Pfeiffer Big Sur Sp Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations available up to six months in advance through ReserveCalifornia. During peak season, the campground enforces a seven-night maximum consecutive stay limit.

About

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground is one of California's most popular camping destinations, located 26 miles south of Carmel along Highway 1 in the Santa Lucia Mountains. The campground's 189 family campsites are spread throughout redwood groves, open meadows, and along the Big Sur River, offering varied camping experiences within the same park. Standard sites cost $50 per night, while premium riverfront sites are $60 per night. Each site includes a parking area, fire pit, and picnic table, though no hookups are provided. Fresh water, flush toilets, and token-operated hot showers are distributed throughout the campground. The park encompasses 1,346 acres of diverse habitat including redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders, and willows. Wildlife such as bobcats, black-tail deer, raccoons, and numerous bird species inhabit the area. Hikers can explore 8 miles of trails within the park, including a self-guided nature trail and the popular Pfeiffer Falls Trail, with access to over 200 miles of trails in the adjacent Ventana Wilderness. The on-site Big Sur Lodge offers a cafe and grocery store for provisions. Reservations are extremely competitive, filling up six months in advance year-round through ReserveCalifornia. During peak season, there is a seven-night maximum stay limit. The campground accommodates RVs up to 32 feet and trailers up to 27 feet, with a maximum of two vehicles per site. Dogs are permitted in the campground and on select paths but not on most trails. Note that there is no coastal access from this park, and Pfeiffer Beach is located approximately one mile south of the park entrance as a separate fee area.

Directions

The park is located 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.

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