Want to plan a camping trip with your friends? Try visiting the heavenly beautiful Big Sur!
Stretching from Carmel to San Simeon, this 90-mile central coast of California is filled with the most gorgeous and exquisite sceneries. The views that you capture with your eyes will dwell in your minds forever, because nature, here, has truly worked wonders.
Known for its wild and rugged beauty, Big Sur is one of the most famous spots for camping. All in all, it is truly a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
If you are planning to camp at Big Sur you do not have to worry about the timing as the views this place offers to its visitors all year round, are to-die-for. Be it summer, spring, or winter; you will not regret hitting this amazing camping site!
The Best Camp Sites in Big Sur
Big Sur is filled with phenomenal campsites, and it is a perfect place for camping for everyone. Be it an on-budget camping group or a group of luxury-seekers; this place has something for everyone!
Tent and RV Camping Sites
There are in total five, most popular tent and RV camping sites in Big Sur, and people book these almost six months in advance.
Andrew Molera State Park
Comparatively, the Andrew Molera State Park is not much developed, but the camping basics such as fire pits, picnic tables, garbage bins, and restrooms are available on site. In total, there are 24 camping sites, and each site is for four people. The earlier you arrive, the better campsite you will get, because these are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
It offers some of the best riverfront sites in the categories of standard and premium. There are 189 campsites, each of which can accommodate up to 8 people. 27-feet trailers and 32-feet motorhomes are allowed on the campsites here at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. To camp here, you must book the sites six months in advance as it is one of the most popular ones available.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
If you want to camp along-side the majestic 80-foot waterfall and enchanting ocean views, the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is the perfect option for you. There are two campsites available here that offer only hike-only entrance. Both sites can accommodate a maximum of 8 individuals. The bookings for these sites open six months in advance.
Limekiln State Park
A perfect combination of ocean views, redwood trees, and historical sites, the Limekiln State Park offers 33 campsites. If you are in for beach camping, the Limekiln State Park is where you need to go.
Kirk Creek Campground
Offering 34 campsites, all of which boast gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, the Kirk Creek Campground is one of the best camping areas in Big Sur. Surrounded by trails that offer splendid views, it is the perfect option for you if you want to enjoy ocean view camping.
Luxury Camping Sites
Want to experience luxurious camping at its best? Big Sur offers two out-of-this-world camping sites that are specifically for the luxury-seeking campers!
Treebones Resort and Fernwood Campground
If you are looking for the best glamping site in Big Sur, the Treebones resort is one of the two best options available in the area. Ocean views, complimentary on-site buffet breakfast, two on-site restaurants, hot tub, and a pool are the facilities campers can enjoy at this site.
The Fernwood campground offers motel rooms, adventure tents, forest and tent cabins for the luxury-loving campers. It provides amazing facilities to the campers to help them experience the best of glamping in Big Sur.
Free Camping Sites
If you are a budget camper, then the Los Padres National Forest is the perfect camping site for you. The exotic region offers numerous great spots where you can camp without paying any charges. It offers some of the best camping sites in Big Sur such as Los Burros Road, Nacimiento-Ferguson Road, and Plaskett Ridge Road.
Planning a Big Sur Camping Trip
Now that you have chosen your Big Sur campsite, it is time that you start planning the trip.
Step 1: Packing
The first step is to pack and make sure you keep everything that you might need while camping at Big Sur. Here is a checklist that will help you in packing.
- Camping stove and cookware
- Tent and sleeping bags
- Backpack
- All-weather clothes along with a rain-coat
- Flashlight
- Pocket multi tool
- Water bottle
- First-aid kit and bug repellent
- Trekking shoes and poles
- Campfire permit
Step 2: Draw Out a Complete Plan
It is best to plan out your entire stay so that you do not miss out on the important things. There are so many activities to do and so many places to visit. Of course, visiting them all is not a possibility, therefore make sure you choose the ones that are near to your campsite. Point Sur lighthouse, highway one, henry miller memorial library, Pfeiffer beach, state parks, hot springs, and the best places you must visit.
Step 3: Read About the Things to Watch Out
A smart approach, when it comes to camping, is to prepare for the worst situations. Knowing about the things that you need to watch out will help you stay extra-cautious. In Big Sur, there are a couple of things that you must know about, such as poison oak, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and black bears.
Make sure you follow the guide completely for a phenomenal camping experience at Big Sur. You will not regret choosing this scenic place as your camping site!