You are not entitled to camp wherever the hell you want. 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. The pools can accommodate several adults (perfect for couples). The only catch? Poison Oak is everywhere. As of 5/2020 the road to this route has essentially fallen off the mountain, with no repair in sight for the foreseeable future. If you do somehow manage a reservation, hopefully, you will get to see some whales, dolphins, or other amazing sea creatures! To be specific, it is technically considered free camping in Big Sur when the camping takes place next to Highway 1, which isn’t really tolerated anymore. In the summer, the state park campgrounds are booked out every night, often months in advance. If you are tired of staring at the inside of your tent night after night, you can book a hotel for a night or two. Even of those who do, fewer still do so with the intention to camp overnight. This is the most detailed guide to hiking and backpacking in Big Sur. To start packing for your camping trip to Big Sur, you can by browsing our Camping Packing Master Checklist. #3 of 22 Outdoor Activities in Big Sur. Cone Peak rises dramatically from the Pacific Ocean and offers great views of the Lucian Range. Beaches. Big Sur Land Trust 509 Hartnell Street, Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 625-5523 | info@bigsurlandtrust.org Tax ID# 94-2473415 Try to get a campsite along the Big Sur River in the far back reaches of the campground. Make a left at Palo Colorado Rd and drive through a remote cluster of houses dotted among some massive redwoods adorning the canyon. Below are some of my favorite backcountry Big Sur camping spots…. The park features the beauty of the redwoods, rugged coast, and cultural history of the limekilns. Like all place in Big Sur, the secret is out when it comes to Los Burros. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfieffer State Park) offers up all of the best aspects of Big Sur. Here is what the Forest Service said in their statement: “A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six months or both.”. Do your part to help keep Big Sur’s camping places awesome for the next group of travelers. Good luck, amigos! Artists, hippies, surfers, hikers, beach bums, burnouts, and every shade of tourist ventures to this land… that land is called Big Sur. Big Sur enjoys a mild, temperate coastal climate throughout the year. There are a series of excellent hiking trails, brilliant ocean views, and wildlife viewing opportunities. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Big Sur Trailmap provides accurate trail and camp locations based on local knowledge (GPS'd), plus locally-known "use trails", seasonal water sources, waterfalls, and other features in Big Sur state parks and wilderness areas. Like most of the US, the area is just not really set up for independent, budget travellers so you need to improvise a bit in order to get things done. From within these state parks, one can experience the quintessential Big Sur Coast, epic day hikes, redwoods, waterfalls, and, of course, some of the best Big Sur campgrounds imaginable. Always use caution when crossing streams, and simply don’t risk it if you are in doubt. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. As is the case with most places, far fewer people set out on foot to explore a place. For more than 40 years, Big Sur Guides has been leading hikes in Big Sur. Within the Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, there are at least 55 designated trail camps and countless others that are unofficial or undiscovered campsites. Check out our EPIC review of the best down jackets for backpackers in 2021! Springtime is a beautiful period to experience Big Sur. 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. There are no hidden gems anymore.” Whilst I do not 100% agree with that sentiment, in many ways it is true. Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? Hidden behind the veil of undeniable beauty are the dangers involved with camping around Big Sur, and really just visiting Big Sur in general. Read our full review of the GRAYL GEOPRESS! In fact, I would keep RV’s off of all of the free Big Sur camping spots I cover. 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]. They can be crowded as hell and of course, you need to pay. He is an advocate for off-beat responsible travel and the preservation of the world's wild places and spaces. I hope you found the information in this guide helpful! On October 31, 2018 the seasonal footbridge crossing the Big Sur River was removed for the season. If you have realistic expectations of what Big Sur has become, in addition to possessing the motivation to get off the beaten path, you’ll have an amazing time exploring and camping in Big Sur. In that case, perhaps you better consider some insurance before you go hunting backcountry places to camp in Big Sur. Obviously, the summer is crazy busy up and down the coast. Big Sur has many great destinations, but Sykes Hot Springs is definitely near the top of the list for anyone who has been there. 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. The landscapes are dreamy as hell and will leave you very much “wowed” by the day’s end. It is roughly 9-10 miles to the Skyes campground, and limited climbing after the first 2 hours (which can be steep at times, and tiring in the direct sun). I’m not sure exactly how many spots there are; possibly, nobody knows. Big Sur Hiking Trails Pfeiffer Falls & Valley View Overlook. 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. On the Central California coast, a magical, sparsely populated land of waterfalls, rugged mountains, redwood trees, stunning beaches, and blazing sunsets has been attracting people of all walks for decades. However, the sad truth is that Big Sur has changed quite dramatically over the years. Creek crossings found on the hike can be difficult if the water flow happens to be particularly fierce. This out and back trek is like two hikes in one, reaching a waterfall in a canyon of redwoods and a vista point overlooking the Big Sur River Valley. Locals in Big Sur have had to endure a lot of shit from tourists (literally, in some cases). 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. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2s0KJ64Instagram: @lane.one.runShoes: http://bit.ly/2NtJfKXLightweight Stove: https://amzn.to/2OvAgJr Don’t let that put you off! 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. 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