The best Big Sur campsites to bookīig Sur campsites run the gamut, from rustic hike-in spots to glampsites jam-packed with amenities-and the price points vary accordingly. A campfire ban could squash those plans for s’mores. Before you load up the trunk, check road conditions for Highway 1, the primary route in and out of Big Sur, in addition to fire restrictions. In recent years, Big Sur has weathered devastating wildfires and landslides that have shut down roads, hiking trails, and campsites. Just resist the urge to camp along the side of the road, or risk a $1,000 fine.Īlways check the weather before your visit If you miss your window of opportunity, try Campflare which alerts users of last-minute cancellations.

Most sites book up six months in advance, even during the winter. Outside of a rainy Tuesday in February, you’re not likely to nab a campsite by showing up on the day of your visit-it's very hard to camp in Big Sur without a reservation. If you can brave cooler temps, November through February offers primo whale watching, as much of the coast is dotted with the misty plumes of migrating humpbacks. While there’s little chance of avoiding crowds altogether-mild weather makes Big Sur popular year-round-you’ll better appreciate the area’s charms during the shoulder seasons of spring, when wildflowers abound, and in fall, when the region enjoys its very best weather. Yet summer also brings swarms of tourists and a morning marine layer that can obscure those glorious vistas. When to goĬamping and summer go hand-in-hand, and in Big Sur, it’s no exception with balmy days and cooling dips in the Big Sur River this time of year. While many think of Big Sur as the compact stretch of Highway 1 that’s clustered with restaurants, inns, and destination parks-what locals refer to as The Village-it’s actually a roughly 70-mile expanse that extends from the Carmel Highlands to just shy of San Simeon. The campground at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a short stroll from McWay Falls Braxton Stuntz/Unsplash What to know before you go

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