Camp at Ventana Campground, Big Sur
Big Sur, California
Description
Added by Masa Kato
Developed tent-only campsites (no RV hubbub) with easy access to multiple Ventana Wilderness hikes. There are private showers and restrooms (THE cleanest), pet friendly and one car per spot, 5 people maximum (cost varies).
This campground is a gem when it comes to Big Sur camping, book here. Each site includes a parking spot, a campfire ring with grill, a picnic table, and plenty of space for 1-2 tents. There are multiple immaculate restroom facilities with showers, clean trash enclosures (emptied and sanitized daily), and a general store that sells firewood should you run out early. If you don't feel like eating camp food during your entire stay, trek up the hill to woodsy-chic Ventana Inn for a top-notch meal – I recommend the steak, the burger, and the bloody mary.
Since the campground is covered in redwood tree canopy, it stays relatively cool here year-round. You can see glimpses of the stars and the moon at night and glimmers of sunlight filtering through during the day. There are access points to various hikes around the Ventana Wilderness, and it is not uncommon to catch sightings of wildlife (condors and deer, especially). Quiet time starts around 10, though the crowd here never really gets rowdy since it draws mostly couples and small families.
Relax into the night as your campfire dies down. Get lulled to sleep by a mellifluous creek under a blanket of temperate fog/mist while surrounded by gentle giant redwoods.
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Reviews
This campground is awesome and likely one of the best along this stretch of California, but it books up WAAAAY in advance so be prepared.
5.0
Although this is an extremely busy campground, and often books up way in advance, it is definitely one of the prettiest I have been to! If you want more of a secluded spot, be sure to stay in one of the loops farther in the back!
4.0
Ventana, while crowded, is one of the best maintained campgrounds in Big Sur. We stayed further in the back, which was a longer drive but offered a more secluded experience than the front sites. It's centrally located to all the major stops like McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach. Can't wait to go back.
5.0
Ventana is a wonderful - but busy - campground. The location is ideal - quick access to all the wonderfulness of Big Sur, but it is also a large and popular site and can get noisy when packed. Highly recommend asking for one of the further out campsites (where you have to walk from your parked car just a few feet to your site). The redwoods are lovely. The bathrooms are awesome - beautifully designed and they have hot showers (for a fee). They sell firewood at check-in, which makes lighting a fire in the ring-fires easy. There's a fold-over grill as well! All the sites are level and large enough typically for multiple tents.
4.0
Such a classically Californian camping spot along the Pacific coast, man! Peaceful and cool during the summer and super close to various points of interest in the Big Sur area. Everything is clean, well-maintained, and everyone is damn friendly.
5.0
Leave No Trace
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Nearby
Hike to Pfeiffer Falls
Hike the East Molera Trail
Hike the Andrew Molera State Park Loop
Camp at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Hike the Creamery Meadow Trail to Molera Beach
Sykes Hot Springs via Pine Ridge Trail
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