$50 - $75 / night

Camper submitted image from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground - 1

Camper submitted image from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground - 2

Nature

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Water

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People

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Camping

Established Camping

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

59 Reviews

Warning 5 Alerts are In Effect

There are 5 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Access to all Big Sur State parks has been impacted by a road failure near Rocky Creek Bridge on Highway One.  This slip-out has resulted in a loss of the southbound lanes and is encroaching upon the northbound lanes. Due to this slip out access and services in the area is extremely limited.  Camping reservations in these parks have been cancelled through May 22; however, cancellations may be extended further. For continuing updates please see <a href="https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency/rocky-creek-slide">www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency/rocky-creek-slide  </a>

The two group sites (Group Camp A and Group Camp B) are closed indefinitely due to storm damage. Please check the web periodically for updates.

Main Camp Campground will be closed for regular maintenance for the month of December.

Effective January 1, 2023, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park will prohibit attaching of any items (hammocks, clothes lines, slacklines, rope swings, etc.) to trees and plants. All plants in the State Park are protected by law (CCR 4306).

Pfeiffer Big Sur has a 2-vehicle limit per site; your camping fees cover the first vehicle.  Extra vehicles will pay an additional fee of $10 per vehicle per night.

About

State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground features 189 RV and tent sites are situated on or near the Big Sur River. There is a Campfire Center that offers evening programs on the weekends during peak season.

Each campsite includes a parking area for at least one car, a fire pit with half-grill and picnic table. No hookups are provided at any site. Fresh water, hot showers and toilets are a short walk.

All incoming campers must check in at the entrance kiosk. Camper vehicles must display vehicle tag (proof of reservation) in the windshield. Vehicle tags are also valid for day use entrance into other area state parks.

Fee Info

-Hike and Bike site: $5/night (hikers and bikers must arrive on foot or by bike, they cannot have a vehicle. Hike and

-Bike stay is limited to two consecutive nights)

Reservation Info

Pfeiffer Big Sur is an extremely popular campground. Reservations fill up six months in advance, even in the winter. Online reservations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at ReserveCalifornia. You may also call toll free 1-800-444-7275. Due to seasonal volume, access to the ReserveCalifornia website and telephone line may be limited at times.

Campsites cannot be reserved online or by phone within a 48-hour arrival window. If ReserveCalifornia shows that sites are available within the next 48 hours, you must be physically present at the kiosk to secure that campsite.

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Location

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground is located in California

Directions

The park is located 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.

Address

47555 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920

Coordinates

36.250435 N
121.78143 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Drinking Water
Alcohol

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Big Rig Friendly

SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE

$50 - $75

/ nightCheck Availability View Site List

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Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

James N.

Ranger

Reviewed Mar. 19, 2024

It's Big Sur...

I first stayed in this campground in 1975 while on break from collage. 49 years later it is still just a beautiful as I remember, even though they were recovering from some very heavy rains, most all of the campsites were open.

Great location to base out of when exploring the central coast. If you are coming from the south be sure to check that Highway 1 (PCH) is open, otherwise you will have to backtrack inland.

Friendly staff, general store, lots of things to do.

Month of VisitApril

(8) View All

Susan Y.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 15, 2023

Beautiful campground

This is our second camping trip here. We made a reservation months in advance to secure a riverfront site. It’s fantastic that you can access the river from this campsite in a very short walking distance. If you’re a light sleeper, be cautious choosing camping near the river because you definitely can hear the sound from it at night! It was still quite warm during daytime when we visited in the first week of September. Flies and other flying insects were a bit annoying during daytime (around 11am -4pm). Will definitely com back at this campsite with more nights in Fall.

Site#186

Month of VisitOctober

(5) View All

Andre V.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 13, 2023

It’s Big Sur, you can’t go wrong .

If you are looking for great car camping, the campground in the park is a great place. It does get a little crowded and you will need to book a few months in advance. But there are plenty of hikes in the park and you are pretty much right there. We saw a lot of wildlife and shooting stars on the clear nights. Most campsites are reasonable size and the campground is huge

SiteWeyland Campsite 088

Month of VisitJune

(13) View All

Susan Y.

Guide

Reviewed May. 27, 2023

Nice experience of our first camping trip here

We stay at campsite #168 for one night in 10/2022. We had great experience of our first camping trip here. The campground is in the redwoods with plenty of shade. Hot shower available with token. Restroom is very clean. Campsite #168 is a bit small and quite close to the neaby campsite that you can even hear snoring from other campers… Will definitely come back to this campground with more nights at a different campsite!

Site168

Month of VisitNovember

Tyler D.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 16, 2023

Riverside goodness

Stayed in site 185 for five days in April. As working full-timers, this site suited our biggest need: clear sky for Starlink and solar. We got consistently good speeds with Dishy on a flagpole, and with 400w on the roof, we almost made it five days without a generator at all. (Lots of furnace use overnight is what got us!) Like all sites, this one was tight for a 27' trailer and full-size truck, but it wasn't awful. A few of the nearby sites are much, much harder to get into, as they're diagonal in the wrong direction w/r/t the one-way road. I'd recommend checking your spot on Google Maps satellite view before booking.

The campground itself was gorgeous. Big old redwoods everywhere, the Big Sur River running fast, and a nice little nature center that's open a few hours each week. I read there that the current Main Campground is being phased out—these might be your last years to camp in the redwood trees here.

Site185

Month of VisitMay

(5) View All

Enrick B.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2022

Lovely two nights

Happy with the clean showers and bathrooms. Showers were $1 for 5 mins. Our campsite was located at the very end. Quite quiet area vs the front campsites which I prefer.

Site107

Month of VisitOctober

(6) View All

Christopher R.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 15, 2022

Great vacation

My gf and I stayed at camp 166. Beautiful redwoods and rivers flowing all around you. They have a store and market down the street with the best blue cheese I’ve ever tryed. The ocean drive will stay in my mind for years to come. We will definitely be coming back…

Site166

Month of VisitOctober

Tabitha

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2022

Into the woods

We were lucky and got the last spot for the night. Very friendly Rangers, big campground that doesn't feel big with lots of trees and shade. We went on a few nice hikes and enjoyed a short swim in the quite cold river.

Month of VisitAugust

Boots

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 7, 2022

Shower, Hiker/Biker, Outlets

Stayed in the hiker/biker campsite. Plenty of spots for campers. They had showers, flushing toilets, and sinks. Deep sink outside of bathroom to wash clothes. Outlets outside of bathroom to charge you things. It’s solid.

SiteHiker/Biker

Month of VisitJuly

Renae P.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2022

Just gorgeous

Sites were large and level. Ours was a river site and we very much enjoyed being able to step back and explore the river right from our base. Bathrooms were busy but quite clean and the camp host was an absolute wealth of information about the area. Loved it here!

SiteWeyland 129

Month of VisitJuly

(4) View All

justin

Ranger

Reviewed May. 15, 2022

Simple and clean

Great location, great service, clean facilities, hassle free. They sell firewood and have a little store on site. There are also gas and small grocery stores close by. You can even get Verizon service in a few pullouts along the road, less than 1 mile south.

Site39, 98, 61

Month of VisitJune

(10) View All

Matt R.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 14, 2022

Great spot

We stayed for two nights in this clean, quiet and beautiful campground. The bathrooms were clean, the water was hat and the river was spectacular.

Site184

Month of VisitJune

Duncan G.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 24, 2022

Beautiful

Big Sur is arguably one of the most beautiful places on our planet. Pfieffer is located in the heart of it. I have been backpacking in the Ventana wilderness for 36 years and have countless memories. This was my first RV trip to Big Sur. I arrived without a reservation and the campground was completely full. The rangers accommodated me in the overflow area in the parking lot of the day use area. It was actually pretty nice. There were only two other RV’s there. The next night there were able to get me a site in the park. It’s a beautiful park. However, there is no wifi and no cell service. As a full-timer I depend on these to stay in communication and plan the next phase of my trip. I had to drive to the post office every day to pick up a weak signal. This is why I only rated this a four. I also had an incident with a ranger that was unsettling. He was carrying a gun and seemed very impressed with himself. I was aroused early in the morning by loud banging on my door. He was confrontational. I had left my recycling including a beer can on the bumper of the RV so that I could take it to the bin in the morning. A couple of items had fallen to the ground. He suggested I may have been driving with an open beer can in the truck. WTF? I nicknamed the guy Bungalo Bill. BTW I never drink and drive.

Month of VisitMarch

Matt L.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 26, 2021

Pfiffer Big Sur State Park

Nice campground, some spots are a little tight backing in so if you got a buddy send em to spot.

Sitew127

Month of VisitDecember

Sonia E.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 25, 2021

Mesmerizing drive up

I was able to only reserve one night about two weeks prior to my stay. On my way out I asked if they take walk ins and they do at $ 35. If we wanted to we would have been able to stay a second night, but we ended up driving North. We saw three deer, river, trees that have been there for several years. Clean bathrooms with soap. Dogs not allowed on trails.

SiteWeyland Campground Big Sur

Month of VisitDecember

(7) View All

RD P.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 21, 2021

Beautiful but crowded

This is an amazing campground on the big sur river. The Rangers do a pretty good job keeping the place up. Fishing is not allowed in the river but not practical anyway because people are swimming in it all the time. I'm a single guy with a truck camper. This is a great spot for families.

Sitetwice one river spot. beautiful

Month of VisitAugust

Raquel R.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2021

Best site I’ve been to

I have been on a cross country trip and this is by far the most beautiful, quiet and peaceful site I’ve been to. The creek is beautiful, the air smells like cedar and juniper, and it’s truly such a wonderful place. I would stay here for a week if I could. Definitely camp here!

Site168

Month of VisitAugust

Kristina B.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2021

Magical

I rented an Escape camper van. Perfect lodging as it was riverside and torrential downpour forced many tent campers to leave.

I was cozy! I brought my propane fire pit as there was a fire ban. Most trails were closed due to mud. So many sites to see around the area. Gorgeous trees and water.

Month of VisitDecember

(16) View All

Alma L.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2021

This park is not closed

Gorgeous, quite and peaceful. This place felt half empty on Memorial Weekend. No mosquitos or ticks which was unusual. The river is running very low but it’s still gorgeous. We had a premium river site and a larger open site. I would stay closer to the river or in an open meadow for sunshine. The sites furthest from the river tucked in on the opposite side were small, dark and freezing cold. Super clean showers. ($1 per 5 minutes - a steal!). Two camp stores nearby + soft serve ice cream for the kids. 1 mile from Andrew Molera Beach (free entry if you are staying at Pfieffer). That breach is cold and cloudy most of the year and an easy flat 1 mile hike in, but it’s beautiful for sure.

SiteSite 73 and 129

Month of VisitJune

Timothy A.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 8, 2021

Peaceful

We stayed in the main campground for 5 days and this place is one of the quietest most relaxing campgrounds I’ve ever been to. Cell service was weak which actually made it better. Bathrooms are clean with showers. Great place!

(6) View All

Jennifer O.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 4, 2021

OPEN and great!

This campground is open but you need to reserve a site 48hrs ahead of time or snag a first-come-first-serve site (which we did!). I think it's a California State Park and Covid thing right now. There is some construction going on but it didn't effect our stay at all. We had a river site. It was tight maneuvering the roads of the campground with the trailer but the site was if enough for our 20ft trailer. Beautiful place and so much to do near by. Staff was helpful and very friendly!

Christina L.

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 11, 2021

An AMAZING Campsite

We came here in February and it was the first day they were allowing campers with reservations back. It was lovely because there was almost no one in the campsites. However, we star park staff were working and it’s obvious that they are working on much of the campground.

There are over 180 campsites. I think the river sites are totally worth the money but honestly if you get any site, you will have a great time.

Plenty of bathrooms, showers etc. Facilities were always clean and there was fresh water and flush toilets.

The park is beautiful and lush. We stayed in campsite 72 and it was large and got a lot of direct sunlight since it was in a clearing. Most of the campsites were huge and had a fire pit with grill and a picnic table.

When we were there it rained a little bit but honestly we did not mind since the campsite was so great. The Big Sur river runs through the site and it was great to bring some chairs and sit along the bank.

My only word of caution: We were able to walk through the entire campsite and my only recommendation would be to avoid the sites in the upper campground that are the farthest away from the river, along the hill. Numbers 110-80. Most of those sites are on a hill and have a pretty steep slant.

(6) View All

Erik M.

Guide

Reviewed Jan. 20, 2021

Quiet and Private

I camped here most recently in August of 2019 with my family in Site 137. The campsite is at the end of the main loop before the road continues on to the other section of the campground. The site is quiet and has privacy on 3 sides. There is a site next to this site but there is some distance between the two sites. There is lots of room for large tents. We were able to place two large tents behind the trees in the back of the campsite. The stream is directly across from the campsite but there is a lot of plant growth preventing easy access. There is also plenty of shade in this site.

The parking pad has space for only two vehicles side by side and it is a tight fit.

There is a water spigot on the road between the two sites so water is not an issue. There are two flush toilets' one campsite away, but since the sites are large it is not as close as you would think. If you want to take a shower you can buy tokens for hot water, but you will need to walk to the next closest bathroom that has the showers.

There are two stores near by. One at the lodge which is open later and also has an ice cream shop and another small store in the campground in the farther loop that also sells ice and firewood. The camp store also has a laundry facility.

The only drawback to the site was bugs during the day time.

SiteSite 137

Month of VisitSeptember

(4) View All

Issa F.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 26, 2020

Bikepacking Oasis

SWOON. So beautiful & lots of campsites for bike and hike in. These spots are close enough to the restrooms and the campsite has a cabinet for protecting gear/food. There’s a restaurant too if you’re feeling fancy or if you need a hot meal.

(4) View All

Amanda R.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2020

Nice campground

We went for Thanksgiving. It rained and rained. Trees were coming down left and right. We were evacuated due to the weather. Bathrooms were nice. Sites were big. It was gloomy and cold. There is some hiking areas. Only one way down to the ocean down a one lane road that is very busy and crowded and not close to town.

Abby J.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 24, 2020

Relaxing nature

Camped three nights in the south campground in a tent. Coin operated showers and indoor plumbing in the bathrooms was nice. Had the feel of camping in a national park (near coffee but still in nature, near world class vistas). 4 stars because a nearby hiking trail was closed, there was very little sun to get through canopy so kinda chilly during the day, and I had to book it six months out.

Month of VisitMarch

Shanelle W.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 5, 2020

Big Saturday in Big Sur!

Drove in Saturday night in January to find maybe the last spot so book ahead of you can! Found a great spot Sunday once it cleared up which was on the river, premium spots are $50 and regular is $35. Hot showers and a great little lodge store with hot coffee ice and snacks. Can’t wait to go back!

Adam J.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 25, 2019

Beautiful redwoods

Lovely narrow canyon with towering Redwoods. Most sites are in the forest including the river sites which generally appear to be worth the upgrade. Plenty of space between many sites but site location is important. Showers were okay.

Corrie G.

Guide

Reviewed May. 21, 2019