Big Sur Hiking Trails Pfeiffer Falls & Valley View Overlook. If you do choose to make a fire, never leave your fire unattended. June 2020 – Note: The Trail campground at Andrew Molera is closed and has been for some time. Making a Big Sur camping trip or two is without a doubt the best way to take it all in. All the same, this is Big Sur we are talking about. There is an endless amount of awesome Big Sur backcountry camping to uncover, and you’ll be reward with some of the best hiking in California state. Obviously, the summer is crazy busy up and down the coast. Fun fact: A lime kiln is a kiln used for the calcination of limestone (calcium carbonate) to produce the form of lime called quicklime (calcium oxide). If you do intend to camp off a forest service road (which I will cover in a minute), ALWAYS be smart about where and how you go to the toilet (with no toilets). Really these campsites are just flat spots off of the road where people have been setting up shop for decades. © 2021, The Broke Backpacker. The majority of the interior region of Big Sur is part of the Los Padres National Forest, Ventana Wilderness, Silver Peak Wilderness and/or Fort Hunter Liggett— all of which are prime candidates for badass places to camp in Big Sur. Ventana Wilderness: Cone Peak Trail. Huge, legendary traffic jams occur nearly on a daily basis from June-August. I only link to stuff I’ve actually used and never endorse products or services that are not up to scratch. He is an advocate for off-beat responsible travel and the preservation of the world's wild places and spaces. We have come to the final act of my guide to Big Sur camping…. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2s0KJ64Instagram: @lane.one.runShoes: http://bit.ly/2NtJfKXLightweight Stove: https://amzn.to/2OvAgJr 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). You might show up in the summer and not see a single drop of water flowing. "I recommend driving … Creek crossings found on the hike can be difficult if the water flow happens to be particularly fierce. This is suggested 4-day backpacking loop for those looking to spend a few days in the Ventana Wilderness section of Los Padres National Forest. This route, however, is one of the best road trips in California. This trail offers the opportunity to take a dip in the Big Sur river. This is the most detailed guide to hiking and backpacking in Big Sur. Big Sur, CA is one of the prettiest locations along the California coast. I hope you found the information in this guide helpful! Campsites for 1 car and tent costs $35/night. DO NOT bushwhack through the vegetation unless you are 100% sure there is no Poison Oak. 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. It’s highly recommended to make use of flameless products like battery-powered candles to avoid human-caused wildfires. It’s all about helping out our tribe of awesome backpacker readers [that’s you!]. Stay toasty warm on the road. If you do camp I think it best to depart the campsite at first light. Start at the Cone Peak Trailhead and pick up on this trail at the base of the cone peak summit trail. 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! Artists, hippies, surfers, hikers, beach bums, burnouts, and every shade of tourist ventures to this land… that land is called Big Sur. A group of my friends met up for Rob's birthday for a scenic backpacking trip on the California Coast. Andrew Molera State Park is the only state park campground that is first come/first served, meaning you can’t reserve a place. For the sake of transparency, some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Our favourite travel backpack is the Aer Travel Pack 2. If you do somehow manage a reservation, hopefully, you will get to see some whales, dolphins, or other amazing sea creatures! In recent years, I have spend a lot of time exploring Big Sur’s beaches, mountains, canyons, and rivers hunting for the best Big Sur camping spots. There are PLENTY of awesome hammock spots in Big Sur and along its beaches. Chris is also a founding member of, Airbnb's Most Unique Properties Worldwide, I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. The GRAYL GEOPRESS water bottle is the ONLY all-in-one filter water bottle setup you’ll need. “My friends and I had driven up to Big … Extreme heat, impassable trails, and unrelenting topography conspire to make summer backpacking difficult for even the most experienced explorer. Currently, I’m using the Petzl LED headlamp with red light (which insects can’t see). Headtorch: I would never travel without a headtorch. Limekiln campground contains 24 sites which must be reserved ahead of time. The hike back down was far easier and more relaxing. 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. Keep in mind that accommodation in the Big Sur area is EXPENSIVE. Start by parking at the Ventana Wilderness area ranger station and heading towards the back parking lot. Of course, not having to make reservations has its benefits and its pitfalls. Big Sur has many great destinations, but Sykes Hot Springs is definitely near the top of the list for anyone who has been there. The falls are, however, very seasonal. 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. They aren’t super large, about 8 feet in diameter. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is yet another totally magical Big Sur camping destination. The Ventana Wilderness does experience drought and the last thing you want is for the spring to be dry when you arrive. 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. Tip: Try to get a campsite with a fire ring and picnic table! Despite the tourist hordes, Big Sur is still one of my favorite sections of the coast I have explored – anywhere on earth. However, the sad truth is that Big Sur has changed quite dramatically over the years. Skip to main content. If you come in season (end of summer), you can pick wild blackberries to your heart’s content. Note: For more adventure inspiration in California and the rest of America, check out our post on the most amazing hikes in the USA. The landscapes are dreamy as hell and will leave you very much “wowed” by the day’s end. 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. Warm temperatures are really felt in the interior when you move away from the coast. The drive up the road isn’t super long, though it can be very steep in some places. Pretty much as soon as you know you are coming to Big Sur, check the Julia Pfeiffer reservation website and book whatever is available within your time frame. Andrew Molera is my favorite coastal Big Sur state park campground. Poison Oak is everywhere. Once it opens though, it is a hike not to be missed! 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 official word from the Forest Service was that the camping along the road is forbidden until August 19th, 2020. With zero facilities on offer, it is not a surprise that campers here have made a mess of things. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Amazon.com: backpacking big sur. The pools can accommodate several adults (perfect for couples). The area is fiercely protected by a local community that has managed to retain its original charm through quaint campgrounds, roadside coffee shops, restaurants and boutique hotels. This means that if you book your accommodation, buy a book or sort your insurance, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The park features the beauty of the redwoods, rugged coast, and cultural history of the limekilns. ALWAYS clean up your burn-out pile and make sure there are no leaves, grass, wood or other dried out materials left behind. In the peak of the summer in years past, the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road was absolutely loaded with cars and people. Hidden behind the veil of undeniable beauty are the dangers involved with camping around Big Sur, and really just visiting Big Sur in general. 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. More information. This amazing trail, which starts at a Highway 1 pullout just 3.6 miles north of Ragged Point (or 45 miles south of the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park entrance). Bad weather got you down or just feeling generally burnt out? On a sunny day, few things in life are better than sitting between two pine trees overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. The weather at Goat Camp was perfect and we all slept without a tent under the stars. There are a series of excellent hiking trails, brilliant ocean views, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Below, I cover the best free spots for camping in Big Sur that can be accessed by car…. Big Sur Guides and Hiking. Like all place in Big Sur, the secret is out when it comes to Los Burros. Unfortunately, the last two years have been hard on the Ventana Wilderness, Big Sur’s key attraction for backpackers. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Whether you’re free camping in Big Sur or at a paid campground, you’re going to want to keep this info in mind. Sweeping views of the Big Sur valley. 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]. The Pacific Coast Highway 1 runs along the Big Sur coast, sandwiched between by the dramatic Santa Lucia Mountains rising abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. Plus current wilderness and state park trail conditions. The campsites at Julia Pfeiffer book out faster than a $2 rodeo in rural America. Since camping on Highway 1 is illegal (and camping on certain Forest Service roads is too), state park campgrounds offer up a stress-free alternative to free guerrilla camping. Because the hike is rather short, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hike in with plenty of water on-hand too. Overnight camping options include staying at the Arroyo Seco campground or the primitive Last Chance Falls campground. Always use caution when crossing streams, and simply don’t risk it if you are in doubt. Best Hikes in Big Sur. Make a left at Palo Colorado Rd and drive through a remote cluster of houses dotted among some massive redwoods adorning the canyon. Thanks for your support. Big Sur Land Trust 509 Hartnell Street, Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 625-5523 | info@bigsurlandtrust.org Tax ID# 94-2473415 Springtime is a beautiful period to experience Big Sur. It also became one of the most popular, but for good reason. There are several ways to hike Cone Peak, and the descriptions can be a … Please prepare for difficult passes, brush, or water damage. If you’re RV camping, I don’t recommend trying to park here. In that case, perhaps you better consider some insurance before you go hunting backcountry places to camp in Big Sur. The best camping option is probably Lone Pine Camp, though you can wild camp in many other places should you choose to. Even if you only end up using it once, a decent head torch could save your life. Note: Cone Peak Rd (road leading to trailhead) is currently closed until further notice due to the Mill Fire Closure Order. Around holidays too, Highway 1 is totally nuts chockablock with holidayers driving the classic West Coast route. This is hands down the best way to hide your cash. That is if you don’t hit any traffic. The campsites are magical, though for $30/night I have a hard time justifying camping at Julia Pfefier at all. I hope this track opens soon! Here are some of my favorite hotels in Big Sur: There you have it, friends. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. There are several ascents and descents, with little to no shade from the sun. Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? One night backpacking trip to Big Sur, California. 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. Try Prime EN Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Orders Try Prime Cart. The campsites are nestled on a cliff under some trees overlooking the ocean. #8 - Salmon Creek Trail, Cruickshank Trail, and Buckeye Trail Loop [CLOSED], Please note that this trail is currently closed due to fire hazard. 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. 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”. Don’t drive through the gate, even if it is open! All rights reserved. Backpacking Big Sur isn’t exactly difficult but it isn’t all that straightforward either. This trip offers all of the splendor of Big Sur without the crowds or regulations. Hikers wishing to access the beach, Creamery Meadow, Ridge, Bluffs, Panorama and Spring trails must wade across the Big Sur River. Kirk Creek is certainly one of the best places to camp in Big Sur. In the past, some folks even parked here semi-permanently, though I think law enforcement has put an end to long-term camping here. Almost without exception, if it is free Big Sur campsites you seek, then you are going to have to get off Highway 1. The trailhead is located a quarter-mile up the road from the gift shop at Pfeiffer Big Sur … The real draw is the redwood forest and 100-foot waterfall called Limekiln Falls. Outside of the obvious essentials (a tent, sleeping bag, and food), it’s these variables that are going to govern your packing. There are a numerous amount of waterfalls to see throughout the Santa Lucia Creek Gorge. Cost: $25/night; $10 extra for firewood. The hike to its summit is the most dramatic by far in the Big Sur area. Camp at your own risk. Single-use plastic bottles are a huge threat to Marine Life – Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Certainly, in the winter there tend to be fewer people on the roads. This epic Big Sur camping guide will show you the best places to camp in Big Sur. 3. 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.”. After the Big Sur mudslides in 2017 that forced road closures further south on Highway 1, camping was made illegal along Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Please note: Wilderness travel in the Big Sur backcountry during the summer months can be extremely dangerous and even life threatening. The truth is Big Sur can be super busy any time of the year. Water sources can be far and few between. One of the most common (and beloved) Big Sur activities is hiking. Plus, they’re light which is perfect for hiking and camping in Big Sur’s backcountry! Be respectful to the environment, locals, and fellow campers. On October 31, 2018 the seasonal footbridge crossing the Big Sur River was removed for the season. 10 reviews Hiking “I reached out to Lesli from Big Sur guides, shared my ideas and she was simply amazing.” See all Big Sur Guides and Hiking reviews Big Sur River Gorge. Trails vary depending on weather conditions and participants’ skill levels. The Nacimiento-Ferguson Road was the classic free Big Sur camping spot. 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. It is possible to treat it as a day hike, but it is recommended to take some time for the hike, as there are rolling green hills, several waterfalls, and wildflowers throughout the trail, none of which should be missed. Go early in order to snag the best spots. For every AR bottle sold, we donate 10% to PlasticOceans.org – an initiative to reduce plastic in our oceans! 2.4 miles 550 feet They can be crowded as hell and of course, you need to pay. Parking is also available for $10.00 per calendar day Pine Ridge Trailhead Parking Lot. Enjoy this multi-day backpacking trip from Highway 1 to this scenic peak. Explore the endless hiking and backpacking possibilities in 75 trips (plus numerous side trips) on the rugged coastline and isolated backcountry trails of Big Sur, Ventana Wilderness, and Silver Peak Wilderness. Artists, hippies, surfers, hikers, beach bums, burnouts, and every shade of tourist ventures to this land… that land is called Big Sur. 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