Some CAMP SITES AND TRAILS may be CLOSED DUE TO DAMAGE FROM FIRE AND STORMS, VENTANA WILDERNESS ALLIANCE and U.S.D.A. Forest Service PROVIDE CURRENT CAMP SITE AND TRAIL CONDITIONS
Demand for camp sites typically exceeds capacity during weekends year-round, and also on weekdays during summer. Consider making reservations for campsites before traveling to Big Sur. It is unlawful to camp in the turnouts alongside Highway 1.
MM = mile marker, roadside markers along Highway 1 in Monterey County that indicate the number of miles north of the border between Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties.
Camping (drive-in)
MM 61 | Botchers Gap Campground | Highway 1 / Palo Colorado Rd + 7 miles | 805.434.1996 | Camping Closed
MM 51 | Andrew Molera State Park | 45500 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.1112 | Camping Closed
MM 49 | Big Sur Campground & Cabins | 47000 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.2322
MM 48 | Riverside Campground & Cabins | 47020 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.2414
MM 48 | Fernwood Resort | 47200 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.2422
MM 47 | Big Sur Pfeiffer State Park | 47231 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.1112
MM 46 | Big Sur Station Visitor Center | Highway 1 | Information Only | 831.667.2315
MM 45 | Ventana Big Sur | 48123 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 800.628.6500
MM 36 | Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park | 52801 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.1112
MM 21 | Limekiln State Park | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
MM 19 | Kirk Creek Campground | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
MM 19 | Nacimiento Campground | Highway 1 / Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd + 11 miles | 805.434.1996
MM 14 | Plaskett Creek Campground | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
MM 11 | Treebones Resort | 71895 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 805.927.2390 | 877.424.4787
Camping (hike-in)
For a list of hike-in camp sites in the Ventana Wilderness and Silver Peak Wilderness areas, see Ventana Wilderness Alliance and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service.
Trails may be considered as day hikes, located within state and federal parks, or as wilderness hikes, with camp sites on the trail. For wilderness trails, only those with trailheads on or near Highway 1 are listed.
Parks & Day Hikes
MM 72 | Palo Corona Regional Park | Highway 1 | 831.372.3196
MM 71 | Carmel River State Beach | Highway 1 | 831.649.2836
MM 70 | Pt. Lobos State Natural Preserve | Highway 1 | 831.624.4909
MM 66 | Garrapata State Park | Trail Head for Rocky Ridge Trail, Highway 1 | 831.624.4909
MM 54 | Point Sur State Historic Park | Highway 1 | Reservation Required | 831.625.4419
MM 51 | Andrew Molera State Park | 45500 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.1112
MM 47 | Big Sur Pfeiffer State Park | 47231 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.1112
MM 46 | Pfeiffer Beach | Highway 1 / Sycamore Canyon Rd + 2 miles | 805.434.1996
MM 46 | Big Sur Station Visitor Center | Highway 1 | 831.667.2315
MM 36 | Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park | 52801 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 831.667.1112
MM 21 | Limekiln State Park | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
MM 19 | Kirk Creek Campground | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
MM 19 | Nacimiento Campground | Highway 1 / Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd + 11 miles | 805.434.1996
MM 18 | Mill Creek Picnic Area & Beach | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
MM 14 | Sand Dollar Beach | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
MM 14 | Plaskett Creek Campground | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
MM 12 | Willow Creek Picnic Area & Beach | Highway 1 | 805.434.1996
Wilderness Hikes
MM 47 | Pine Ridge Trail
MM 40 | Boronda Trail
MM 38 | DeAngulo Trail
MM 23 | Stone Ridge Trail
MM 19 | Vicente Flat Trail
MM 19 | Kirk Creek Trail
MM 18 | Mill Creek Trail
MM 16 & 15 | Prewitt Loop Creek Trail | Two Trailheads
MM 8 | Cruikshank Trail
MM 2 | Salmon Creek Trail
Highway 1 winds through the Big Sur coastline, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east. Fauna and flora vary dramatically.
On and adjacent to Highway 1, deer and wild turkey are common. Motorcyclists should be wary of deer on the roadway, particularly at dusk and dawn - popular feeding times for deer - though deer may appear on the road at any time. Small mammals include rabbit, squirrel, mice, badger, skunk, raccoon, gopher, weasel, and fox. Large mammals include mountain lion, bobcat, and wild boar. Bear sightings are rare.
Condor and hawk are often seen soaring above the coastline. Other birds include eagle, owl, flicker, woodpecker, bluebird, raven, swallow, flycatcher, thrush, goldfinch, and orioles.
Rattlesnake, garter snake, gopher snake and king snake may be encountered, as well as lizards. The black widow spider is common, and tarantula and scorpion may be seen at higher elevations.
Migrating and local marine life are abundant on the coast. Blue, gray and humpback whale, killer whale, dolphin, porpoise, sea otter, sea lion and seal are commonly seen, as are seagull, sandpiper, cormorant, oystercatcher and willet.
Coastal redwood is abundant and spectacular. Tanoak, coast live oak, bay laurel, pine, fir, chaparral, and non-native eucalyptus and Monterey pine are common. Poison oak is everywhere. If you wander off of a trail, you’ll probably encounter poison oak. If you’re susceptible to it, consider wearing long pants and shirt sleeves even when hiking on well-maintained trails, as poison oak grows fast and is difficult to eradicate.