Fernwood Campground offers tent, cabin, and RV camping along the Big Sur River. It has a view of redwoods, the mountains, the forest, and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. All sites have picnic tables and a fire ring; some even have private access to electricity and running water for dishwashing. Campers are allowed up to six people per group and two vehicles per campsite.
Cost
- From $70 to $105
- $5 for an extra person
- $5 for pets
- $10 extra car
Activities
- Hiking
- Horseshoes
- Sports: volleyball
- Stores
- Wi-Fi
- Yoga area
Kirk Creek Campground has an overlooking view of the Pacific Ocean, the Big Sur coastline, and access to Los Padres National Forest.
Cost
- from $35 (Winter, Fall), up to six people, one vehicle
- from $35 per group (Spring), $10 for extra person, up to 8 people, $10 for an additional vehicle
Activities
- Hiking
- Birdwatching
- Grilling
- Biking
- Fishing
- Beach access
Ventana Campground has 40 acres of redwood canyon. Owners of the campsite did their best not to disturb the natural beauty of the land. Some rooms have modern bathrooms. Camps have picnic tables and access to running water. However, Ventana is a tent-only campground, so RVs and trailers are not allowed.
Cost
- Prices start at $80 for camping, and there are no guaranteed sites for guest assignments.
- Glamping costs $240.
- Camping rates are for a group of up to 4 people, two tents per site, and only one vehicle allowed.
Activities
- Hiking (Pfeiffer Falls Trail, Coast Ridge Trail)
- Fishing
- Swimming
Check List
- Clothing. Bring the appropriate clothing, considering activities, length of stay, and the season.
- Food. Some campsites have stores to buy supplies, such as firewood, butane gas, ice, and water. Pre-plan meals before going to the camp to minimize unnecessary spending and food waste.
- Kitchen. Check if the campsite has a kitchen and running water. If not, campers must bring a personal portable stove and other supplies for cooking.
- Tools. Bring tools for emergencies such as flashlights, a camp knife, mallet (to use when pitching a tent), toilet shovel, and matches.
- Personal items. Bring a first aid kit, medicine kit, and toiletries. Be mindful that some campsites do not have private bathrooms. Bring some recreational activities.
- Shelter. Those who wish to bring tents must make sure that they are big enough to fit the group. Bring sleeping bags, lamps, blankets, air beds, and a pump.
- Cleaning. Do not leave trash behind. Most of the campsites at Big Sur are state parks and private grounds that aim to preserve the land’s beauty. Recycling and waste disposal units are available on most sites but bring trash bags to clean your area.