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Riverside Campground
Overview
Riverside Campground and Cabins offers a quintessential coastal redwood experience for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat. Located directly on the banks of the Big Sur River, this park provides a serene escape from the highway bustle. It is a family-owned destination that successfully balances authentic rustic charm with essential modern comforts. Visitors come here to disconnect from the digital world and immerse themselves in the towering trees and the soothing sounds of the flowing water.
Location & Surroundings
The park is perfectly situated in the heart of the Big Sur valley, surrounded by majestic old-growth redwood groves. Its unique position along the Big Sur River allows guests easy access to the water for wading, inner-tubing, or simply relaxing on the riverbanks. The environment is incredibly lush and well-shaded, offering a cool and refreshing retreat even during the warmer summer months. It serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the dramatic rugged California coastline and the nearby Santa Lucia Mountains.
Amenities & Park Features
While the setting remains intentionally rugged, the park provides water and electric hookups for RVs. Each individual site includes a private fire pit and picnic table, which are perfect for evening meals. The facility offers several essential features to improve your stay:
- Clean restrooms and hot showers
- On-site laundry facilities
- Pet-friendly designated areas
- A small camp store for essentials
It is important to note that sites are mostly designed for smaller rigs, typically under 30 feet, so check dimensions before arriving.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Just a short distance from the park, guests can explore the wonders of the central coast. For those looking to explore the natural beauty of the area, consider visiting these nearby highlights:
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for hiking
- Andrew Molera State Park for beach vistas
- The iconic Bixby Creek Bridge for photography
- Point Sur State Historic Park
These destinations are just a short drive away, offering some of the most spectacular coastal views in California.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is absolutely ideal for nature enthusiasts and small-rig owners who prefer a wooded, intimate setting over a traditional paved RV resort. It is a fantastic choice for active families looking to spend their days playing in the river or couples seeking a quiet, romantic getaway under the redwood canopy. If you value immediate river access and a traditional camping atmosphere that emphasizes the great outdoors, this park will fit your travel style perfectly.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
space cadet
I loved camping at Riverside campground. It was great, the sound of the river was wonderful. They have wifi and it worked great. Every spot had a water spout. The showers had the best smelling toiletries. The space was perfect, I definitely plan on going back camping 🏕️
Jeff Bo
A great place to stay, but after years of being a family-run camp ground, it is now corporate. Prices have increased dramatically and after camping there for over 50 years, the warm feeling of "welcome back* is gone. Since I wrote this, I have new information, the person that was “incharge”. was not really in charge and caused all sorts of problems during the Transition of ownership.. She is no longer there and I Felt welcome. I’m still removing one star because the prices has have gone up dramatically.
ThuyVan Ngo
Quaint little private campground in Big Sur. Convenient location, good price, free coffee and hot chocolate. Showers and bathrooms were clean. You are a little close to the neighbors but it’s fine as we were out exploring during the day anyways. Would camp with them again
Danielle Schlapper Cohan
Pros: Great location with a nice, shallow river that is perfect for kids to play in. Within walking distance of a restaurant and general store. Playground nearby. Cons: Not all cabins have bathrooms, so be careful which one you book. $100 fine for leaving past check out, which is fine and understandable under normal circumstances, except that my car broke down leaving me a the mercy of a tow truck on the day I was supposed to leave and they still charged me. Absolutely no wiggle room even though the next party had not arrived by the time I was able to leave, and I was completely packed up well before it was time to check out.
Danielle C
This campground is generally great. The location is really nice. There is a little river that runs through it, which is mostly very shallow and perfect for kids to play in. There is a playground at the next campground over and a restaurant and general store that are easy to walk to. We tent camped and felt very comfortable and safe. Unfortunately, I had a frustrating situation with the battery dying in my car, which ended up necessitating a call to a tow company on the day I was scheduled to leave. I tried jumping my car multiple times (I ended up needing a new battery). I was doing everything I could to get my car out of the spot, but I was physically unable to move it until about 2 and a half hours after check out time. The staff kept coming around and warning me that if I didn’t move it, they would be charging me a late fee. It was very stressful and almost felt like they didn’t believe me or understand that I could not move the car (it’s hybrid, and I couldn’t even figure out how to manually get it into neutral). I get that this is the policy, but I think it is important for people to know that there is no wiggle room on this even in cases that are entirely out of your control. Furthermore, if you have any concerns about your own car, get a spot down by the river, not up the hill (the staff kept telling me that a tow truck might not even be able to get up to my car… so stressful). To be fair, I would add that there are some really lovely staff members there. The woman who runs the camp store is very kind and tried to be helpful, which I appreciated.