Plaskett Creek Campground has green lawns, flush toilets & across from Sand Dollar Beach, on Hwy 1 / Ponderosa Campground, on the other hand, has oaks and easy access from Hwy 101
Central Coast Camping
Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest manages several Campgrounds along the Central Coast. Most are first come, first serve.
- Alder Creek Campground (long dirt road access Rd# 23S01)
- Bottchers Gap Campground (inland on Rd #18S05)
- Kirk Creek Campground (on coastal cliffs, next to hwy)
- Nacimiento Campground (inland on Nacimiento Rd #22S01)
- Plaskett Creek Campground ( w/ reservations, on Hwy 1)
- Ponderosa Campground (inland on Nacimiento Rd #22S01)
Alder Creek Camp
Willow Creek Road #23S01
Free camping in Big Sur can be found on the numerous dirt back roads:
No charge camp sites means dirt road access, tighter camp fire restrictions & no facilities (table, bathrooms, fire pits). These premium, hard to find camp spots usually require that you venture off the beaten path – w/ a National Forest map or regional topo map. If you want to camp without the tourists and crowds, with excellent views of the coast & the night sky, plus avoiding all fees – then take one of these dirt roads off the main highway & start exploring (preferably before sunset)
- Los Padres Forest Rd #23S01 Willow Creek Road (aka Los Burros)
- Los Padres Forest Rd #20S05 Prewitt Ridge Road
Big Sur Private Campgrounds -
- Big Sur Campground & Cabins
- Big Sur Riverside Campground & Cabins
- Fernwood Resort Campground
- Ventana Campground
