1 / 10

Andrew Molera Trail Camp

publicCampground.modules.title.recommendsPercentage

discover.modules.lands.sites.sitesWithCount · publicCampground.modules.title.accommodationTypes.tent

Sleep in a grassy open meadow in your Big Sur campsite at Andrew Molera Trail Camp, waking early to meander along a trail beside the Big Sur River to Molera Beach—a pristine cove that offers excellent surfing, beachcombing, and access to miles of trails along picturesque meadows, beaches, and striking stretches of coastline.

Choose among 24 walk-in campsites, none of which offer much privacy due to the meadow features of the campground. Each campsite is about a .3 mile walk from the parking lot, so come prepared to trek supplies into your site. Sites come equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and access to a food storage locker to keep animals at bay. To truly experience all in nature that Big Sur has to offer, Andrew Molera State Park camping is not to be missed.

discover.modules.lands.sites.sitesWithCountpublicCampground.modules.title.accommodationTypes.tent

Available campgrounds nearby

More to explore nearby

92%

40 ratings · 11 reviews

Sean L.

October 26, 2020

Tried finding this campground this weekend and it was not easy. The trail to the campground is CLOSED but we gave it a go anyway figuring we were skilled hikers and being that it was a short distance from the parking lot that it wouldn't be a problem. Wrong. The trail is overgrown with poison oak EVERYWHERE. We made it about half way through only to find a short tunnel of more poison oak to trudge through. No thanks. Turned around and camped on the beach instead. Explored a bit more the next day only to find a gate about 100m north of the park entrance where you can walk to the CLOSED campground. Place was deserted aside from a couple cars who must have had a key to the locked gate. Place was overgrown and looked spooky TBH. Don't do it!

Vincent S.recommends

November 9, 2018

There is surf!

Kris Z.recommends

October 26, 2017

It's been washed out since the rains last year so I think it's closed now!

Alyssa R.

August 1, 2017

Great surfing here when the conditions are right!!! Get the latest here: http://magicseaweed.com/Andrew-Molera-State-Park-Surf-Report/260/ Amazing place to watch the sunset, one of the best. A beautiful campground in a meadow, pretty open so not much privacy. You'll be carrying your stuff in from the parking lot maybe 1/4 mile and then it's another 10 minutes or so to the beach. All first come first serve! Last time I was there someone got a ticket for having their dog...

Misha V.recommends

July 12, 2017

Be prepared to carry everything in for the first come first serve sites :)

Renee W.recommends

June 2, 2017

Hike in, nice spread out camp spots. Hike another mile to get to the purple sand beach, popular for surfers.

Stef G.

March 14, 2016

My friends and I loved this site! It is a huge open field so be prepared for the beaming sun unless you get lucky to snag one of the couple spots with a tree. The hike to the site and the beach is very easy ehich made this ideal for our weekend in big sur. There is TONS of wildlife at this site so use the lockers and a dry bag for any food or scents. We encountered bears, raccoons, squirrels, and deer during our stay in October. After our first night there we were not bothered so it seems the animals were just curious.

William Ray L.

January 12, 2016

This is a beautiful, open place to camp. My partner and I camped on a weekday in December and there were only three other campers. If you are lucky, as we were, the sites around two incredible Sycamore trees will be open and you can camp underneath their massive canopies. A couple of warnings about the area: Poison oak is everywhere; up, down, all around. Stay in the center of the trails if you are allergic. Also, the trail to the beach from the campsite floods out when there has been rain. However, it's not much of a hassle to head back to the main parking lot and take that trail down; and it is a very enjoyable walk no matter which way you take.

Alex P.

August 3, 2015

Make sure to get there VERY early (around 7am) and walk into the campsite, and ask people who are awake if they plan on leaving or not. If so, tell them that you'll be taking their place, then go fill out a self-reservation form at the ranger's station

Sasha C.

May 18, 2015

These sites are in a big open field, and while it makes for nice, flat camping, there is ZERO privacy. The only exceptions are sites 4, 20, and 22, which are nestled back into a large bushy tree. Max 4 ppl/site.

Allie F.

May 17, 2015

It was a lot of fun to camp here! We got a great spot with some nice shade. Squirrels were running around looking for food so be careful not to leave anything out! The hike to the beach was great and we saw a huge pod of whales!

Your guide to camping in Andrew Molera Trail Camp

Overview

Biking

Andrew Molera features out-and-back bike trails for a reason - you’ll want to see the park’s scenery more than once. Andrew Molera’s trails take bikers on a scenic ride past ocean views, wildflowers, and riveting ridgelines. Our favorite rides include: Ridge Trail: This is the main biker thoroughfare of Andrew Molera. Alternating between wide and narrow stretches of trail, it wastes no time bringing bikers to a climb that takes them to a breathtaking overlook. Beach Trail: If you aren’t out to break a sweat, this trail can be just as great of an option. The level trail sees more traffic from beachgoers, so make sure you can appreciate the surrounding scenery while at the same time warning “on your left”. Typically, these trails are avoided from November through April unless you are willing to trudge through an icy cold (and knee high) portion of the Big Sur River. And, if you are willing to do that, well...kudos (and enjoy having the trails to yourself).

Boating

While there is no motorboating in the area, check out our kayaking & canoeing section for more information.

Hiking

Andrew Molera State Park offers a variety of trails that can take hikers along the Big Sur river or more towards the coast. Among the more popular of the area’s hikes is the Andrew Molera loop (which combines the Creamery, Ridge, Panorama and Bluffs trails). This loop is 8.8 miles long and exposes hikers to beautiful coastal bluff views and remote beach access. No matter what trail you stumble upon in this park, you are bound to be rewarded with astounding scenery.

Horseback riding

Is there anything more picturesque than riding a horse down California's coastline? We couldn’t think of anything either. That being said, Andrew Molera state park is the perfect place to saddle up and create the Kodak moment of Kodak moments. Tour guides in the area provide routes and guidance.

Paddling

Although the Big Sur coast is, by nature, fairly inaccessible, it can be a rewarding place for kayakers to explore. Andrew Molera offers a sandy beach that differs from the typical rugged and challenging put ins that line the rest of the Big Sur coast. If you can manage to lug your boat the full mile from the nearest parking lot, you may just be rewarded with some of the best solitude and shoreline your kayak has ever seen.

Wind sports

When the conditions are right, Andrew Molera can be a wonderful place for watersports such as kiteboarding and windsurfing. The rugged scenery and awesome views don’t hurt either.

Off-roading (OHV)

Much of Andrew Molera is off the beaten path, making it suitable for off roading. Rocky mountain trails connect Bixby Bidge to Andrew Molera. Off roaders should enjoy the scenic rewards of their efforts, but be cautious about steep overlooks and unexpected dropoffs. We must insist that you exercise extreme caution navigating these areas. While the roads in the are are certainly fun to explore, please remember Off Highway Vehicles are forbidden within Andrew Molera Park.

Surfing

Surfing at Andrew Molera State Park can be a hit-or-miss adventure (but when it’s a hit, it’s a hit). The area doesn’t coincide with any seasonal patterns. For the best surfing conditions, seek out this stretch of shore when the wind is coming from the northeast (best around low and mid tide). Camping so close to a great break is the kind of adventure that you will seek out time and time again. You can’t beat it. Trust us, we’ve been there.

Wildlife watching

Marked by a variety of different landscapes, Andrew Molera state park is great for those seeking to watch wildlife . If patience is your game, you may even be able to spot a California Condor.