The Plaskett Ridge Road located in southern Big Sur is great for those with a 4×4 vehicle. This hike starts from the end of Cone Peak Road on the old road/trail; it is known as the North Coast Ridge Trail at this end. In order to get the maximum level of enjoyment, I highly recommend that you visit Big Sur in the shoulder season (which is pretty much anytime that isn’t the peak of summer). If you want to get a hotel room, be prepared to fork over some cash. Big Sur Guides and Hiking. California is the most populated state in the US. This trail is extremely popular on weekends and holidays when many backpackers are drawn to Sykes Hot Springs, a strenous 10-mile (6-7 hour) one-way hike. McWay Waterfall Trail. Big Sur, CA is one of the prettiest locations along the California coast. The view of the coastline from the outdoor deck is … Big Sur is not and cannot be densely populated due to the rugged nature and isolation of its topography. Andrew Molera is my favorite coastal Big Sur state park campground. Around holidays too, Highway 1 is totally nuts chockablock with holidayers driving the classic West Coast route. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is yet another totally magical Big Sur camping destination. We have come to the final act of my guide to Big Sur camping…. Big Sur Hiking Trails & Local Tips. Plus current wilderness and state park trail conditions. The water temperature seems to consistently be at or near 100° F. This place is the essence of what makes Big Sur camping so magical. Though in the fall, winter, and spring, the flows can be epic. You need to be very “on it” if you have any hopes of securing a spot and reservations can only be made up to six months in advance. Certainly 99.9% of people drive to Big Sur. There is a water spring at the camp that should be flowing any time of year, however, packing a filtered water bottle for hiking is always a recommendation, even in highly-developed nations. 5. This pot-holed track follows a backcountry route into the Big Sur interior. Try to get a campsite along the Big Sur River in the far back reaches of the campground. The hike to its summit is the most dramatic by far in the Big Sur area. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. For the sake of transparency, some of the links in our content are affiliate links. You’ll need to hike for couple hundred meters to reach the campsites, so be prepared to make the short trek (> 7 minutes). The pools can accommodate several adults (perfect for couples). Be respectful to the environment, locals, and fellow campers. As is the case with most places, far fewer people set out on foot to explore a place. From San Francisco, northern Big Sur is roughly a 2 1/2 hour drive. Any time of the year you could find people camping along this road. What you’re going to want to take is going to very much depend on your style. 3. Likewise, the opposite could be true. Good for an overnight at Trailsprings or Ojito Camp, but certainly do-able in an ambitious day. Big Sur, by contrast, has a fraction of the permanent residents occupying other parts of the California coast. All rights reserved. Get out there and experience it for yourself. Open 9:00 am - 4:00 p.m. 831-667-2315. Every time I have gone to Big Sur in the off-season – I have visited at all times of the year) – there has never been a consistent pattern of when it’s busy and when it’s not. Because the hike is rather short, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hike in with plenty of water on-hand too. Big Sur enjoys a mild, temperate coastal climate throughout the year. You might turn up on a Tuesday in late February only to find masses of people at every turn. *Note: Sykes Hot Springs via Pine Ridge Trail is closed until further notice (fire damage). The point being, both the locals and the police have had enough of the disrespectful campers shitting everywhere and leaving behind piles of rubbish. Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? In some places, you can get away with car or van camping in Big Sur, but it is never a 100% guarantee that police or national park service officers won’t come knocking on your car window in the middle of the night. For up to date information, see the wilderness page here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10973, #9 - Cone Peak to Surprise Falls [CLOSED]. On October 31, 2018 the seasonal footbridge crossing the Big Sur River was removed for the season. The weather is mild with a potential for fewer people to be around, and the grey whales are migrating to the Arctic from March-April! If you like to surf, there are a few decent breaks accessed within Andrew Molera. While some people just pass through for the scenery, true nature lovers absolutely have to go hiking in Big Sur. LOST AND FOUND: 831-667-1112 SPECIAL EVENTS, SCHOOL GROUPS: BigSurEvents@parks.ca.gov 831-667-0507 FILM PERMITS (MOTION and STILL): BigSurFilm@parks.ca.gov 831-667-0507 CELL PHONES: Cell phone service is extremely limited in Big Sur. #4 - Sykes Hot Springs via Pine Ridge Trail [CLOSED]. Big Sur is home to more than just gorgeous beaches: you can explore the Santa Maria mountain range with breathtaking views of the coast. Pssssst! Springtime is a beautiful period to experience Big Sur. Headtorch: I would never travel without a headtorch. Ventana Wilderness: Cone Peak Trail. #10 - Cone Peak Loop via Highway 1 [CLOSED], Pico Blanco via Coast Road and Little Sur Trail, Sykes Hot Springs via Pine Ridge Trail [CLOSED], Salmon Creek Trail, Cruickshank Trail, and Buckeye Trail Loop [CLOSED]. Really these campsites are just flat spots off of the road where people have been setting up shop for decades. Join me as I break down the best time of year to go camping in Big Sur, the best free campsites, top paid campsites, the best car camping spots, and maybe even a glamping spot or two. Drive the road to its end, about 8-9 miles where it stops at Bottcher’s Gap. #3 of 22 Outdoor Activities in Big Sur. Shoutout from Will – The OG Broke Backpacker: Have fun on your backpacking adventure, but please do get insurance – take it from someone who has racked up tens of thousands of bucks on an insurance claim before, you need it. Big Sur has no definitive borders, though the general consensus is that the above-mentioned stretch of highway and the surrounding mountains from south of Carmel to the north of San Simeon makes up greater Big Sur area. Please visit the link to find out how you can help keep the site going . I’m not sure exactly how many spots there are; possibly, nobody knows. There are few places in the world where you can stroll through untamed redwood forests, tackle burly mountains, and stare longingly at the great Pacific Ocean all in one place (and often from the comfort of your car). Hidden behind the veil of undeniable beauty are the dangers involved with camping around Big Sur, and really just visiting Big Sur in general. Despite the tourist hordes, Big Sur is still one of my favorite sections of the coast I have explored – anywhere on earth. Huge, legendary traffic jams occur nearly on a daily basis from June-August. The campsites are nestled on a cliff under some trees overlooking the ocean. You might have found yourself driving the road for 20-30 minutes before finding an available place to stop. The truth is Big Sur can be super busy any time of the year. Of course, not having to make reservations has its benefits and its pitfalls. Urinate at least 70 steps from water sources. For most paid campsites, booking your campsite in advance is 100% necessary. Jeffrey Schaffer's Hiking the Big Sur Country: The Ventana Wilderness ($15.95, Wilderness Press, 800-443-7227) is an excellent resource. The easiest start is from Bottcher’s Gap. If you wait to the last minute to book a Big Sur state park campground, I can pretty much guarantee you won’t get a spot. There is no shortcut to get into and out of Big Sur by car. It also became one of the most popular, but for good reason. The trail itself is an undulating footpath (10 miles one way) that takes you away from the coast and into the rugged interior of the mountains. Our favourite travel backpack is the Aer Travel Pack 2. When one first pictures the Big Sur iconic coastline, it's often images … Pfeiffer Falls and the Valley View Overlook are probably the most popular hikes in area and the one that any ranger or frequent visitor would suggest. In total, Kirk Creek has 35 paid campsites, costing $35/night. Start early and avoid the heat of the day. The campsites are located in beautiful places, often with stunning views of the Pacific ocean, forest, or mountains. There are numerous forest service roads running through or adjacent national forest land owned by the government that offer the best free camping spots in Big Sur. One night backpacking trip to Big Sur, California. This might be unnecessary, but you never know. They are just too big, and turning around on these roads is impossible (mostly). Whether you need to purify the water from a hostel sink in Kathmandu or a stream trickle in the Andes, the Geopress has got you covered. This is the most detailed guide to hiking and backpacking in Big Sur. Andrew Molera State Park is the only state park campground that is first come/first served, meaning you can’t reserve a place. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. The trailhead is located at the Big Sur Station. Explore the most popular backpacking trails near Big Sur with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. “Find out how YOU can support the site. In fact, I would keep RV’s off of all of the free Big Sur camping spots I cover. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Currently, I’m using the Petzl LED headlamp with red light (which insects can’t see). On a sunny day, few things in life are better than sitting between two pine trees overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. The official word from the Forest Service was that the camping along the road is forbidden until August 19th, 2020. Good luck, amigos! There is no cell phone signal in the area. The hike itself is only 5 miles (one way) and should take no more than three hours to complete. Overnight camping options include staying at the Arroyo Seco campground or the primitive Last Chance Falls campground. Unfortunately, the last two years have been hard on the Ventana Wilderness, Big Sur’s key attraction for backpackers. Combine four different trails into a challenging but stunning hike in … Don’t let that put you off! I only link to stuff I’ve actually used and never endorse products or services that are not up to scratch. Limekiln campground contains 24 sites which must be reserved ahead of time. © 2021, The Broke Backpacker. Salmon Creek Trail One of the most popular short hikes for locals, Salmon Creek Falls is just a quarter-mile round-trip hike from Highway 1. Whether you are looking for a luxurious hotel overlooking the ocean or you are ready to head out on your next backpacking adventure, then Big Sur is the spot for you. Start at the Cone Peak Trailhead and pick up on this trail at the base of the cone peak summit trail. Read our full review of the GRAYL GEOPRESS! I hope you found the information in this guide helpful! Bummer. The best camping option is probably Lone Pine Camp, though you can wild camp in many other places should you choose to. Located a few miles south of the tiny town of Lucia, the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road is a windy, steep road dotted with a variety of small “campsites”. Stay toasty warm on the road. AR bottles are tough, lightweight and maintain the temperature of your beverage – so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter whether you’re camping at a Big Sur campground or in the backcountry. Camping out in the wilderness areas is the best way to escape the crowds, hands down. There are some pieces of gear that are absolutely essential to staying comfortable, safe, and happy in the backcountry whilst experiencing camping in Big Sur for yourself. To arrive, take Highway 1 south from Carmel for roughly 20 miles. Whether you’re free camping in Big Sur or at a paid campground, you’re going to want to keep this info in mind. Here are some of the biggest threats to your safety that immediately come to mind: Posion oak… rattlesnakes… ticks… Staying safe in America’s nature can be a lot more than most people bargain for. Outside of the obvious essentials (a tent, sleeping bag, and food), it’s these variables that are going to govern your packing. Our guide, Everett, took us on a spectacular hike up Tan Bark Trail. This epic Big Sur camping guide will show you the best places to camp in Big Sur. Sanitation and rubbish issues are a big problem on the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Climb the highest peak in Big Sur — in fact, the tallest … The Broke Backpacker team has tried out over thirty backpacks this year! Keep that in mind when choosing a place to camp. Every awesome place has its downsides though. The only access is via the Pacific Coast Highway (known from here on as Highway 1). Remember to: But most of all, be good to Big Sur; be a responsible traveler. After returning to your car, consider checking out … There are PLENTY of awesome hammock spots in Big Sur and along its beaches. With oceanfront views and plenty of hiking trails nearby, Kirk Creek is a Big Sur camping favorite of mine, and one of the best spots if you want to camp on a Big Sur cliffside. THE BEST WEEKEND BIG SUR BACKPACKING TRIP. The falls are, however, very seasonal. The landscapes are dreamy as hell and will leave you very much “wowed” by the day’s end. A hike on the Ventana Double Cone Trail is a great opportunity to gain one of the best views in all of Big Sur. The Big Sur backcountry offers a bounty of hiking trails and wilderness backpacking T he Ventana Wilderness owes its name to a dramatic mountain peak known as Ventana Double Cone. Always use caution when crossing streams, and simply don’t risk it if you are in doubt. Learn what Leave No Trace Principles are and use them! 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