Camping near Big Sur occurs mainly at forest and riverside locations along the Highway 1 corridor between Carmel and San Simeon. The coastal mountains rise steeply from sea level to elevations of 3,000 feet within a short distance from shore, creating dramatic temperature variations between coast and inland areas. Winter temperatures average 40-60°F with occasional road closures during storms, while summer temperatures range from 50-85°F depending on location and fog conditions.
What to do
River swimming access: 10-minute walk required. At Big Sur Campground & Cabins, campers enjoy river activities during summer months. "Great campground, tucked into the trees. Nice quiet spot right on route 1. 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.
Hiking at Pinnacles National Park: 30-minute drive from campgrounds. Visitors staying at Thousand Trails San Benito can explore nearby Pinnacles National Park. "Near the town of Gilroy home of the garlic festival. A little out of the way but a nice scenic backroad alternate from I5 or 99 if traveling north/south," according to Tyler V. who adds, "Pinnacles NP has lots of great hikes, bird watching is a thing out here and home to the California Condors."
Beach access: Quarter-mile walk through dunes. Marina Dunes offers proximity to less crowded beaches. "The real reason to camp here is the beach. About a 5 min trek through sand and dunes and you'll find yourself at a beach not many people frequent. On Friday we were the only ones for as far as I could see. No exaggeration," reports James.
What campers like
Private, level sites: Concrete pads available. Yanks RV Resort receives praise for its well-maintained facilities. "Very nice paved all the way with full hook up and amenities like jacuzzi and pool and gym is a plus plus very close to national park," writes Jerome C. Another camper notes, "Awesome new facilities - swimming pool, laundry, restrooms... get this, the WiFi works and is relatively fast (60mbps according to speednet)."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn and dusk best times. Campers at San Benito frequently encounter wildlife. "We enjoyed our stay. At the time we were there a lot of the riverfront sports were out of order. Park does have a lot of those devil spikes in the grass so beware of those with the dogs or bare feet," cautions Tyler V. Another visitor reports, "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads."
Clean riverside camping: Sites directly on water. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground provides premium riverfront sites for $50 compared to regular sites at $35. "Camping in the trees, with some sites right on the river. Shoulder season is great, with more availability than you might expect. We arrived in early March without a reservation, and found many open sites, some (like the one we snagged) right on the river," reports Patrick M.
What you should know
Steep entrance roads: Challenging for larger vehicles. Saddle Mountain Ranch requires careful navigation. "First off the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs," warns Mike M. Another camper advises, "Definitely take the steep hike out of the campground for a cardio workout that will reward you with stunning views."
Limited cell service: Prepare for offline stays. Most campgrounds in the Big Sur area have minimal or no connectivity. At Big Sur Campground & Cabins, one camper appreciates, "There's no wifi and no verizon cell service," calling it "the best part."
Airport noise considerations: Morning departures. Monterey County Fairgrounds experiences noise from adjacent runways. "Fairly quiet after that but airplane liftoffs began 6am. I found commercial and private jet noise tolerable. You might want foam earplugs," suggests Leonard H.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly facilities: Dedicated pet areas available. Yanks RV Resort offers excellent pet accommodations. "This resort has two beautiful dog parks and a dog washing station! Not to mention, The beautiful and clean bathrooms for the humans!" exclaims Erin R.
Kid-friendly amenities: Games and activities on-site. Saddle Mountain Ranch provides numerous options for children. "Lots of activities for younger kids. Convenient location, lots of amenities," writes Tim F. Another camper adds, "Good playground for kids. Foosball, ping pong, corn hole, horseshoes, and other games available."
River activities for children: Equipment rentals available. Big Sur Campground & Cabins offers summer water recreation. "My husband and doggos have been to big sur three times now. It is our favorite spot to go. Right near a river which is so much fun! Tubing there is great. Lots of other kids and dogs around," shares Monica H.
Tips from RVers
RV site layout challenges: Request specific sites. RV sites near Big Sur, California often have unusual utility placement. At Marina Dunes RV Park, a camper notes, "The location of the electrical/water is awkward." Kandi R. adds, "Nice rv park by the beach. Bathrooms and showers are great. Downside is the store is closed on Sundays. Also, $190 a night plus $20 to choose your spot is wild."
Narrow access roads: Plan arrival carefully. Arriving at campgrounds can be challenging. "This place is okay it's just small and loud. It's hard to get bigger Rv's into spots also. We have a 35' 5th wheel and there are only some spots that will fit it," explains Tonya C. about Marina Dunes.
Advance reservations essential: 3-6 month planning recommended. During peak season (May-September), securing spots is difficult. At Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground, a camper advises, "Drove in Saturday night in January to find maybe the last spot so book ahead if you can!" Shanelle W. comments that "premium spots are $50 and regular is $35."
