Top Free Dispersed Camping near Big Sur, CA

Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Big Sur? We've got you covered. With The Dyrt, it's easy to find peaceful dispersed camping near Big Sur. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Big Sur just for you.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Big Sur, CA (4)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Big Sur

41 Reviews of 4 Big Sur Campgrounds


  • Rosemary L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Great get away

    Clean camp. Restroom was clean. View was beautiful. There was a 6 mile dirt road to the camp. Easy signage. Saw wild boar and dear along the way. Drove a Hyundai Accent.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Jun. 16, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Quiet and peaceful

    The drive up has around five miles of very well maintained dirt road, but very much worth it. Some dispersed camping areas and a campground with 5 spots with a shelter and a picnic table at each one. Bathroom was very clean.

    Views are magnificent.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Apr. 25, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Beautiful Views on Top of the Mountain

    It is a long 5 miles up a long dirt road which is actually pretty nice compared to others we have traveled. There are some steep hairpinish turns that we had to disconnect our toad but wow when you get there it is perfect. So peaceful and very clean. We are in a 36’ class a with jeep toad

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Nice BLM

    The road to come to the BLM was not bad, we came with a van and had no problems. The campground is nice and clean, vault toilet with TP &clean. Camp spots with table & shade & the view on the hills is incredible

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Nov. 8, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Better than expected!

    Very nice and quiet and clean campground. Arrived late Friday afternoon and left Sunday evening. Camp had a fire ring, shaded concrete patio and a picnic table. The single vault toilet was clean and sufficiently stocked with TP. No other amenities other than what the forest provides. Lots of area to explore, but this is mainly an off road vehicle area.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Mar. 27, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Amazing view

    The view is amazing!! I would recommend driving up the mountain through Lockwood, the drive is much easier and less scary. We arrived around 5:30pm (end of march) and there was only 1 spot left

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Mar. 7, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Clean with some views

    Beautiful place, wish I couldn’t hear the gunshots but at least they’re far away. I’m from Los Angeles so I don’t mind the shots but would prefer to hear the birds more.

  • Wandering C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Feb. 24, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Free BLM

    Amenities include one vault toilet, sometimes runs out of toilet paper on a busy weekend, picnic tables with shelter and fire pits. No water, no trash, fire bans most the dry months.

  • Rob R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Will Creek Road Dispersed
    Jan. 3, 2023

    Will Creek Road Dispersed

    One of my favorite places, but...

    getting crowed and people leaving their garbage and poop (yes, human poop and TP). I've always loved Will Creek Road, I feel you can get free access to the greatest show on planet earth here…Both the sun set and the sun rise, but you got to get above the marine layer and get to the very top. If you dont want scratches and you are 7' wide or more…bring cutters. The land owners maintain the road themselves. I was last there in Feb 2022 and the switch backs were torn up and rutted; I bumped into an owner I've got to know over the years and he said they are tired of fixing them because people with small underpowered cars burnout digging ruts or some bozo purposely burns out not knowing that the land owners are the ones who have to maintain it all so we get to enjoy the camping. The road is very steep, you go from maybe 200' above sea leave to over 3000' if you go to the top. I've done this road in 4x4 truck(s) (supper easy), Jeep and Jeep Gladiator (easy freakin peasy), a Subaru Outback (easy) and a 4x4 MBZ Revel Van (supper freakin hard and stressful, was on two wheels more than once and sideways bottomed out twice in the switch backs. I wont do it again and I've been off-roading my whole life, unless the switch backs are fixed). When I say easy, this is assuming you have some off-road skill. Hope that help.

  • Kristen
    Camper-submitted photo from Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground
    Dec. 4, 2022

    Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground

    Only when desperate

    Every campsite within an hour range of Big Sur was full, and it was getting dark so we opted for this road. It is the only road where dispersed camping is allowed but beware: it is narrow, steep, unmaintained, and surrounded by cliffs. If you happen upon a pull out that is not occupied, does not have a private property sign, and is somewhat flat, then it works as a spot to sleep that feels like you’re on the edge of the world.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground
    Jul. 28, 2022

    Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground

    Too crowded on weekends

    Practically camping on top of each other. Going up or down that road is only for 4x4 and keep an eye out for crazy drivers. One lane road in many spots. NO CAMPFIRES ALLOWED IN SUMMER. Check conditions.

  • Kristian W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground
    May. 19, 2022

    Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground

    Incredible views, and Free!

    This was a perfect campground for Big Sur, just past the Plaskett Creek campground which is expensive and requires reservations. I drove up the road for about 20 minutes and found a perfect pullout overlooking the ocean between two apple trees, blissful to say the least. I showed up around 5 pm and there were still a lot of sites open.

  • Kristian W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Will Creek Road Dispersed
    May. 19, 2022

    Will Creek Road Dispersed

    No pullouts, and no camping

    As soon as you turn onto this road there is a sign saying no camping next to road, plus I drove about 30 minutes back onto it and could only find one semi-feasible pullout. I went north just five minutes to Plaskett Ridge dispersed camping, that was much better.

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    May. 8, 2022

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Beautiful spot spoiled with target shooters

    I love the spot but the constant barrage of target shooting makes it hard to really enjoy! Road is rough getting here but doable. Clean vaulted toilet, great camping spaces with covered tables and a beautiful view. But the shooters really ruin the serenity of this place.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground
    May. 3, 2022

    Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground

    A great Big Sur dispersed campground on a ridge with ocean view

    Amazing location to wake up in the morning. View of the pacific ocean on one side and valley on the other. 4x4 vehicle needed. Fairly safe, clean, and not crowded. A great location for pro-overlanders and for testing 4x4 off-road driving skills.

  • Jordie G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Will Creek Road Dispersed
    Apr. 12, 2022

    Will Creek Road Dispersed

    Beautiful views and dispersed camping

    We came here on a Sunday evening with the intent of getting out of the 35 knot coastal winds and decided upon making camp at a pullout under a tree about a mile from Highway 1. However, my Prius C made it two miles in before we chose to turn around. The road is pretty well maintained if bumpy at times but we just took it slow on the way up and down.

    Highly recommend downloading offline maps before you lose signal around San Simeon (south hwy 1) and carmel (north hwy 1). My boyfriend has AT&T and I had T-Mobile and neither of us had signal.

    It was dispersed camping and pullouts as far as we got up the road. We set up our tent next to the mighty Prius C and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset, stars, and some beautiful morning views. It was pretty windy at night but it calmed in the morning. We did not see a single soul on our way in but come Monday morning, three cars had drove past our site (I assume they made it much farther in).

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Will Creek Road Dispersed
    Dec. 11, 2021

    Will Creek Road Dispersed

    Amazing spot

    I’m surprised I haven’t known about this little gem that is only 2 hours away from me. Above the fog line and beautiful views!! I recommend four wheel drive to go to the place in the pictures above. But I did bring my all wheel drive Honda CR-V on the trail just didn’t text it going down the trail to the very end. So many trails to explore and spots to stay at. Just be sure to not go on private property trails and be respectful of others. It did get very windy during the night so recommend putting everything away during the evening. You can explore the different trails such as prewitt, coastal ridge road and nacimiento Ferguson from this road but to get back to highway one you have to go back the same way. All other trails are closed from highway 1 besides this one so far. My gps called this road los buros rd. Others gps may be different. I’ve been to this place three times now in less than a month. Absolutely one of my favorites. Soon going to explore coastal ridge road.

  • Robin L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Oct. 24, 2021

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Listen to the Quiet

    7 sites suitable for tents, vans, rv's, tt. Sites have covered shelter with metal picnic tables with overhangs for stove and a fire ring. Sites 5 and 7 suitable for larger rigs. Site 5 is pull thru will accommodate 40ft+ rig and pull vehicle. Site 7 is back-in site pull vehicle parks on one side of shelter, 40'+ capable. These sites are dry camping with vault toilet. Offers views of Coastal Range on west Salinas Valley on right. Eastern road from San Ardo/PCH unpaved, washboard on lower end, no steep grades. Turn onto W1 is close for larger rigs as well as turn into campground. Directly opposite of campground entrance is extra large flat dispersed site capable of any length. Road up is narrow must yield to downhill traffic. No electric hookups gens allowed but be mindful of neighbors.

  • Dennis R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Hill top free site

    Site is first come first served so get there early. Sites have awesome valley views. Vault toilet, fire ring available. Lots of ATV, dirt bike use be prepared for the dust and noise.

  • Olivia W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Williams Hill Recreation Area
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Nice Campsite, Bad Wasps

    This campsite is nice, each of the 7 spots has a fire ring and covered picnic table. However, the wasps and the heat are almost unbearable. We could hear the wasps at 6 am before we even got out of the car. They harass you and make it impossible to sit outside without a bug net. The bathroom here is basic but suprisingly clean. Be careful on the road up to the site, it is gravel for the last few miles and becomes one lane as you get to the high, very windy portion. The only downsides are location, heat, and the wasps!

  • Emily H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Will Creek Road Dispersed
    Jul. 23, 2021

    Will Creek Road Dispersed

    Amazing

    Definitely a sketchy road. We drove 7 miles in in the middle of the night and had a blast. It gets really steep and sandy, I was in an HRV and made it. Though my car is super scratched up now.

    Our site ended up beautiful. And we had a lot of fun. Barely anyone there.



Guide to Big Sur

Camping near Big Sur, California, offers stunning views and a chance to connect with nature. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, each has its own unique charm and features that cater to different camping styles.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the breathtaking trails in the area. Many campers rave about the beautiful hikes available. One visitor at Pinnacles Campground mentioned, "The trails are wild, like a moonscape."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at San Simeon Creek Campground noted, "Seen a ton of wildlife and overall wasn’t very crowded."
  • Star Gazing: The dark skies around Big Sur make for excellent star gazing. A reviewer at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground shared, "We saw a lot of wildlife and shooting stars on the clear nights."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers love the stunning landscapes. One visitor at Kirk Creek Campground said, "Amazing sunrise and sunset view."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A camper at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms were clean, took my fiancé camping here for our first time."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Big Sur Campground & Cabins are great for families. One reviewer noted, "The playground was well maintained and modern."

What you should know:

  • Weather Variability: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A camper at Limekiln State Park Campground warned, "It gets super windy so be prepared."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A visitor at Veteran's Memorial Park Campground pointed out, "There’s no market nearby, so bring your own supplies."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Expect larger crowds during summer. A camper at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground mentioned, "If you can go outside school holidays, you’re in for a real treat!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A reviewer at San Simeon Creek Campground noted, "The camp host was delightful and very accommodating."
  • Plan Activities: Bring games and activities to keep kids entertained. A camper at Big Sur Campground & Cabins mentioned, "The welcome package is a nice touch, 2 mugs, a deck of cards."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A visitor at Pinnacles Campground shared, "Really enjoyed cooking in the evenings outside."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Kirk Creek Campground advised, "Avoid sites that are close to the restroom as it can get very smelly."
  • Use Dump Stations: Take advantage of dump stations available at campgrounds. A reviewer at Mount Madonna County Park mentioned, "There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance."
  • Book Early: Reserve your spot ahead of time, especially during peak season. A camper at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground noted, "You will need to book a few months in advance."

Camping near Big Sur, California, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With its beautiful landscapes and variety of activities, it’s a perfect getaway for families, solo adventurers, and RV enthusiasts alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Big Sur, CA is Bluff Camp with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Big Sur, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.