Best Cabin Camping near Big Sur, CA

Several campgrounds near Big Sur, California provide rustic cabins nestled among redwood trees, with varying levels of amenities and comfort. Big Sur Campground & Cabins offers private cabins along the river, providing a welcome retreat during colder weather. Fernwood Campground & Resort features small cabins alongside their motel and restaurant facilities, with modern bathrooms and free showers nearby. "The property had a motel, restaurant, general store and also small cabins for stay options. We appreciated the location's proximity to the sites of Big Sur," notes Christina L., who stayed at Fernwood. Riverside Campground & Cabins provides similar accommodations with electricity and access to clean facilities. Most cabins include basic furnishings with heating options, though specific amenities vary by location.

Pet-friendly cabin options can be found at several locations, though policies differ regarding size restrictions and additional fees. Saddle Mountain Ranch in nearby Carmel offers "cabins that are tight but nice and clean" with "all the necessary utensils and dishes to cook for a couple nights," according to Craig N. The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday provides small cabin rentals that serve as a convenient base for exploring Big Sur. Reservations are essential, particularly during summer months when demand peaks. Many cabins book months in advance, especially those at popular locations like Big Sur Campground & Cabins, which provides welcome packages including mugs, cards, flashlights, and firewood.

Most cabin rentals include beds with mattresses but require guests to bring their own linens, pillows, and towels. Kitchen facilities vary widely, from basic setups with microwaves to more complete kitchens with cookware and utensils at locations like Saddle Mountain Ranch. On-site general stores at Big Sur Campground & Cabins, Fernwood, and Riverside Campground stock essential groceries, though selection is limited and prices higher than in town. Visitors staying in more rustic cabins should pack cooking equipment, food storage containers, and all necessary toiletries. While cell service is limited throughout the region, some locations offer Wi-Fi for an additional fee, though connectivity can be unreliable in this remote forest setting.

Best Cabin Sites Near Big Sur, California (17)

    1. Big Sur Campground & Cabins

    28 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2322

    $80 - $699 / night

    "It's on the north end of Big Sur which is great since you can come from the north or drive through Big Sur to get there (which is beautiful)."

    "Big Sur Campground and Cabins, while on the pricier side for camping, definitely delivers on cleanliness, service, and quality of experience."

    2. Ventana Campground

    23 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2331

    $85 - $105 / night

    "I have always ended up here every time I have visited Big Sur because the public campgrounds in the area are always booked out, but this has to be one of my favorite places that I have ever camped."

    "We were incredibly fortunate when we camped as all of the National Parks had been closed due to the Dolan fires, and Highway 1 was closed just after the campground turnoff, so there literally was no traffic"

    3. Fernwood Campground & Resort

    16 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2422

    $60 - $100 / night

    "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."

    "Fernwood is a unique campground because it has tent sites, RV spaces, canvas tents, cabins, a motel and even a restaurant."

    4. Julia Pfeiffer Burns Environmental Camping — Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

    13 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-1112

    "The redwoods gave tons of cover and space to set up hammocks. 

    You can walk over and see McWay Falls on the path. You are also within walking distance to the beach as well."

    "This is another favorite of my Big Sur stops. If you're with a big group, this campground has lots of tent sites and plenty of room to host multiple campers."

    5. Saddle Mountain Ranch

    27 Reviews
    Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 624-1617

    "This place is nestled in the Carmel Valley and decently secluded. We booked a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill."

    "Great location with nice views of the valley. Easy drive in with parking spots next to most sites.

    Camp sites and cabins are a little close together but nice, clean grounds make it comfortable."

    6. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    90 Reviews
    Pinnacles, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 200-1722

    $44 - $164 / night

    "We stayed here due to having to detour from Big Sur because of the landslide that closed the 1 hwy. on our way up to Alaska."

    "The sites were semi private as the brush and trees have grown around most sites offering a little privacy. Other campers were friendly and considerate."

    7. Plaskett Creek Campground - Los Padres National Forest

    25 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $45 - $204 / night

    "Campsites aren’t too close together but don’t expect too much privacy. Each spot has a picnic table, fire pit, and charcoal grill. Water spouts disbursed around."

    "It was the most reasonably priced campground we could find in the Big Sur area."

    8. Monterey Pines RV Park - Military

    9 Reviews
    Monterey, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 656-7563

    "Sits next to a beautiful golf course, recently revamped parking spots, now cement vs. dirt. Staff is very polite and the camp host will go out of her way to make your stay a wonderful one."

    "Pretty quiet with the exception of the Monterey Regional Airport next to it and even then it wasn’t very noticeable."

    9. Riverside Campground & Cabins

    Be the first to review!
    Big Sur, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2414

    $75 - $250 / night

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Cabin Reviews near Big Sur, CA

282 Reviews of 17 Big Sur Campgrounds


  • Christina L.
    Nov. 9, 2020

    Fernwood Campground & Resort

    Great time 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.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2021

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Crowded But Not Awful

    The park is amazing and there are so many great hikes, wildlife viewing and picturesque landscapes!

    The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful. The sites were semi private as the brush and trees have grown around most sites offering a little privacy. Other campers were friendly and considerate. Note that the RV side with the hook up does not offer any privacy and is near the main road. RVs are not confined to that area though.

    The spots are flat and include fire pit, picnic table and food locker. Raccoons apparently are a big problem here so keep your food locked up. There is a small general store/visitor center with a variety of food items, stove fuel, firewood, general camping supplies and souvenirs. WiFi also available for $10 for 7days per device. We paid, but our T-Mobile hotspot with Weboost won out in the end because the WiFi did not reach our spot. There is better reception for the WiFI in other spots. No cell reception with AT&T or Verizon.

    The hiking is great! and during the week pleasantly absent of tons of other hikers. Masks are required even on trails when 6 ft distance cannot be maintained, and people were very respectful of that on the trails. There is a lot of wildlife to see though sadly we did not see any condors on this trip. The caves are currently closed due to Covid. 

    Other amenities:

    Tent cabins

    RV only loop with 30amp hook up only (no sewer or water hook up)

    Showers

    Bathrooms

    Garbage and Recycling

    RV dump station (flush water only)

    Fresh water filler up (near RV camping area)

    Group camping

    Pool (currently closed)

    Pets allowed but NOT allowed on any trails

    Overall a great experience for a lesser known National Park, would come here again!

  • J
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Not in July

    It’s too hot and the caves are closed in July due to the bats giving birth. We stayed here due to having to detour from Big Sur because of the landslide that closed the 1 hwy. on our way up to Alaska.

    However, it was a nice campground with a good amount of shaded RV sites with electric hookups to run AC, a lot of nearby hikes, scenic views and wildlife. We definitely want to return when it’s cooler and the caves are open to explore.

  • John W.
    Jun. 9, 2020

    Big Sur Campground & Cabins

    Epic Campground on the river

    I've been coming to Riverside campground fo the past 46 years and I'm 48 years old.  I've never taken anyone here who hasn't fallen in love with it.

    It's on the north end of Big Sur which is great since you can come from the north or drive through Big Sur to get there (which is beautiful).

    There are amazing riverside campsites (some for RV's as well) that have picnic tables and fire rings.  There isn't the most privacy, but the campground does a good job of putting trees/bamboo between the sites, so you're not joining them for dinner.

    The river is perfect for setting your chair in the river and sipping your beer while you watch the butterflies dance across the river and pine trees.

    There are also cabins which are great during those cold spells, but I've always been into camping.

    The general store is fantastic.  You can buy steaks to grill and has a good selection of beers and wine.  You could literally show up with just a tent and nothing to eat and be just fine.

    There is also a restaurant that is walking distance which is fantastic in case you want different scenery.

  • A
    Aug. 16, 2019

    Fernwood Campground & Resort

    Magical Wooded Adventure with the Redwoods

    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.

  • R
    Jul. 5, 2019

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Glamping Approved

    This place is nestled in the Carmel Valley and decently secluded. We booked a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill. There are areas for tents and RV’s as well and priced accordingly. The restrooms and showers are super clean and the staff is great. There is a heated pool and various hiking trails to keep you occupied. The only downfall is you’re a little close to other campers. You don’t get much space/privacy but it’s not too bad. I would come back for sure.

  • Elliott B.
    May. 11, 2019

    Ventana Campground

    Ranger Review: RovR RollR 60 Cooler at Ventana Campground: Nice campground

    Campsite Review:

    Ventana Campground

    Ventana Campground is a tent only campground, which I love as I feel like it’s harder and harder to find now a days. They can’t accommodate RV’s, motor homes, travel trailers or pop-up tent trailers. Although we did see a few of the rental company camper vans and trucks with roof tents or small campers on top. This campground isn’t cheap… But for the Big Sur area, I guess it’s “reasonable” as this campground is right in the middle of Pfieffer Big Sur and Julia Pfieffer Burns State Parks. It really is in a great location to explore the coast That being said, I did find it a little disappointing just how close the campsites are to each other here, meaning you’re not going to get anything close to a secluded camping experience. These (like almost all campground now a days) come with a fire ring and picnic table. We were lucky enough to get randomly placed in a spot right next to a wonderful little 2-foot waterfall on the creek that runs through the campground. We lucked out as there was never anyone at the front gate and there was just a list of everyone’s per-assigned campsite. There were some other campsites which were right on top of each other and you had to basically walk through someone else’s area to get to “your” table and fire ring.

    It was nice that there was both recycling/trash and potable water stations scattered throughout and the bath facilities were decently maintained, and as they say “modern” (i.e. flush toilets). However, I was blown away that they only have coin-operated showers available (2 minutes per quarter). This and they really did pack in the 60+ sites plus a “glamping” area in the back for $425-695 (average ~$600) a night…

    The tent site campground is reservable by phone at 1-855-391-8683 or online ($85 for Sunday-Thursday, $105 for Friday & Saturday)

    While we don’t have one, I know people like to know that dogs are allowed at the campsite on leash (2 per campground).

    For me personally the campground only gets 3/5 stars :

    Overall, remember that while you have great access to the beauty that Big Sur Coast has to offer and the campground is pet friendly you’re definitely, not really going to get a remote camping experience and there’s a lot lacking for how much you’re paying. The facilities don’t have dish washing areas and while they are nicely cleaned and maintained things like a shower shouldn’t have cost extra…

    These rules are copied from their pamphlet.

    •        Respect the peacefulness and quiet of the redwoods.

    •        QUIET HOURS 10 PM TO 7 AM.

    •        No loud noise or loud music at anytime.

    •        NO RVS. NO HOOK UPS. NO GENERATORS.

    •        All fires must be in fire rings, under control at all times and extinguished before departure.

    •        PLEASE DO NOT DEFACE TREES OR STUMPS.

    •        Please purchase your firewood in Big Sur. Collecting groundwood is forbidden.

    •        No fireworks or fire arms permitted on property.

    •        LEAVE NO TRACE on campsites or facilities.

    •        Conserve water. Firmly close water taps when not using.

    •        Dogs must be quiet, on leash at all times and stay in campsites or roads. Please clean up after your dog. No dogs left unattended.

    •        Recycle bins are available for plastic bottles, cans and glass. Please recycle.

    •       Maximum five people, one vehicle, two dogs.

    Gear Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get the opportunity to test out products and what I got to use during this trip for protecting our food from the wildlife and the elements was RovR’s RollR 60 cooler. While listed as “a 60-quart carrying, all-terrain attacking, patented design that can go anywhere you can. Engineered with the world's best cooling and organization design on the inside and built to carry your campsite, tailgate or party on the out.” It really turned out to be all this plus so much more. We had a really easy time wheeling it around and to our site and it was so much nicer than having to carry a cooler like I’ve done with my other rotomolded brands. Ugh… they get heavy with food and ice in them.

    This cooler comes with a lot of really unique features that no other cooler has! Plus many other customization and add-on possibilities. Their coolers come with a folding tote container which is attached to the top with velcro straps so that while wheeling it around it won’t just slide right off. Good thinking there! When not in use this tote folds flat, and fits into an indention on the top thus serving possibly as a slight cushion for sitting.

    When in use, the tote is unfolded and becomes an additional dry container for holding extra gear like a stove, pots and pans, paper towels, etc. You can also remove it entirely from the top and placed to the side or move it to a picnic table with all that dry gear you have for cooking or whats not. This “feature” is awesome - it is like having two carrying containers in one.

    There are additional fixtures on the cooler which are designed to attached auxiliary items like a cutting board, umbrella or drink holders. There’s even a fixture for attaching an extension that can be attached to a bicycle. Thus, one can pull the cooler behind a bicycle like a trailer. Innovative game changer for those bike campers!

    My favorite feature was Inside the cooler there is a special bin that can hold items that may not need to be chilled like bread, towels or utensils. This feature is so important to keep items separate and dry when moisture develops, or the ice starts to melt. The bin itself has an internal divider which further aids with organization. Sometimes you want things right on the ice, but other stuff isn’t going to do as well if you freeze it!! This was an awesome idea.

    Overall, I give the cooler 5/5 stars. I really love the company’s innovation to the rotomolded cooler and even our cats approved! Go get ourselves one of these instead of some of those other rotomolded coolers at RovRproducts.com

    Cooler’s Features:

    •        Certified grizzly bear resistant rotationally molded body and lid with anchor pins for attaching prep station and accessories!!! Yes, please. Especially with all the bear cu

    •        Up to 10 days of ice retention depending on use. Umm....need to test this out fully, but it lasted the 4 days i needed it with opening the cooler a few times per day.

    •        Capacity: Without Deepfreeze dry bin installed: 60 cans and 20lbs. of ice. With Deepfreeze dry bin installed: 40 cans and 10 pounds of ice in main compartment and 4-6 bottles of spirits upright with meats, breads, fruits and vegies in dry compartments. 

    •        High performance wheel assembly: 9-inch all-terrain rubber tires with interchangeable tube, aluminum hubs with 2 sealed bearings 

    •        Aluminum pull handle with dual motocross style grips. This is great for pulling the heavy cooler around. Have you tried carrying one of the other brands without wheels?!?! It sucks!! They get really heavy, really fast.

  • Shaun S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 16, 2024

    Big Sur Campground & Cabins

    Great place to camp

    Big Sur Campground and Cabins, while on the pricier side for camping, definitely delivers on cleanliness, service, and quality of experience. Check in is super easy, and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. The welcome package is a nice touch, 2 mugs, a deck of cards, flashlight and bundle of firewood. They also have free ice, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate daily.
    It rained the first day we were there, and campsites stayed pretty well drained. Our site was kind of tucked away in the back of the camp ground, near the showers and playground. The bathroom/showers were cleaned regularly and stocked with shampoo conditioner and shower gel. Playground was well maintained and modern

    Plenty of water spigots throughout the campground, each site has a fire pit. During our stay, over NYE, there was a nice mix of RVs, trailers, suvs with RTTs and tent campers. The campground doesn’t see a lot of sunlight, due to the large trees shading most of the area. If you rely on solar power, you may need to get creative.

  • C
    Nov. 26, 2021

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Perfect for beginning campers and glampers

    Great location with nice views of the valley. Easy drive in with parking spots next to most sites.

    Camp sites and cabins are a little close together but nice, clean grounds make it comfortable. Good playground for kids. Foosball, ping pong, corn hole, horseshoes, and other games available. 3 gas fire pits near the office with nice space for socializing or sharing an outdoor dinner.

    Cabins are tight but nice and clean. Our kitchen had all the necessary utensils and dishes to cook for a couple nights.

    Staff is nice, communicated well ahead of the trip, and made late check in easy.

    Huge pool is heated May to October. Small sauna next to pool currently closed but looks fairly new.


Guide to Big Sur

Cabin camping near Big Sur provides rustic shelter in this high-demand coastal region where temperatures typically range from 40-75°F throughout the year. Most camping cabins sit within redwood groves that help moderate temperatures while offering protection from coastal winds. Limited cellular connectivity affects all lodging options in this remote stretch of Highway 1, with Wi-Fi reliability often dependent on weather conditions.

What to do

River swimming: Big Sur Campground & Cabins offers direct water access with summer tubing opportunities. "The campground has a river running right thru the middle, our campsite was just 10 ft from the river with tubing available for rent and rope swings into the water!" notes Dennis V.

Cave exploration: Pinnacles National Park features unique rock formations approximately 90 minutes from central Big Sur. "The Pinnacles have some great hikes, there are bat caves to explore, lakes and slot canyons. We really enjoyed hiking thru caves and tight places. Super fun for adventurous kids," explains Debi R.

Morning coastal hikes: Take advantage of early daylight hours to avoid afternoon fog. "I don't know what it is, but this place just has the most insane light during the sunrise," shares Cierra A. about Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where morning starts often feature clearer conditions for photography.

Swimming pool access: Some cabin facilities include pool amenities during summer months. "There is a heated pool and various hiking trails to keep you occupied," explains Rosa L. about Saddle Mountain Ranch, which offers a warm water alternative to chilly ocean temperatures.

What campers like

Riverside locations: Many cabins sit adjacent to Big Sur River. "Clean open spot near the river. Store with everything you'd need," reports Rhita B. about her stay at Big Sur Campground & Cabins. Sites along the river often book fastest due to their natural cooling effect.

Diverse accommodation options: Fernwood Campground & Resort provides multiple lodging types beyond standard cabins. "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," explains Ashley Z.

Kitchen facilities: Some cabin rentals include cooking equipment. "Our kitchen had all the necessary utensils and dishes to cook for a couple nights," reports Craig N. from Saddle Mountain Ranch, where cabins come equipped with basic cookware.

Natural sound buffers: Redwoods and waterways create sound barriers between sites. "We slept like a log every night listening to the sound of the flowing creek," notes Andre V. about Ventana Campground, where waterways mask noise from adjacent camping spots.

What you should know

Strict reservation windows: Cabins often book 6-8 months in advance, particularly for summer weekends. "It was nearly impossible to get reservations. Seems the days get bought up immediately upon availability," explains Lyle F. about accommodations at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Proximity considerations: Many cabin sites sit close together. "For the cost I expect more space. Ventana (private campground) didn't have to create such tight spots. You're basically camping with the people along side of you," notes Allison G. about site spacing.

Wildlife management: Proper food storage is essential in all cabin areas. "Don't leave food out and make sure they are afraid of humans. It's for their safety and ours!" cautions Christopher V. about Pinnacles Campground, where raccoons actively investigate improperly stored items.

Additional occupancy fees: Most cabin sites charge per-person beyond base rates. "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," explains Christina L. about Fernwood's fee structure.

Tips for camping with families

Noise considerations: Choose sites away from main thoroughfares. "Site 66 was huge but was also right near the road used by many people at all hours of the day/night," notes Christina L. about her Fernwood experience.

Beach proximity: Plaskett Creek Campground offers cabin camping with nearby beach access. "Sand Dollar Beach is right across the street and is one of the most pretty ones in all of Big Sur," explains Carlos D., noting the short walking distance to shore activities.

Weather preparation: Coastal temperatures vary significantly, especially at night. "The 40's we hit over night got a bit chilly but that's what it's all about! We planned ahead for that and took plenty of blankets and jackets and we survived!" shares hayley at Big Sur Campground & Cabins.

Activity timing: Plan morning activities before afternoon crowds. "We usually do a early morning hike and then spend the afternoon cooling off at the pool," suggests Debi R., noting how summer heat affects hiking comfort at Pinnacles.

Tips from RVers

Access restrictions: Many cabin locations prohibit large recreational vehicles. "Ventana Campground is a tent only campground... They can't accommodate RV's, motor homes, travel trailers or pop-up tent trailers," explains Elliott B., highlighting important access limitations.

Utility placement: Review hookup locations when considering RV sites. "Full hook-ups, although for some strange reason they are at front of site," notes Rick G. about Monterey Pines RV Park, where connection positioning can complicate parking.

Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some sites. "Our site was on a hill, so we have to back in between rocks to try to get flat. It was a challenge," explains Jan G. about her experience at Plaskett Creek, where creative parking solutions may be necessary.

Dump station availability: Not all cabin campgrounds offer full RV services. Check with each location about waste disposal options, especially for longer stays where tank capacity becomes a concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Big Sur, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Big Sur, CA is Big Sur Campground & Cabins with a 4.6-star rating from 28 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Big Sur, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 cabin camping locations near Big Sur, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.