Best Tent Camping near Big Sur, CA

Great for tent camping and hiking. RV sites have 30 amp hookups. No water or sewer hookups. Dump station was available. RV sites are all gravel and fairly flat. Paying after the store closed at 6pm was an ordeal. Could never make it happen. We tried to log in for 3$ to pay online but it failed and we were never able to connect. Tent sites were secluded, many under shade trees, and well dispersed. Bathrooms were few and far between. Mostly vault toilets. There is a pool that families will enjoy. There is a small store. Walks and hikes are what is available. For a National Park it underwhelmed.

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.

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.

This was a fantastic campground for a family. Hikes within short walking distance and within bike or short car ride to general store and lodge. Coin showers and bathrooms were very clean. There is a laundry site (this was open) and second general store on premesis however it was not open for the season yet. Camp hosts were very nice and knowledgeable about area. Wood bundles were delivered directly to site. Tent site came with picnic table and large fire pit with grate. This made for an amazing first experience at Big Sur. Highly recommend.

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. I think each site has a limit of 3 tents (that could be wrong, but I remember the number being lower), but even coming up in the middle of Spring Break we didn't struggle too hard to get a campsite.

The campsite is close to some trails and is across from the iconic Big Sur waterfall. If you get the chance to camp here, I highly suggest walking across the street to check out the waterfall. There's a lso a nearby trail right at the head of the campground. The trail weaves up into the mountains and has a beautiful view of the ocean from higher up. There's still a lot of fire damage along the trail, but it's cool to see how the forest has re grown since.

Nice rv/tent campground. It was the most reasonably priced campground we could find in the Big Sur area. It’s right off Hwy 1 so there is some traffic noise but since the road is closed a few miles south, there’s not much traffic (this will change when the road reopens in Sep 2018). There is beach access across the road, about a ten minute walk. There are flush toilets which are clean. Several of the sites have a slight slope but not too bad. Sites have tables/benches and fire pits. Most had bbq. Ranger comes around every evening selling bundles of firewood.

This is one of my favorite campsites due to iats relatively small size and gorgeous views of Big Sur. There is a cute, rocky private beach with access from the campground and a long hiking trail across the street that is dog friendly (just be aware of poison oak). 

Just note that if planning to reserve a spot, you must come first thing Friday morning when they open. By lunchtime, all spots are usually gone. If you come mid-week, even better. Also important if you want a spot overlooking the ocean. 

Also, raccoons are intense here. They will go through your stuff if you leave anything out. My dog did have a good time patrolling the campground at night and scaring them all away though. 

The last time I was there there were massive motor homes parked in all the front facing spots which was kinda a bummer, so even more reason to get there early to strategically pick a spot if tent camping.

I spent 2 nights and 3 days hiking from Big Sur Station to Sykes Hot Springs camping site, via Ventana camping site on way back -- 22 mile round trip. Weather was perfect (did not need a rain fly on the first night!), trails were well kept, and camping sites at both Sykes Hot Springs and Ventana were in great conditions. The Sykes site has probably over 10 spots or so with enough room in between tents to have some privacy. At times, you'll be separated from other parties by the Big Sur river! Water, in the summer season is below knee height -- this is very important as the Sykes camping site is on both sides of the river. Don't worry about bringing a rope to cross --one is there already!! The best part about this site -- and the reason why so many hikers make the 10 mile trip with 1000+ ft elevation range (3000 ft up, 2000 ft down) -- is of course, its NATURAL HOT SPRINGS!!! There are 2 finished tubs with water at about 100 degrees - one tub fitting 2 people and a second fitting up to 4 people. The best reward after a fairly long hike with a heavy back. I highly recommend!

I did not spot any bears. Although of course this is bear country, I noticed THREE small camping groups hanging their food bags at kids party piñata heights...so either the bears are well fed elsewhere or we all just got very lucky. On the other hand, I saw 2 non-poisonous snakes, and a FOX!!! 2 hikers ahead of me let me know they crossed paths with 2 quite loud rattle snakes. So, yeah, mind your step, don't run and wear closed shoes. OH, BRING DEET -- I cannot stress that enough. I brought the natural kind along with every other camper I ran into and it does NOT work. You will be greeted by thousands of insects ready to dine on you flesh and blood. All sites have little out-toilets tucked behind redwood trees for your convenience. One last thing, this trail and all camping sites on this trail have so much water - bring a water filtration system and you'll be set! Maybe use iodine pills for the the sites at lower elevation as more people do bathe and who knows what else in the river upstream.

Tent camping

This campground is one of our all-time favorites. Tent sites are far enough from the RV sites that they are quiet and peaceful. The river is lovely and cool. It's a super popular campground and yet the tent sites are situated such that it feels more spacious than crowded.

Not sure if there is a bad tent camping site in this State park. All the site are in and around Redwoods – a perfect getaway for an individual, a couple, or the family. Sites close to bathrooms, include a firepit and table, plenty of room. Perfect for kids to explore – trees, streams, fields. Several excellent hikes in the immediate area – for all skill levels.

This is a great stop along highway 1 with trails to the ocean. The tent sites are in a nice open field so you see the other campers but most are quiet and respectful. it is possible to share a campsite with others if it's full and you are willing to make friends.

Security guy was awesome, kind, friendly, helpful! We arrived at 11:30 pm - exhausted, with no reservation, asking for a tent site. No problem! He quickly got us registered and put us in a site with empty sites on each side of ours. In no time we had our tent set up, and we were comfortable and fast asleep. Felt VERY safe!

So, if you’re looking to be in nature and have a proper camping experience, this ain’t it. If you want a resort style vacation, this isn’t it either… yet somehow it’s a little of both. I wouldn’t recommend tent camping because you’re literally right next to your neighbor camping and isn’t really in the “woods”. Suggest you get a delux tent which includes a bed, fire pit and bbq. That’s why I’ve rated it high because it’s what I needed for one night. Plus the pull and games (corn hill, ping pong) are nice additions. Just know what you’re in for.