Big Sur Camping: The Best Places to Camp in Big Sur
We have been camping in Big Sur a handful of times and it’s one of our all-time favorite places to camp. This stretch of coastline is truly magical and this area is home to some of the most gorgeous campgrounds.
We usually visit in either spring or fall as we like to avoid the summer crowds. Visiting during this time of year can mean gorgeous sunsets, uncrowded hikes, mild weather during the day and slightly lower temperatures at night. However, Big Sur is a great place to camp year round.
These are the best places to camp in Big Sur, must-know packing tips from locals and tips on how to plan your trip!
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which only has two campsites, but sits on the bluff right above McWay Falls. There are plenty of hikes available in and around Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park including Pheiffer Falls, a hike through giant redwoods to a 60-foot waterfall.
Camping fees at Pfeiffer Big Sur are $35-$50 per night.
I didn’t include Julia Pfeiffer Burns merely because it’s extremely tough to get a reservation at one of the two sites, so your best bet is to stay at Pfeiffer Big Sur if you want to be near McWay Falls. This waterfall is just a 15-20 minute drive from the campground.
Kirk Creek Campground
Kirk Creek will always be one of our favorite campgrounds in Big Sur. It sits right on the bluff, overlooking the ocean. We lucked out and arrived just as another camper was packing up and snagged their site right along the cliff’s edge. Half of the sites are available for reservation and the other half are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Camping fees are $35 per night.
Fernwood Resort
Our group camped at Fernwood Resort among the redwood trees. My only complaint about Fernwood (and other campgrounds in the redwoods) during the winter is that it is about ten degrees colder than a campground that gets full sun. The bonus to Fernwood is the restaurant and general store for those times when you don’t feel like cooking or if you forgot a few supplies.
Tent sites at Fernwood Resort start at $65 per night.
Andrew Molera State Park
At Andrew Molera, all of the 24 campsites are hike in only, so this is not the ideal spot for car campers. That being said, if you have the gear, it’s well worth the short hike to the campsites. They do provide a picnic table, fire pit with grill, and food storage bin at each campsite. There are also restrooms and garbage bins near the campsites, so you are not completely roughing it.
To find the park, look for mile marker 51.2 on Highway 1, about 21 miles south of Carmel. All sites are first-come, first-served.
Limekiln State Park
Limekiln State Park is situated in the redwoods, about 56 miles south of Carmel, and it offers 29 campsites located creekside, on the beachfront, and in the forest. This park was once the site of a limekiln operation and just a short walk from your campsite, you can explore the limekiln ruins, in addition to hikes to the beach and Limekiln Falls.
Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table. All campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance and the cost is$35 per night.
Packing List for Camping in Big Sur
We are big fans of packing light when camping and have put together a great kit, which is what we used when camping in Big Sur. Andrew Molera State Park is hike-in only, so you’ll definitely want to limit what you bring to this campground.
Camping Stove: We have done extensive research on the best and lightest backpacking gear. This backpacking stove is tiny and weighs next to nothing.
Cookware: We love this tiny cookware set because it’s extremely compact.
Sleeping Bags: This sleeping bag is extremely warm and it gets excellent reviews.
Tent: We love this lightweight Marmot 2-person tent.
Sleeping Pads: These ones are amazing!
Backpacks: If you are looking for a durable, light, and inexpensive backpack, we recommend the Teton Scout.
Portable Charger: We carry this portable charger to charge our phones.
For more packing tips, read our Ultimate Packing Checklist for Campers
If you find yourself in Big Sur, we highly recommend taking a drive to Point Lobos State Reserve in Carmel. It’s one of the most beautiful places to travel in Central California. For more great places to camp in the United States, see our Havasu Falls travel tips, Yellowstone camping tips, and the best places to camp in California.
Read More:
The Ultimate Guide to California’s Pacific Coast Hwy
How to Choose the Best Travel Camera
15 Best Weekend Getaways in California
Northern California Packing Guide for Women
10 Best Free Campgrounds in Northern California
The Best Photography Locations in California
Great info! Planning a cross-country trip on my motorcycle. I noticed Kirk Creek Campground doesn’t have showers, how about restroom or port-a-john?
Great post, but I would disagree with taking a phone…this is where you want to disconnect from the world.
We use our phones for more than just surfing the web and it’s always good to have a phone in case of emergency. You likely won’t have much service in this area so it’s usually set to airplane mode anyway. 🙂
Most of your Garmin utilities are equipped with Emergency Beacons and tracking these days….but I hear you, take the phone for emergency only
This images are great, have to taken it all by yourself?
Until now Ican still remember the scenic look of the place.As if that was yesterday but that was a year ago.
Is there a certain campsite you recommend in kirk creek or andrew molar? Friends and I are looking to go in the spring and we’d love to get the best campsite we can!
I honestly don’t even remember which site we stayed in. I think there were only two left when we got there. You can call and ask them which ones are the best. Have fun!
one day i will go to big sur, and i will bring this list 🙂
It’s one of our favorite places to visit! I hope you make it there.
This place is magical. Exceptional shots, well done
It looks like you found some good places to stop and enjoy nature. Keep sharing!
I am not much of a camper, but I lived in CA for a while and I hate I never went to these locations. Great pictures. Wow, this is a very peaceful scene.
Thanks for the great info, I just booked a reservation at Kirk Creek for the end of April due to your writeup. We are coming out from Colorado and taking a big road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway for the first time. Any insider info is much appreciated.
Thanks again!
Hi Jenna. That’s great! You will love Kirk Creek. For more information about Big Sur and the Central Coast, see these articles:
http://ordinarytraveler.com/articles/the-big-south
http://ordinarytraveler.com/articles/forgotten-coast-central-california
If you make it to Southern California, we highly recommend the Channel Islands and Oxnard:
http://ordinarytraveler.com/articles/oxnard-california-travel
Let us know if you have any more questions!
Camping and hiking in Big Sur? I like these photos.
From above places Kirk Creek Campground is very beautiful and best place for camping. Best and cool weather around this Kirk Creek Campground is very impressive. Thank you for sharing such a impressive information.
I’ve always wanted to go to Big Sur, but never got the chance or at least, I’ve held myself back for one reason or another. I’m more motivated now by you guys. You two are such inspiration to get out and camp.
I agree! Thanks for the ideas. I, too, have yet to try out Big Sur (which is so nuts, since it’s clearly GORGEOUS and friends have talked it up for years!). Now that we have two little kids (that are finally big enough to take camping- yeay!) we’re even more motivated to get back to our previous camping lifestyle. I love the ideas you show-cased! Now, just to wait until the spring…
I’m glad to hear the post has inspired you to visit, @mailishachesney:disqus!
Images are so amazing to watch. Are they photoshopped or just few photo effects ?
Thanks, Susan. I did HDR on a couple of these photos. That’s probably the effect you are noticing. Thanks for the comment and happy holidays!
My favorite campsite, view-wise, of all-time is located about 30 miles south of Big Sur: the Treebones Resorts. They’re known for their awesome yurts, but they have several spots available (5 I think) for tent camping, each with AMAZING views out towards the ocean. And their lodge/restaurant/deck bar is a great bonus! http://treebonesresort.com/
I have heard of this place, but never stayed there. Thanks for the suggestion!
I’ll second the Treebones Resort Recommendation– loved checking out the photos of home though, makes me a bit homesick!
I saw an article on this place last month. Thanks for the rec!
One would love to just sit down whole day and watch the sea shores waves moving to and fro. Thanks Awesome pics
I know! Talk about “living in the moment,” eh? Easier to do when the moment is breath-taking! 8^)
the images are great! the seashore image is so stunning!
Thanks, Nica!
The seashore images are beautiful. Big Sur is the loveliest seaside drive in North America.
I agree. Although, I do love the view further north as well.
-Christy
Thanks for the tips. I camped in Morro Bay during the summer and was thinking about doing the same in Big Sur. Now, I have a better idea of where to go.
No problem! I’m sure you will love any of these campgrounds.