Fernwood Campground & Resort

This is a perfect place to go for a camping experience. The kids would absolutely love it. Free showers. The water is very hot. Washers and dryers for a small fee. There is a quarter machine inside the washer & dryer area so bring some cash. The place is very clean. Enough spots on the river to enjoy for yourself. We stayed in lot #39. I love the redwood trees so being surrounded by them was amazing. I hope this helps. Oh and there are a couple cats out there that will stop by if you have food left out so put away your food.

We just returned from a 3 night car camping trip at Fernwood. The site is beautiful, with a river running through that the kids loved playing in. There’s a little hike that my young kids enjoyed (plenty of longer hikes to be found, but my young’und were having none of it).

Everything was clean. Showers and toilets all worked. The camp store was well stocked for everything you forgot & there’s a well situated restaurant that served us a decent lunch

Found this campground last-minute after other plans fell through. We bit the bullet and paid for the expensive, tiny site, but it was so worth it! This campground has it all. Hiking trails connecting to the state park, stairs up to the camp store and restaurant/bar, and a gorgeous setting along the river. There was even a wedding happening when we stayed which was looked beautiful! Ultimately, pricey depending on the day and site, but in my mind worth every penny. We will be going back!

This place is Fancy, hot showers, light outlets convenience store and restaurant on the top. So nice though, next a river, but close to other campers. The showers were nice and  clean bathrooms. The lady in charge was so nice and hospitable ready to help. She took us in without reservations.

Campground is a bit small but it’s pretty. There are plenty of redwoods around so it’s very shaded. Sites are fairly close together.. I have a RTT and I had to swing my ladder to the other side because the neighbor tent was so close and I didn’t want to step on anyone. It’s clean and they offer cabins and tents to reserve. They have toilets and showers with hot water. Maximum 2 cars and 6 people per site since it’s very small. There is a river that runs though the site. I felt that it was a bit expensive for my taste since the charge per person and car but it’s a resort. My friends felt like it was too cold and there were children screaming so it’s not very quiet. I didn’t not have phone service but I did see a pay phone and there’s a general store and tavern.

I spent a few nights camping here in January and it was quiet and peaceful. The camp host was extremely nice and hooked me up with a huge bundle of wood. It’s fun to camp on the river in the trees and having access to a shower is always a plus. The only negative is the sites are close together and it is a little pricey. However it is worth it to spend time in beautiful Big Sur.

Sites are packed in but understandably given the location. Big trees and the river make it feel less crowded than it is.

Great spot in Big Sur.

We stayed at site #66 in early November.

Pros: Our site was large and had River access. It was equipped with a picnic table and fire ring with grate. Power and water were also at the site. Close to the bathrooms but not too close that it was loud. The bathrooms were big and had free showers. There was a laundry room and also an area to dishes near the restrooms. We had three cars and three tents and still have plenty plenty of space. The property had a motel, restaurant, general store and also small cabins for stay options. We appreciated the locations proximity to the sites of Big Sur. We also spent a lot of time at the site since it was so beautiful too. It rained each evening during our stay and was pretty cold but we had a great time still :)

Cons: Site 66 was huge but was also right near the road used by many people at all hours of the day/night. The location is great but was very pricy. The site rate only pays for 2 people and 2 cars. So we had to pay $10 a person and $5 per car, per day above that 2people/2cars.

We were just happy and fortunate to find a spot for the night in Big Sur during this crazy covid year. The campground was full and very dry and dusty, but the creek was refreshing and the sounds of the water and owls at night was soothing. Would love to return to the area for more exploring when it’s not so busy!

A little slice of babbling brook heaven with delightful showers

This is my second choice campground right in Big Sur. Not because I really like it, I've been there when it was too crowded, but because it has similar qualities to my favorite campground across the road -Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. 

In the summer the campground is thick with families and RVs/trailers, and tent campers. But off season the place mellows out and there is room to move. The campground is on either side of the Big Sur River, RVs and trailers on one side, tent campers on the other. 

Amenities are there, but the free showers on the tent camping side of the campground are better than the pay for showers on the RV side. Every time I've had a meal at the restaurant there has been a different menu and style. Maybe they change chefs every season, but it's not a far drive down to Deetjen's for breakfast if one is up for a treat. The Fernwood General Store has a good selection of food items, wood for the fire, and a few camp supplies.

My most recent stay here was in July 2019, on my sister's vacation with her RV. We had spot number 9 which was smack dab in the middle of everything which was not my preference, but my sister loved it. When I have a choice, I tent camp or vanlife in Big Sur between September and April. 

I would give it between 3 and 4 stars, depending on season and how much you like to be around other people.

Fernwood is a unique campground because it has tent sites, RV spaces, canvas tents, cabins, a motel and even a restaurant. It’s situated on the river in Big Sur, and is surrounded by the majestic Redwood trees. If you don’t feel like cooking head up to the restaurant for a delicious meal. There’s also a small market to pick up necessities and ice.

Traveling alone with two little girls, I opted for more populated campgrounds with nearby amenities. Granted, it was spring and the weather still too cold for most, so the Fernwood Campground was all but deserted. (If there were more people, it would likely have been loud in the campground as the spots are really close together.)

We rented a yurt for two nights right on the Big Sur River. My girls had a blast playing in the mud, traversing the meadow and climbing readwoods. Really, this place lacks nothing.

One major stair climb and you are in the hotel on HWY 101. My youngest has a knack for falling in rivers, so we took advantage of the laundry facilities in a nearby hotel while sipping cocoa and eating a hearty breakfast.

Only 4 stars because the spots are too close together to achieve that "remote" feel I like.

There is nothing not gorgeous about this site in Big Sur. It’s also very close to Pfeiffer Beach. Along with access to the site, there are resort amenities like a restaurant up the hill, a general store, and a full bar with a patio. This is a really great and affordable site. Our group stayed in a yurt, but it’s really unnecessary to spend that extra money if you have a tent.

Loved this campground, only able to stay 1 night but will be going back!