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Riverside Campground & Cabins

3.9 (207 reviews)
Open Open 24 hours

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Sara C.

Stunning campsite in Big Sur on the Big Sur river. Cabins were quaint and well equipped with a fire pit, picnic table, heater inside, etc. , All you need for a cozy glamping weekend. Loved the campsite amenities including the camp store, swimming hole, and basketball courts. Bathrooms were probably as good as they could be but not much hot water in the shared bathrooms. Overall a wonderful experience which I highly recommend.

View front river bank to our site.
Sharon R.

We visited this campground 21 years ago and came back the week after Christmas. We were able to get a site directly on the water in front of the camp store. So peaceful, beautiful and serene! The new owners are super friendly and helpful and available whenever we needed them. We were in our 19' Sprinter van camper and we parked across our camp site so our awning went out towards the water and fire pit. Owner offered us a free amp converter (we were going to purchase one), but she allowed us to use theirs while we stayed. They will freshly brew complimentary coffee upon request! Showers/toilets were clean and worked great! We will be back the next time we're in No. Cal!!

View from Site #6
Heather M.

We love this place. We have a 16' trailer, and our friends brought their 29' trailer. We were upgraded to sites right on the river, which was lovely. It's small and homey. No sewer hookups, but there are showers and bathrooms that are just fine (shower is coin operated, 3 minutes for 25 cents). It's the staff that really make this place awesome. Pam is a hoot and makes you feel like you're family. We got the vibe that this is a place you come back to and are welcomed as friends, and we really hope to do that. It's a refreshing change from the big RV resorts with lots of concrete. Don't worry about the bridge situation- if the river is splashing over it to where it's dangerous, staff wouldn't book your stay.

Pretty little camp crumb predators lol
Judy L.

Drove by here twice in the last few years , waiting for an opportunity to book a stay as they book up fast. We would have taken an RV spot, a cabin or anything available because of how great we thought it would be BUT looks are deceiving. When one tent availability opened up for a site, didn't matter where at this point, we booked a night and thank goodness we didn't go for 2 or 3 nights. At check in, as some stated, the female camp host made that initial experience odd. The way she spoke to my husband seemed very dismissive but before this became unpleasant after a 5 hour drive, I decided to speak with the host and she was pleasant so maybe she just had an off moment. Done and time to drive to our site. An immediately, weed was in the air and we "lucked" out by being able to get a strong whiff of it every hour or so. Yes, it's legal in CA but not really the "fresh air" we were chasing. It was busier than what we are used to. Having the freedom of boondocking or finding campgrounds with plenty of space apart is what we are used to. These spots, however , were close to one another (as most campgrounds are) but it became a bit loud when different sites played music, were drinking and it felt more of a block party of which we could all see and hear everyone so we decided to get our very "old" feeling selves to bed early. Made breakfast and couldnt help but over hear an angry husband arguing with his wife and threatening to slap a B cause he don't care where he's at, while the wife argued back that she would slap him harder and don't give a....OMG this was just NOT my idea of a nature getaway at all. Lol We were so happy to leave the very next morning and thankful we never booked a longer stay here as we had initially imagined would be a "dream". If you're planning a group trip, a stream where the kids can play (shallow river more of a stream) and a place that has more smoke from weed than fire pits, then by all means. ..come here during summer haha! This may be the spot you're looking for. To be fair, every freaking dog we saw was on their best behavior (even the ones who were off leash and unsupervised) and because I enjoyed seeing dogs is why I gave this place 3 stars instead of one. I can only account for one night/day stay here so I can't knock it down because I'm sure some travelers had a better experience. Too bad, we're Definitely not one of them. Good luck and happy Camping !

River views from the south
Evangelene G.

This is our second time here and we used all of the amenities in our cabin. On this visit: - We stayed in Cabin 11 (pet friendly, but we didn't bring our dog) - Private bathroom with a small shower (the shower head is a little high) - Kitchenette with an induction stove - Small dorm fridge - Sink - Dishes, utensils, coffee maker, tea kettle available - Ask the office for free coffee (Note: The coffee packs make 4 cups of coffee) - Parking in front of the cabin. - Gas grill, patio furniture on deck - Queen sized bed, but if you lay down and look up, there's a small glass ledge so you can see the trees. We lucked out and saw the Persid Meteor showers. Because our cabin is next to the ADA cabin, you have to zig zag your way up to the cabin. The cabin is adjacent to the porta potties, restrooms, laundry and close proximity to the general store. The campground is along the river (bonus). There's access to both campsites next to Riverside - Big Sur Campground and Cabins and Ripplewood. We've walked through both sites. There's a trail along the river that will take you to Ripplewood Resort. There are some narrow spots, but it's the quickest way to get to either Road House Big Sur or Ripplewood Cafe. The woman who checked us in had a bit of an attitude, but both guys that were in the office were very helpful.

Jessica C.

The location could not be more perfect. It was so close to so many parks :) the staff was so helpful and gave wonderful directions/recommendations. We did the cabin and the price was fair for the accommodation.

Walking up the river

I stayed here for only one night, but I wish it was many more. I can't speak for the campsites because I stayed in a cabin. The cabin was fantastic, I loved the feel of it. The ceiling with the adorable fan was my favorite feature. All of the staff were very friendly, hospitable, and welcoming. As a Monterey native, I think this was the best campground I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing in Big Sur. It's pretty small, but quaint and peaceful which is exactly what I needed. I was able to bring my two dogs, which is mostly what this adventure was for. Cabin #1 has its own deck with a gate so they were contained when needed. My senior dog isn't able to walk much, but she was so happy napping on the deck for her last adventure with me. My other dog had a blast in the river for his first time. Thank you Riverside Campground & staff for making this possible with my pets and helping me make my last memories with my furry best friend. I really don't have any complaints. If I had to pick something out, I'd say I wish there was a little more space around the river to relax. I know this is mother natures doing, so it's not a deal breaker for me. I made the mistake of not bringing a chair. Learn from my mistake! Overall, everything was great and I can't wait to return soon!

Nice quiet spot. Went to Big Sur without a reservation and found this site. Excellent customer service, coin operated hot showers, little general store with all the basics and Wi-Fi for texting! Helpful when you have young adults at home lol clean restrooms and sites.

Kathleen S.

I loved my time at Riverside Campground. Pam, Ernest and others there were very helpful and friendly, making me feel like a welcomed guest and friend. The bathrooms are clean and well-stocked. The camp spaces have shade and light and enough space. There is a camp store if one needs things. The river is lovely and peaceful and since everyone rushes off for their hikes or site-seeing it is quiet and almost private during the day. It is a place to just be and enjoy. Yoga at the river's edge is glorious. I stayed on my way up the coast and then on my way down the coast as well because I liked it so much. Thank you!

Amazing breakfast on the Big Sur River @ Riverside Campground.
Robert W.

What an amazing getaway spot! We loaded up the Jeep in preparation for whatever the weekend brought us, and Riverside Campgrounds didn't disappoint. Super easy to find, simple check in with friendly staff and a store on-site for extra wine and firewood was clearly quite a few notches above what we'd had in mind when we left home. Blown away by the campsite (#14)... Fell asleep and woke up to a riffling river that was feet away from our tent. Clean picnic tables, campsite and fire pits were just perfect, as were the potable water spigots scattered about every 2 sites. Super flat tent areas were part of the package no matter what site you get, and you can't go wrong with any of them. Did I mention we slept right next to the Big Sur River? Wow. One thing I'd really like to commend the owners and staff on was the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. Thank you! And they are free, unlike another well known campground. Lastly, the prices at the store were beyond reasonable. We grabbed a good bottle of wine for $15.99. Try doing that at any other store, inn or campground in Big Sur. Firewood about $10 for an all night bag. Please be aware that they start quiet hour at 10pm. That's when everything starts winding down. We didn't have any issues with other campers being rude, noisy, etc. Riverside was just an excellent place and we'll be back as soon as we can.

Fire pit

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Beautiful area and close to all the hikes we wanted to do! The sound of the creek made it magical and a peaceful sleep was long over do.

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Ask the Community - Riverside Campground & Cabins

Does this campground really only book 7-10 days beforehand? I called and they were already all booked for the days I need, which is more than 10 days away?

Everything in Big Sur sells out fast.

What is check out tume?

11am

Is this a good place to bring bicycles?

not per say. For kids? no- area is minimal where to safely bike. For long range biking- maybe, ...but the roads are not safe for biking. Narrow and blind turns and most your traffic is tourists or locals who possible drive faster. You may annoy more… Read more

Do the cabins have bathrooms?

no. but they do have 2 main bathroom that they maintain well. I think only 1 or 2 cabins have a bathroom inside.

What time can you check in?

3 pm

Is there a size restriction on RV's I have a 30 foot trailer is Riverside open to this?

I believe so, see some bigger class c in the patk

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Review Highlights - Riverside Campground & Cabins

Pam, Ernest and others there were very helpful and friendly, making me feel like a welcomed guest and friend.

Mentioned in 32 reviews

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

4.4(405 reviews)
1.5 mi

Great campground with the Big Sur river running right through it. Loved the quick hike up to the…read morewaterfall through the redwoods. Lots of great shady sites and some really nice sites right on the river. Showers were nice and reasonably priced. If you are feeling lazy and don't want to cook, you can check out the restaurant/ coffee shop, also a nice little gift shop. There is also a store at the back of the campground that has ice , snacks , firewood and a small laundry facility which was super convenient !! Great woodsy campground with great amenities!!

We stayed two nights at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and while the scenery is absolutely stunning…read more(as expected for Big Sur), the experience was seriously impacted by poor enforcement and lack of oversight from staff. Right off the bat, our check-in experience was frustrating. We had reserved and paid for an ADA campsite, only to arrive and find someone else already occupying it. Apparently, there is no system in place to verify IDs against reservations, which seems like a huge oversight--especially for ADA-designated spots. After spending time sorting that out, things settled temporarily. Our first night at the Weyland campground quickly went downhill once "quiet hours" (10pm-6am) began. Instead of quiet, the majority of the campground was loud, playing music, and talking well into the night--until nearly 4am. There was zero enforcement of quiet hours, and no visible presence from a camp host or ranger to address it. It honestly felt more like a free-for-all than a state park campground. Hoping for a better experience, we moved to the South campground for our second night. Unfortunately, things got worse. The bathroom across from Site 45 was in unacceptable condition. The ADA shower stall took three of my paid shower tokens without working, and to make matters even worse, there was literal human feces on the floor. Not just dirty--completely unsanitary and clearly not being maintained. We attempted multiple times to contact the camp host about both the bathroom situation and earlier noise issues, knocking several times with no response. It was incredibly frustrating to have no support or accountability when problems came up. It's really disappointing because this park is naturally beautiful and has so much potential. But the lack of basic management--no ID checks for reservations, no quiet hour enforcement, and poorly maintained facilities--completely takes away from the experience. It honestly feels like the park is being let down by the very people responsible for running it. Would love to return someday, but until there are major improvements in oversight and maintenance, it's hard to justify coming back.

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

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Big Sur Campground and Cabins - Single bed, other room had 2 beds

Big Sur Campground and Cabins

3.4(336 reviews)
0.1 mi

We stayed here about a long time ago and my wife surprised me with a 3 day getaway recently. There…read moreare many options to choose from: tents, RV parking, A-frames, small cabins, and larger cabins. She chose a riverside cabin and this place made such a strong impression we remembered it was right next to the cabin with a loft our friends stayed at the first time we came about a decade ago. There is no cellular signal here so you'll be without internet, the only WiFi available is near the entrance and there is a $20 fee, if you are desperate there are some pockets of reception going south on highway one but we took the opportunity to disconnect and enjoy fire, nature, and each others company instead. You'll know when you get reception because your phone will start going crazy. The riverside cabin had an outdoor pit and indoor wood burning stove so you get fire inside and out, the river is right outside and if you go down at night it's creepy. We loved the clean bedrooms and cozy living room, most of our time indoors was spent in the living room hanging around near the fire. We ate most of our meals at the cabin and it felt private and quiet though there were other people staying next to us, the shower had insane water pressure and flow and it was nice not having to sleep smokey and dirty every night. There are basic kitchen utensils, cups, plates, and pans. I don't know why we expected this but there is no salt or pepper so make sure to bring your own! Firewood is also marked up and we always use more than we think so better to buy from farther away, they provide 1 free bundle and we brought 5 and still ended up using all of it.

Add a dog run. Add concrete, grass, pebbles or mulch on RV…read morecampsites so the spot won't be so muddy and one can enjoy the spot with pets and kids instead of tracking in mud and playing in the mud. Lower price or add suggested accommodations to make it enjoyable and comfortable. We rented our spot for two nights but left after the hour of getting there due to the mud conditions. We and our dogs were not happy campers there. We will not return there until we see improvements regarding muddy grounds.

Photos
Big Sur Campground and Cabins - Kitchen and dining area

Kitchen and dining area

Big Sur Campground and Cabins - Daily coffee is a must for camping

Daily coffee is a must for camping

Big Sur Campground and Cabins - Bathroom, water pressure on the shower is strong, water gets warm

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Bathroom, water pressure on the shower is strong, water gets warm

Ventana Campground - Outside of glamping tent

Ventana Campground

3.5(214 reviews)
3.3 mi

Came here from Monday- Wednesday at their tent camping site. We stayed at campsite #1. This site…read morewas considered a hike in. To get in was a slight incline, slightly steep but there were stairs, so that made the incline slightly easier. Someone mentioned that it was a 0.5 mile hike-in in another review, and it's far less than 0.5 miles. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who maybe doesn't want to get their steps in because you have to climb up and down to use the restroom/shower, but other than that no complaints about this particular hike-in spot. The description of this campsite states that it'll fit a 1-2 person tent. My partner and I managed to fit a 6 person tent. It was a little big to fit in the spot, but we managed. There was a slight slope towards the edge, so we just slept the other way where it was a little more flat. This spot is super secluded, you have a lot of trees covering you. So if you value a little more privacy, it might be good for you. The closest neighbors were downhill at campsite 2 and 3, but it's a good amount of distance away. That being said it's one of the first campsites upon entering, so in the day time you get a good amount of cars passing by. At night, it's super quiet, you can even hear the creek flowing. I haven't gotten this good of sleep in a while. In the morning around 8/9 you have maintenance and cleaners coming around, cleaning the bathrooms and doing other stuff around the campsite. So if you are not an early riser, there's the noise from that. However, I didn't mind that because that gave me reassurance that they actually clean the bathrooms daily. Ventana campground offers hot showers at $2 for 5 mins. If you taken quick showers, 5 minutes is all you really need. I would recommend taking showers before it's too late or super early. There was a guest across the way from us at 54 yelling at the top of his lungs about how the water was cold and how he wasted money on his shower at 5AM. He then proceeded to break the door and break the hand sanitizer off the wall and throw its across the campsite. I'm sure he woke a lot of people up from his little baby temper tantrum. Not sure if it was because spot 1 was surrounded by trees, but we had a lot of little flys?/gnats? Flying around. They went away once we got the fire going and there was smoke. There were also wasps flying around which made it uncomfortable as my partner is allergic. They only came out when food/meat was out and being cooked. Overall, this was a great experience for a first time camper, like myself. The showers and bathrooms were greatly appreciated. They had an airstream that offered drinks and snacks. There was also jenga and cornhole by the airstream. Again, we came during the weekday. It was not that busy and super quiet. There were a lot of spots open. I'm sure the experience would be different on the weekends, with more spots filled. Some of the campsites are really close together so I'm not sure how busy or loud it could get on the weekends with neighbors close by. I went around to scout other campsites for next time. Overall, I would like to come back again and either book the same spot or try a different spot.

Terrible experience glamping. No one enforces the quiet rules past 10pm, so we listened to the…read moreequivalent of a frat party complete with karaoke until 2am (on a Tuesday night no less). No one at the kiosk when we arrived at 4:50pm, had to chase down someone for the firewood we prepurchased. Paid $75 pet fee but never received any of the promised amenities (dog bed, treats etc), Rats came into the tent in the middle of the night (we had stored all food in the car). All in all an absolutely terrible stay and waste of $273 for one night. So disappointing as Big Sur is an incredible area.

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Ventana Campground
Ventana Campground - Tomahawk

Tomahawk

Ventana Campground - Bathroom with shower.

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Bathroom with shower.

Kirk Creek Campground

Kirk Creek Campground

4.3(193 reviews)
25.7 mi

Site 29! Had a great stay here. Stayed April 7th and 8th. First day and night were clear and we…read morewere able to see so many stars at night. As far as the campsite it self, i was a little scared that it would be too sloped, but it wasnt bad at all. We used a tent and set it up on the left side and kept the table/bench in the middle. We still had awesome views of the water. Everything was so green it looked like it was a filtered photograph. You could see the vault bathroom from our site but we couldn't smell it. The smell was very prominent though around the area where the host was staying. Bring a bucket, diapers (to soak up the pee), and thick plastic bags if you dont want to use their vault bathrooms. We didnt encounter any raccoons personally, but did see their prints all over our cooler (locked) and table in the mornings. We saw a groundhog and it spent an hour digging up a hole. Firewood was $15 a bundle. we have verizon for our cell service and had no signal at all. It actually went out about 20 miles before arriving to the campground. We were able to use the satellite option on our phones to send out a couple of text messages. Wish we lived closer cause the drive from Orange County was long. Enjoy the photos

Kirk Creek Campground offers one of the most breathtaking coastal views you'll find anywhere in…read moreCalifornia. Waking up right on the cliffs above the ocean is incredible and truly makes the trip worth it. There's no cell service, though newer iPhones with satellite messaging can still send and receive texts if needed. Just be prepared: the campground is very rustic. There's no water, no power, and only basic latrines. At $45 per night, it feels a bit steep considering the lack of amenities, but that's the Recreation.gov rate- and the scenery does soften the sting. If you're driving in, know that Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is not recommended for large vehicles, trailers, or anything that struggles with braking downhill. For larger rigs, Highway 1 is definitely the safer and better option. The surrounding area is amazing, with tons of hikes, beaches, and spots to explore. You can even find local jade along the beaches and in riverbeds, which is a fun bonus. The campground hosts are enthusiastic, friendly, and genuinely helpful- one of the highlights of staying here. The only major downside is the raccoon situation. They go absolutely wild at night- climbing on tables, chairs, coolers, even cars and trailers. They will try to open anything they can, so make sure everything is secured or locked up. It would be great to see the park system address this, because they're definitely a persistent (and bold) nuisance. Overall, Kirk Creek is stunning, quiet, and unforgettable- as long as you're ready for a rustic experience and some energetic nighttime visitors.

Photos
Kirk Creek Campground - Bubbles site 29

Bubbles site 29

Kirk Creek Campground - Fam photo from site 29

Fam photo from site 29

Kirk Creek Campground - Site 29 views

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Site 29 views

Andrew Molera State Park

Andrew Molera State Park

4.3(135 reviews)
2.7 mi

First time visiting Andrew Molera State park this last weekend 5/25/2024. We were feeling ambitious…read moreand decided to hike the whole 8 mile loop (creamery meadow, ridge, panorama, and bluffs trail) roughly 1450 ft elevation gain total. At the beginning of the hike and at the end of the hike you have to cross a river that is about knee deep for someone around my height of 5"4. The hike took us 5 hours to compete with ample breaks included. We hung out on two different beaches (not included in the time) throughout our day which was a ton of fun. It was my first time ever seeing or even hearing about purple sand and my mind was blown. The trails are VERY overgrown so I'd suggest wearing long sleeves and pants to avoid ticks, poison ivy, and stinging nettle. Parking is free if you are willing to park along hwy 1 and walk/run across the street. There is paid parking inside of the park and there seemed to be plenty of space if that's your preference. Lastly, I love that there are clean bathrooms at the beginning of the trail head. Overall, this loop offered absolutely amazing ocean views during the majority of hike. Bring lots of water, sunscreen, and your camera.

What a nice park. I would recommend the one mile trail walk to the beach. The beach is quite empty…read moreduring the week. Also, while the trail is quite wide, it is lined on both sides with poison oak almost the entire walk which is fine as long as you don't touch it. The trail floor starts out as dirt and small rocks and eventually turns to sand and rock. There's also a small section of a two planks wide stable bridge over a river. It's maybe 30 feet long and the water below is about 6 inches to a foot deep. It would be fine for most children to cross with an adult. The views once you arrive at the ocean are truly stunning . The sand is quite hot and there are many small rocks and lots of seaweed, so I'm glad I wore flip flops. Sneakers would have been better I think.

Photos
Andrew Molera State Park - River to cross before and after

River to cross before and after

Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera State Park

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Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach

4.5(343 reviews)
2.0 mi

super windy (our hat flew off!).. and curiously purple patterned sand. This beach is a must see in…read morethe Big Sur exploration. Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most famous and visually striking beaches in Big Sur, known for its dramatic rock formations and unique landscape. Here is a summary of what makes it special: Key Highlights The Purple Sand: The beach is globally famous for patches of violet and deep purple sand. This unusual coloring comes from manganese garnet washed down from the surrounding hillsides after it rains. Keyhole Rock: This massive, iconic rock formation sits just off the shore. It features a natural archway carved out by the ocean. During sunset, the evening light beams directly through the "keyhole," creating a spectacular glow that attracts photographers from all over. Rugged Scenery: Surrounded by towering cliffs and sea stacks, the beach offers a raw, wild, and incredibly photogenic slice of the California coast. What to Know Before You Go The Road Down: The beach is located down Sycamore Canyon Road, which is a narrow, winding, one-lane road with sharp turns. It is not recommended for RVs or large trailers. Hidden Entrance: The turnoff from Highway 1 is unmarked and easy to miss--it is located just south of the Big Sur Ranger Station. Parking & Fees: There is a standard vehicle day-use fee. Because it is highly popular and the parking lot is quite small, it can fill up quickly on weekends and nice days. If the lot is full, staff will turn vehicles away at the highway, so arriving early or late in the afternoon is ideal. Conditions: It is notoriously windy, so packing a jacket is wise. The water features incredibly strong rip currents and hidden rocks, making it great for beachcombing and photography, but unsafe for swimming.

Beautiful beach and popular spot in Big Sur. It's a pretty long drive from the east bay but worth…read moreit for a relaxing day trip. -No cell service/internet -$15 parking -bring flip flops , blanket, picnic food, towel if going in water, hat, sunglasses, water, a book. - bathrooms are kinda gross Love the boulders and watching the ocean waves crash through them. There are several trails nearby for the adventurers.

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Pfeiffer Beach
Pfeiffer Beach - Line of people

Line of people

Pfeiffer Beach

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Limekiln State Park

Limekiln State Park

4.4(142 reviews)
23.9 mi

I fell I love with this beach many years ago. The drive here is INCREDIBLE! I literally have dreams…read moreabout driving under the bridge! You go under to get to this secluded beach off of Hwy 1. I had no idea that you could choose between 3 different campsites until I decided I HAD to be under the moonlight at the beach on 2.22.22 at 2:22 pm. And the views are BREATH TAKING from the beach campsite. They were also freezing, windy, and WET in February! And all of the trails were closed when we visited due to the fire, but it was like a little slice of Heaven to disconnect and spend 2 nights off the grid with great folks. The rangers who serve this place are BEYOND friendly, and they do an awesome job of keeping the bathrooms clean. I believe they were cleaned 3 times a day. And the campsites were so self contained, you really had no idea there were up to 29 sites there. Camping on the beach meant you heard the crash of waves all night long. It was so very peaceful! And while the view looked almost warm, there was NOTHING warm about being there in February. But if you had a camper, and the right gear, the rain and wind would be worth it just to burn that image eternally into your mind! I hope I can snag this location during the warmer months. I'm just in love with everything about LimeKiln.

Heads up a number of trails are still closed from the fire so it's not possible to access the falls…read moreand other trails as in the past. We had site #6 near the beach. The sites are very close to each other. Our first night before our immediate neighbors arrived was amazing - incredible views of the beach/ocean from the campsite and very peaceful. Restrooms including shower were nearby and cleaned every morning. Next night, we were surrounded by big groups on both sides and it felt like a parking lot tent city and it did not seem like car parking restrictions were enforced. The sites are so close we could hear intense snoring on both sides. Neighboring kids would come and smack/kick at our dogs - they were young but still not cool and I was annoyed their parents stood by and watched. We will try Kirk Creek instead next time to get more space. Pros - we loved the incredible access to the beach. Amenities seemed to work well (until inconsiderate folks started to ignore basic human decency like flushing!). Cons - no access to internet (despite it being available but it is locked), some beach sites are very close together, trails closed.

Photos
Limekiln State Park
Limekiln State Park
Limekiln State Park - Flocks of birds and otters hang out just offshore

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Flocks of birds and otters hang out just offshore

Sykes Hot Springs - Hot Spring

Sykes Hot Springs

5.0(1 review)
0.3 mi

At the end of Summer, my friend suggested a backpacking trip to Skyes Hot Springs - 20 miles out…read moreand back with 5380 ft elevation gain. (more challenging than Bright Angel Trail to bottom of Grand Canyon) Arrived at Big Sur Station at 9am. Paid $20 overnight parking fees, used toilet, snapped group photo then began hiking at 9:30. Half hour lunch break at 11:45 Terrace Creek Camp, and finally arrived to Skyes Camp by 3pm. In route to camp, we crossed 7 creeks each way. I was a bit anxious of slipping cuz I had less confidence than I used to. I think it would have been easier and more fun if I had power thr them with momentum. No mosquitoes sightings in mid Nov. Lots of poison oaks along the trail but not overgrown; I wore shorts with no problem, just clouds of dust from our own stompings. Our friend impaled a bunch of splinters from a burr plant. I visited many of our camp neighbors in search of a tweezer; fortunately, the last of the spikes expelled itself in the hot spring waters. Hiking downriver in search of the hot springs was not easy. When located at 5pm, the large tub was occupied, we tested all of the other 3 smaller tubs then settled in at the one on the river level, it was a tight squeeze for 4 people but we sardined to fit. Our inlet source was a water fall from the tub above which some of us used as a shower over our heads. It was a relaxing time with beautiful surroundings and good company. The water was lukewarm with lots of earthy debris, so it does not compare to the numerous fancy Onsens I have visited in Japan. But things are more valuable when it is earned by hard work - the miles, inclines, sun, sweat, dust, creek crossings, obstacles, and heavy pack; great feelings of accomplishment, and endorphins too. It was wise of us to leave the springs at 6pm since sunsets at 6:30. Due to the heavy forest, we were not able to sight the supermoon nor the comet in the night sky. Sleeping with the ripple sounds of the Big Sur River close by was soothing. Our return trip started at 9:30 and ended at the parking lot by 1pm, 4.5 hours was very fast pace. We were eager to celebrate our trip with a lunch in a sit down restaurant, Big Sur Roadhouse. Another great adventure with friends. Treasure memories.

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Sykes Hot Springs - Creek crossing

Creek crossing

Sykes Hot Springs - Camp

Camp

Sykes Hot Springs - Big Sur River

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Big Sur River

Riverside Campground & Cabins - campgrounds - Updated June 2026

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