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Riverside Campground
Overview
Overview
Riverside Campground in Big Sur, CA, offers a classic, rustic retreat nestled deep within the dramatic landscapes of the Central Coast. This campground captures the quintessential charm of the region, providing a grounded experience for travelers who value proximity to nature over modern resort-style luxury. Whether you are navigating the winding roads of Highway 1 or seeking a quiet place to disconnect, the park provides a serene forest setting that emphasizes the raw beauty of Big Sur’s unique topography.
Location & Surroundings
Situated directly along the Big Sur River, the campground is positioned to take full advantage of the lush canyon floor. The site is surrounded by towering redwood trees, which provide significant shade and a sense of deep isolation from the outside world. Because of the rugged nature of the coastal mountains, the surrounding environment feels untouched, offering a perfect base for those looking to immerse themselves in the dense vegetation and wildlife common to the Pacific coastline.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground focuses on essential comforts to ensure a functional stay in a remote area. Guests can expect basic utility hookups, including water and electrical connections, which are necessary for longer stays in the canyon. The facility maintains clean, standard bathhouses and fire pits at most sites. The park is designed to accommodate various camping styles, ranging from smaller travel trailers to tent campers, maintaining an accessible wilderness-focused atmosphere throughout the property.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The location serves as a gateway to some of the most iconic sights in California. Visitors are a short drive from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, where miles of hiking trails wind through ancient groves. The famous McWay Falls and the scenic overlooks of Bixby Creek Bridge are also within easy reach. Travelers often spend their days exploring coastal cliffside trails or visiting the local beaches, making this campground an ideal launchpad for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is best suited for nature lovers and road trippers who prioritize location over extensive on-site entertainment. It is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a rustic camping experience and prefer to spend their days exploring the rugged coastline rather than lounging at a campsite. If you value quiet nights under the stars and direct access to Big Sur’s natural wonders, this campground will likely fit your travel style perfectly.
Features & Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Palak Dewan
The campground is great and is by the Big Sur River, people are really nice and quiet. We booked the cabin here and I am going to be honest our cabin which was #1 wasn’t that clean, it had spider web all over and even the headboard of the bed had spiderwebs. Other than that we came across “Skunks” which was pretty scary and there were 2 of them. Due to which we had to leave and we couldn’t stay the other night though we had paid for 2 nights. It was annoying that we paid so much money and couldn’t even stay! Not sure if skunks are common there, we had no idea!
Mark Hisle
Great chill campsite right in the middle of everything you want in the Big Sur area! So I am definitely the person to over-research pretty much everywhere I go on a trip, and was pretty nervous to check this spot out after reading a few reviews about management issues and all that. Didn’t find that to be the case at all- whole place is run very well and really feels like your own magical slice of the woods to yourself. We stayed in cabin 10 since we were travelling and didn’t have any camping equipment. It might be a little small but absolutely has everything you need- bed is comfy, there’s room to sit and cook, and for being in the middle of the woods the bathroom is really solid. Whole place just feels like a happy little community of campers- all the other guests were super nice to us, you have kids running around and actually enjoying nature, and people actually do chill out and get quieter at 10pm. No one was a jerk about us letting our fire die down after 10pm either. Think everyone here just wants to have a good time. The “river” the camp is near itself is a little small and more of a creek but still nice and peaceful. Don’t really have any nice trails right off of the property, but you can drive to any major trail in area in like 10 minutes. It was a bit expensive for us being over the 4th of July weekend, but was overall the exact comfortable nature experience we wanted. Would gladly come back again if we’re in the area.
Blaire Graham
I stayed in my tent, it was really nice staring up at redwoods going to sleep. Free coffee/tea/hot cocoa is a nice way to start and end the day. Be sure to explore the river. I found an awesome boulder to leap off of into some deep river, and a rope swing.
Margaret Eppli
What a fantastic campground, I wish we could have stayed longer! The entrance is VERY steep and narrow - coming from north to south it's okay, but coming from south to north the turn into the campground isn't possible with an RV, and the curve at the bottom of the hill to enter the campground may have your rig scraping the ground in the back. But the sites themselves are GORGEOUS, especially the waterfront sites - I'm very glad we got one! The campground was clean and well-maintained and the complementary coffee station was much appreciated.
Maria Cristina So
We had a great time during our long memorial weekend. Kids enjoyed river tubing. I love that they have a camp store, a laundry, free coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The place feels safe for the kids as no other travelers can come in except for guests who booked in this place. We already made our advance booking for next year! Hooray!