Camping in Big Sur

Big Sur camping epitomizes the rugged California coastline with towering redwoods and roaring surf.

97% (3005 reviews)
97% (3005 reviews)

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12 top campgrounds in Big Sur

91%
(482)

Saddle Mountain Carmel

34 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents89 acres · Carmel, CA
Welcome to Saddle Mountain, RV and Campground! We are located on 89 acres of forest land off Carmel Valley Road, just 5 miles from HWY 1. Nestled within oaks, Monterey pines, and redwoods, Saddle Mountain offers a great family friendly getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life. PLEASE NOTE, our RV and tent sites are pet friendly but YOU MUST ADD THE PET FEE EXTRA WHEN MAKING YOUR BOOKING. Our glamping stays are NOT pet-friendly aside from one of our luxury tents. We charge $15 per pet and you can bring a maximum of 2 pets. On site seasonally heated pool (Mid May through Oct). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *Please continue reviewing/monitoring California Travel guidelines as they may change and affect your reservation* On site seasonally heated pool (seasonally), private hiking trail, playground, Foosball table and more. No refund for inclement weather during the Winter months. We provide complementary Wi-Fi in designated areas of the park. We ask that there is no streaming at the Park so we can share Wi-Fi with all our guests. Thank you!
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$98
 / night
95%
(564)

dabudage Big Sur

8 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · CA
​​​DABUDAGE is a minimalistic homestead with family, friends and animals In southern Big Sur at the base of a deep canyon with tall mountains. It sits along a flowing creek near the ocean. Backed by redwood trees and surrounded by national forest. Please READ This ENTIRE Description BEFORE requesting to book. Reservations are ONLY accepted 21 days or less prior to booking. You must Arrive Before Dark to find your site. There is no wi-fi, cell service or electricity. Hwy 1 is currently closed to the north of this land. The only access is through Cambria from the south or over the mountain from King City off of Hwy 101 There is a small communal guest kitchen, fresh water, a shower/bath and composting barrel poopers. ​A massive flood in Jan 2021 brought 100's of gigantic full sized redwood trees and boulders smashing down thru most of the previous structures. It is in the process of rebuilding. ​ Children are welcome. ​ Alcohol is discouraged. ​ No electronic music devices. ​ Fires in designated pits only. ​ Dogs are welcome off-leash. Pack out trash. TO RESERVE A SITE - Please include a bit about yourself/party and where you’re coming from. Requests are usually checked once daily. You can also visit our site on the web at dabugage dot com for more info
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$60
 / night
99%
(250)

Road's End, Bradley Lockwood

2 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Lockwood, CA
Peaceful and private RV camping under the oaks with picnic table, fire pit and Adirondack chairs. We currently have two sites on our property. They are about 300 feet apart and not easily visible from each other. Property is fully fenced; both sites are next to an open field under the oaks with vineyard, olive orchard and mountain views. This property is 30 miles from Paso Robles and almost perfectly centered between Missions San Antonio and San Miguel. Lakes San Antonio and Nacimiento are close by. Coastal towns of Cayucos and Morro Bay are about an hour scenic drive, passing many wineries along the way. There is space for multiple RVs or additional tents sharing your party's RV restroom facilities. Site one will accommodate sixteen people and multiple vehicles. Site two will accommodate ten people and two vehicles. For larger groups we ask that that you book both sites. We have hosted many family reunions and the feedback has been 100% positive. Please feel free to message us with questions.
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$39
 / night
100%
(301)

Hideaway Oaks

4 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Lockwood, CA
This campsite is a natural setting in the corner of our lower pasture. It features several oaks and lots of room. It is an extremely private spot free from other campers or busy traffic. This site now includes a picnic table on a leveled area, a firepit and a toilet . Water is available if you wish to hike a bit up a hill. You can enjoy our beautiful evening skies, sunrises and starlit nights. If you are looking for a peaceful, poison oak free, quiet hideaway, this is your place. Trails are available for walks and taking in the views of the valley below. Since this site is tucked away in our pasture we recommend that campers arrive before dark. We are located near Lake San Antonio, Lake Nacimiento, San Antonio Mission, San Miguel Mission, Fort Hunter Liggett, and the Nacitone Museum. There is local wine tasting and we are 45 minutes away from wine tasting in Paso Robles. Many campers find this to be an ideal meeting place for family and friends coming from the north and south.
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$35
 / night
99%
(154)

San Juan Bautista Dog Friendly

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · San Juan Bautista, CA
Known to many in the Bay Area as the "Nearby Getaway," Mi Querida is a quick and easy drive from the SF Bay Area. Come to relax in peace and quiet, pleasant outdoor. A short drive away but far from troubles you've left behind! Relax and rejuvenate. The weather is always temperate, sometimes the evening marine layer lavishly blankets the rolling hills like cotton. Evening campfires are cozy and relaxing. Easy access to Highway 101 for "Nearby Getaways" or convenient stops along your travels. Nearby attractions include whale watching, Elkhorn Slough Safaris, fishing, Monterey Zoo, Fisherman's Whart, world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and miles of beaches, redwoods, miles of bike trails from the new Coastline Trail to Fort Ord and Niscene Marks Redwoods, wine tasting and more. Host is a well-experienced event and tour planner. Simply ask for recommendations. Come to your "Nearby Getaway" at Mi Querida - an easy drive from the SF Bay Area - for great sky views, and pleasant country walks, or step back in time to the Mission-era town of San Juan Bautista without commercialism! Well, we do have a gas station, a market, the active mission, of course, a step back in history, a few quaint restaurants, craft beer and local wines in our "one-horse" historical town. For the ultimate Nearby Getaway book the entire property and bring along your own selected guest list of friends or family. We invite private groups to exclusive use of the property for Getaways, family & friends picnics, celebrations, reunions, even weddings. Day use or overnite facilities. Groups of 1-100. NEWS FLASH: Skip the long stopover at urban EV charging stations. Charge your EV overnite! Special rates for stopover charging! Easy off and on to Highway 101, 129. 156 and on your way! Learn more about this land: This is a large flat site with rolling hills, lovely rural views, rolling oak studded pastureland, open views, lovely sunsets and beautiful mornings. Very quiet, private, peaceful and serene. Afternoon breezes while red tailed hawks ride the thermals, and woodpeckers work on their treasure hoarde. Spot the breeding pair of Bald Eagles who swoop down almost low enough to touch! Wildlife abounds. Easy access from Highway 101, yet private and secluded. Historic San Juan Bautista Mission and town nearby. Monterey/Carmel 30 minutes. Santa Cruz/Beaches 20 minutes. Hollister, Salinas, or Gilroy 20 minutes. Site will accommodate RV, Sprintervan, or trailer 50/30/20 amp service. Tents welcome too! Water. Ranch "outhouse" with flushable composting style toilet, running hot & cold water, shower and electricity. Bunkhouse rustic accommodations available. Contact Host for details. Tent and Car Top Tent sites also available. Contact Host for details. Beautiful peaceful historic San Juan Bautista. Quaint historic mission town nearby with restaurants. Hiking trails nearby Horseback riding woods & beach. Equine Facilities available. 20 min to beach or redwoods. Beautiful rural area. Weddings, anniversaries, celebrations of life; event camp; event site. Family groups and events always welcome! Call for more information. NOTE: This property is located in a very private country area. It is approximately 8 minutes from the small historic town of San Juan Bautista. We meet our first time guests at the Park & Ride as a welcome courtesy so you can easily follow us in and around the potholes on our rural roads! Let us know if we can assist you with any special interests or attractions in the Monterey Bay and Central Coast Area. As your hosts, our goal is that you will rest easy, enjoy the relaxation, peace and harmony for your "getaway."
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$74.75
 / night
97%
(1033)

40mins to Pinn Song of the Ancients

18 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Paicines, CA
Only 35 miles from Pinnacle National Park! An easy drive from San Jose, Morgan Hill, San Francisco Bay Area and the East Bay. From here you are closer to Pinnacles, Monterey, Carmel, the Ocean, Salinas and the Salinas Valley, San Juan Bautista, as well as the Central Valley and I-5. Winter is here! With cool evenings spent sipping hot chocolate or tea in front of a roaring fire. Dress in layers and the sun will warm you and the evening cool is made comfortable with warm clothing under the brilliant milky way. In the oak studded world of the Diablo Mountain Range, the ocean influence sends cool breezes through, gently winding their way through the oaks, offering shade through the heat of the summer and losing their leaves to let the sun warm you in winter. You can use this as a home base and spend days at Pinnacle, the beach, Monterey, Carmel, the Central Valley, and so on or...you can rest and relax the world away, this is a place to regain your balance; come with your cares leave clear and regenerated. This is a place to sing and dance, to talk late into the night as the night sky fills with stars and the campfire dies down. We are perfect for group gatherings, and can accommodate your large party easily and comfortably. This is a fantastic place to bird watch and listen to the sounds of nature. What we provide is: outdoor hot shower, flush toilet, clean clear water from faucets, and at your campsite a fire pit and grill to cook on, picnic table with benches, and the blue oak savanna. Firewood for $15/bundle, fire starters -first two free in the winter then $0.50/each. Our firewood is sustainably harvested from downed trees and branches. We sell it for a neighbor. No healthy live trees are harmed in order to produce firewood. No native trees are felled in order to plant fast growing hardwood for fire or anything else! We are at same latitude of Carmel (but a world away), Between Hollister and the Monterey - Salinas metro area and Los Banos and the San Joaquin Valley, close to the vast San Francisco Bay Area; which includes Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek and all the East, North, and South Bay to Pinnacles National Monument and the town of Paicines. You can spend the day in San Juan Bautista at the Mission and Shops or breakfast or lunch at Flapjacks in Tres Pinos, Monterey at the Aquarium, walk on the beach at Moss Landing, hike at Pinnacles, Fremont Peak, Griswold Mountains, or Panoche Hills. Then back home to sit in a quiet world under the stars. You can also...do nothing. Read a book doze in the shade drift off in a hammock or walk and discover the land and recover your place in this world. The Blue Oaks are hard at work at the job they have held for 3 million years; shading and cooling California. Summer is a coming in! Come and cool off under the Blue Oaks during the warm days and cool dark skies of summer. The annual grasses are turning gold and now you can see the green of the native grasses and plants with stars of color amid gold. The days are bright and sunny and comfortably warm. The nights are cool and crisp and filled with the song of coyote and their frog chorus'. Bring your family and friends outside and laze around in the hammock or put your feet up on the side of the campfire, throw your head back and lose yourself in the galaxies above. You can pitch any where from 1 to 15 or more tents at each campsite. Our campsites are RV friendly but remember we are off grid so we do not have blackwater facilities or electricity for RVs. We do have garden hoses to fill up the RV water tanks. Song of the Ancients is a program of wildfarmers, a 501c3 not for profit woman led organization. Bringing people back in touch with the ancient woods of California for over fourteen years. Our main focus is restoring and saving the Blue Oak Ecosystem for the future. Pitch your tent or park your camper amid the ancient Blue Oaks of California. Warm yourself by your campfire as you drink in the dark skies. Shake the dust off your work worn spirit. Let the celebration begin. Dance to the music in your heart sing along with the songs of the ancients. Regenerate. A place to breathe and to hear yourself breathe. A sacred place in the shade of the blue oaks. It's time to take time. Time to play and enjoy with friends and family. A place to bask in opulent starlight and absorb the sounds of darkness. A quiet place to clear your soul and revive your spirit. As the air softens and relaxes listen closely to the ancients singing in the oaks. Lend your voice to the Song of the Ancients and let Coyote sing you to sleep.
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$54
 / night
100%
(14)

TASHCREEK

6 sites · RVs5 acres · Greenfield, CA
5 USABLE ACRES LOCATED IN LAS PADRES FOREST AREA; A SPECIAL AREA ONCE HOME OF INDIANS BEAUTIFUL HIKING TRAILS AND BIKING ON PAVED SURFACES. LOCATED BETWEEN HIWAYS 1 AND 101. PINACLES PARK LOCATED 20 MILES AWAY. A SERENE UNINCORPORATED SPOT FOR RETREAT AND CAMPING ACTIVITY. SITES ARE GATED AND SAFE FROM UNINVITED TRAFFIC. CAMPFIRE RINGS CAN BE USED WITH PRIOR CONSENT. OUTDOOR TABLES. NON POTABLE WATER AND ELECTRICITY PROVIDED. LAND PHONE SERVICE AVAILABLE TO GUESTS UPON REQUEST. SELF CONTAINED RECREATIONAL VEHICLES ONLY AT THIS TIME. WELL BEHAVED DOGS WELCOME. BRING INSECT REPELLANT FOR PERSONAL COMFORT. SOME THINGS ALL CAMPERS NEED; HIKING BOOTS AS THE TERRAINE CAN BE HIKED IF DESIRED. BACK PACKS AND WATER BOTTLES. HAT FOR SUN PROTECTION. THE BASIC CAMP SITE IS CLEAN FLAT AND HAS SHADE OR SUN ACESS.. ELECTRICITY IS PROVIDED. NON POTABLE WATER PROVIDED. A FIRE PIT IS PROVIDED. SITES ARE FENCED AND GATED TO ALLOW CAMPERS TO EXPLORE SURROUNDING LOCATIONS AND NOT WORRY ABOUT VEHICLES AND BELONGINGS.
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$50
 / night
98%
(388)

Camp near Pinnacles National Park

23 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2200 acres · Paicines, CA
Started in 2014 by Tim and Michelle Borland and their three kids, the Bar SZ Ranch is a true family business with a mission to help others “forge their legacy.” Set on 2200-acres in its own valley with iconic California oak trees and golden hills; views of the surrounding mountains and Pinnacles National Park; and painted, sunlit skies guests can't get enough of, this working ranch offers unique, getaway camping and glamping experiences for both new and seasoned campers. The Bar SZ Campground is near Pinnacles National Park but relatively remote from other services, which is part of what makes the area so special. It is a place to unplug, share stories and spend time with your family and friends, and explore the wilderness of California. If you’d like to schedule animal feeding, horseback riding, arena riding/horsemanship lessons, or archery/BB gun lessons with us, these are available at an additional cost and a link will be provided for booking. (No activities available on Sundays or Mondays, except for holiday weekends.) From the ranch: Pinnacles National Park East entrance 6.6 miles Nearest Groceries and restaurants: Hollister 36 miles north King City 28.5 miles south Tres Pinos 29.2 miles north The nearest amenities (stores, restaurants, gas) are about 30 miles away so please plan ahead and bring the things you will need during your stay. We have great service for AT&T on the ranch. Do you have an even larger group? Message us if you have a larger event or are interested in a whole campsite/ranch rental.
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$90
 / night
100%
(167)

Redwood Cabins

5 sites · Lodging13 acres · Carmel Valley, CA
25 minute drive on a country road to Carmel Valley Village and all it's wineries and restaurants. Buy that perfect bottle of wine and enjoy it in your tent topped cabin, or redwood cabin. The Los Padres dam in the Ventana wilderness is just down the road.. Nothing but peace and quiet other than the crickets, birds, frogs, and the resident owl. Relax and recharge away from city life. 40 minutes to the coast, Carmel's shops and galleries and restaurants. A few more minutes puts you on the most beautiful golf courses in the world or take Highway #1 to Big Sur for the day. Short drive and hike to Los Padres Dam . Fishing, rubber rafts, and a gorgeous spillway. Spend the night at the Redwood Cabin on your way to your adventure at Tassjarra. Ride your mountain bike along scenic Cachagua rd with it's SEASONAL creek to Chews Ridge. Totally private and quiet. Off the power grid. 12v power supplied by solar and batteries. Unlimited hot water in the private bath house. The bath house is a 40 step stroll through the oaks, No tv's or microwaves. AT&T cell service along with a few other small providers. Guests love staying here "Really lovely little camp cabin. Has everything you need to elevate your camping experience while maintaining the outdoor feels. It was so nice to have a flush toilet and indoor sleeping area while being able to prepare food outdoors. The property is somewhat remote, tucked away from light pollution, providing excellent stargazing. I really enjoyed the peacefulness of this trip, and the hosts were excellent."
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$149
 / night

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Big Sur guide

Overview

Perfectly positioned on Highway 1 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway) between Monterey and San Simeon, Big Sur is tucked against the backdrop of the Santa Lucia Range. Privately owned Big Sur campgrounds and cottages dot the land, while coveted state park spots suit all camping styles, from walk-in tent sites with fire rings and RV hookups to tent cabins with hot showers. Pitch your tent under Redwood trees in an old-growth forest, or sleep beside the Big Sur River. Crown jewels include the 80-foot McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park's own 60-foot cascade. Book early, as the best Big Sur camping can book up six months in advance.     

Where to go

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park & Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Pfeiffer Falls is just one of the many gems to discover at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, ideal for a day hike or evening stroll through Redwood groves and river gorges. Pfeiffer Beach offers a sheltered cove known for its tide pools—well worth the 2-mile windy drive down. Nearby Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is home to McWay Falls, best viewed from the McWay Falls Overlook Trail. The best Big Sur camping includes 174 sites at Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground or two secluded, walk-in campsites at Julia Pfeiffer Burns Campground.

Andrew Molera State Park

There's no car or RV camping at Andrew Molera State Park, but it’s a short trek to the 24 walk-in tent camping sites in an open meadow at the Andrew Molera Trail Camp. This Big Sur campground is well situated for exploring miles of hiking trails. Set off on the Bluffs and Panorama Trail or the Andrew Molera Beach Trail for beach access and views on the Big Sur coast.

Ventana Wilderness

Within Los Padres National Forest, this federally protected wilderness includes some 200 miles of trails. Hikers will encounter a varied terrain, from riparian creeks to the steep, rocky ridges of the Santa Lucia mountains. Backpackers heading into the backcountry are rewarded with miles-high views. Be prepared if you decide to explore the terrain and be sure to observe any fire restrictions.

Carmel Valley & Monterey Bay

Take a side trip into this scenic area, with Monterey Bay and Carmel-by-the-Sea offering Pacific ocean views for coastal campers just 15 miles from the inland Carmel Valley. Stop for wine tasting at a variety of tasting rooms, head to Garland Ranch Regional Park’s many hiking trails, from oak woodlands to ridge trails with views of the Monterey Peninsula, or hit the horseshoe-shaped bay’s Monterey Bay Aquarium.

San Simeon

Considered the gateway to the Big Sur area, this coastal village is home to Hearst Castle, the Piedras Blancas Light Station, and a rookery where you'll find colonies of northern elephant seals year-round. San Simeon beaches are popular for picnics, while fishing is possible from the pier.

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